The ultimate bargain camera for photography AND video in 2024 - Panasonic Lumix S5 i

The Lumix S5 i came out in 2020, but since its successor came out, a lot have come on the market. Does this mean that this camera just became even more of a bargain? Or should you not bother with it? This Full Frame bargain could be just what you're looking for.
I found these channels really helpful when it came to using the S5 and/or learning to colour grade the footage 👇:
‪@EdProsser‬
‪@SamHolland‬
‪@JoshCameron‬
‪@dunnadidit‬
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📸 PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:
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📹 VIDEO GEAR:
- Main Video Camera: Lumix S5 with 20-60 Kit lens - amzn.to/3GCTv1P
- B-Roll Lens: 50mm f/1.8 - amzn.to/3VH0lrj
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Chapters:
00:47 - Why the Lumix S5 appeals
02:20 - 1 - PROS
02:30 - Image Quality
03:00 - Ergonomics
03:30 - Photography Autofocus
03:48 - Video Quality
04:53 - Video Versatility
06:00 - Dual SD card slot
06:13 - Weather sealing
07:00 - 2 - CONS
07:10 - Video Autofocus
08:10 - Micro HD
08:28 - evf
09:38 - 3 - LENSES
11:00 - The kit lens
14:50 - FINAL THOUGHTS

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

Do you think the Lumix S5 is a good value camera..? 🤔

[@Twobarpsi]

Sounds like a good value for the money, but I'm fully invested in the Canon system. Also, auto focus is a deal breaker for me. You can fix all other parameters in post, except blurry out of focus pictures.

[@kj3d812]

Sounds like a really nice camera, but not nearly as budget-friendly as my Lumix G7. As a new photographer, the G7 was more accessible, while I'm figuring out if photography is something I want to pursue further. So all my lenses are MFT, which means I'd have to start over if I switched to full frame. But I appreciate your thorough review, for future reference!

[@timothykieper]

A little out of my price range. And, already invested in another lens system.

[@harryvlogs7833]

Yeah

[@leomannisto]

I think it really would be. I was thinking about pairing it with a cine lens for video so the autofocus is not even relevant.

[@keithnisbet]

Great straight forward review. Thanks

[@remdehair.]

the review I was looking for. thanks a lot

[@fomh]

I'm debating purchasing an S5 and this video has been so helpful. Thank you!

[@projecthikaribyrhg]

Thanks for info mate. Great content mate. Cheers!

[@user-io2hq3ou7s]

it’s amazing , thanks so much

[@alexlford]

I brought one at the end of last year, just before the S5ii came out - its fantastic - great look and feel - great images - great value - af is average but good enough

[@_thealexm_]

by good enough, do you mean it will do the job for self-filming/talking head?

[@alexlford]

@@_thealexm_ absolutely - challenging for fast moving action but fine for everything else

[@SpaceyZee]

People care too much nowadays of little things. When they just need to just hit the record button and create with whatever you have. If you do want the best of the best get an A7S III

[@SpaceyZee]

This is coming from someone who uses an S5 just to record my dog or cat for fun.

[@unbroken1010]

​@@_thealexm_please don't "film yourself" at the p Diddy /Snoop Dog after parties 🤑

[@shimmeringreflection]

Great review and photos!

[@vladislavihl]

I like the 20-60mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens! As a landscape photographer I never open the aperture more than f8.0 (using the f11 in 90% of the cases) and at this aperture the corners are absolutely sharp as well!

[@paleyosezi3122]

I would have loved this lens if it was a 12-60mm

[@OnlyCitrus]

@@paleyosezi3122 now you are asking too much mate

[@unbroken1010]

Yes, it's called a sweet spot ffs

[@danielfletcher4515]

I've owned my S5 for around 12 months now. I migrated from m4/3 system and I fall in love with it more each time I use it. I picked it up new on one of the rare sales that included the kit lens, the 85mm AND the 50mm. Using mine almost exclusively for landscape and street photography, there really isnt much more I could ask for. Great bit of kit. Cool vid too my man, enhoyed it. 👍

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

Thank you 😁

[@MTBTrekRoutes]

Great video!

[@bentleygamertv1624]

I love my Lumix S5. I've had it for over a year now and I don't use my cannon anymore! My only issue is the autofocus when filming myself, but all my photos and videos look great.

[@film_insider]

I have one since release day. Paired it with a s pro 24-70. I know this camera very well. Yet, I do not know how to make q menu to be on the screen during shooting. Like you have on the very start of the video. Maybe a hint how to make that? Thanks.

[@Kallasticot]

That review was thorough and very useful. I wanted to buy an R6 but I think I'll go for the S5 because of the price, the high definition mode (96mp pictures, damn!) and the affordable lenses (Sigma 24-70 DGN Art etc.). I don't care about the video and use a tripod all the time, this is perfect for me and the high definition mode can probably do wonders.

[@arthurlbn]

The contrast autofocus is a issue for photography ? In low light ?

[@richarddelloyd3387]

Spot on dude... I had an S1 back in the day and before that was well invested in Micro Four Thirds with the GH5/S, GX9 and Olympus before that. Nothing out there can beat the value of this on the second hand market... sub £700 WTF?? Forget the herd, use your nouse, bet your house (well a fraction of it) on this. The advantage of not being a sheeple brand.

[@zolen3046]

That 20-60 is one of the reasons I'm considering buying the S5. It's like a 13-40mm f/2.8-4 on an APSC... okay not in light gathering but it's just unbeatable. In fact, If I had to choose a perfect and realistic zoom lens, I'd rather lose 5mm in the trade and get a 15-50mm, that would be just perfect, imagine that on f/ 2.8 and less than 1200€... 🤤

[@thevalleywalker]

I have had the S5 since it came out and agree with everything you have mentioned in the video. I did have the 100-400 lens also, along with the siga 45m f2 but I wasn't usuing them so opted to see and buy gear for my other camera (Canon Eos R) Prior to the S5 I had a G9 and regret seling that if I am honest - peopel decry mft but other than some low light issues the G9 was brilliant... I am seriously considering getting rid of one of my cameras and picking up a G9II with the 12-60PL as I could do with something lighter for day hikes. atb Al

[@Jools-CRPS]

Hi Joshua another great video.. Going back a few years I was always ready to buy the next released Nikon Camera, I think a lot of people do. But now I stopped at the Z6.. I prefer to put my money into good prime lenses.. I guess it would be different if I did Photography for a living, that just my own personal opinion.

[@BootStrapTurnerVideography]

Incredible bargain!!

[@francissosing]

Probably the best value FF htbrid camera on the market. I believe the 4k60 is only 4.2.0. but still looks good

[@andrewcribbin656]

So, what standard lens would you recommend for photography? And is this camera still a bargain, as a stills only camera, if you have to buy an expensive lens?

[@harryvlogs7833]

I got brand new with 20-60 plus 50mm f1.8 for £1,749 brand new in October it was a great deal. From amazon

[@Tks6wS793f]

Great video! I work in post and am looking to get a mid grade camera for personal projects and am considering the s5. With the micro HDMI can you still use something like an atmos ninja to increase recording options and quality? Or does that cause a limitation? Thanks for any info as I’m just getting familiar with actually recording and producing video. Also with the l mount are there adapters to use other lens types or are you limited to the options you mentioned? Thanks!

[@benja1378]

Would highly recommend using a case and a clamp to hold the USB cable secure, otherwise you will at some point destroy the hdmi port

[@harrymacdonald]

Managed to buy one with under 400 shutters and mint condition 50 1.8 for 1100!!

[@danieli.9252]

Thanks for the video. I'm not a photographer or videographer, although I've had cameras in the past and I've dabbled (mostly at making rubbish photos). But I want to get back into it because I want a creative hobby (and if my photos are rubbish, my guitar playing is even worse). Honestly, there are too many cameras these days, but this video makes me consider the S5 -- it's on MPB for $900 (US) and the kit lens is around $300. Not a bad price for a decent full frame setup. Liked and subscribed, btw. Cheers!

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

Glad it was helpful 😁

[@danieli.9252]

I got one from Amazon (US) back in November for about $1300 with the 20-60mm. I haven’t really explored all it has to offer just yet, but as the weather gets better I will get out more.

[@Jonathan-hu3lk]

I’m not a videographer at all, but this is tempting me for photography. IBIS, weather sealing and an AF joystick being main factors. You’d struggle to find an APS-C camera that has those features for the price these go for on secondhand market and this is full frame. I don’t need the best auto focus in the world as I’m not one that takes a lot of fast action shots. Seriously time for me to consider trading in old gear for something like this.

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

The IBIS is incredibly useful with photos 🤙🏼

[@harryvlogs7833]

Yeah my experience with the autofocus is fine, not the best but certainly very usable especially for photography, videos less so but still ok

[@HankDavidMinister]

Awesome

[@jochenradke1430]

…nice review…thank you….

[@SomeSloan]

I really can't decide on what to get, I am trying to a camera under $1200 body only- new and used are both fine. Right now I am stuck between the Fujifilm X-T3 and this Lumix s5. The fuji can be found from $700-900 and the Lumix found for $900-1100. I really want to try a full frame, but I wonder how this older Fuji's autofocus compares to this Lumix. Any opinions and advice is appreciated.

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

If it’s purely for photography, the XT-3 might be the better choice, but if video is important, then the S5 just about beats it

[@ljamesrosel]

I have a6600+viltrox27mmf1.2+sigma56mmf1.4...do you think it's an upgrade if i can get S5+20-60 kitlens for 900usd and ditch a6600?

[@sandnoodles]

What makes you want to upgrade?if i was in your position i probably wouldn't upgrade unless you really need the super low light performance. You have two great lenses already and the a6600 is a great camera with likely as good if not better AF. I'm coming from an xt20 so the s5 looks like an upgrade just based on ergonomics and WR

[@Jimmyageek]

Its selling for 600 in very good condition

[@Skill_Issue92]

Sigma doesn't just make lenses they make cameras also. They also have a patent I'm pretty sure on the foveon sensor. I'm really wanting them to do a sigma FP or something with that sensor and phase detect AF

[@_Chris390]

£783 brand new from B&H or Amazon US, assuming you can send it to a friend there, or find some way around import taxes to the UK. Even with import taxes it's less than £1000 new.

[@Bloodlit]

I got some tiny hands… I love the way it feels in my hand especially coming from the Canon M series camers

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

Thanks for letting us know 😁

[@nathanvrvrt]

Just a small thing to add but sigma has 2 camera's with l mount lens mount. I loved your video so i subscribed ! Great video's. Found an s5 for a good price and thought on checking newer reviews like yours. I already have a sony a7riv but the sensor has to many mp for a good video (alway cropping) and thought on buying a second cam like the s5.

[@unbroken1010]

Not sure what you mean by too many mp. You sound rich 💵 The sigma are slower then our president.

[@nathanvrvrt]

@@unbroken1010 aint rich, just looking at good deals. If a sensor has more pixels than the video resolution it will always crop in and in that way you need a mega wide lens to get a normal range wich is annoying in my opinion.

[@Jimmyageek]

S5 is selling for $600 im very good condition

[@kutimkut]

Hey man, thanks for the review! I didn‘t quite unterstand the point you made at 8:15. So you‘re not able to use an external monitor while recording because of the micro hdmi? Or did I misunderstand?

[@TheJoshuaPeg]

You can but the micro HDMI port isn't as good as full size

[@unbroken1010]

Never seen it for under 1k. I'm not sure that $1500 or $1000 is considered a bargain in this economy. I remember seeing the pr stills and not liking them. The 45 mm looked like a great lense after seeing other photos. Lumix pr photos were embarrassing

[@KieranLoughlin-yr7jt]

Considering we pay 20% sales tax in the UK (which many photographers can claim back) I paid $1100 including the 20-60mm last week.

[@KieranLoughlin-yr7jt]

And that's widespread

[@KieranLoughlin-yr7jt]

Panasonic has a reputable presence in Europe for decades.

[@aiseurnae5976]

If you use mostly the standard profiles (not V-Log) and use lenses with deep DOF, the S5 is better camera than the S5II.

[@harryvlogs7833]

sigma do a 150-600mm l mount lens its pretty good got it about 2 weeks ago

[@np-ql2ih]

The voice is a bit has too much bass and sounds muddy. Other than that great cideo. Thanks

[@spiritunbound]

Sigma Fp and Fp L ….look into it hahaha