Panasonic Lumix S5IIX: Phasers Set To Detect!
Excuse the Star Trek analogy above, I couldn't think of anything else. Despite that, check out the autofocus tests in the video above, along with the Live View Composite mode. We had a lot of fun playing with that...late at night!
Edit 29.04.24: 3 Huge Firmware Updates
The Panasonic S5II firmware updates released on the 10th April 2024 make the Panasonic S5II and S5IIX cameras true powerhouses. Especially for video. Being a fan of Panasonic cameras for 10 years now, for me the S5IIX is an excellent video camera that also produces stunning stills. Having had this camera on loan recently (pre update), I WILL be buying one very soon.
Enhancement of Production Workflows
Native Camera to Cloud with Adobe's Frame.io. In a nutshell, this allows you to upload images, videos and proxy files to the cloud allowing other members of your team to start working on an edit in real time. Great for weddings for example. You can also record a low res, "linked-to-the-original" proxy file to the camera alongside the full resolution files.
Improved Basic Performance
The already superb Phase Detect autofocus has become even better and more useful. We now have effective animal eye, car and motorcycle recognition. To compliment this, the image stabilisation has been improved dramatically which effectively negates the need for a hand-held stabilisation system. Really.
Expanding Creative Options
Thank goodness for this. Panasonic brought back the SH Pre-Burst Shooting which records bursts before recording begins. Half-pressing the shutter button begins burst shooting allowing retroactive burst shooting the moment the shutter is pressed down fully. I love this feature, never miss a shot!
These updates, whilst not necessarily of interest to many photographers and perhaps more hobbyist videographers are, for semi-professionals and full-on working filmmakers, a great choice for all round features and image quality.
Panasonic Lumix S5IIX Main Specifications
There are so many specs to this camera it is unreal so I will just add the best of the best below. To see the entire spec sheet, go to Panasonic's website.
Sample Image Gallery
Below is a quick sample of images taken with the Panasonic Lumix S5IIX. I only had the camera for a couple of days but was very impressed with the stills image quality. Click below for larger images and please not that all images in this gallery, on this page and throughout the website are strictly copyright to Nick Stubbs.
My history with Panasonic
Back in 2009 I bought a Panny bridge camera to accompany me on a motocross adventure in South Africa. 1000 miles with plenty of water, thrills and spills, I didn't want to risk my main camera(s). The Panasonic FZ38 did me proud and started my interest in Panasonic cameras.
Next came the superb GH4, follow by the amazing GH5 and more recently, the big and beautiful Panasonic S1H. All of these shoot incredible 4K video but with one serious flaw. The autofocus...
Phase Detect Autofocus on the Panasonic Lumix S5IIX
Just look at that Bokeh!
This is what piqued my interest and got me rushing to borrow one from the Panasonic Lumix Loan Scheme for a few days. Highly recommended by the way if you are thinking of buying a Panasonic camera.
I have put this near the top because for me, this is the biggest thing to hit Panasonic cameras since they went mirrorless. Everything about their line up works for me except autofocus so I just had to test this out.
It is incredible. Maybe not to people in the Sony A7IV, A9III and Canon R3/5 etc. However, for us Panny die-hards who have been dreaming of this for years finally have that final piece of the puzzle. And it works really well.
It locks on to moving targets well and gives me confidence to finally use autofocus for wedding video. But, you must learn to use the AF speed and AF Sensitivity settings to best effect.
Live Composite Mode
This is certainly a feature I will be using a lot. Even after just a couple of "plays", I can think of a myriad of creative ways in which to make the most of this. I was also happy to discover that you can use the Live Composite Mode during the day as well. Cool!
The image below was the best I got out of three attempts. I ran down the left hand side "painting" through the trees as not to get my shadow in the shot. It worked a treat and I was so happy with this shot (click for larger image).
Painting with light with Live Composite Mode - Click for larger image
The light I used was the incredibly bright and portable Cinepeer CX100. 100W of super bright light in your hands. Perfect for painting with light.
Other Positives
Niggles and Gripes
Whilst these aren't going to put me off buying the Panasonic Lumix S5IIX, it would have been nice to have these included.
Panasonic Lumix S5IIX: Summary
Despite the downsides mentioned above, which really aren't that bad for me, I would 100% recommend the Panasonic Lumix S5IIX. The small size but feature rich packed body, along with phase detect autofocus, is incredible.
The image quality matched my Panasonic Lumix S1H and there are enough creative features included to keep any amateur or professional photographer or filmmaker busy for a long time.
This camera inspires me to get out and about shooting more creatively!
How can I get this camera
It depends where you live but Amazon may be your best choice?