Key specs
Kind: Mirrorless
Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame CMOS
Lens mount: L-Mount
ISO vary: 100-51200
Viewfinder decision: 3.68m dots
Video functionality: 6K 30p / C4K 60p / FullHD 180p
Weight: 1.63 lbs
Measurement: 5.29 x 4.03 x 3.55 inches
Reminiscence card kind: 2x UHS-II SD
It tells you all the things you’ll want to know that there is just one digicam that rivals the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX, and that is the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, which is that this digicam’s little sibling. Briefly, the Lumix S5 IIX is the last word mirrorless digicam for video-first taking pictures.
Whereas most of the greatest wildlife images cameras provide wonderful video efficiency, in the event you’re in search of a physique the place the headline specs are skewed in the direction of the videography aspect then your search stops right here.
Panasonic has carved out a distinct segment for itself within the mirrorless digicam market because the video specialist — and that is a popularity that continues with the S5 IIX. This full-frame behemoth boasts all the things from 5.9K 12-bit ProRes RAW and BRAW to open gate seize.
None of which is to say that the S5 IIX cannot shoot stills, removed from it. With a strong 24.2MP sensor, a picture processor co-developed with Leica, and the addition of section detect autofocus, and as much as 30fps burst taking pictures, this can be a formidable imaging machine whether or not you are taking pictures or video.
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX: Design
True to type for Panasonic cameras, the Lumix S5 IIX has a really chunky physique. This has been contentious prior to now, as one of many key promoting factors of mirrorless cameras since their inception was that they could possibly be slimmer and smaller than DSLRs. Panasonic, although, embraces the satisfying, palm-filling type issue of thicker our bodies. So if you would like one thing that feels rugged and severe, that is for you.
A part of the chunkiness right here is the digicam’s energetic cooling system, which prevents the physique and innards from overheating when taking pictures at super-high framerates and bitrates. A bit little bit of black magic is in play right here, too, for the reason that digicam is weatherproof and can be utilized within the rain even with its air vents.
Talking of black magic, distinguishing the S5 IIX from the common S5 II is an all-black design giving the physique a modern, stealthy, nearly Batman-like really feel. Whereas this undoubtedly appears to be like cool, although, the monochrome styling could make it tough to see the place and what the assorted controls are (even the brand is black, with the one colour on the digicam being the pink file button).
A totally articulating touchscreen lets you view the motion from all angles, whether or not you are taking video or stills, although, within the case of the previous, one of many S5 IIX’s lone weaknesses is that there isn’t any tally lamp to let you realize that the digicam is recording.
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX: Performance
Let’s begin with the most important addition to a Panasonic digicam for the reason that producer launched its first ever mirrorless digicam in 2008: section detect autofocus.
Further equipment
Equipment lens: Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6
Greatest large lens: Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN | A
Greatest zoom lens: Panasonic Lumix S Professional 70-200mm f/2.8 OIS
Spare battery kind: Panasonic DMW-BLK22
Briefly, there are two sorts of autofocus methods: distinction detect, which is quick to accumulate focus but additionally continually refocuses (making a “pulsing” impact or shedding focus solely), and section detect, which is slower however extra correct. After years of releasing cameras with unsatisfying contrast-detect AF, Panasonic has now launched section hybrid autofocus that mixes the 2 applied sciences – and the outcomes are good.
We’re not fairly speaking Canon EOS R5 or Nikon Z8 ranges of efficiency, however the S5 IIX can now reliably detect and constantly observe topics with out trying to find focus (as earlier Panasonic fashions did), providing you with seamless taking pictures for each stills and video.
For stills, whereas the 24.2MP decision is slightly on the lean aspect lately, the picture high quality produced by this sensor may be very spectacular thanks in no small half to the L² Know-how partnership with Leica, which is accountable for the brand new picture processing engine.
The sensor really comes into its personal in relation to video, although, with astonishingly good 6K 30p and 4K 60p footage that may be captured all the best way as much as 12-bit 4:2:2 in each Apple ProRes RAW or Blackmagic BRAW, for final file constancy – and you may file on to SSDs in addition to an exterior video recorder/monitor.
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX: Efficiency
The S5 IIX guarantees quite a bit, and it delivers on all of them together with crucial of all for a video-oriented digicam, limitless video recording at any decision. Because of the energetic cooling system, the S5 IIX would not overheat even when pumping out 6K video – not like nearly each different mirrorless digicam obtainable.
The autofocus is nothing wanting a revelation, both. Panasonic cameras have all the time had implausible specs in each division besides AF, however the contrast-based Achilles heel has lastly been rectified. Once more it isn’t fairly on par with the Canons and Sonys of the world, however the distinction is evening and day in comparison with previous Panasonics.
Talking of evening and day, not solely does the AF carry out effectively in difficult mild, however the twin native ISO permits the digicam to seize extremely clear and crisp recordsdata even in settings with poor illumination. With 14 stops of dynamic vary, it is a breeze to grade your video in post-production or select a Actual-Time LUT from the prevailing library to create a glance as you seize your footage.
There’s wonderful in-body picture stabilization that delivers as much as 6.5 stops of compensation whether or not you are taking pictures stills or video – and it is positively among the many greatest within the enterprise for a full-frame digicam.
In actual fact, the one actual draw back with the S5 IIX is that the battery life is underwhelming. Given how a lot effort was put into limitless recording occasions, by ensuring that the digicam would not overheat, it is a disgrace that you’re going to nonetheless must preserve a detailed eye in your battery meter, although not less than you possibly can plug in an influence financial institution to maintain issues operating.
Must you purchase the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX?
The Lumix S5 IIX is a succesful stills shooter, with a full-frame picture sensor that delivers spectacular picture high quality, low mild efficiency and file constancy, and provides super-fast 30fps burst taking pictures that is ultimate for capturing quick motion. Nevertheless, there are higher images cameras on the market.
What there aren’t, although, are higher videography cameras on the market (until you step as much as a cinema digicam). So in the event you’re pleased with a succesful stills physique as a result of what you really need are blow-away video options, the S5 IIX is your digicam.
If the Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX is not for you
If you wish to keep on with a full-frame sensor, the Nikon Z8 is tough to fault. Just like the Lumix, it is a video juggernaut, able to taking pictures as much as 8K 60p, nevertheless it’s additionally a five-star stills digicam because of its 45MP sensor and as much as 120fps burst taking pictures.
For a smaller type issue, check out the Canon EOS R7. An APS-C physique that may use smaller lenses (and likewise will increase their efficient focal lengths), it provides implausible 4K video that is oversampled from 7K, together with 32.5MP stills and industry-best AF.
And if you would like the smallest potential equipment bag, take into account the unimaginable OM System OM-1. This Micro 4 Thirds digicam boasts the smallest lenses within the enterprise in addition to the most important lens choice and it doubles their efficient focal size, too. It captures 4K 60p and its 20.4MP sensor can seize high-resolution stills of as much as 80MP.