Panasonic Lumix S5 II Review (from Tokyo!)

Chris and Jordan flew out to Tokyo last month to be among the first to shoot with Panasonic's first camera with phase detect autofocus, the S5 II. After shooting on Tokyo's streets and spending some time back home with the camera, what do we think?

Rental equipment provided by The Camera Store

0:00 - Intro
1:02 - Sample images
1:42 - Build and handling
2:49 - Sensor
3:57 - Stabilization
4:57 - Burst rates
5:24 - Stills autofocus
6:57 - Video record modes
7:59 - S5 IIX
9:08 - 6K Recording
10:13 - Audio
10:53 - Overheating
12:39 - Video stabilization
13:36 - Video autofocus
15:34 - Video competition
16:18 - Low light samples
16:46 - Stills autofocus conclusions
18:36 - Competition
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[stalman]

Jordan's been trying to tell me how great Lumix is for years, they've finally got my attention

[Jgatti]

Jordans run tests are always my favorite. I laugh every time. His facial expressions and how he zigs and zags is hilarious.

[BMEP]

We always enjoy your videos - and we love that shot at the six minute mark. 😉 Love to both of you!

[pacheaco]

Chris tossing the new pride of Panasonic from one hand to another at 1:45. Gotta love the confidence. 😂

[KarlRock]

Yay! Finally phase detect! I hope it comes to the GH lineup next.

[juliancroot]

Jordan's footage of Chris in this video looks gorgeous....I'm sure its 90% skill, but the S5ii really showing some superb potential in terms of colours, dynamic range and overall image quality.
The crop in 4K 50 is an unfortunate deal breaker for me, but it bodes very well for an S1H mark II. Canon & Sony need to watch out.... this thing is gonna sell.

[MyLifeFrAiurGaming]

glad that panasonic finally made the leap, now we can compete with the big boys! it's basically an A7IV on a budget with some features in addition even!

[j.]

Retired Leica rep here... VERY well done review guys... I liked the straight-up way you told your story and the professionalism of your photographic skills. Your review is a nice find.... indeed.

[Swiss_Bohemian]

I'm considering an upgrade. I use the S5 mostly for video. The unreliable autofocus drives me nuts sometimes and forces me to switch to my vlogger cam Sony ZV-1, so I'm quite pleased to hear that the S5II has now finally phase detect autofocus.

[edwintam]

I think the segment of Jordan running towards the camera in every review has to be a highlight!

[ChatteringApe]

Really nice upgrade. Not just the improved autofocus and stabilization, but the higher resolution viewfinder and full size HDMI port, too. Panasonic is clearly paying attention to customer feedback. And they managed to add active cooling while keeping the same size and price? Didn't expect that at all.

[MicroFourNerds]

Amazing review!! Especially “dfd wibbly wobblies” 😂 So impressed with the s5ii so far! - Emily 📸

[HuntaDaKilla]

Huge upgrade. I am hoping a Panasonic G9II is coming. Great video as always, very thorough and useful info to help us make better purchases.

[bittim]

Panasonic is my favorite camera company. I have extensively used their s5 and I'm so happy they added phase detect into their s5 ii. Way better value than canon or Nikon imo. For people who want nothing but the best I'm sure canon still offers more for more money but for the average Joe like me, this beats what Sony and Nikon are offering. This thing is built like a tank too

[romanpul]

Very impressive that Panasonic managed to pull off such an improvement to their AF system. And for the price it’s almost a nobrainer.

Also nice portrait of Huge Brownstone (3 blind man and an elephant) you got there

[FinalManaTrigger]

I don't shoot video, but this camera is so good it makes me want to! Super impressed with the stabilization and video features!

[ohwhoaitzjoe]

The scenes you provided gave me such a DigitalRev vibe for some reason.
I miss the Hong Kong scenery that Kai and Lok used to shoot.

Excited to see Lumix taking a step in the right direction. I just got a GH5ii because of my m43 eco system but I can now see myself moving into the full frame lineup for Lumix.

[PavSZ]

Great and very, very thorough review guys! Superb job, as always!
It was great meeting you in person in Tokyo!!

[CsiklosMiklos]

I just want to say thank you. Kicking off 2023 with the S5 Mk2 is the greatest news so far, and I hope firmware updates will bring some more polish to the AF system.

Now I'll have to upgrade from my poor old Lumix G7

[DanC]

Man I could definitely go for one of these if I was needed a hybrid full frame, it's a really compelling package.