Panasonic LUMIX S5II Review | Hands On At A Real Wedding

This Panasonic Lumix S5II review has been in the works for a while and we are so excited to share all about this brand new camera for wedding filmmakers!
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The Panasonic Lumix S5 mark ii is here and with it comes Lumix's brand new AF system! Enjoy our full review of this new mirrorless camera from Lumix. We had the amazing opportunity to fly out to Tokyo to partner up with Lumix and check out this camera pre release and we've been hands on since that point about 30 days ago. Wo, we've made sure to take this camera and put it through it's paces in Japan, in our studio, at a portrait session and even at a real wedding to see just what this full frame beast can do and if the new Phase Hybrid Autofocus really does but this camera up there with the likes of the Sony A7IV and the Canon R6.
And great news to report, the lumix s5ii autofocus for video nailed it, and it is now competitive in the market with it's new phase af system making it a major player in the quest for the best camera for wedding videos.
We loved getting to do a panasonic lumix s5 ii comprehensive review with the new lumix s5ii from Panasonic and think that this should be a camera that many people should consider upgrading to if you're already in the lumix system, but also a camera that should now be in the conversation of the sony a7siii vs lumix s5ii or the canon r6 vs lumix s5ii and actually enticing people to switch over.
0:00 Intro
2:12 Camera Specs Overview
4:57 Hands on with the Lumix S5II in Japan
7:25 Camera Feel and Build Quality
8:47 A7IV vs R6 vs S5II - Color
9:35 S5II Photo Style and LUT overview
10:50 Noise tests
11:14 Lumix S5 ii IBIS tests
12:07 Hybrid Phase Autofocus - Overview
14:35 Portraits Session
18:18 AF Test - A7IV vs R6 vs S5 vs Lumix S5 mark II
19:47 Price
20:38 Shooting a Real Wedding with the Lumix S5II
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#weddingfilmmaking #lumixS5II #panasoniclumix

[@alborzmont2860]

Tears of joy 🥹 seeing Lumix with great AF

[@deepdas7168]

Same here 🤗

[@FilmMavericks]

Great practical and thorough review as always. Well done WFS team!

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Much appreciated!

[@jullianvaladares2705]

The S5iiX definitely seems like the best move. It's worth the money, and worth the wait.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I do think many filmmaker will not really need ProRes RAW. That being said… the all black is CLUTCH!!!

[@26alexxkidd]

@@WeddingFilmSchool with that being true, the fact that it's only 300$ more is amazing

[@nightdonutstudio]

I do not even use the All-I option in my Sony camera. All the features All-I, prores to ssd, external raw seems not for everyone. I would be a lot more happy that they instead add 4k 60p full frame mode in the X version. Mid 2023, $2300 camera should have 4k 60p full frame mode.

[@letsgetphysicalmedia6679]

Very stoked for this upgrade. I'll be holding out for the S5II X. Gimme that prores internal!

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

It's a beast! So pumped to have another significant well rounded player in the game for wedding filmmaking!

[@justesmond]

I shoot Canon for hybrid wedding coverage. My R5 is a perfect photo camera. I’m in the market for a better video oriented camera for my team. This Panasonic S5 ii has my attention. 👀

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I think the R5 is still a better option, but def WAY more expensive. The R5s ability to shoot 4K60 is pretty great, but if I had to buy 5 of them but the S5II is an amazing camera and I don’t think you can lose.

[@justesmond]

@@WeddingFilmSchool For photos, the R5 is near perfect. For videos it’s great for 4k 24/30p (8k oversampled) and 8k 24/30p (full sensor) and is as good as you can get. But regular 4k 60p on the R5 is line skipped and is not as sharp as the 4k 24/30 or 8k. It’s an issue specific to the R5. The R6 and R6 ii have better 4k 60 then my workhorse R5 that costs $1500 more. 🙄

[@happyfox3275]

Is it true that in FHD the camera disables the PDAF and reverts baco to Contrast and DFD like the original s5?

[@Scriptshepherd]

How big would you say the difference in autofocus reliability is between the Lumix S5ii and a Sony camera like the A7siii for weddings?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I’d give the slight edge to Sony, but the Lumix is very good.

[@YaYousef5]

Excellent comparison between the 3 cameras! How's the eye autofocus consistencey with stills? Does it actually focus on the eye or does it focus on eyebrows/eyeglasses rims when you upload it to the computer and check the focus?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Seems to be the eyes. Glasses didn’t seem to be an issue although the human detection did seem to struggle with seated subjects next to standing subjects

[@YaYousef5]

@@WeddingFilmSchool Thanks for responding!

[@deepdas7168]

I like that " autofocus intro " glad that you don't cut it 😃😃😃😄😄😄

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

😁

[@manilamartin1001]

I finally got to play with one. I like it but will wait for a ne S1R. Great review. I'm a wedding video photographer.

[@nicodemoperez]

Can someone tell me if you still have the limit record every 30 minutes?

[@JonathanAyers]

I found it interesting when it came to noise you said it's certainly no A7sii but comparable to the A7iv or R6 and I've seen plenty of reviews where the A7iv is superior to both of those examples when it comes to handling higher ISOs and noise. I'm looking for a new camera and from what I've found the 7k sensor on the A7iv does better than the A7siii and the R6. Do you disagree with this assessment, specifically when it comes to handling the higher ISOs? I had basically decided on the A7iv and then this camera came out... haha so now I have to make sure this isn't a better option and it's certainly looking like it could be.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

It depend on what you mean. The second native ISO for slog3 is 12800, which is super clean. The A7S3 is def the lowlight king but some of it may be where you wanna be shooting. I find 12800 in SLOG 3 to be too high for some environments so even though I had a higher floor it was forces me to adjust my other settings in ways I may not want. I do think have s-cinetone on the A7S3 mitigated this issue somewhat. That being being said I found the image noise to be very similar between A7IV and the S5II and actually find iso range in LOG to be more useful than the crazy high range in the A7S3. That being said too… I don’t shoot LOG for weddings and the A7S3 in Cinetone is perfect for me.

[@guccidaniels]

Jheez this video looks crisp. what's your export settings for this one?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

For the video we uploaded. Just generic 4k H.264 exports in Final Cut Pro. Garbage in. Garbage out.

[@matty996748]

Amazing. In MF is possible to magnify to check focus while in rec? Thanks

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Yes, it is

[@sergiypervun]

Talking about slow motion BTW... Lumix S5II and S5IIX don't have new Phase Detect AF in 1080p full frame 50,60,100 and 120 FPS but only old Contrast AF which is the biggest disappointment... So for some reason people who prefer to shoot 1080p FF in slow-mo from 50 to 120 fps they should do that with old glitchy Contrast base AF. Same for all of those who were hoping to upscale 1080p 50-120 fps to 4k - no PDAF. And taking into account it's a video-oriented hybrid camera, it looks like without a firmware update in the next several months almost perfect camera becomes garbage. I preordered S5IIX and now looking forward to the firmware update. Hope they will fix it by the time S5IIX ships. If not - will just move to another brand.

[@aram.v]

Awesome Video! I Can you check if the S5II HDMI-out desqueezes your image straight out of the camera on anamorphic mode without the help of an external monitor’s desqueeze function like the ninja v?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Sure… it does have anamorphic mode so I’m assuming it also does that via the HDMi too.

[@aram.v]

@@WeddingFilmSchool can you plug it to a normal tv and check?

[@Docfly62]

Why didn't you have the 2nd subject in the S5ll footage enter the frame AND fully walk across it as was the case in the Canon and Sony footage?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Blame Caleb for not rolling the camera

[@onovoguto]

Hi! Amazing video! I’m looking for a good camera for video, so what do you think about the lumix s5iix and the Fujifilm xh2s? Which for you is better for video? Thanks

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Which lenses do you own?

[@onovoguto]

@@WeddingFilmSchool I have just one 23mm viltrox for Fuji, I have the xt3 but I’m think to upgrade “I work only with videos”

[@grain-video]

Good job on the review! Nice to see that this S5 II kept the R6 behind, colorscience-wise 😮

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I think I just didn’t give the R6 what it wanted btw. We def don’t claim to be experts in all cameras out there

[@MayurMahapatraFilms]

Nice video.. could you let us know what’s the best third party zoom lens right now for the new AF system. How’s the sigma 24-70 2.8?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

We used the Sigma 24-70 2.8 in Tokyo and didn’t like it nearly as much as the Lumix equivalent. Obviously, a huge price difference but we bought the Lumix one. That’s how much we liked it.

[@MayurMahapatraFilms]

@@WeddingFilmSchool thank you for replying? But $2200 is even more than the body itself.. 😳🤟

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

It’s in sale for $2000. I’m pretty accustomed to pay more for glass, then a camera body, though. Good glass > camera, any day! Do what is right for you though!

[@IronMacFitness]

@@WeddingFilmSchool when you say didn’t like the sigma 24-70…is this due to AF, as I notice the lack of AF when using Sigma on current S5 model and was hoping it would improve on the Mk2

[@freddiecauseyii9419]

When' Panasonic makes a great zoom like a 70-200mm f2.8 for the system I may then upgrade from my GH5s'. My current setup in one gh5 with the 35-100 f2.8 and another one with the 42.5 f1.7 when shooting. Does it have the extele convertor option like the gh5 does?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

They make that. It’s great! www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1543558-REG/panasonic_lumix_s_pro_70_200mm.html

[@freddiecauseyii9419]

@@WeddingFilmSchool Thanks

[@Stone1108]

Hi new subscriber here, an impressive review, and quality production, both of you with your video skills, knowledge and experience, noticeable to say the least, add real credibility to the review. That fact you rate this camera as a non Lumix shooter goes a long way too, and all for $2k. As a lumix shooter i’m struggling to keep my wallet securely in my pocket, waiting for, as you point out, what comes next in the S line up. I want a sports capable FF Lumix please. The S5II is almost it, just need a faster mech shutter burst with very capable AFC, recon a S1ii might be my answer. 🤞

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Praying for that S1ii as well!

[@zmstudiochannel]

Great review friends. It's much appreciated if you show as the best setting of this camera for wedding.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I would say, there are no “best settings”. It’s all relative to what you’re shooting and how you wanna handle it and post production. I felt like almost all the picture profiles have a use and you would be happy with almost any of them depending on what you were trying to do.

[@justinwehland]

I'll be honest I have had the tilt and rotating screens when I had the tilt I missed the rotating and when I had the rotating I missed the tilt. Pros and cons about both to be honest. This is a self filming camera and the rotating makes sense.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I just hate the flip screen shooting handheld with a camera strap. Which happens to be my favorite way to shoot

[@petepictures]

Cool, does it have synchro scan feature?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Yep

[@thenotoriouslens3566]

Hey, would you happen to have a link to the lens?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Which lens. The 24-70 or the kit lens? We used about 5 lenses in this review btw.

[@mbismbismb]

One serious question, is it dangerous to put ur eye on the evf where the dispersion fan is around that area? I’m afraid it can be hot especially the skin around your eyes are thin

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I didn’t notice any additional warmth coming from the eyepiece.

[@munishkumar82]

Great

[@noah.tingen]

It’s not code for line level. There is actually an option to change the mic input from ‘mic’ to ‘line’ level

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Thanks! Hence the disclosure in the video.

[@memorjalizafilms3002]

Definitely a flip screen for me

[@skinbones]

AS A Lumix GH series shooter the only reason I wont upgrade is cause don´t do 4k 60p.... it should be already a standard if it goes at LEAST from that.. or am I wrong?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

It does shoot 4k60 cropped, but that field of view is still much small than the APS-C crop in the S5II. It’s much much harder to do on a full frame readouts than a smaller sensor like a Micro 4/3. The Sony A7S3 has a very low megapixel level to do this and the cameras this competes with (the Sony A7IV and the Canon R6) also have cropped 4k60. It’s because these camera want to be able to perform as hybrid photo AND video camera so the low megapixel sensors just won’t work. At this price point and with the high a mega pixel count the crop is common.

[@skinbones]

@@WeddingFilmSchool got it! now im reading the full specs.. it does it only in super 35mm crop. my question now is, the autofocus works on this mode?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Yes sir. Really really well.

[@ehr5465]

And it's 4k 60p 10 bit instead of 8 bit!! GH shooter here too and I think I'm going to upgrade! We've lived with a crop for so long it's not even an issue anymore 😌

[@skinbones]

@@ehr5465 thats true!

[@user-ed1ng7vl3g]

Hello from Russia and thanks for good work!

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Hey buddy!!!

[@rdmgrooves3866]

I expected all the new cameras come with the GH6 tilt flip screen system.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I prefer that, too

[@valerio_c]

Try S5II in slomo mode and test if AF works fine… unfortunately it doesn't seem to be performant..

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

It works great in 60fps

[@valerio_c]

@@WeddingFilmSchool 60fps yes, but 120fps fhd no…

[@markshirley01]

Tap to track killed it for me

[@truboston]

There is 1.5 crop when shooting 50/60 fps in 4k :(((((

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

APS-C crop. Same as the R6 and A7IV. You just can’t (yet) get a sensor readouts that fast with that many megapixels at this price. It’s a hybrid photo and video too so there are just packing a lot on value in the camera for that price. I’d look for that in the S1H replacement.

[@jullianvaladares2705]

@Wedding Film School The R6 only has a 1.07x crop when shooting 4K 60p, so it is almost like using the whole sensor. Meanwhile, the A7IV shoots 4K 60p with a Super 35 crop. However, the R6 is lower in resolution, at about 20 megapixels.

[@petercofrancesco9812]

@@WeddingFilmSchool Like Julian said Canon R6ii has no crop for Sony has the A7s3. Both more expensive but L mount lenses are more expensive, bigger and heavier. For example the 24-70 $2,000 5lbs and bigger.

[@darealphantom]

Great review this really sold me on the S5ii I’ve been a canon shooter quit 2 years ago and jumping back in, the Portrait session was so 🔥🔥🔥 very clean image, btw what lens was used?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

We have the full set of Lumix primes and a 24-70 so it could have been any of the one LOL

[@darealphantom]

@@WeddingFilmSchool perfect! The 1.8 primes?

[@aA-mw4jb]

High iso I can shoot 10,000 on Sony how is it compared to Panasonic?

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

A7S3 ion slog3 is 12800. The X is nowhere near this good in lowlight.

[@gibbyvisuals]

👍

[@martysender5539]

good review Marty Sender You Tube

[@Aviciiz]

Surprising how the canon did worst in the colour test imo. Thought the S5 took the cake on this one

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Could have been user error btw.

[@waynosfotos]

The newer Canons have a lot of magenta. I shoot canon R3. The older EOS R had nicer colours.

[@JeromeMorada]

I think its far behind canon and sony Autofocus, you should show us a real world fast moving subject video autofocus test. On your test the subject is not moving.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

You should sign up as a monthly member so I can afford to do that

[@erickdavid1615]

@@WeddingFilmSchool Jerome asked you a honest request/review. I think you missed this test.

[@BNC593]

Is everyone just sick and tired of hearing how great the low light performance is on the A7SIII, only to find out it’s not. You may want to see other reviews including Potato Jets where he compare the ISO performance. Especially where ISO counts in the 6400 or lower range. The S5II blows it away. The Sony may kick in its dual native at 12800 (they never advertised that since they know it would be a lie), but the image takes on a plastic look to it, probably NR and said so by many.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

I would actually say I’m not a fan of 12800 as a native point, as well… btw. It’s too high.

[@traviswilber5231]

Please do Lens Cap review next pls!!!!!!!

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Oh I have a lenscap for you!!!

[@mex5341]

i know its too late maybe, but dont ever use E-stab

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

It’s solid. Updates fix some of the issues

[@mex5341]

@@WeddingFilmSchool no, it gives you more wiggles and shakes. Just use normal mode and post stab if you need. E- stab is the fastest option to ruin your footages , esp for walking.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

If u use it correctly it’s very good. I’ve shot many weddings with it and I just map e-stab to a custom button and toggle on and off throughout the day. No issues in the right situation, like standing covering a long toast handheld or shooting a static detail shot.

[@mex5341]

@@WeddingFilmSchool yes , for these shots ofc it works fine , but I would use Boost stab. For walking , panning just normal Ibis works better for me

[@samuelgisita]

Flip-out

[@kentmemories]

Color Lumix > Canon > Sony

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

One thing to keep in mind, we didn’t really try to get the best out of any of them. We just kind of set them up on a baseline.

[@usyouthem]

With all due respect, but the AF is worse than in Sony and Canon. These couple of shots supposedly from a wedding, it's not a real wedding, it's a party of rich homosexuals. I would like to see shots in different lighting, during a ceremony in a dark church, preparations in a dark apartment, a spontaneous outdoor shoot, listen to the sound from the camera without an external microphone, and hear how this camera works with different lenses. Besides, if you're not filming a wedding in AF, why are you talking so much about it? I'm waiting for the next model, because this one is just taking its first steps in fast AF.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

It is a real wedding. An actual paying client. And who cares how a camera sounds?

[@waynosfotos]

Lumix who? I just want to know why you shoot in picture profile. 🤣

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

Huh?

[@PearTreePictures1950]

Don’t trust anyone who has been given the camera

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

So everyone ever doing any camera reviews ever? What a weak sauce take.

[@franciscosunworld]

Sorry..that is not "A Real Wedding"

[@Young_Movie_Maker]

why do you feel the necessity to put totally distracting muzak on your audio ? I had to stop watching because it is so irritating.

[@WeddingFilmSchool]

We like it.