Review: Panasonic Lumix S5 II

Panasonic's S5 from 2020 was a 24MP full-frame mirrorless camera built around the same sensor as the Panasonic Lumix S1, but in a smaller, more affordable body. 

It was a solid camera, but it had a weakness that has long been a bug bear for many Lumix users - like Panasonic's GH series, it used a contrast-based depth-from-defocus autofocus system rather than a more reliable phase detection (PDAF) autofocus system.

But that's a thing of the past with the Lumix S5 II which, along with a more video-centric camera announced at the same time, the S5 II X, features a PDAF system for the first time. 

But that's not all. Other features over its predecessor include a newly developed 24.2-megapixel sensor and new imaging engines, an increased buffer memory size over the original S5, a 200% more effective IBIS system, a 96-megapixel high resolution mode, and improved video features, to offer what appears on paper at least, a much more well-rounded camera.

After using the original S5 for a few years, I was excited to see how the new camera would perform, and especially so in harsh environments and with unpredictable subject matter like birds and crocodiles.

And, on a recent trip to the Northern Territory, I had the S5II in my hands for the first time to try it out.

The body

First off, this camera feels great in the hand. It's almost identical to the S5, and that means it keeps the control layout so if you are upgrading, then this setup will feel very natural to you.

I especially like that there are a stack of customisable buttons and dials, which can be tailored to your own style - it gives you the freedom to have fast access to the features you love.

Measuring 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1 mm and weighing 740g, the S5 II is a bit larger and heavier than its predecessor which came in at 630g.

According to Panasonic, this is because of a new low-profile heat management system which allows for its unlimited video recording times. But remarkably, it's actually physically smaller than the GH6.

That said, there are some changes. A new 8-way joystick and 3.0-inch free-angle touch-control monitor, and a large, 3,680K-dot OLED Live viewfinder are welcome additions. It's worth noting that unlike the bigger S1-series, there's no top-plate LCD screen on the S5 II.

Finally, the weatherproofing appears to be as good as its predecessor. That means it's splash and dustproof, with all the main seams sealed against moisture.

Image quality

The new improved 24.2MP sensor has a faster read out and improved dynamic range over its predecessor, and in my testing I found it delivered great low light performance. It also has dual native ISO, so you can push the camera that little bit harder in low light settings.

As an example, I was shooting bats during last light at ISO 10,000 and the images held up well, and even better once I used Adobe Lightroom Denoise. In fact, significant noise only really appeared at ISO 12,800.

Finally, the IBIS system in the S5 II is very impressive. Panasonic has always been at the forefront of image stabilisation technology for mirrorless cameras, and the S5 II's 5-axis image stabilisation system delivers up to 6.5 stops of shake reduction.

This came in especially handy when shooting from a moving vehicle like a boat or plane, or if I wanted to shoot longer exposures handheld. I was able to capture sharp images with exposures of up to one second handheld - very impressive. 

It's also worth mentioning the usefulness of the High Resolution Mode. This combines eight shots into a 96 megapixel image to create a 12000x8000 pixel super high-resolution photo.

The resulting Raw files are a whopping 165Mb in size, but as you might expect are best reserved for static subjects. 

Autofocus

Don’t get me wrong, the autofocus in Panasonic's previous cameras wasn’t terrible, but it simply couldn't compete with other brands when used in action or wildlife situations. I'm pleased to say that's changed with the S5 II. 

Built around a 779-area metering system, the S5 II is able to detect subjects in difficult conditions including low-light and backlit situations, and track them pretty tenaciously.

Combine this with up to 30 frames per second shooting using the electronic shutter, and you have a formidable camera for wildlife and sports photography - something you could probably never say about a Lumix camera before. 

There's also no sign of that characteristic (and frustrating) "pulsing" effect found in the S5 or the G9 as the AF system scans back and forth. Instead, you'll find a solid system that just works. 

As you might expect, the camera has an AI animal detection mode, which is great for tracking raptors in flight or locking focus on a tiny Kingfisher hiding in the shadows along the bank of a billabong. It also has human body and eye detect modes so it should have you covered for studio and event coverage too.

Video

As a full-time video producer, I can’t ignore the video specs of the S5 II. With internal 4:2:0 10-bit 6K (3:2) and 5.9K (16:9) at 30fps and 4:2:2 C4K and 4K at up to 60fps, it holds its own nicely, and especially so as it has unlimited recording times.

The S5 Mark II also provides HFR (High Frame Rate) recording at up to 120fps and slow and quick capture at up to 180fps, which are welcome additions. Of course if you want the beefier codecs for high end video production, then they can be found in the S5II X, although you do pay a premium for that camera's more video-centric features. 

It also features the V-Log profile and allows you to burn in your own LUTs in camera. The active I.S. technology allows you to shoot shake free footage, even when walking, so you can leave the tripod at home next time you are going for a hike. 

On video recording, I had no issues with overheating, something that was a challenge in the heat of Kakadu. In fact,  a member of our group had issues with overheating whilst shooting video, while the S5 II never skipped a beat.

The wrap-up

It’s been almost five years since Panasonic entered the market with a full frame sensor camera, and I was an early adopter, adding the S1H and later the S5 to my kit. But it's not until now that the S series has really matured.

There is lots to love about the S5 II, but the standout feature has to be that new autofocus system. It means Lumix is now a serious contender to the other big brands in the industry, and especially in the hybrid space. 

The Lumix S5 II retails for an RRP of $3199, body only, or with a 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 lens for $3,699.

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