A Feature-filled Hybrid

The Panasonic Lumix S5 was launched on September 2, 2020. This is the fourth camera in Panasonic’s S-series. The S5 has a form factor similar to the GH5 but with added features similar to the S1 and S1H. It is a compact, lightweight model that, according to Panasonic, ‘provides excellent performance in both photos and videos’. Let’s see how it fares in our review…

- Rohinton Mehta

Inside the Box

Camera

Body cap

Hot shoe cover

Battery grip connector cover

Shoulder strap

Battery Pack

Battery charger

AC adaptor

USB cable

Design & Build Quality

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 is a compact, lightweight, hybrid mirrorless, full-frame, L-mount camera. It is built tough (uses a magnesium alloy chassis) and is dust resistant. It is also splash-resistant with lenses designed to offer this feature. The body weighs approx. 740 g with the battery and is made in China.

Key Features

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 boasts of a 24.2 megapixel (effective) CMOS sensor with Dual Native ISO technology that improves low-light performance. This operates in conjunction with V-Log. The Dual Native ISOs are ISO 640 and 4000. What this means is that the S5 – as well as some other Panasonic cameras – have a special technology that exploit the information from the camera’s imaging sensor, extend the dynamic range and reduce ‘noise’. This technology operates automatically. The S5 does not have a Low-Pass Filter. It is backed by the Venus Engine processor.

The S5 also offers Dual IS 2 – this feature provides 5-axis dual stabilisation by combining the control of the in-body image stabilisation and lens’ Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), thereby offering 6.5-stops of advantage in shutter speeds when using the S-R 24-105 mm, S-E 70-200 mm and S-R 70-200 mm lenses. This is based on CIPA standards.