Panasonic S5 II / IIX
Announced January 4, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
The Panasonic S5 II and IIX serve as highly capable, value-focused hybrid cameras that finally integrate a reliable phase-detection autofocus system. Despite some limitations regarding rolling shutter and sensor crops at higher frame rates, they offer an extensive suite of professional video tools that outperform many costlier alternatives.
Weighted from 37 reviewer scores
Pros
- Reliable phase-detection autofocus system
- Exceptional in-body image stabilization
- Professional video features including unlimited recording, cooling fans, and advanced scopes
- High-quality color science and dynamic range
- Outstanding value for the price point
Cons
- Noticeable rolling shutter artifacts
- APS-C crop when shooting 4K at 50 or 60 frames per second
- Lag and display limitations when using HDMI output
- Lack of CFexpress card support
- Slower mechanical shutter burst rates compared to rivals
- Launch price $1,999–$2,199 (USD)
- Sensor 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 5.9K 29.97p 4K 59.94p
- Stabilization In-body IS, 5 stops (CIPA)
- Burst 30 fps electronic 9 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 37 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 90/100
The S5II is one of those cameras that isn’t necessarily the best in class at a lot of things. Instead, it makes its case by being the best at some.
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The Panasonic S5 II / IIX is arguably the best value new full-frame camera around at the time of making this review, packing a wealth of features to delight photographers and videographers alike while comfortably undercutting key rivals on price.
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So here we are, the Panasonic S5 II, the best bang for your buck in a camera today, and in my opinion, the most feature-rich camera for the money ever released.
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Panasonic has a new capable backbone camera and I won’t exaggerate by saying that this might be the most important camera release of the past years.
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[I] think we can agree that this is a terrific video tool. It fits nicely into the Panasonic family and is going to be welcomed by a lot of content creators.
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[T]he Lumix S5 II X is a very worthy contender for our consideration and is a very fine hybrid mirrorless camera, catering well for photographers and videographers alike.
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Ultimately we'd probably splash the extra cash and buy the new S5 II, though, simply because of the break-through phase-detection auto-focus.
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Building on the solid foundation of the original LUMIX S5’s tough compact frame, class-leading 5-axis in-body image stabilization, and excellent color science, the LUMIX S5 II didn’t need any significant overhauls.
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It’s hard to pick a fault with the Panasonic Lumix S5 II. It feels solid in the hand, and is a reliable workhorse in use, with intuitive controls and offering plenty of oomph.
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The LUMIX S5IIX is a serious video creation tool, offering hybrid shooters huge video specs for the money.
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So with Panasonic seemingly fix the auto focusing, this could be the best, the perfect video shooting mirrorless camera. This could be the mirrorless 5D Mark II.
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So yeah, I think it's fair to say in the sub two thousand dollar hybrid camera, without too much hyperbole, this is the best one that you can possibly consider, and you're in the L Mount so you do have the bigger variety of glass out there.
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So all in all, the S5 II / IIX is a really fascinating camera. It improves upon everything which we loved about the original S5, which I always said would be one of my favorite cameras on the market if it only had phase detect autofocus.
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First out of the gate from a video perspective, I would say skip the Panasonic S5 II and go for the Panasonic S5 IIX. For that extra 200, you're getting so many different things; just being able to record externally on an SSD alone is worth 200 in my opinion.
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The Panasonic Lumix S5IIx offers everything you need for astro and lowlight photography for a reasonable price, but it's far from perfect despite some impressive features and functionality.
- Pocket-lint 10/10
If you have $2000 to spend on a full-frame mirrorless body, we think the Lumix S5II is the way to go, especially if you shoot a lot of video. No one else is offering as much for the money, it's a wonderfully well-rounded camera.
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Choosing a camera is incredibly individual and subjective but I can say with confidence the Panasonic S5 II / IIX will be my main go-to camera this year and it's going to be a lot easier for me to recommend it to others.
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What Panasonic has done here is to take an already very good camera, and make it much more competitive. There are numerous tweaks here and there over the S5, but the big one is the new autofocus system.
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At the end of the day, the S5 II is an absolute beast of a mirrorless camera. If you've been waiting for the day for Panasonic to finally get the act together and put a phase hybrid autofocus system in, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
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[...] I can highly recommend the S5 IIX to filmmakers, content creators, and hybrid users looking for a very capable hybrid device with advanced video capabilities.
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Panasonic just edged out Sony & Canon – The Panasonic S5 II is now the best full frame entry level camera on the market!
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I love this camera, it's great, and obviously highly recommend it.
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Simply put, the Panasonic S5 II / IIX is the bargain of the full-frame truly hybrid segment as I'm recording this at the beginning of 2023.
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I've been extremely impressed with the Panasonic S5 II / IIX, and it's made me not want to use my Canon R5 for video at all; like I dislike it now compared to the Lumix.
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Okay, in conclusion, X marks the spot for me. X is much better than S5 Mark I.
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For me, the Panasonic image quality is second to none, and now that they've partnered this with an incredible autofocus system at this price, there's just really no other option that you should go for. I think it's just an incredible deal for what you get.
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The S5IIX is a perfect camera for anyone who likes all the features that were implemented in the S5II, but just want a little bit extra when it comes to more professional video features.
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The Panasonic Lumix S5 II may not match the elegant design of the Leica SL2-S, but from a feature standpoint, it excels in areas such as autofocus and lighter weight. It also has a fully articulating screen and only costs about 38% of the SL2-S.
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Now, all in all, the S5II has really, really impressed me. Whether you're shooting photo, video, you're a content creator, you're a hybrid shooter, this camera is extremely capable, much like the S5 was when that came out, and we only saw that get better with age.
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This S5 II could wear a Nikon or Sony badge without apology. I'm glad it doesn't because I'm glad it's L-mount.
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This is the Lumix S5 II which is maybe the best value modern camera that is currently in production.
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With its full-frame sensor, all of the features that it has, everything that I just mentioned, and the quality that it offers, the Panasonic S5 II / IIX has outstanding value for its price compared to similar full-frame mirrorless cameras on the market.
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The best full-frame hybrid camera on the market right now, one that offers the most, and even though there's crop when filming at 4K 60p, it has got a lot of features that outshine pretty much everything in this price range and even a much more expensive cameras than this.
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Guys, if you have less than $2,500 to spend and you want to get ProRes raw, Blackmagic raw, ProRes via USB-C SSD, up to 5.8K 4:2:2 HQ, if you want all intra codecs, if you want unlimited video recording in 6K, if you want a camera that looks amazing, then what are you doing?
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So closing thoughts on the Panasonic S5 II / IIX and well, what a camera. Sharpness, colors, dynamic range, all excellent.
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I think this Panasonic S5 IIX has the best hybrid performance. This best is not like a casual best, best that YouTubers always say, it like real best.
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This camera is only $2,200 and the fact that I can make a creative high-quality anamorphic project with nothing else besides the lenses, the gimbal, and the camera, it's pretty unreal.
