Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
79
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 6K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II
76
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II are both full-frame mirrorless cameras built around the Leica L mount, so any L-mount lens you already own fits either body. The S5 arrived in 2021 and the S5 II in 2023. The newer body is slightly larger and heavier at 134 x 102 x 90 mm and 740 g, against 133 x 97 x 82 mm and 714 g for the S5. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2021 | 2023 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 9, 2021 | January 4, 2023 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 133 x 97 x 82 mm | 134 x 102 x 90 mm |
| Camera weight | 714 g | 740 g |
| Optics | 78/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe S5 II is the stronger choice for photographing moving subjects, pairing 779 autofocus points with a 9 fps burst against 225 points and 7 fps on the S5. Its electronic viewfinder also offers 3,680,000 dots versus 2,360,000, giving a crisper view while you track action. For slower subjects, the core stills specifications largely match. Both use a full-frame CMOS sensor of around 24 megapixels, both stabilise the sensor in-body, and both offer a 1/8000 second top shutter speed with a native ISO range of 100 to 51200. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 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. |
23.8 x 35.6 | 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. |
7 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. |
Leica L | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine | 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. |
512003003280000 | 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. |
2048003003280000 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 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. |
800080032000 | 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. |
2250300 | 7790300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | 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 | 83/100 | 96/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe S5 II gives video shooters more room to crop and reframe a take, recording up to 6K while the S5 tops out at 4K. Its maximum frame rate is also higher, 120 fps against 60 fps, so slow-motion playback stays smoother at deeper slowdowns. Both cameras offer a built-in timelapse function, so interval shooting needs no external trigger on either body. | ||
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. |
60 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, MOV | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 85/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesBoth bodies are weather-sealed, a useful match for outdoor shooting in rough conditions. Each has a 3-inch flip screen with touch control, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer. The S5 II's rear screen is sharper for checking focus and detail in playback, showing 2,360,000 dots against 1,840,000 on the S5. Neither body includes GPS, and both rely on an external flash rather than a built-in unit. | ||
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 | TFT 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. |
18400001150001500000 | 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 | 71/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe S5's battery rating is longer, at 440 shots against 370 for the S5 II, which favours long days of stills shooting. Both bodies take dual SD card slots and charge over USB, so spare-card redundancy and convenient top-ups are available either way. The S5 also supports UHS-II cards, which allows faster writes when you pair it with a matching card. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | DMW-BLK22 | Rechargeable Li-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
440 shots1505000 | 370 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the S5 II for sports, wildlife or energetic kids, where its 779-point autofocus and 9 fps burst pay off, and for video work built on 6K capture and a 120 fps maximum frame rate. The S5 remains a sound pick for travel and landscape work, being 26 g lighter with a longer 440-shot battery rating and UHS-II card support. Both share the L mount, so your lenses move between them freely.