Canon EOS R8 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS R8
76
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 6K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II
76
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS R8 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II are both 2023 full-frame mirrorless cameras, and the R8 is the lighter one to carry. It measures 133 x 86 x 70 mm and weighs 461 g, while the S5 II is a larger body at 134 x 102 x 90 mm and 740 g. If you pack a camera into a small bag, the R8's smaller body takes up less room. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2023 | 2023 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 8, 2023 | January 4, 2023 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 86 x 70 mm | 134 x 102 x 90 mm |
| Camera weight | 461 g | 740 g |
| Optics | 77/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe EOS R8 is the stronger choice for fast action, shooting continuously at up to 40 fps against 9 fps on the S5 II. Its 1053 autofocus points outnumber the S5 II's 779. For sports or birds in flight, that burst advantage is decisive. Both offer 24 MP resolution on full-frame CMOS sensors, so stills cropping headroom is equally matched. The S5 II is the better body for handheld work. It offers in-body stabilisation, which the R8 lacks, so slower handheld shutter speeds become practical. Its top shutter speed of 1/8000 second is shorter than the R8's 1/4000, giving more latitude for wide apertures in bright light. Its electronic viewfinder is finer too, with 3,680,000 dots against 2,360,000, which helps when you judge critical focus through the eyepiece. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24 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 | 35.6 x 23.8 |
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 | 9 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 | Unspecified |
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 | 7790300 |
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 | 368000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 96/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II is the better pick for video editors who want cropping headroom, recording up to 6K against the R8's 4K maximum. The extra resolution lets you reframe a shot or punch in on a 4K timeline without softening the final output. The R8 is the stronger camera for slow motion, with frame rates reaching 180 fps against 120 fps. Both support a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 |  6K |
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 | 5952 x 3968 |
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 | 120 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 | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 85/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe S5 II's rear screen is the sharper one for checking focus and detail, with 2,360,000 dots against 1,620,000 on the R8. Both cameras offer a 3-inch touch LCD that flips out for waist-level or selfie framing, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer. Both also have weather sealing and support external flash, and neither has GPS. | ||
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 | 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 | 23600001150001500000 |
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 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe S5 II has the advantage for a long shoot, with dual SD card slots against the R8's single slot. A second loaded card means a full card does not end the day. The R8's slot supports UHS-I and UHS-II cards for fast writes with a suitable card. Both offer a 370-shot battery rating and support USB charging, so you can top up either body between locations. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I and II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | Rechargeable Li-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 370 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS R8 if speed drives your photography. Its 40 fps burst and 1053 autofocus points suit wildlife, sports and travel shooters who move constantly. Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II for handheld work at slower shutter speeds or video-first projects. Its in-body stabilisation, 6K capture and dual card slots favour that kind of shooting. Both offer 24 MP full-frame resolution, so your subject and workflow should decide.