Sony A7IV vs Panasonic Lumix S5II (High ISO, Dynamic Range, Color Science)

[@bastiansteingruber5887]

Watched 10 comparison videos and still didn't know which one to buy. This video helped me soooo much doing decision, THANK YOU!!!

[@CLIFFLIX]

This is only an 8 stop rec709 "LUT" comparison,...not a Sony\Lumix 14 stop LOG curve dynamic range comparison. The NATIVE tone map "should" have been shown for both cameras in this video. Instead, we only got very limited high contrast LUTS applied.

[@grantgilbert6575]

I came from a Sony camera and live and died by Sony. Although, LUMIX definitely is getting ahead of Sony with the price tag of the S5ii being so low. I would look into a LUMIX!

[@BryGuy418]

Thank you for taking the time to do this!

[@xdanielpatrick]

I loved this test. Both excellent cameras, I do prefer Lumix. The differences are very subtle but there is just something about the greens and earth tones that just look better on the S5II to me than on Sony. You can really see this at 3:23. Also, it’s so subtle but the blues and skintones I feel are a hair better as well but I know you are just using each’s Rec709 LUT.

[@ccudjoe89]

the differences you see can be accounted for in modifying your picture profiles in the sony.

[@sunlit777]

what exactly is that LUT? sLog3 to rec709? HLG to rec.709? If one wants to make a dumb meaninless comparison one uses some LUTS that produce drastically different contrast (note how sony is consistently more contrasty throughout all shots) instead of using standard video profile on both cams also. Sony could have been configured easily with less contrast to match panasonic. This comparison is almost rigged in favor of Pansonic

[@ccudjoe89]

@@sunlit777 is ok, iykyk. i said the same a little less spiritedly. in my experience sony files have more flexibility and editability for pictures. seem to be the same for vid too. in this vid the sony seemed better technically as im pretty sure it's delivering a downsampled 4k with higher dynamic range but on top of that i know you can just edit your pp and gain whatever you liked from the panasonic, from extra apparent dynamic range to flatter shadows with more rolloff.

[@georgediakoslomnios908]

I wouldn't say subtle at all, in this test lumix has a one more information in shadows

[@sunlit777]

@@georgediakoslomnios908 he used god know what LUTs to bake in the picture (Sony DOES NOT provide LUTS for a7iv BTW) and then put this up as "comparison" of cameras. In fact this is a comparison of his LUTs!

[@Aviciiz]

Could tell from the first shot which one was which. I thought they would be a lot close but I prefer the S5II by a long shot. The colours are very pleasing and there seems to be a nicer rollof into the shadows and highlights.

[@AI3Dorinte]

same here :)

[@Kta8548i]

I really like the S511 a lot more, seems to retain the shadows/ midtones, and the colors looks more natural.

[@sunlit777]

and thats just a post processing and camera creative style choice, we were NOT TOLD AT LL which profiles were used to shoot video on both cams. There is no "official rec.709 LUT" from Sony for a7IV cam.

[@AexoeroV]

​@@sunlit777He recorded in Log and used the official LUTs to convert gamut to rec709.

[@africanprideimages4419]

the first shot and i was so much in love with Cam B, it's winning winning winning

[@DubYaJsWorld]

I own the s5ii and the first time I filmed a high dynamic range screen it just was amazing. Even in the little screen I could see all the trees and sky on a sunny day filming indoors.

[@fanimations2363]

Cool comparison buddy! The thing that really stands out to me is the less contrast from the V-log to Rec709 LUT from Panasonic when compared to the S-log to Rec709 LUT from Sony.

[@CLIFFLIX]

This video only shows that dynamic range that was kept in an 8 stop rec709 LUT. This test "should" have shown the full 14 stop log curve that both of these Sony sensors can capture. Instead, we only see limited dynamic range LUTs for both. Uggg. This is not a fair test for either camera.

[@veryberry-]

@@CLIFFLIX How would the author have done this?

[@CLIFFLIX]

@@veryberry- Display the native flat log on BOTH cameras and allow us to inspect the highlights and shadows. The minute you grade 14 stops log down to 8 stops of high contrast rec709...you just threw out a TON of dynamic range for KZbin. Guys,...you can't fit 14 stops of dynamics range in a normal contrast rec709 KZbin video. You MUST throw highlights and shadows away to get the contrast on KZbin to look good.

[@spatnaspolecnost]

@@CLIFFLIX nonsense... I film with both in log and rarely see the waveform span from top to bottom just using the conversion LUT. Also you can manipulate the contrast to not have to cut off anything.

[@AbdonPhirathon]

The S5II looks more pleasing with its natural colors and open shadows. Thanks for sharing!

[@sunlit777]

yeah, because the Sony was set differently, and he never told us which profile he used on Sony and Panasonic as well. Totally meaningless comparison

[@quite1enough]

Thanks for rolling shutter test!

[@ruff1draft]

These are two camera's that have been on my shopping list and the the fact that yiu are using Nikon lenses has made my day.

[@ChristinaDobre]

Hey that's me :) This is so interesting! I like the richness that the Sony Rec709 LUT maintains from the get-go.

[@adissabovic]

Looking fine. :)

[@colinthecameraguy]

Ah the Patient Model . . . . Or should that be Model Patient? No, definitely the first one 😆

[@vlcheish]

@@adissabovic simp comments....incoming

[@howardmcmillian5764]

she's lying. it was actually me

[@andrewforbes5923]

As a VERY happy A7IV owner, I can admit that the highlight rolloff on the Lumix is much nicer. Both incredible cameras.

[@bardoomguy]

Made me realize I prefer Panasonic colors over Sony. Beautiful footage and woman. All in all, excellent video! 👍

[@sirwillemgaming9686]

Ooooff. That rolling shutter showed me what cam is sony. 😂

[@mex5341]

actually rolling shutter is almost the same ajajaj

[@thebentzenable]

I loved cam A ❤ but im saving up for the S5ii 😊

[@АртёмВинокуров-ф6м]

Правильно я сам сейчас буду продавать всю систему Sony a7IV честно с каждой моделью переплачиваешь. НУ и я уже на этой системе, где то 8 Лет. Устал от Sony картинки ! Всё давно на Lumix поглядываю. Да и видел их объективы в живую они что ли брутальнее и качественнее )

[@josephryan5448]

For me the give away was the different exposures while at the same iso. I did find out however that Sony color science isn’t as bad as I remember but the S5ii is my preference. I feel that the Sony rec709 is too contrasty. On a side note keep the friends around who are willing to stand outside in the cold for you, so that you can do camera tests. Those are the real ones.

[@HarRy-gc7nz]

Very interesting comparison. Great work. Sony picture is too contrasty and in some scenarios still shows strange colors. Lumix has more dynamic range and better rolling shutter. You should have done a stabilizer test 😉

[@JohannBeute]

That's a great idea! I know for sure Panasonic wins the stabilization catergory. In terms of colours, I did my own testing with CST's in DaVinci and phantom luts, and honestly the camera's looked extremely similar with a very basic LOG conversion. The biggest difference is the ISO performance, stabilization, and build quality / usability of user interface and physical body on each camera in my opinion. In terms of image, with a bit of work they can be graded to look identical! Though the S5ii does have the 6K 3:2 opengate, which is wonderful!

[@luisneumannp2748]

Surprised by the result. I expected the color I like more to be the sony but it was the S5ii. In most other comparisons I prefer the Sony colors. But to be fair, this tests kinda shows more the flaws of sonys rec709 LUT. Very nice video!

[@marcel9568]

What are these flaws? I am trying to decide between the 2 cameras and like the warmer colors of the A7IV more in this video.

[@FilmLover-u2n]

It's clear the Lumix has more dynamic range than the Sony, great comparisons! The Sony tends to shift more magenta whilst the Lumix shifts more green, skin tones are rendered more natural on the Lumix vs Sony's more digitally sharp look, has to be due to the downsampling from it's 8k sensor.

[@capitolbassfishing]

I like the shadow preservation of the lumix, I like the richness of the Sony. Was i-dynamic turned off on the lumix? Changes a lot when turned off - for the better IMO

[@christians.8748]

Thanks for the great side by side comparison! I currently use a sony. I am very strongly considering whether a system change makes sense as I want to upgrade and have to decide between A7IV and S5IIX. Ive read that the Lumix colors are way more pleasing. And throughout the whole video I was prefering CAM A and thought this must be the Lumix. I was very suprised to see it actually was the A7IV! So your brought me a big step closer to my decision! Thank you

[@MrGreen-ci2mm]

Cam B’s skin tone looks more natural and realistic..

[@MQFahey]

Good comparison. I was a little surprised at the noticeable difference in rolling shutter.

[@alexgardner3264]

Well, ones rolling shutter the other is global shutter

[@Just-Nico]

@@alexgardner3264 none of this cameras have global shutter....the sony a9iii has wich is the only mirrlorles cameras to have it. Global shutter you can only find it in cinema cameras.

[@PrimedProductions]

@@alexgardner3264none of these have a global shutter

[@richnationfilms]

@@alexgardner3264no it’s not . Neither are global

[@Sneaky-Sneaky]

Yeah, neither has global shutter…but S5II was much better here.

[@finnirving]

Was convinced Cam B was the Sony!! It's amazing the dynamic range on the S5ii, straight out of camera

[@vlcheish]

This isn't straight out of camera. They have a lut applied.

[@finnirving]

@@vlcheish I know… but I own an S5II so I’ve seen the footage straight out of camera..

[@polveby2]

Excellent video, I prefer the Lumix S5II, probably will buy it

[@trinimedia19]

Having used Lumix for years it was easy to spot it. Sony has crushed shadows/blacks while Lumix has more lifted shadows which are film like.

[@77dris]

But the Lumix has about 3 stops more noise than the A7IV. It was also much softer.

[@mex5341]

@@77dris not true . iso 4000 on Lumix is brighter and has more DR than Sony .

[@marmorhaus]

Thanks for this footage. Did you activate the intelligent dynamic range on the Lumix? It takes away some contrast. Makes the image flatter. Pictures change a lot if you put it off. Why did you choose 800iso? For Lumix base iso is 650 on v log.

[@capitolbassfishing]

Great point it took me about a week to figure out why I didn’t like my video headshot I normally do at my desk. It made me all washed out and my hair was lighter …like an iPhone almost. Then I turned off int. Dynamic and ahhhh it’s all better. Huge impact - not good in that situation.

[@markwiemels]

A video worth making, thank you. It's too bad the 709 LUTS are so different. I would be worth publishing a variation of this video, same footage, but use LUTS designed to match, like the phantom LUTS or similar. Super work though.

[@JohannBeute]

Thanks Mark! I actually did some testing with CST's in DaVinci, applied Phantom Luts to both, and found both camera's to look super similar! If you're not grading footage, than you should decide which look you prefer. But if you grade the footage then there really isn't any noteable difference between them! Except for ISO performance, stabilization, and general physical build / usability of each camera. Oh and I must give points to the Lumix S5ii for 6K open gate. The 3:2 aspect ratio is so good, espeically if shooting with anamorphic.

[@markwiemels]

@@JohannBeute oh, interesting. I was wondering about the ISO specifically. Did you happen to notice if the ISO performance, on Panasonic, seemed better with the phantom LUT vs the 709? The 709 seemed to give more of a faded/lower contrast look, which often highlights the ISO noise, it made me wonder if some of the Sony advantage was the LUT.

[@JohannBeute]

@@markwiemels Adding contrast does hide some noise on the Panasonic and bring it closer to Sony, but still the Sony has less noise. Though Sony does have in camera NR which cannot be disabled (unless shooting in RAW.) So with some NR applied to the Panasonic, they do look more comparable. All in all I'd give the edge to Sony, if you're splitting hairs that is. They're both very similar cameras, which can be made to look nearly identical with some grading.

[@shridexdigi1982]

​@@JohannBeute if we are being honest. Panasonic just looks so amazing. Looks more appealing in filmic way. And I like your exposure and white balance setting. However in some footages I see of others online the skin tone atimes look too magenta in an ugly way. But overall I think this Panasonic is really amazing. I wonder what the Panasonic s2h will be like. Maybe a new V-log 2?

[@JoshChristiane]

I'm amazed how much more dynamic range the Panasonic seems to give. I understand it could just be the LUT and you can adjust that pretty drastically in post with contrast and such, but just standard 709 out of the box the image is way better from the Panasonic.

[@jayclas4023]

I shadows of the lumix is so clean! You can bring them down to the Sony’s level and it would look even better. It’s amazing how good the low light is on the Lumix!

[@TONCOACHTFITNESS]

c'est pourquoi j'adore mon Lumix s5II

[@AnthonyRodriguezz]

My gosh… the S5ii is the nicer image by far! Makes the Sony look like a crunchy mess… I really wish the Sonys had a nicer roll off as that would sell me on the system over the lumix cameras. Their AF is incredible

[@LaurisBergs]

What lens and adapter did you use for Sony A7 IV? Do you have link?

[@foggymossstudio]

Great work!

[@jimmywoods3439]

To confirm, camera B is the lumix?

[@CINENIMUS]

I preferred sony (also I believe we met on facebook groups recently haha) Very nice video I love those 🙈🤌

[@hoodaffairstv]

👍🏾 nice test

[@nishantpriyadarshi6412]

what were ur settings? and was it shot on Vlog on lumix?

[@sukesukeshun5345]

this footage has transparency. I wonder why. Good work. 1:23 lovely.

[@johannsakiclaude8183]

I Think the color science and the dynamique is better on the Lumix S5II BUT the Sony A7IV handles better the rise in iso ( yet on paper the A7IV is supposed to have 1 more dynamic stop )

[@testowykana1763]

I was reaaally hoping that the Cam B will be Lumix, as it's much cheaper and DR looked much better during this test. And it is Cam B!

[@ismahi6071]

Esto es realmente hermoso. Felicitaciones amigo. ❤

[@fredhaadangi3848]

I love this test

[@amimofilms]

I have been shooting with Lumix forever. Been using S5ii for the past 2 years. But all the videos i see and like are always shot with the Sony A7iv. And i personally prefer that look over what i am getting from s5ii. . Lumix has incredible IBIS, but to my surprise, i prefer the look of Sony :/ Even in this example, I am surprised how many people are liking the S5ii here. I prefer the punchier look of the Sony. Damn it.

[@azfilmmaking6734]

Which camera is which?

[@SocialTrading]

wow. Nice. thank you.

[@kongsicerah8276]

Wow Lumix s5ii. Amazing DR.

[@truyennganhay1748]

I really like G5ii, thank for video, I know wh I want.

[@Trey_Travis]

After finding out the Sony a7 IV was has 14 stops of dynamic range it was easier to spot more clarity in the highlights.

[@hipfonts]

Sony looks amazing. Period.

[@kostasssss]

Excellent review! Did you notice moire patterns on the s5ii due to the lack of AA filter to the sensor?And if so is it going to be a problem on professional work?

[@CartyCantDance]

So with some post NR I think the s5ii would look very comparable in low light. It’s so hard not to have an immediate reaction when I know Sony has internal NR

[@DandoPorsaco-ho1zs]

Both have internal NR.

[@apocryphal_man]

Why use LUTs in Davinci when you have CSTs?

[@ecchstore2939]

The Sony cam works like their headphones. They defaultly try to show a little bit more and better than you want. More colors, less noise. Lumix let you more fine tuning. If you want to add more color, or decide how much want postprocessing the low light noise. I vote for Lumix. And S5 II and II x can record on the whole sensor, 3:2 ratio videos, A7IV cant. It is likeable when you use 1,33/1,5x cinemascope lenses.

[@LSUMM567]

Nice test! What lens adapter did you use for the Nikon lens?

[@JohannBeute]

For the Sony I used a Fotodiox, (I've sinced changed to a metabones, as there was too much play in the fotodiox.) And for Panasonic I'm actually not sure, I had the camera on loan and can't remember what adapter was used. Though it was a very basic all manual adapter, it worked well enough!

[@sansin6250]

S5II more noisy in low light. How does it compare to A7IV in raw format?

[@Mat-wx1zp]

Thanks for this video! cam B is more beautiful

[@dakotavoight]

If you grade (s-log3) yourself you can obviously get much better results than a LUT. But yeah Panasonic LUT is better. Also obviously rolling shutter is worse on A7IV. But I think if you were to grade it yourself you could get a very similar look in in A7IV

[@ccudjoe89]

the few difference I saw can all b sorted out by editing your picture profile in the sony 😎. i enjoyed the sharper image better noise performance of the sony and edited my PP for the things i liked in the s5 like the brighter shadows

[@artmaltman]

Skin tones looked too yellow in camera A. But that could be the choice of 5500, same on both but might be calibrated differently by manufacturer. Maybe.

[@howardmcmillian5764]

Sony's low light capabilities are really good. idk if you added noise reduction in post during your low light test.

[@Loftikaz]

they're exactly the same the sony crushes blacks more so it looks sharper it's a contrast illusion. they're oversharepened out of camera too. The lumix looks more natural

[@ternakcrypto1]

what picture profile do you use on lumix s5II ?

[@orangerecords_studio]

this is , that U r using 800ISO on most here. But the base ISO on panaconic is 640 . Aslo it depands on how settings on pic profile, details etc. in cam setup. I have the sony a7 IV; and a Panao S1 H.and I am prety shure the CA m B is the Pana :)

[@LaMakinaFotonika]

muy buen trabajo, gracias por hacerlo

[@PyxisCinema]

Before reaching the end, I like B the most. hopefully it's the Panasonic🤔

[@philipcook6191]

Hi awesome, also from Cape Town. I wonder if the "D Lighting" of the a7iv was on or high if it would help at all. I think its called "Dynamic.." something. Thanks for the test. Awesome brother!

[@JohannBeute]

Hey from Cape Town! No HDR settings were enabled on either of the cameras, and I would recommend against using it. Much better to adjust your levels in post instead of baking in a weird boosted shadow effect into your footage.

[@TechSid-hn6eg]

Hey if it is possible can you please share the raw files, i wanna try and see how much i can play with the raw in shadows and noise in Davinci Resolve... I heard we dont get raw options in Davinci Resolve for A7IV footage? like changing ISO and stuff that we can do with other Raws like BRAW and stuff? Am currently torn between these 2 cams regarding few things... If it is possible, please share, i will be really thankful 🙏🙏

[@AL3XFPV]

CAM B looks way better! but CAM A had better low light performance or maybe just more noise reduction built in

[@CLIFFLIX]

This is only an 8 stop rec709 "LUT" comparison,...not a Sony\Lumix 14 stop LOG curve dynamic range comparison. The NATIVE tone map "should" have been shown for both cameras in this video. Instead, we only got very limited high contrast LUTS applied.

[@rubenwojcikiewicz2281]

wow! I was absolutely certain Cam A was the Lumix until those night shots then I wasn't so sure. Lumix video looks perfect but Sony in low light holyshit that is a clean image.

[@neotokyovid]

The last low light clips are so SONY

[@HeathcliffBlair]

Well... the Sony looks better here. Seems sharper, and the deeper contrast is more pleasing (the contrast MAY also be causing the perceived increase in sharpness). The question is could the Panasonic match that look in the grade? The variety of its video codec formats suggests so. Very nice video. Useful. Thanks.

[@DandoPorsaco-ho1zs]

It's all a matter of opinion. I watched the whole thing without knowing which one is which, and I preferred the Panasonic in every single shot.

[@CLIFFLIX]

This is only an 8 stop rec709 "LUT" comparison,...not a Sony\Lumix 14 stop LOG curve dynamic range comparison. The NATIVE tone map "should" have been shown for both cameras in this video. Instead, we only got very limited high contrast LUTS applied.

[@iamkubrick]

Camera B looks more organic- camera A looks a bit too digital. Both good images though

[@juin99]

Love Cam A's color science, but it's the rolling shutter that betrays it...

[@LA_RPB]

I prefer S5ii way more than sony. But vlog to rec709 lut of pana tends to raise exposure +2/3 stops and that why it seems to have more dynamic range imo.

[@0IKakashiI0]

Thats what i was thinking

[@SorinGociu]

sony's rolling shutter is way better. so which is which?

[@77dris]

The S5II is shockingly noisy at even moderate ISOs. Also, it tends to look softer than the A7IV.

[@xPocketStaff]

thx,Can you make test with Fujifilm xh2s vs ?

[@brivnii]

Spoiler I knew from the beginning which one it was! Also, when you mentioned that you "accidentally bumped the aperture ring and changed it", it was sort of a giveaway too. Only one camera is having that issue now haha Awesome comparison!

[@TechSid-hn6eg]

wow in daylight Cam B really outshines Cam A... 😮😮

[@IJOSoundVideo]

I am an S5ii shooter, but in this video i preffered the look of Sony

[@dmgfilmproductionandphotog1567]

i guess you say that because it is like jpeg on sony and raw for lumix. and for me sony has the additional warm color tone unlike lumix which is neutral color tone

[@Lunar_Films]

I have to say, as an s5 ii X user, I was cam A the whole way through 😢

[@hugolinaresimages]

Well this comparison depends on the lut conversion of the log curves.

[@milansamardzic9469]

I was impressed that lumix had more managable rolling shutter than sony actually

[@suhail-msk]

Dynamic range on Panasonic is insane. Sony is more contrasty

[@LoightaFluwid]

It's surprising that the Sony was so much clearer than the Panasonic at low light despite despite the panaonic having a second base iso of 4000 when shooting in VLOG

[@JohannBeute]

Yes indeed! I believe some Sony camera's including the a7IV have permanent noise reduction applied (except if shooting in RAW). This allows the camera to achieve better ISO performance and score higher on dynamic range charts. Though technically Sony is "faking" their way into higher scores, the results do speak for themselves! I think the image quality is still fantastic, and the subtle NR saves a lot of time in post, especially seeing it's an entry level consumer grade camera.

[@Benjomatic]

Same here

[@daniellrodriguezs]

@@JohannBeute If you apply NR in post to the Lumix you will get a much better image than the sony with internal NR.

[@youtubetech7995]

​@@daniellrodriguezs I don't really think that image can be "much" better with Lumix, whatever NR you use, it already looks bad as it is, and without definition.

[@mex5341]

cam B the best , no doubts

[@ivandj707]

I recently saw another KZbinr's test that showed the complete opposite of shadow detail and dynamic range from yours, and based on that I thought the camera B was a Sony ... The problem is that I don't know whom to trust now...

[@navireljan1857]

no way A is the sony, i never saw sony that very contrasty, even with just A73 there is no way it could be that contrasty lol

[@TheNickStiffler]

All time B!!

[@chinanomadic6879]

I have s1h but same sensor as s5II.i think the rollingshutter of s5ii is bad but better than a7iv thx for this testing because i decide to buy a s5：）

[@some-thing-2024]

If you looking the red color you know it sony. ... many year but it not change

[@KENI.07]

soo, which one which?

[@jacksp8de]

I just don’t like the LUMIX image as much as I like Sony’s. It seems flatter while Sony is more “alive” for lack of a better term

[@wordsaresolid9288]

I’m not understanding why people prefer Panasonic in this comparison. I thought deeper contrast and more dynamic range is better. I’m on the fence. But Sony seems a clear winner in this test

[@jayc9184]

Lumix is picking up shadow detail, when lighting isn't ideal it is a saver. Not really fair considering the iv isn't a video centric camera. But also for photo the iv blows pannyboys to the moon.

[@Anomaliayt]

Really? I much prefer the Panasonic image

[@PrimedProductions]

@@jayc9184how does it blow Panasonic to the moon other than megapixels?

[@CharlieHunt]

As an owner of both I personally prefer the Lumix in every area, colour science, dynamic range, rolling shutter, button layout, photo colour science not to mention the highlight recovery on the s5 is actually incredible. Both cameras are fantastic but out of the two for situations I need a hybrid camera I'd pick up the lumix. Ps kind of imprest with the 12800 iso test lumix did better than I thought I've purposely not gone that high with it but maybe I will now. Nice review 👌🏼 👏🏼

[@ReptarDoc]

LUMIX is for me. More info in the shadows, plus its colors are softer and more cinema film, not very strong contrast. Also amazing features it carries, open gate, SSD, ProRes and so much more.

[@supernovamediaproductions]

CAM B❤

[@sekkitotv9260]

for videographer like me i will go lumix because 6k vs 4k crop factor boyss😂

[@Svoboda1234]

Well I learned that the exposures are different

[@tauritaal]

Second scene gave it away. Those skintones were obvious Sony 😅

[@ElinaMellov]

I liked sony more here

[@robertbalkovec4087]

After everything viewed here, I can clearly tell this test was not done the right way. Yes, Panasonic looks more natural, but with a with a straight-outta camera, you cannot see so much difference in a dynamic range.