Best Hybrid Full Frame? Panasonic S5 Field Review

Looking for a well-rounded, full-frame hybrid camera with amazing video chops at a reasonable price? The Panasonic S5 should most definitely make your shortlist!
In this video, we'll cover all the basic specs of the new Panasonic S5, and then put it through its paces in the field for still photography and video, including wildlife photography, slow-mo 180fps, video timelapse functionality, and also the new Live View Composite mode.
And after watching, be sure to check out all of our S5 content at Imaging-Resource.com. Here you'll find all the deep details on the camera as well as our full image gallery and more.
www.imaging-resource.com/PROD...
Thanks for watching, everyone!
- The Imaging Resource Team
#Panasonic #PanasonicS5 #FieldReview

[@FigleyCreative]

This is the best review video that I have watched in a long time. You left space for thought, the footage and photos were beautiful, and still the coverage was thorough. I enjoyed my G85, now my G9. Great cameras and now it seems like Panasonic has another winner in the lineup. Excited to test this one out for myself.

[@thewalkingvloggingman7152]

G85 SUCKED, THE G95 WAS BETTER.

[@FigleyCreative]

@@thewalkingvloggingman7152 You know, I never used the G95 and it seems to have turned out to be a better camera than the reviewers would have you believe. I do now have the S5 and have been using it for about six months. I like it in some ways and am frustrated in others. Footage is very nice and detailed (even the 8bit) and personally I am drawn to the colors, particularly when using the Natural profile. However, as we all know, the auto-focus leaves much to be desired even after the improvements. Oh well.

[@zenonbillings9008]

truly the best video review of the pansonic S5 that's out there, truly excellent. thank very much !

[@markwcooper]

great video and very compelling, thanks!

[@iamhassan9943]

Who knew Bill Clinton did camera reviews. 😆 I kid. Nice review.

[@carlosmendoza7423]

10 seconds into this video, this is exactly what I thought 😂

[@the_black_douglas9041]

Haha! Have you ever seen the movies of Terrence Malick? I thought it was a Malick film 😝

[@iamhassan9943]

Doug Austin No but guess I will have to now.

[@the_black_douglas9041]

@@iamhassan9943 man, do yourself a favour! So great!! "The Thin Red Line" and "Tree Of Life"are the best two.

[@AlbertArt]

LOL

[@FigleyCreative]

Btw, thanks for all the years of amazing content on the Imaging Resource wesite!

[@neonbirding2680]

Great comprehensive review, I had to see it a couple of times. And great video/photo conten for the review.

[@barrosopalosantos]

Congrats! Great video, thanks a lot!!!

[@JosephOlar]

excellent video and review

[@Bilgunkhan1]

This is the camera i was waiting for, gonna be upgading from my micro 4/3ˋs Panasonic G85

[@AndrewSacchini]

Same here! I just ordered the S5 and am upgrading from the G85, can’t wait!

[@tyronnezx]

@@AndrewSacchini Same

[@MichaelUeberschaer]

Great video!

[@baihu4u]

Nice review!

[@madmanjoe]

Beautiful footage.

[@garybrown9719]

Nice vocals presentation excellent Easy to understand If this camera had phase detection There would be no competition

[@tekguyphoto]

Any feedback on the EVF ??? Whats it like. Thanks.

[@craigcarlson4022]

Absolutely beautiful footage and stills. Well done. I’m a long time canon and less often nikon shooter. But this model really draws me and is top of my list for going back to FF. The combination of no optical low pass filter plus the high res mode, plus some great Sigma lenses means it could likely deliver great landscape results when you need, without all the expense of going to one of the high res models. Plus the numerous other options and video capabilities you highlight. And that lens is so innovative...i could see using that often. Craig

[@imagingresourcereviews]

Thanks for the kind note, Craig! We just shot lab first shots and the high res shot in the lab was just amazing. I was not very pleased with having to give this camera back, and hope to own one myself someday. To me it is far more capable than the price would suggest. Happy shooting!

[@craigcarlson4022]

imagingresource cool beans; i’ll look forward to your further installments about this thing.

[@craigcarlson4022]

@@imagingresourcereviews Dave, When you get to your more in-depth review, would love to hear what you think of the colors of the raw files from this S5. I'm considering leaving Canon for this camera, and Canon's color rendering has been one of its attributes that has kept me with them this long. But all the other aspects of this Panasonic are very appealing...more so than Canon's new R6. Thanks, Craig

[@imagingresourcereviews]

Interesting thought on color. Both Canon and Panasonic have extensive history in the video arena, decades of service, and neither one would have been able to exist for this long without good color science. I certainly found the S5 to render images and clips that were true to what I was seeing in the field, just as I've found with cameras like the G9 and GH5 as well. To be sure I'd think from my own experience (combined with our recent R6 Field Test) that you'll experience good and accurate color rendering with either the S5 or R6, and also plenty of options for controlling white balance and picture profiles. To me the decision would come down to other features, and how important they are to your style. Good luck with the tough decision!

[@RichartAsia]

Looks good!

[@mfarmarco]

Great video.

[@ADNZ5442]

I’m not sure why but when I use the S5 with sigma 200-600 I’m getting soft blury and noisy images on wildlife like moving birds. Even so on sunny days with iso 100-500 and shutter speeds of 2000 a second and more. Any idea why? Doesn’t seem to do it with the Z9

[@ammadoux]

great video.

[@jasoncha1148]

Great video...!! Were all these video samples shot in V-log ?

[@imagingresourcereviews]

Thanks! No, I'm not yet high-end enough for color grading.... these clips were all shot using standard picture profiles, mostly on the "landscape" setting.

[@sidewaysluke]

nice osprey !!

[@maze400]

I have only one problem with this video, I now want the S5 instead the Z5... I want to pair this with manual lenses, how good is it at that? One other thing, I think while phase detection may be quicker than contrast, it has issues. Unless I am wrong, those cells do not contribute to the pixels of the image and can cause banding.

[@professionalpotato4764]

Banding is practically a myth that's not visibly identifiable, unless you zoom in maybe 800-1000%. Every single manufacturer that's not Panasonic uses phase detect, and people have been shooting without issues. Phase is quicker than traditional contrast, but still slow. DFD is quicker than phase, however not as accurate. That is why Sony uses a hybrid system, where contrast detect first throws the lens elements into near focus, and phase detect irons out the last bit of adjustments making it smooth.

[@superzero4250]

If I were ever to consider full-frame, I think this would likely be the direction I would lean, or at least the Mark II version of this camera. Surely the next iteration can’t be called the S6. That would limit the S1 to three more versions. Things could always improve, but they should really consider a full sized HDMI port next time. That is my only real gripe with this camera... .

[@AB-vb2mm]

Nice 👍

[@urbanrunoff]

has anyone tried 35mm leica M-mount lenses on this camera?

[@slappop7082]

Yes. They work great. I often have a Noctilux attached to mine (using an adapter from Urth).

[@juniorjones5137]

Thanks for the review very good u must be a panasonic rep but u left a few comparisons out Z6 has a better ev Z6 has better resolution screen Z6 can do 12 fps Z6 has a better 24-70f4 lens Z6 offers afordable lenses Z6 has a bigger screen Z6 better focusing S5 has 180 but not real good S5 has a a pull out screen S5 can do 10bit S5 unlimited recording 8bit S5 has large 96mgp option S5 has waveform S5 has two card slots I must say I want to get the s5 but the lack of affordable available 35 50 or 85 at 1.8 is holding me back and the sigma lenses do not focus correctly on pan bodies i may go with the nikon and buy an external screen any thoughts?

[@juniorjones5137]

Just noticed u work for image resource they are a great group 👍

[@youareawesome8]

S5 has 4k 60p in crop mode. Got pre-burst, stack photos in camera Raw conversion, stop motion.both camera AF is not very reliable in video. I think if you are more into video. S5 is a better buy. IMO. I'm also consider this camera coming from sony A7RIII & A6600. Sony disappointment release of A7C got me consider getting S5.( like to have 10bit 4:2:2: and unlimited record) and A7sIII is out of my budget .

[@juniorjones5137]

@@youareawesome8 the z6 also has in camera RAW conversion and also it has stop motion and you can use nikon delighting in video mode both great cameras the lens selection is pulling me towards z6

[@imagingresourcereviews]

Thanks for the note! No, I'm not a Panasonic rep. They'd never allow me to mention the (somewhat) underwhelming C-AF performance that I mentioned several times in this video. I believe the Z6 to be an excellent hybrid camera, and a terrific buy as well. There are so many factors that go into our own individual choices for cameras, based on our personal preferences, and the Z6 makes my short list for great hybrids to recommend for sure. The reasons I lean towards the S5 for my own shooting is that I have to have an articulated screen (I can't live without one for video) and I also need 150 and 180fps (would prefer to not live without them). Lastly, I love the flexibility of having the Sigma lens line as an added bonus (although the new 14-24mm f/2.8 lens for Z-mount surely beefs up the Z6 recommendation for video). But, again, those are my personal thoughts, and I'm aware that some of my colleagues at IR would purchase a Z6 first. Each camera will most assuredly get the jobs done.

[@MyNorthAmetican40]

Yes I agree that the Z6 is a capable competitive option, however the lack of dual card slots is a slam dunk on NOT getting one.

[@SD_Alias]

i have the GH5 and its a little bit too small for my hands. I assume the S5 s too small for bigger hands.

[@phildoodler2199]

You must have shovels for hands

[@SD_Alias]

@@phildoodler2199 haha ;-) no, i would rate them XL but not XXL

[@wcbibb]

I could update from the G9......

[@luckgod1857]

will s5 be good for weddings and ivends ?

[@Chilloveque]

Depends if you need AF

[@imagingresourcereviews]

I'd be thrilled to have the S5 for a wedding (or better yet two!) as it's terrific for both stills and video. It's not too heavy yet still has good onboard IBIS, allowing for handheld video as needed as well. You'll likely want a brighter prime lens, brighter than the kit zoom, for the indoor work.

[@nicholasgenethliou6281]

@@imagingresourcereviews How does af single fares for shooting weddings stills only? Is it fast and accurate?

[@davidmurray5926]

3:33 Please enlighten me and tell me why. You tell us it’s a deal breaker but you don’t tell us why.

[@shaolin95]

Best? hahaha only in an alternate reality where Sony and Canon do not exist

[@robmulally]

Great video!!