Canon EOS R8 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS R8
76
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
79
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS R8 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 are both full-frame mirrorless cameras, announced in 2023 and 2021 respectively. The R8 is the lighter, slimmer carry at 461 g and 133 x 86 x 70 mm, against 714 g and 133 x 97 x 82 mm for the S5. That 253 g saving counts most when packing light for travel. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2023 | 2021 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 8, 2023 | February 9, 2021 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 86 x 70 mm | 133 x 97 x 82 mm |
| Camera weight | 461 g | 714 g |
| Optics | 77/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS R8 is the stronger choice for fast action, shooting at up to 40 fps against 7 fps on the S5. Its 1053 autofocus points also offer far more focus positions for off-centre subjects than the S5's 225. The S5 counters with in-body stabilisation, letting you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds where the R8 offers none. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed keeps wide apertures usable in bright sun, while the R8 tops out at 1/4000. Resolution is effectively level at 24 and 24.2 megapixels on full-frame CMOS sensors, and both electronic viewfinders show 2.36 million dots. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24.2 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
36 x 24 | 23.8 x 35.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
40 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon RF | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic X | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
1024003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
10530300 | 2250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slow motion, the EOS R8 is the clear pick, supporting frame rates up to 180 fps against 60 fps on the S5. Fast movement such as a golf swing or a bird taking off gets far more slow-motion stretch in the edit. Both record up to 4K and offer a built-in timelapse mode. The R8 records MP4 with a choice of H.264 or H.265, while the S5 offers MOV alongside MP4 for editors who prefer that container. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
180 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MP4, H.264, H.265 | MP4, MOV |
| Features | 85/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S5's rear screen is sharper for checking focus after a shot, at 1.84 million dots against 1.62 million on the R8. Both screens are 3-inch, touch-enabled and fully articulating, so low-angle and front-facing framing work equally well on either camera. Protection and connectivity match, with weather sealing, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both. Neither camera has GPS, so location tagging relies on a paired phone, and both depend on an external flash rather than a built-in one. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 18400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe S5 is the better camera for long or paid shoots, pairing two UHS-II SD slots where the R8 has one. Two cards mean more capacity without swapping mid-event. Both charge over USB between locations. The S5's battery is also rated for more shots, at 440 against 370 for the R8. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I and II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | DMW-BLK22 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 440 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the EOS R8 for fast-moving subjects. Its 40 fps burst rate suits sports and wildlife sequences, and its 180 fps slow-motion capability gives video of fast action more stretch in the edit.
Choose the Lumix DC-S5 for handheld work in dim interiors, where in-body stabilisation allows slower shutter speeds, and for event coverage that benefits from the second card slot and longer rated battery life. The native lens systems, Canon RF and Leica L, should guide the final call.