Panasonic Lumix DC-S5

Panasonic Lumix DC-S5. Review: much more than an entry-level

Known especially with the acronym Lumix S5, the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 was launched in the summer of 2020. This mirrorless widens the range of consumers initially expected for the Full Frame series Lumix S. This excellent camera possesses the same full-frame sensor as the Lumix S1 model, one of the most popular Full Frame of the Japanese house. Of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 what immediately stands is its small size, very close to the Micro Four Thirds models, which however have the limit of a much smaller sensor.

A compact mirrorless, high-quality hybrid, or even advanced entry-level… the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 not only offers an interesting size to performance ratio - a fundamental feature when it comes to mirrorless - but also one of the best compromises between photo quality and video performance. To these factors, we must also add good energy resistance, with over 440 images of autonomy (1500 in economy mode), resistance to bad weather, a very rich interface with double memory card slot, 5GHz / 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection, and Bluetooth 4.2.

Lastly, the attack for the optics of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 is the system L-Mount, compatible with Panasonic products, as well as with Leica optical Cameras and Sigma. But what makes this Lumix S5 one of the most interesting mirrorless cameras on the market are above all its technical characteristics, which place it just below the professional models of Panasonic which, in the Lumix S series, boasts three other innovative models: S1R is the professional offer for high resolution; S1 is a professional hybrid camera for photos and videos; the S1H model is the camera intended for film production.

Construction and design of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5

For the Lumix DC-S5, Panasonic has done a good job in slimming down, to silence several criticisms received in recent years: 714 grams (battery and cards included) are a decent result for a machine that does not have one of the most attractive design as its strengths. The camera body of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 on the other hand is solid, tropicalized, gives excellent sensations when touched, thanks to a magnesium alloy construction, and measures 132.6 x 97.1 x 81.9 mm. Compared to the past, the grip is slightly less prominent, given the new retro compatible battery for GH models.

The top plate of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 lacks the secondary display but has a layout that is typical of more expensive cameras: behind the shutter button, you find the exposure controls, 
ISO and WB. To the left of the EVF viewfinder - a 2.36 million dot OLED – you find the dial for customizable modes which, unfortunately, is only half used.

On the rear facade of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5, there is very convenient access to AutoFocus to select a manual, continuous, or single focus. On the back is also found the dial to navigate the menus, but much of the facade is prerogative of the three-inch monitor, a touch display that can be rotated in all its 270°.

The memory card slots are on the right panel of the camera body, on the opposite side of the interfaces: micro-HDMI, microphone input, headphone plug, and USB type C port, to charge the camera even during its use. On the bottom plate, there is the battery compartment and a connection to possibly mount vertical handle.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S 5 at a glance

Sensor:24Mp (35.6mm x 23.8mm) full-frame 35mm CMOS, 3:2 aspect ratio
Processor: Venus Engine 
Display: Swivel Touch LCD (3 inches), 3:2 aspect ratio, 1.84 million dots 
Electronic Viewfinder: OLED (0.74x magnification, 100% coverage, 1024x768 px resolution ) 
Focus: Contrast AF system (225 focus points) 
ISO: Auto, 100-51200 (expandable to 50-204800) 
Burst: with AutoFocus 5fps x 24 RAW, 24 JPEG; without AutoFocus 7fps 
Video Recordings: 4K (3840x2160p) 30fps 
Memories: SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I and II) 
Battery: Li-Ion (Panasonic DMW-BLK22, capacity 15.84 Wh) 
Weight: 630 grams (714 with battery and cards) 
Measurements in mm: 132.6 x 97.1 x 81.9

Performance of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5

While it is clear that the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 has its target in passionate and ambitious photographers, we haven’t yet spoken about what type of photography this camera offers its best. It’s difficult to find major flaws, but we can safely say that this S5 was not born for action photography, since it offers just 7 frames per second. On the other hand, it has the 4K/6K Photo mode, which reaches up to 30 fps, but consists of the extrapolation of frames from 18Mp micro-videos. In short, a consolation prize.

But if the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 does not shine in sports photography, for everything else we are on excellent levels: landscapes and street photography are its highlights. Compared to the S1 models, it has a renewed, more responsive AutoFocus. The subjects - except for sudden and lightning-fast movements - are drawn with firmness, as are faces and eyes. So even in portraiture, this camera doesn't mess around, getting along very well even in not perfectly illuminated situations.

Up to ISO 6400, the digital noise is practically absent: reaching ISO 12,800 the digital noise is present without being bothering. Going further is not advisable, although the details persist even with ISO pushed to the maximum. Obviously in this case the photos remain of the highest quality but for web or social media use.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 also offers an interesting “High Resolution” option, alongside the internal BIS stabilizer, in which eight consecutive shots are taken and merged in an image that reaches 96Mp. This is the Dual IS, a system that makes the digital trick possible, by combining the five axes of the internal stabilizer with the two axes of the mounted optics.

The video performance of the Lumix DC-S5

With internal recordings in 4K at 60p/50p (4:2:0 10 bit) and in 4K at 30p/25p (4:2:2 10 bit) you can shoot up to half an hour, as well as with the HDMI-micro-output in 4K at 60p/50p, but if you are "satisfied" with UltraHD clips at 8 bit 4:2:0, there are no time limits for recordings. In this case, the excellent construction of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S5, designed for heat dissipation, comes into play.

Among the video modes of the S5, we should remember the Slow & Quick Motion (2 or 4K),selectable from the mode dial, and the 4K HDR movies, with an excellent light/dark balance, very close to that perceived by the eye. Although it has been improved, the AutoFocus system in recording still struggles a little with moving subjects in AF- C mode. For sport clips, it's best to consider the Sony A7SIII, Nikon Z5 / 6/7, or the Canon EOS R 5 or R6.

Remaining among the Panasonics, if we consider videos the DC-S5 ranks just below the more expensive cinematic VariCam that exploits the two-color curves V-Log and V-Gamut. The quality is very high, even if the S5 does not offer the same number of features as the S1H, which is intended for professional video makers.

Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 vs. Fujifilm X-T4

Both mirrorless from 2020, the Lumix S5 and the Fuji X-T4 are both on the market with a big price difference, to the disadvantage of the S5, despite both being intended for the same consumers.

For the camera dimensions, there is (almost) a draw, even if the Fuji is considerably lighter (607 vs. the 714 from Panasonic). The X-T4 can also boast of an electronic viewfinder with better resolution (3690k vs. 2360k dots), longer battery life (around 500 vs. 440), and better burst (15fps vs. 7).

Given these premises, why spend much more to buy the Lumix DC-S5? The Panasonic has a monitor with a better resolution (1840k vs. 1620k points of the Fuji), more advanced sensors for scenes with little brightness, and a port for the external microphone. What makes a difference to the X-T4 is not these details though, but a full-frame sensor with a 43mm diagonal vs. the 28 of the Fuji APS-C sensor. Size matters and in this case, it means greater dynamic range, richer colors, and in other words… better image quality. And isn't this the first feature required of a camera?