Panasonic S5 II First Impressions

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Panasonic S5 II First Impressions

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I wasn’t actually anticipating an replace to the Panasonic S5 this early. However in case you have a look at how know-how has modified, it was most likely inevitable. At this time at CES 2023, Panasonic is asserting the brand new Panasonic S5 II together with their new Panasonic S5 IIx. The latter dons its New York finest and blacks out all of the logos whereas together with some video efficiency boosts. Contemplating a lot of the people who learn The Phoblographer don’t care a lot about video, you most likely gained’t care in regards to the S5 II in case you’re only a photographer. However, the Panasonic S5 II’s $1,999 worth level is likely to be very enticing given among the efficiency boosts.

Tech Specs

New L2 tech, particularly between Leica and Panasonic. They’re collaborating on the processor right here from what we’ve been informed.

$1,999 for the physique solely

Gross sales begin in January, 2023

New autofocus replace

Part hybrid AF

Focusing remains to be human and animal/chicken

779 AF factors

Monitoring AF is okay tuned to work with real-world wants

Claims of it working higher with monitoring when there are a number of individuals within the body

Works very properly in backlit circumstances

Low mild focusing revamps

Lively IS: an evolution of twin IS. It makes use of newer {hardware} and algorithms 

They’re claiming the autofocus is 200% higher than the S5 authentic, however that’s not for stills. This isn’t a CIPA score.

Limitless recording time with this digital camera

Designed to work in 104 levels F attributable to a brand new inner fan design

HDMI sort A

USB C 3.1 gen 2

8 directional joystick

OLED LVF: 3.6 MP with .78 magnification

30 fps with AF-C with digital shutter. And improved rolling shutter

9 fps mechanical with 7fps with AF-C

Digital shutter gained’t work with a flash

Nonetheless twin SD card

24.2MP sensor. Reads out sooner Than the earlier sensor, it’s not the identical one.

14 stops of dynamic vary

Reside view composite is coming by way of a firmware replace in a while. Panasonic says that that is due to the brand new processor.

Similar grip because the S5

Similar battery

Simply as climate sealed as earlier mannequin

Ergonomics

Right here’s a fast have a look at the brand new Panasonic S5 II. In fact, you’ll be able to inform from the marker on the entrance of the digital camera. Panasonic states it’s just about an identical to the earlier digital camera.

On prime, you’ll spot a bunch of acquainted issues. Panasonic places somewhat marker on the ISO button so you’ll be able to really feel the place it’s with out shifting your eye from the viewfinder. There’s a devoted file button, mode dial, and a dial for various programmable drive modes too. Moreover, there’s additionally the publicity dials across the shutter button and the again.

Right here’s a view of the again of the digital camera. Panasonic places solely two controls on the highest left with the remaining being accessible by the thumb. You’ll discover the joystick to be probably the most distinguished adjustments. This must be skilled in individual to actually perceive it. Panasonic additionally revamped the viewfinder as properly.

In fact, the LCD display additionally flips inward as wanted.

Construct High quality

The Panasonic S5 II is claimed to have the identical sturdiness and climate resistance because the earlier digital camera mannequin. With that mentioned, the Panasonic S5 was superb once we took it out within the rain. In any other case, it feels nearly the very same with a couple of variations. You possibly can instantly really feel the distinction within the joystick. On prime of that (or to the aspect, quite) the viewfinder is way simpler to learn in case you’re visually impaired. The Panasonic S5 was my favourite Panasonic digital camera physique. And I’m fairly excited that the Panasonic S5 II is kind of the identical. It nonetheless feels rugged whereas being light-weight and feature-packed. Contemplating that it’s smaller than the Panasonic GH6, I’m completely satisfied about all this.

Ease of Use

The Panasonic S5 II has roughly the identical menu system that you just’ll come to know and love from Panasonic. And actually, I actually have all the time appreciated their menu techniques proper after Canon’s. With some memorization and some faucets of the LCD display, you will get to just about in all places within the menu.

What I believe photographers will actually like although is the far more tactile joystick. It is going to make superb deciding on the autofocus and navigating by issues so significantly better. Nevertheless, what I want the Panasonic S5 II did was have illuminated buttons. They’re such a deal with to have whenever you’re working at the hours of darkness with one thing like Reside Composite.

Focusing

The Panasonic S5 II that I used was a pre-production mannequin. And with that mentioned, it wasn’t even loaded up with the newest firmware. Nevertheless, I acquired to strive the autofocus on the Panasonic S5 II X — which is kind of the identical digital camera on the subject of autofocus efficiency. With each the Panasonic 85mm f1.8 and Leica 28mm f2 Summicron SL APO lenses, it targeted in a short time. However in my fast take a look at with a Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Artwork lens, it didn’t appear as snappy. Nevertheless, I’m going to wish to do extra checks.

Panasonic has all the time claimed that the L-mount shares all data by the mount and that the lens efficiency needs to be an identical throughout the board–barring the focusing motors getting used within the lenses.

Picture High quality

It is a pre-production model of the Panasonic S5 II that we used and photographed. And to that finish, we didn’t get to take photographs dwelling for our personal evaluation. We’re speculated to be getting a evaluation unit quickly although. So we’ll be doing an evaluation with numerous items of glass.

First Impressions

I’m fairly excited for the Panasonic S5 II. However to be trustworthy, I believe I’ll be extra excited for it round Could of 2023 when Panasonic guesstimates that the brand new firmware for the digital camera will come that provides it Reside Composite.

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