The Original Lumix S5 Worth It Any More? -Comparison with the S5IIX

[@azoique]

Still love my S5. Never felt limited by it. So used to the contrast based AF from earlier Lumix cameras. Image and video quality is fantastic. Some of the best value in cameras IMO. Seen the S5 body for sale for like €600. Bargain.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jangarcia1338]

If I ever found one for 600€ I'll grab it without a doubt!

[@sakthivelmudiarasu6896]

​@@jangarcia1338 you can find them used (like new) for even cheaper from MPB.

[@enolamns]

Just got one for 450!! Best bargain camera of all time

[@AndreBerg99]

Still have and love my Original S5 beside my G(H)-System. Recently did an Event-Shoot inside a factory with low available light without any problems with the simple 20-60mm and the 50mm. The client was very pleased. No need to change. Even for video I never needed PD-AF. Nice to have in the G9II, gives some more safety in focusing - that‘s it.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

[@TheLooville]

Totally nailed it. Love my S5, don't need to extra codecs and I shoot mostly in manual. You were quite right to say at the end that the s5 is still a very capable video camera, it has anamorphic features and shoots in 4k 10 bit. Also 4k slow mo with a crop. Never had an issue with the autofocus on the s5. Image quality is great . Also, Helsinki, what a beautiful city and people, I was there last week. Thankyou, great video as always.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks so much! Great to hear you had a good time in our home town😀 You should have told us and we could've enjoyed a cup of coffee.

[@lettermanian9938]

I don't think there's any better value in full-frame right now than a used S1/R or S5 for photographers who don't need high-performance AF. I primarily shoot nature, landscapes and astro with my S5 and very recently an S1, both obtained used for less than the cost of a new S5ii. The 5.76mp EVF and three-way LCD on the S1 is an unbeatable value, even 5 years after release. Again, can't go wrong with this gen of Lumix FF for nature/landscape/astro/macro, etc.

[@Andersm91]

100

[@therealboogie23]

I went with the S5 to save some money using my first full frame from Panasonic and I love it! If you never used one you are missing out! The price to quality is unmatched!

[@rodmehta5356]

Interesting, I was wondering about the same thing. I will be hanging on to my S5, especially for night scapes and astrophotography. Have to admit though, I used the S5 for a few portrait sessions and would have liked a better hit-rate (eye detect at f2), which was about 65%. Whilst face/skin gets blurred slightly in post anyway, I want tack sharp eyes. Speaking about eyes, I'm a left eye shooter with a big nose and find the longer looking viewfinder on the S5 II probably worth the upgrade. Need to keep saving!

[@j_taylor]

Interesting that you mention left-eye. I'm very left-eye dominant and this affects my gear choices. For example, I noticed my new Lumix was changing focal points erratically, and figured out that my nose was activating the touchscreen back panel. Since then, I disable any touchscreens or just shoot like a T-Rex with my arms crooked out in front. Maybe this is why I find rangefinders more comfortable to use.

[@reinhardbecker284]

I use my S1R mainly for portrait wide open (1.2-1.8, depending on the Sigma lens) and have a very high hit rate above 95% except for one situation: strong backlight. Here the AF miss sometimes completely. Are you using SAF or CAF? I encountered to have better results with SAF even wide open with minimum depth of field!

[@MrJapanforce]

Excellent video Matti. I am proud user of Lumix cameras since 2008. For me , Lumix is all my life. Currect user of G9ii with zuiko 25mm 1.2 pro. Just amazing. I am glad to hear you love so much the Lumix quality, ergonomics, video capabilities and the famous Panasonic reliability. Keep going.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing and watching!

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

haha. Is that enabler in Australia me? 🤣 Glad you got one Matti! 📸

[@mattisulanto]

That would be you indeed😀

[@maukkas]

Better be careful when Shane offers you a camera... 💸😅

[@GeekyNerdyTechy]

@@maukkas haha :)

[@wj6182]

nice entertaining format on this topic

[@mattisulanto]

Thank you.

[@zenonbillings9008]

❤. excellent video regarding the camera comparisons, and especially see the both of you together in the same video . I have both of these cameras . on one I have a zoom and on the other a prime so when I'm out shooting I don't need to change lenses on locations which can leave the sensor vulnerable to possible dust entering the camera. have been a lumix shooter for the past 11 years. no regrets ! THANKS FOR THIS GREAT VIDEO. zen billings in canada

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for another visit to the channel. We appreciate your comments every time😀

[@antonmuhlbock9486]

Great video very funny too thanks greetings from Perth

[@mattisulanto]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.

[@iamleon777]

Great video ! I own the s5 and found the autofocus to be reliable 99,9% of the time with the 20-60mm lens it came with when filming. However, I have switched to the 85mm 1.8 lens by Panasonic and this is where I wish it had a little better autofocus. The situation I'm describing is a crowded place where people might walk in the shot for a brief moment but enough for the camera to restart to pull focus on the subject and having this happen multiple times together with the focus breathing on such an open lens makes is a bit annoying and might mess up your shot. But I imagine this being the worst possible scenario to shoot with together with this particular lens. Other than that, autofocus is good with this lens, no complaints. So I loved the video because you told the truth about the autofocus and I definitely can confirm that it is way better than people give it credit for. Also please let me know which camera you used to shoot this video. thanks !

[@NoOneTwoTrust]

I’ve used the Lumix S5 for wildlife, and while it’s not perfect, it’s definitely capable. I’ve taken some good bird shots with it, so I wouldn’t write it off for wildlife photography. For sports, it performs well, especially in sunny conditions. I’ve used it for cricket and tennis and managed to capture some great still frames with no blur. Overall, it’s not bad at all!

[@raksh9]

For photography, the only thing really limiting the S5 is the autofocus. For video, it could do with some more robust codecs for high framerates. The GH7 and G9 II shore up the framerate/codec issues, which is where I'll be heading in the next year or so. The combination of GH7 and S5 will suit me for at least another five-six years, and I've had the S5 since 2021.

[@LensForgotten]

I agree with the back facing dial being fiddly.... I'm always changing my shutter speed by accident

[@Princeton_James]

It's hard being both feet in with Sony and Panasonic $$$$! I hate calling cameras "fun" but there is definitely something unique about handling a Lumix. They are just beautiful cameras. The image quality and colors straight out of camera are excellent.

[@joonasmanninenphotovideo884]

Waiting for my copy of S5 II X, it's currently in crazy sale in Finland (2099e with 20-60 kit + 85/1.8). Need to test that external ProRes saving to SSD + superb AF in video!

[@mattisulanto]

Sounds great! The Prores on an external SSD works nicely but the file sizes are huge. Let me know how it works for you once you have tried it.

[@pureheartvisuals]

For Photographers there is no need to move, but for Hybrid Shooters or Videographers the value in the S5 II (X) is outstanding.

[@GroundedTech]

I just picked up the S5. Hoping I get on with the autofocus. Seems fiddly but it's not so bad.

[@JaaniicMobile]

Nobody is ever talking about AF options and features. I love my Lumix G9's single point and SCP (scope) and other AF features. I wish my Sony A7C have so much control. I wonder if S5II(x) still have the same old tools but with great speed and accuracy. If yes, S5II(x) could be my dream camera.

[@gimmy4266]

Il punto singolo della G9 è fantastico e comodissimo infatti mi chiedo perché lo hanno tolto sulla G9ii 😢 AF single point Is not possible with G9ii 😢 so with G9, the AF single point is fantastic

[@amounifnd]

Great review. Main benefit of S5 is size now

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks.

[@aviatorman8]

Really really nice 😂 I love Panasonic cameras; it’s how I found your channel years ago. Something about their JPG and color science as Aleksi mentioned. I still have the mighty S1R and the way it feels in the hand is so good (though I don’t take it on hikes in the mountains).

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! The S1/R certainly feels good in hand but it's not the camera for hiking trips😅

[@aviatorman8]

@@mattisulanto you’re right; too big and heavy, and expensive. I can’t imagine climbing 4000 ft elevation with that thing. But at least I could use it to defend myself from cougars and bears 😂

[@mattisulanto]

@@aviatorman8 True, any predator would run as soon as you pulled out your S1R😀

[@aviatorman8]

@@mattisulanto 😂

[@joostverpoort]

Mine S5 is paired with S pro 16-35mm for video and the AF is amazingly good! As well as for the S pro 70-200mm F4, really really really good! Bought the S5 new (!) for 999,- euro

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing and great to hear the AF works so well for you.

[@lukeduffield3263]

I have 2 x S5 and an S1H. The image from the S5II / X is too digital/sharp for me. Let's hope the S1Hmk2 or whatever sorts this.

[@mattisulanto]

Have you tried dialing down the sharpness?

[@lukeduffield3263]

@@mattisulanto Yes - still noticeably sharper than the original S5. It's a known issue. Hopefully, if the S1Hmk2 has a OLPF, that might help.

[@aiseurnae5976]

I agree, and in 4K, the details are really rough.

[@theancientvoice9272]

I own the original s5 and not planning on selling it anytime soon. It's my first full frame and I had a lot with it. Also, I guess I got used to the menu system, I know where to find my stuffs and it just boost the creativity in that regard. Even the autofocus, when you get to know how it behaves, you get away with really high results, on top of the charts. But the main reason I stick to the lumix system is the color science really. I love the v-log profile, and something not many might pick, it does work great on darker skin tones, which I shoot a lot. Something I can't really understand as of now, but I've been observing it and it just stands out, especially in video. I can't get the same result on sony for instance. Not sure what it is exaclty, maybe it's less warm, or there is a little bit of greenish tone to it, I don't know, but my clients love what comes out of it.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing your insights on this.

[@ruuddirks5565]

I like the common sense about the focus system

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! People often analyze things too far🙂

[@maukkas]

What really crowns both of those cameras, is the 50mm f1.8. It is a fantastic lens - sharp and with great contrast.

[@mattisulanto]

That is one of the nicest 50mm F1.8s around.

[@jonastruemper637]

Great comparison, Matti! The only thing I am missing for the L-mount system - that keeps me from trying - is a compact 40mm prime. I am only aware of the Sigma 40/1.4, which is a heavy one. Any recommendation?

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. I'm not aware of any compact 40mm for the L mount. Sigma offers some nice relatively compact Contemporary series lenses but the closest they have are a 45mm and a 35mm.

[@AllenReinecke]

I love my S5 ii. I'm not really into videography, only stills. I still use my FZ2500 when I need a compact carry. I like how Panasonic releases firmware not just to fix issues but to give users new features. It's like getting a new camera! ❤

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing.

[@AllenReinecke]

I have the Sigma 60-600. Heavy but a good lens for wildlife. The 70-300 is a lighter alternative I use when I don't want to lug around the 600. I also have the Sigma 14-24, which I use for astrophotography. Lumix 20-60 kit lens and the 35 f1.8 rounds out my lenses. I also use my Lumix FZ2500 when I don't want to carry the heavy backpack. 😊

[@EMC2recordings]

I have the zs100 and now an S5. I absolutely love the Lumix menu system, the layout, and the results that I get with both. I do a lot of low light photography and needed to step into full frame. Panasonic has 100% got me.

[@reinhardbecker284]

@enjoygary from my 4 years of experience with a S1R and a S5 with different Sigma lenses I can recommend nearly everything from the actual line up. The older HSM versions are big and heavy, sometimes the AF is slow, but the picture quality is excellent. The newer DGDN versions are awesome and ofter smaller and more lightweight than the previous version. The AF also is much faster.

[@Biosynchro]

If you like to shoot with adapted manual focus SLR lenses, maybe the older S5 is the ideal camera.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. Yeah, the S5 would be perfect for that.

[@Thevikingcam]

If we forget the AF, the S5 mk I proress RAW video is actually better than the 5IIX has. Better DR and colors "out of the box" for RAW (with LOG conversion) ..

[@SideshowBob44]

Comparing both autofocus systems on a static portrait subject and then saying there is no difference, try it on a moving subject where the new one is much better :)

[@timobjork7968]

Continuous Autofocus is way much better in S5II, finds face really quick… S5 AF accuracy in CA mode not really good at all. Also notice with S5 flash photography (portrait) DFD sometimes do back or front focus to face if use CA 😅 eyes not sharp enough. S5 single autofocus better if your shooting target not moving too much.

[@malcolmross203]

Sold my canon DSLR to get g9 then moved to S5 great full frame half the weight so much lighter bag too carry around.its for keeps.

[@angeloplayforone]

The original S5 is a bargain if you wants a FF camera and doing mostly stills and some basic video. I agree that if you do basic manual focus video the S5 is great. The S5 is underrated beginner camera that competes in the same pricerange as Canon RP, Nikon Z5 and old Sony A7II.

[@mattisulanto]

You are absolutely correct. Thanks!

[@milohess8715]

@@mattisulanto Would not call call the S5 a beginner camera. No problems using it pro as a photojournalist in the NYC media market.

[@mattisulanto]

@@milohess8715 That's even better if it works also for a hard core PJ😀

[@FoivosLoxias]

So what was the weather like? One seems to feel comfortably in a tshirt.

[@mattisulanto]

It's the Finnish summer weather😀

[@JustWatchingTheMadness]

Unless it rains, you don't need a lens hood for that lens. I have really tried to get it to flare just a little. But it is impossible 😂 A fantastic lens btw.

[@busydadscooking001]

alexi so relaxed lol. "i think" tomorrow i have a client shoot... :D

[@mattisulanto]

He is very relaxed always😀

[@DiltonMaia-o3z]

Observei que o senhor já fez testes em uma Sony aZiv e também e também na LUMIX S5IIX para fotos e videos, qual é melhor das duas? Irei comprar mas estou na dúvida! Preciso dela tanto pra foto quanto pra vídeo! Obrigado! I noticed that you have already done tests on a Sony aZiv and also on the LUMIX S5IIX for photos and videos, which is better of the two? I'll buy it but I'm in doubt! I need it for both photo and video! Thank you!

[@mattisulanto]

Both cameras are good but I can't say which is better for you. I use the S5IIX more for video and the A7IV more for photography.

[@Garrus4Spectre]

I just got the original S5 with the 85mm 1.8 for €1000 (used, but low shutter count). I'm really curious if I'll prefer it to my MFT gear...

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for sharing. That's a good price and I hope you'll like it.

[@pablopiedralopez9157]

What bag use in this vídeo?Thanks for all.

[@mattisulanto]

This one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJKqoKlmrZl7nJI

[@mathish1477]

I just chose the s5 over the s5.2 (new). I thought the colour were slightly better. Can it be true that the colour are different?

[@vladislavihl]

I have the same feeling!

[@mattisulanto]

I think the colors are slightly different indeed.

[@aiseurnae5976]

yes they are, I have both

[@eemelifranssi2296]

Can you do a 2024 revisit of S1R?

[@mattisulanto]

That would be nice, but I don't have the camera.

[@eemelifranssi2296]

@@mattisulanto pretty sure someone would loan you one in Helsinki 🤔 I'm seriously considering buying one from MPB

[@mattisulanto]

@@eemelifranssi2296 They are not so easy to come by and not everyone is willing to lend their cameras😀Anyway, I'll keep my eyes open.

[@eemelifranssi2296]

@@mattisulanto well if i manage to buy mine before you find one I can order mine from mpb to your home addtess and once you're done testing you can send it to me.

[@lorenzobagnoli8068]

S5 or z5 for budget FF option?

[@mattisulanto]

The S5 is better or equal in pretty much every way except continuous AF.

[@lorenzobagnoli8068]

@@mattisulanto thank you! What about the EVF? On the S5 is much worse?

[@mattisulanto]

@@lorenzobagnoli8068 Please, look at my first reply and remember that this my opinion, not a universal truth.

[@ProbablyAnAmateur]

id love an s5, the size of the zooms put me off though. i hope there'll be an L mount 28-300mm... unless theres already one but still

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[@Aleksilausti]

Didn't Panasonic just release the world's smallest 28-200mm lens?

[@ProbablyAnAmateur]

@@Aleksilausti doesnt reach far enough for me :(

[@mostlyfinnishlifeeventsand5112]

@@ProbablyAnAmateur if you "only" want to take videos and you're targetting 4K, you can do some massive scaling of 6K / 6K OG footage.

[@mostlyfinnishlifeeventsand5112]

Don't hold your breath for another L-mount superzoom - nothing is on the horizon as Tamron doesn't produce L-mount versions of their superzooms. And even if they did, those superzooms are FAR larger / heavier than the Lumix S 28-200. BTW, ever considered the new 60-600 Sigma DG? It's excellent and not THAT expensive.

[@Nestorico-m8i]

Hello hello, very refreshing video!! To me LUMIX is quite unknown, just few photographers work with it. Let me ask you if you shoot in RAW or in JPEG?, do you improve your pic results in lightroom or are direct from camera (the pics shown in this video I mean)? Dear, would you give me an advise? Now I've got a Fujifilm X-H1 and I want to sell it and get another one (in fact I am behind another Fuji X series basically for my lenses). My criterion was a lighter camera (mine is heavy, almost 700g body) and one more specialized on stills (I rarely make video). But watching your work with this LUMIX I fell in love: full-frame, exquisite image quality and the prices are reasonable (I've just research). would it be a positive jump to switch this way? (I love Fuji because of its film simulations, I grew up doing film photography and still do it in the present; besides I don't have time to improve pictures in lightroom, I usually shoot and use directly) with this LUMIX S5, can I be sure to get exquisite direct jpeg results like Fuji? I hope you can give me your advise and tecnical point of view of what I asked. thnks

[@mattisulanto]

All I can say is that you can take great photos on every camera if you know what you are doing. You just have to find the camera that works for you and I can't help you with that because I'm not you.

[@marekfoto8285]

Unfortunately, the fast 35mm, 50mm and 85mm lenses are the most expensive in Panasonic. Even the Canon RF lenses are cheaper.

[@mattisulanto]

I guess that depends on your geographical region. In my country, Finland, there is not a big difference between Canon and Panasonic first party lens prices. It's a bit difficult to compare because the line ups are so different. The Panasonic line up is very logical. For example, they have a neat set of F1.8 primes all the same size, almost the same weight etc. The Canon line up is more mixed, a bit of this and a bit of that. Canon shines at long super telephoto lenses, of course. For Panasonic you also have other options like Sigma and Samyang.

[@seaeagles6025]

Hi Matti, it's good that the video Focus is good on your S5. There are some cameras that tick all the boxes but there video lets them down. I liked the photo you took of the giant Green foot, i think it was a foot and a person right in the middle, that was a great composition. Also i liked the photo that Alexi took of the Cruise Ship. It was a good idea that you and Alexi took Portrait shots to see the similarities of both cameras. It was an all-round fun video to watch and great conversations. Thanks Matti 😊.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks again for your comment!

[@seaeagles6025]

@@mattisulanto Your very welcome Matti 😊

[@BrightExposure]

Same image quality.

[@martysender5539]

Moi moi...prefer my gh6

[@Krupskee]

Maybe it is something worth noticing. Rear dial on S5 is moved a little bit inside the chassis compared to S5II (G9II) as far as I can see on the pictures, I think due to new desing of strap lugs, so S5 should be a little bit more convenient in that matter :)

[@mattisulanto]

Yeah, the design is slightly different regarding the rear dial but the S5II strap attaching points are way superior to the S5.

[@JonackFilm]

On reddit many people say the S5iiX has a very sharp image. Sometimes to sharp and terrible moire, some say new is not necessary better :) but the Codecs and AF IS BETTER. Image Quality however is a bit subject of use case.

[@mattisulanto]

I haven't found the picture too sharp at all but for video I have dialed down the sharpness.

[@JonackFilm]

@@mattisulanto If you are interested test it with clothing :) on F8 on like a high quality fashion shoot is the S5iix not ideal I would say ^^

[@gregjar7281]

Are any differences about colour science between S5 and S5II?

[@Aleksilausti]

It seems there is. Maybe Matti can give some insight having worked with files from both cameras side by side.

[@mattisulanto]

There indeed is some difference but I did not do any scientific comparison and can't say which is better or worse. They are just different.

[@gregjar7281]

@@mattisulanto thanks!