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Panasonic
Panasonic Lumix S5II
Greatest for most individuals
The Panasonic Lumix S5II made a critical splash within the full-frame mirrorless market. It is the primary Panasonic digital camera to utilise part detection autofocus, which suggests it could lastly compete with the likes of Sony and Canon. Mix this with industry-leading IBIS and an aggressive value level, and it is easy to see why persons are excited.
Professionals- Wonderful value
- Excellent video and picture capabilities
- Nice autofocus and IBIS techniques
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Panasonic
Panasonic Lumix S5IIX
Greatest for video professionals
The Panasonic Lumix S5IIX is actually the identical digital camera because the S5II, however it has just a few key upgrades particularly designed for skilled video shooters. The S5IIX can report ALL-I and ProRes codecs internally, in addition to output Blackmagic RAW over HDMI. It may additionally report to SSDs by way of USB-C and has a pretty all-black paint job.
Professionals- Inner ProRes and ALL-I recording
- USB-SSD help
- ProRes RAW and BRAW over HDMI
Introduced alongside the Panasonic Lumix S5II in early 2023, the S5IIX is a really related digital camera, however one with some significant upgrades for skilled video shooters.
The 2 fashions look very related, are priced fairly equally and share many of the identical options. This could imply that it is onerous to decide on between them.
In the event you’re unsure which mannequin is best for you, then you definately’re in the proper place. We have had hands-on expertise with each cameras, and we have in contrast each facet that can assist you make the proper buy on your wants.
Specs, availability and pricing
The usual Lumix S5II was introduced in January 2023 and has been obtainable to buy since then. It carries an MSRP of $1999 / £1999 / €2199.
The S5IIX was additionally introduced in January, however its full capabilities weren’t revealed till lately. It is up for preorder now and will probably be delivery by the tip of Might. The S5IIX retails for $2199 / £2299 / €2499.
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Panasonic Lumix S5II Panasonic Lumix S5IIX Sensor Dimension Full-frame Full-frame Video Decision 6K/30 6K/30 – ProRes at as much as 5.8K/30 Picture Decision 24.2MP 24.2MP Battery 16Wh Li-ion 16Wh Li-ion Dimension 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1mm 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1mm Weight 740g 740g Water Resistance Mud and splash resistant Mud and splash resistant Lens L-mount L-mount
Design
The 2 digital camera our bodies are equivalent, apart from the paint jobs. The unique S5II has typical Panasonic styling, with white logos and legends, in addition to the signature crimson accents on the dial and report button.
The S5IIX has a stealthy all-black end, with the one splash of color being the crimson report button. This seems to be very swish, however it has a sensible objective, too. Having a darker digital camera physique signifies that it is much less prone to seem in reflections, like in case you’re taking pictures via a window for instance.
There’s a fairly large draw back to this design, although, and that is the truth that the buttons are fairly onerous to make out in low-light circumstances. After all, whenever you’re used to the format, it will not matter as a lot, however it may be a hurdle whenever you’re new to the system.
The cameras carry over a variety of the design choices from the unique Lumix S5, and that is a very good factor. The design is ergonomic and strong, with a flip-out display and a very good OLED EVF.
Connectivity is sweet, too, with a full-size HDMI port, headphone and microphone sockets and twin SD card slots. There is a USB-C port on each cameras, however its capabilities are totally different on every.
On the Lumix S5II the USB port can be utilized both to cost the digital camera, or to switch information to your laptop, however on the S5IIX it will get a giant improve. The S5IIX can use the USB-C port to report immediately onto portable SSDs – and you will want to take action if you wish to reap the benefits of the brand new high-bitrate codecs.
It is a good thing, in our view, as transportable SSDs are a less expensive possibility than CFexpress playing cards, they usually’re sometimes cheaper than high-capacity SD playing cards, too.
Images options
Photographic options are precisely the identical on each cameras, and the S5IIX is solely designed as an improve for video makers. Nonetheless, that does not imply that it could’t take nice photographs, each cameras are very spectacular stills shooters.
In both case, you get 24.2MP stills in addition to a 96MP sensor-shift high-resolution mode, for instances whenever you want critical element. You may also shoot bursts of as much as 30fps with the digital shutter, or 9fps with the mechanical shutter, which means each cameras are an honest selection for sports activities and occasions.
The in-body picture stabilisation and part hybrid autofocusing impressed us most in video taking pictures, however they’re equally worthwhile for stills. We have been in a position to take lengthy exposures of as much as about 1 second in size utterly handheld due to the good IBIS system, it is good things.
Video options
Transferring on to the video options, that is the place you may discover the true distinction between these two cameras. Whereas each can report at as much as 6K decision (3:2) the S5II solely presents LongGOP recording modes – maxing out at a bitrate of 200Mbps at 6K/30.
The S5IIX, however, can report in ALL-Intra at as much as Cinema 4K decision 60fps, which has a bitrate of 800Mbps. And if that is not top quality sufficient, you possibly can soar as much as ProRes 422 HQ at 5.8K 30fps, which has a whopping 1.9Gbps bitrate.
Because of this you could have extra information to work with in post-production, and extra flexibility with the way you color grade and manipulate your footage. It additionally means you possibly can match your footage extra carefully with that {of professional} cinema cameras, which could possibly be invaluable in case you’re doing skilled video work.
As well as, the S5IIX brings with it help for Blackmagic RAW and ProRes RAW output over HDMI, as long as you could have a appropriate recorder. Nonetheless, this characteristic will probably be coming to the S5II within the type of a firmware replace. So, in case you sometimes shoot with an Atmos or Blackmagic Video Help, then the hole between these two cameras begins to slim.
The S5IIX additionally advantages from some stay streaming options, comparable to the power to broadcast RTSP over Wi-Fi and ethernet. We’ve not totally explored these capabilities simply but, but when stay broadcasting is in your wheelhouse, you might wish to examine these out.
Elsewhere, the cameras characteristic equivalent specs. Each have wonderful and dependable autofocus, in addition to class-leading picture stabilisation.
Conclusion
The S5IIX and S5II are basically the identical digital camera, solely the X provides some options which are geared in the direction of skilled video taking pictures. So, technically, the S5IIX is the superior gadget. Nonetheless, we do not assume most individuals will want these options, so the usual S5II stays our prime advice.
Panasonic
To summarise the adjustments, the S5IIX provides inner ALL-I and ProRes recording, USB-SSD recording, stay streaming options and an all-black end. ProRes RAW and BRAW over HDMI are new, too, however they will be coming to the S5II by way of a firmware replace in June.
If you realize that you will reap the benefits of any of those options, then the S5IIX is the one to go for. We do not personally want such high-bitrate codecs, however we’re huge followers of recording to SSD for the comfort and value financial savings – that alone is definitely worth the value of admission to us.
Panasonic
On the finish of the day, it is all about the kind of work that you will be doing along with your digital camera. If it is largely photographic work, then there is not any have to spend the additional on the X, because the efficiency isn’t any totally different. Nonetheless, in case you’re trying to take your video work to the following stage, then you definately may wish to make investments that little bit further.
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