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Lastly! After a few years and a number of lineups of mirrorless cameras, Panasonic has their first digicam with phase-detect autofocus – the Lumix S5 II.
An upgraded mid-range full-frame mirrorless isn’t normally the primary digicam to get an enormous new function for a model, however it does imply that it’s one thing that many individuals would possibly truly choose it up.
For a more in-depth look, ProAV TV does their common hands-on testing with a specific deal with the AF system and picture high quality.
There’s additionally a point out of the added options packed into the upcoming S5 IIX, an much more video-focused model of this digicam.
This digicam is a critical improve from the unique and with all the brand new tech it has it’s amongst their greatest.
Early S Sequence releases had been good, however they didn’t fairly hit the identical highs because the GH Sequence did in its heyday. The S5 II is trying prefer it simply is perhaps a return to kind for Panasonic.
Worth is among the many largest promoting factors right here because it upped the sport within the specs and options division whereas retaining that sub-$2,000 value level.
Section-Detect AF System
Maybe the largest failing of Panasonic cameras over time has been sticking with contrast-detect autofocus.
Whereas it was the perfect distinction system you possibly can get, it was to this point behind modest phase-detect choices. Now you’ve gotten each in a hybrid system.
Picture Credit score: Panasonic
In a easy check of a topic sitting down and transferring forwards and backwards you possibly can instantly see how far more assured and dependable the S5 II is with autofocus.
Advantages will come to the V-Log profile because the decrease distinction choice had drawbacks in autofocus in comparison with others on the unique S5. The S5 II is far more responsive.
ProAV TV believes that the S5 II has an autofocus system you possibly can depend on for skilled video work.
Picture High quality
Contained in the digicam is the place you will see the principle upgrades: a brand-new picture sensor and processing engine.
The sensor boasts 14+ stops of dynamic vary and has a twin native ISO setup. In V-Log you’ll discover the ISOs are 640 and 4000 whereas in a normal profile it’s 100 and 640.
V-Log right here is full and never the “L” model discovered on a few of Panasonic’s mirrorless choice. Alongside that’s the full V-Gamut shade house.
Picture Credit score: Panasonic
Taking a look at some comparisons between the brand new mannequin and the final you will notice a unique shade rendering. The S5 II has hotter and far more pleasing pores and skin tones. It additionally has a better decision choice at 5.9K vs being restricted to 4K on the unique.
Dynamic vary seems to be comparable within the highlights as they each began to interrupt when reaching 5 or extra stops overexposed.
Heading into the shadows you’ll discover the unique desaturates extra shortly and heads magenta whereas the Mark II retains its shade however picks up robust inexperienced noise.
Codecs are totally different on this check with the unique S5 working in a 4:2:2 H.264 format and the S5 II utilizing 4:2:0 H.265.
For common underexposure the S5 II appears to be higher because it retains the colour. Past a pair stops although each are attending to unusable.
Excessive ISO Assessments
Evaluating the S5 II with the unique in excessive ISO assessments does reveal some small modifications. Up till about ISO 12800 you’ll see virtually no distinction. Nevertheless, at ISO 25600 you’ll see the unique begin to lose some shade whereas the S5 II retains its shade constant.
Resolutions
Panasonic unlocked the S5 II a bit as it may now document as much as 5.9K utilizing the total width of the picture sensor in DCI, UHD, and three:2 side ratios. This could make issues much more versatile in submit.
Commonplace DCI and UHD 4K choices can be found utilizing the total width at as much as 30p or in APS-C mode you possibly can document 4K at as much as 60p. Full HD can attain 120p.
Within the assessments the S5 II’s 6K mode was sharper and extra detailed than the 4K choices. Apparently, the 4K mode on the unique S5 gave the impression to be barely sharper than the S5 II’s 4K.
The advice is to simply use the 6K mode because the inner recording codecs aren’t going to dramatically improve file dimension and there’s a noticeable benefit in picture high quality.
Every little thing apart from the 6K modes can document in 4:2:2 10-bit (6K is proscribed to 4:2:0 10-bit). The 4:2:0 choices will transfer you to H.265 whereas 4:2:2 will get you H.264.
They’ve the identical information charges no matter codec. So, the argument could be that the H.265 might need higher high quality since it’s extra environment friendly despite the fact that it doesn’t have the identical shade information.
Picture Credit score: Panasonic
Physique Design
An important transfer from Panasonic was so as to add a “hidden” fan to the S5 II. In comparison with the tremendous apparent venting of cameras just like the S1H, the S5 II has vents on the high of the digicam across the viewfinder. It leads to a slimmer digicam design.
A brand new picture stabilization algorithm known as Energetic I.S. will present higher handheld stabilization whereas strolling handheld. It’s presupposed to be about 200% higher.
Customers can now load in as much as 10 customized LUTs and use them as a view help or burn them in with real-time LUT setting. This will help velocity up sure workflows.
The display stays the identical however the EVF will get a decision bump to three.6m-dot.
The HDMI port has been moved as much as full dimension and can be capable to output uncooked video by way of a future firmware replace (and paid improve).
Media remains to be two SD card slots although they’re each UHS-II velocity.
Audio is comparable with an improve if you happen to use the XLR Adapter which can now ship 4-channel audio, similar to the GH6.
S5 IIX Variant
Right here’s the true information. Panasonic is making a extra video-focused variant known as the S5 IIX. For about $200 extra you will get an all-black model that comes loaded with further video options.
Picture Credit score: Panasonic
Out there in Could, the S5 IIX has a listing of options:
Constructed-in uncooked output (no want for paid license)
All-I and ProRes codecs
USB-SSD recording
Enhanced streaming choices
It’s going to be a troublesome name for filmmakers on the lookout for a digicam immediately. The S5 IIX is objectively higher, although it’ll be a little bit of a wait. I’d say attempt to wait if you happen to plan on capturing critical video.
What do you consider the Panasonic S5 II sequence?
[source: ProAV TV]
Order Hyperlinks:
Panasonic Lumix S5 II Mirrorless Digital camera (B&H)
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX Mirrorless Digital camera (B&H)
Panasonic DMW-SFU2 Firmware Improve (B&H)
Panasonic DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adapter (B&H, Amazon)
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