Putting The Lumix S5IIX To Work - Is It As Good As People Say?

[@TopshelfJunior]

Since the 5DMK2, I was always looking for a camera that I personally loved to do both photo AND video. Obviously a ton of cameras do it but I personally seperated the two things after I stopped using the 5DMK2. The Panasonic / Lunix S5ii is the first camera that I’ve comfortably done both on, photo and video.

[@adriannasyraf3534]

ever heard of R6mk2?

[@TopshelfJunior]

@@adriannasyraf3534 Lol, I mean...yeah I have but for a while I just wasn't paying attention to Canon, or I was using two different cameras to get what I wanted, one for photo and one for video. There were things I was liking with that, which made me not really look further to the R6MK2.

[@josecaban4850]

I was a Canon shooter since 2010 and now, I switched to Panasonic, especially for the Lumix S5IIX. So far, it is something else. I honestly can say that I don't miss Canon at all.

[@rolandcsuka1829]

So you are not photographer?You do more video with it?

[@neilfullframe]

Just switched from Sony to Panasonic S5II and an X as well. Love love love these cameras. Photos are great ! AF is good, plus compared to my A7IV and FX30 these cameras have features that other more expensive cameras don’t even have ! You explained a lot of those features. It’s really a no brainer and people may not agree but there’s a new king of hybrid cameras in 2024!

[@martzallmedia]

Z8?

[@LWG-Andy]

@@martzallmediaexpensive

[@williamsolis1]

Yeah definitely would love more Lumix content and even a comparison with your other cameras e.g colours, stabilisation, video quality etc.

[@d.idowuolutosin4250]

S5 II shooter over here and I LOVE that camera. I choose it over the S5 IIX because I’m a photographer only not a hybrid shooter. Also, the autofocus works fine to your point but I don’t really care about that either because I shoot 90% manual focus with Leica M mount glass adapted to my S5 II as well as my Nikon Zf. As for the ability to upload presets or LUTS onto this camera the other camera that allows it as well is the Nikon Zf. I have several LUTS I use for photo shoots and street photography with the Zf. I haven’t used that feature on the S5 II but I was aware it was there. Panasonic did a great job with its transition to full-frame and the cameras will only get better as it continues its partnership with Leica and Sigma. At this point, there’s not a digital camera system out there you can’t make great photos with. However, when it comes to bang for the buck in the full-frame world nothing beats LUMIX.

[@epicmap]

Hey, I also love to shoot with M lenses, but last time I've tried to use my lenses with Sony A7RII it was a HUGE problem with color shifting (corners were dark, pink and blurry as hell). This effect is especially pronounce with wide angle lenses, like Carl Zeiss 21mm ZM; So I'm using Leica SL since it has some microlenses or something on the sensor to compensate for the steep angles (caused by the back of the lens being very close to the sensor). So, how's it on S5II? I've heard that S1/S1R wasn't very good in this regard either.

[@coltonmonroe9824]

Thank you! I really enjoyed how you put the recordings specs on screen!! Cheers!

[@Princeton_James]

I've always enjoyed Panasonics colors so much. I think they are 2nd to Canon and Fuji which I'd tie at first. Panny always looks very good. Slightly more magenta which looks nice.

[@victorcandia]

the luts in camera can be revolutionary, I really hope you do that video and also that the industry pickup that great idea

[@karikaru]

Ive had my s5ii for a year now and agree. It's maybe not the best at some things but the total package of tools and capabilities is really unmatched for someone looking for a hybrid camera right now. If you dont need the x features, you can pick these up for likd $1500 used which is crazy.

[@flaviopresutti]

Yes, more content with lumix s5II , i own the s5 and I just going to buy the s5II or X for gimbal use, I'm used to manual focus always, but with the gimbal for some situations I need good autofocus!

[@uncleanAlibertine1]

new firmware is available and acprding to a majority is much better in af department and possibility of proxies recording and ibis is even more advance.

[@jacquesnel8384]

Great camera 📸 Great review Lee!

[@EdRobles1]

I just bought this camera and I’m about to go on a three country project in the Middle East, where it will be almost 100 degrees in the UAE and KSA. The internal fan and the IBIS were huge selling points. Have you tested the autofocus since the new update? Glad to see your photo performance review and the case looks intriguing. Great video. New subscriber.

[@Filmmaker809]

Great video Lee, question is does Panasonic Lumix let you keep the camera?

[@LeeZavitz]

Things have been unclear. This is a loaner unit. But they never gave me a time line on returning it. I have a couple projects coming up I want to use it on so hopefully I can keep it a bit longer

[@nycekix]

The fact that you switched cameras midway so we can see how the talking head would look was AWESOME!!! Every other youtuber talks about a camera while filming with a completely different camera lol

[@epicmap]

Some youtubers however have learnt the magic of buying two of them :)

[@michaelbell75]

Nice! Had the S5II but got bored with the same old boring mirrorless digital look with no character or soul every camera has these days, I sold it and went back to film and older CCD sensor digital cameras which have way more of a vibe. Pretty much any digital mirrorless camera made the past 5-6 years will do if this is the look you want. However, I think the S5II and S5IIx are the best bang for the buck on the market.

[@LeeZavitz]

A lot of people are loving the older stuff. I get it. I’m with you especially for personal projects or just creating. But for client work I still need the most pro clean image I can get which is what all these companies are striving to do

[@michaelbell75]

@@LeeZavitz yea I get that. I just recently shot a campaign for a pretty well known clothing brand who wanted that retro vibe. Shot the photos with my Canon Powershot G3 and the video on an older Canon camcorder. I’ve actually had an increase in bookings with clients wanting that look. I had success when I was shooting a Sony a7R IV, a Canon R5 or any of the others I’ve had with the high end primes, but clients can get that look literally anywhere these days. I’ve even had a few wedding clients who wanted everything shot with that digicam flash look, photos looked cool. Maybe it’s just a fad and will die out but it’s been fun! Not for everyone though ha. Your shots here are fantastic. Panasonic is such an underrated brand for portrait work. I own 5 of their older bridge cameras with the Leica lenses and love them. Look forward to more videos!

[@lonceysbusiness333]

Cheers so much 😊 rolling shutter please? ❤

[@zaiddagamseh]

I think all the KZbinrs are being told not to mention this because everyone is singing praises but not mentioning that it has FOUR TIMES the rolling shutter of the FX3 - it's ridiculous.

[@arminbaldon5347]

Great Video! I'm currently using the GH5 and looking to upgrade to a new full-frame camera. I'm torn between the S5iix and the FX3. Do you think the extra cost for the FX3 is worth it? I’ve watched several footage videos from both cameras on KZbin, especially in the music video genre, and I find Sony’s look much more modern and cinematic.

[@LeeZavitz]

If you have the money and don’t care about open gate you’ll enjoy the fx3. To me the fx3 is nearly perfect. 4K Full frame on all frame rates up to 120p(tiny crop at 120p). Amazing autofocus, awesome dynamic range. Almost no rolling shutter and amazing in lowlight. It doesn’t have as good of ibis as s5iiX and doesn’t have all the higher bitrate options but I’ve never found a time that sensor didn’t deliver even in h.265.

[@orinorio1]

Would get the S5iix use the money saved to get a few prime L mounts lens. Or get the S5ii use the spare to get lens and a good monitor that can recored pro res. Also now both S5ii/s record Proxy files internally.

[@brettgoulder5208]

I'd love to see autofocus tests with the new 3.0 firmware. I hear that's made video AF rock solid.

[@LeeZavitz]

Yeah I’ll have to get that installed and try it out. Apparently ibis with wider lenses has been fixed in terms of the corner wobble

[@orinorio1]

It's brillient. The AF with an L mount lens was already great it just got better. The IBS high does crop in the image but its outstanding.

[@MaxRovensky]

I bought this camera a few weeks ago and my Sony A7SIII now feels like inferior garbage 🚮 Yeah, rolling shutter is better, but it comes at the cost of half the sensor density 1080p slow mo, also dictated by CMOS physics is not a problem in the age of AI upscaler In every other criteria this camera is unbeatable value Also the last firmware update happened 4 weeks ago vs the almost 2x more expensive Sony which was last updated in September 2022

[@LeeZavitz]

I still prefer my a7siii for a few things. Autofocus is more reliable, 4K 24p, 60p, 120p with no crops. Rolling shutter is better. But s5iiX has Braw capability, 6k open gate, higher bitrates, better ibis

[@MaxRovensky]

@@LeeZavitz ibis was an contentious one for me because A7SIII has gyro stabilization capability which will never be matched by an ibis system, but then Sony broke Catalyst for latest versions of macOS 🫠 And since Gyroflow doesn't super like Sony's data format - Lumix ibis it is 😁

[@zaiddagamseh]

@@LeeZavitz I really want someone to just show the s5iix shooting something moving or being used while the operator is moving but it is impossible to find any videos that actually show rolling shutter performance other than Gerald Undone

[@hhankx]

Great vid! Just sold my s5ii because long gop in low light is terrible terrible. I would love to see some low light all intra! Looking for a new do it all hybrid, the s5ii fell short. The X seems like the better choice. I will agree, photos are amazing

[@vaskoobscura_]

Awesome video really enjoyed it. I've been so interested in the S5IIX but to be honest that focus overlay with the box and the cross hairs over someone's face is just such a visual eye sore and distraction it would drive me nuts. When you're sooting artistic photos one of the big factors is capturing the emotion and expression in a subject's eyes. That focus screen overlay totally blocks you from seeing/feeling that emotion when shooting photos. I can't stand it. I Don't even like the box around the eye that other brands use. We need to come up with a better solution.

[@LeeZavitz]

Yeah the box and crosshairs is so distracting. It’s completely unnecessary. But I assume that was made by engineers and not photographers.

[@vaskoobscura_]

@@LeeZavitz I think you’re definitely right about that. Hopefully they can find a better way to do it in the future.

[@mrdamiansingh]

Paniboy ! Is impressive if I wasn’t a R5 C shooter I would definitely 💯 cop a S5iix

[@adsonsoares1981]

Lee, where's Beck? Man, I miss her in your videos, after all, you two make a perfect duo in photoshoots! Hugs from Amazonas, Brasil.

[@mamumonkan]

THE FATAL FLAW that killed it for me was that the camera "forgets" the focus point in MF mode when switched off and on ( when using non focus clutch lenses ) !

[@eightfoldstories-weddingfi8022]

The issue for me with the s5ii or s5iix is that it reverts to the earlier DFD autofocus from Panasonic in certain settings. For example shooting in full HD above 30fps reverts to DFD . To sum it up better the s5ii can shoot phase detect autofocus when shooting 60fps on apsc crop only - sadly.

[@alexradsby]

Great review man!

[@epicmap]

Is 24MP enough for you photography work btw? I'm considering a 36+ MP camera for studio shootings

[@LeeZavitz]

For studio I would want higher but for everything else 24mp is enough

[@johnclay7644]

informative video

[@LeeZavitz]

Thanks for watching

[@simongentry]

Lee - which flash were you using at the beginning of the video? as usual great and informative video. ☕️

[@LeeZavitz]

I was using the godox V1s same flash I use for everything. I was actually using a Fuji trigger but it still worked on the Lumix up to 1/160

[@simongentry]

@@LeeZavitz thanks mate.

[@mex5341]

great camera indeed!

[@iyason6878]

Yeah the terrible rolling shutter in native mode (full frame), why is this full frame if the jello is so bad

[@calebruiz8440]

I’m looking into buying a new camera for videography. I’m heavily debating between the A7iv and the S5iix. Coming from a Nikon D7500, any option will be a major upgrade. The only thing that is making me doubt over the S5iix is the AF. Everyone says that the A7iv is superior with its AF, but is the S5iix’ AF reliable? How likely is it to fail with me?

[@vikwang007]

I bought s5iix，for me, many times i just shoot handheld, it is amazing, the autofous is enough for me.😊😊

[@calebruiz8440]

@@vikwang007 Thanks!

[@Studiotek]

The difference between Sony and Lumix is that Lumix will provide FREE firmware updates for many years. Most of these firmware updates not only make things like AF even better... they also include brand new features for FREE! Sony, on the other hand, hardly ever releases free firmware updates. Once you buy their camera, that's it for the features.

[@calebruiz8440]

@@Studiotek Okay good to know. Thanks for the reply.

[@Robert.hodgson]

I shoot with both Sony a1 and a7rv and the s5iix. After 20+ years of filming, if I want to improve and enjoy the craft again, lately I’ve been grabbing the Panasonic every time over my Sony. It’s just fun and enjoyable to me. Using it now for a job and it’s been great. But I don’t think you can really go wrong with most brands these days.

[@PagosaCreative]

I've owned this camera for almost a full year and it's incredible. For those interested I've got a long term review up on my channel.

[@user-sh8op2ku3c]

You are lucky in life and I only dream about this camera, but dreams also come true, don’t they?

[@zachjack]

And this is were I'm at, I have a a6600, and I want to upgrade, I'm stuck between a7IV, Fuji XH2, or this S5IIx. As a hybrid guy, I want it great a both. At this point I won't buy anything lol.

[@LeeZavitz]

It’s tough because they priced this camera so well. But gotta remember coming from Sony you’ll have to also get all new lenses. If you don’t already have full frame Sony lenses for the a7iv that is. But I would probably buy this over an xh2 for sure

[@zachjack]

@@LeeZavitz thanks for the reply. I’ll at least skip the Fuji then

[@jinxnarzy2920]

And I'm confused between fx30/xh2s/a7iv 😂

[@MiFomin]

S5iix have same price and many options to compare with Nikon zf. + Nikon buy red and may update video specs in their cameras. What do you think about it?

[@LeeZavitz]

The Nikon zf is a great camera but I don’t think it’ll ever get updates that make it like a red cinema camera. It’s not a flip of a switch it requires specific hardware which the camera won’t have

[@MiFomin]

@@LeeZavitz thank you, Lee!

[@runcmd1419]

You can load presets onto Nikon cameras :)

[@victorcandia]

I've seen that on videos of the Zf, but I think is not the same as loading LUTs

[@martzallmedia]

What flash do you use for photography?

[@EdRobles1]

Late here with a question. The C1-3 dial settings seem to be stuck on Program. I haven’t been able to set it to 180 degree shutter angle no matter what I try. I’ve seen tutorials and nothing seems to solve it.

[@mostlyfinnishlifeeventsand5112]

Same problem here - these seem to be Program-only modes and you can't use Shutter or Aperture prio modes in there. Also, no way to use Creative Video features like 6K here either, it seems.

[@TheRealJonathanArdila]

They are easy to customize

[@mostlyfinnishlifeeventsand5112]

​@@TheRealJonathanArdila turns out you need to copy (in the menu) the current settings from another (ASM or Creative Movie) dial mode - then, all this indeed becomes configurable

[@JuanManuel-zj1zd]

Would you recommend the Sony 7IV or the S5 IIX for video?

[@LeeZavitz]

That’s tough. Both are so good in different ways. S5IIX has better ibis, higher bitrate options and 6k open gate. But a7iv has way better autofocus and a cleaner image (imo) both have average rolling shutter performance and both crop in 4K 60p. I think Sony has the better lens lineup but I don’t know if that would be a reason to choose.

[@export6664]

Make a video comparison between xiaomi 14 ultra vs dslr human photography

[@LeeZavitz]

If someone wants to send me that phone I will.

[@Soul_Visuals_Photography]

Did Panasonic ask for a video in return for lending this out?

[@LeeZavitz]

No, but it’s kind of my job to cover this stuff and it would be weird to just not make anything and send it back. I would have to really not like to product to do that

[@cheex9861]

Can you use sigma lenses on this camera?

[@LeeZavitz]

Yep! Any L mount even Leica lenses

[@GaryJahman]

she looks good too ;)

[@Nordbiene]

Great video, thumbs up and subscribed. :) Best regards. KAi

[@Fedorevsky]

Unless you need the training wheels (autofocus) the previous generation cameras SH1, S1 and S5 have much better image quality

[@martysender5539]

I like my gh,6 better.

[@LeeZavitz]

Lenses are smaller. That’s one nice thing

[@GGori_99]

$2200 ?????????????? Is that Canadian ?????? Dang

[@LeeZavitz]

$2200 usd

[@castielvargastv7931]

You should not say this video is not sponsored. They send you the camera. If i want to review this camera i have to buy or rent it which would coat me lots.of money. Your video IS sponsored.

[@LeeZavitz]

So I can’t make a video showing you what the camera is capable of and give you my opinions without buying it?

[@Studiotek]

If the video was sponsored, Lumix would have PAID Lee to create what basically amounts to a commercial. All they did was send him a camera to test out. He has no financial motivation to not tell the truth. That is the difference. Also, 99% of the time reviewers have to send back the camera after they finish testing it. It's not like they bribed him with a free camera either.

[@castielvargastv7931]

@@Studiotek you are paid. You could not do the video without paying money if they did not give you the camera. You do advertisement for them, thats the only reason they gave it to you. Them sending you the camera is worth dollars and cents. Your content is your money as well. No camera no content. Not every payment is made in paper money. Someone who paid for the camera with his own money is not sponsored, you are.

[@Studiotek]

@@castielvargastv7931 What? That's what I'm trying to explain to you lol... They didn't give him the camera. They just let him test it and he shipped it back... That's how it works. They aren't giving away free cameras.

[@castielvargastv7931]

@@Studiotek lets say i want to make a video about this camera.. the body alonee would cost me 300€ rent , lenses cost extra. So such a video would cost me 5-600€ if i dont have the money i cant do it. He got the camera for free to make this video so he got 600€ of value and if his channel grows it makes him even more money. I dont have 600 to make such a video so i dont do it.. you get the logic? He may does the video for free but he only can do it because they give him the camera y thats sponsoring to me. If he can do 4 videos a month with free cameras thats 2400 value a month! Of course such a video usually has a more friendly tone as if he bought it himself because free cameras are worth something for a youtuber which makes his videos just as biased as if you would get money in cash.

[@mamumonkan]

hahah still no answer to this ??? so here again: The Panasonic S -system has one MORTAL FLAW: And that >>MORTAL FLAW

[@_tographer]

I dig it, nice work!