The Panasonic Lumix S5IIX was teased alongside the launch of the Lumix S5II earlier this yr. It is primarily the identical digicam, however with some significant upgrades that may make it extra interesting to skilled video shooters.
This time round, it is wearing all black, and it definitely appears prefer it means enterprise. Possibly the times of placing black electrical tape over the white producer logos are lastly behind us.
In fact, its aesthetics solely matter if it performs. And whereas we’ve not had sufficient time with it to evaluate its capabilities totally, we went hands-on with the brand new digicam at its launch occasion and took loads of photographs and movies. Listed below are our ideas up to now.
Panasonic
Panasonic Lumix S5IIX
First impressions
The Lumix S5II will get a trendy all-black paint job and a number of video-centric upgrades together with inner ProRes recording, USB-SSD recording and Blackmagic RAW over HDMI.
Design
- Dimensions: 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1mm
- Weight: 740g
- All black design
Except for the plain color change, the Lumix S5IIX is an identical to the S5II, and each are fairly just like the original S5 as properly. Because of this the structure feels intuitive and acquainted, whereas the supplies are as hardy and confidence-inspiring as ever.
We have been happy that the structure is unchanged as a result of the darkish gray legends on a black background imply that it is fairly onerous to see them in low-light circumstances. And the launch occasion was, in fact, very dimly lit to match Batman’s favorite digicam. With some apply, muscle reminiscence will kick in and this would possibly not be a lot of a difficulty, we could not assist however want for backlit buttons on this explicit situation, although.
There was a longstanding custom {of professional} photographers blacking out their gear with electrical tape, primarily to cease the white digicam brand from showing in reflections. It isn’t one thing we have ever been too involved with, but it surely’s good that the brand new design has a sensible impression.
The one splash of color is the large purple file button on the highest of the digicam. It is a clear indicator of the video focus of this mirrorless physique, and it makes crucial button on the chassis stand out properly.
One factor that is price noting is that every one of Panasonic’s lenses have white textual content on them. So whereas the all-black physique appears undeniably cool, the general look is rather less cohesive when a lens is connected. It isn’t a giant deal, but it surely’s one thing that stood out to us.
Connectivity and shows
- Full-size HDMI, USB-C, Headphone and Mic sockets
- Twin SD card slots, USB-SSD recording assist
- ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW over HDMI
The shows are unchanged from the S5II, and that is positive by us. We, once more, discovered the EVF to be very sharp and clean, and whereas the LCD is not going to knock your socks off, its touchscreen controls are responsive and it is brilliant sufficient to see in most circumstances.
The most important change right here is the truth that the S5IIX can file on to transportable SSDs over USB-C. That is the primary time, so far as we’re conscious, {that a} mainstream digicam producer has added this functionality to a full-frame digicam. We have beforehand solely seen it featured on the GH6, and area of interest cameras just like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and ZCam E2 collection.
It is a big deal, because it means you need to use extra reasonably priced storage media and nonetheless be capable to shoot in probably the most demanding codecs. It makes loads of sense on this mannequin, too, because it has some exceptionally heavy encoding choices, and you may want all of the storage you may get.
One other shock addition is assist for five.9K 12-bit Blackmagic RAW encoding, with a suitable exterior recorder such because the Blackmagic Video Help. This comes along with 12-bit ProRes RAW output for Atomos customers.
Picture and video efficiency
- 24.2MP sensor with IBIS and Energetic I.S.
- Part hybrid AF, 779-point
- Inner ALL-Intra and ProRes 422 HQ recording
The S5II and S5IIX share the identical sensor, the identical taking pictures modes and the identical image profiles, so the photographic outcomes are an identical. So, it is no shock that we have been happy with the efficiency.
The section hybrid autofocus works fantastically, even in low mild and through high-framerate S&Q recording. The IBIS is great in each picture and video modes, too, however we already knew that.
What’s modified with this mannequin are the encoding codecs which are supported. On the S5IIX, you possibly can shoot video with exceptionally excessive bitrates, including to the general picture constancy, in addition to permitting for a lot larger flexibility in post-production.
There’s now ALL-Intra recording obtainable internally at as much as Cinema 4K decision, with a storage-munching 800Mbps bitrate at 60fps. This pales compared to the ProRes choices, although, which let you shoot up 5.8K 30fps and can eat up a whopping 1.9Gbps.
We have not had the possibility to correctly analyse these new recording codecs simply but, however those that require them will probably already understand it. The one factor you will want to remember is that the heavier encoding choices (mainly something north of 600Mbps) would require recording to an external SSD, slightly than an SD card.
First impressions
There aren’t too many surprises with the Lumix S5IIX, it is primarily the identical digicam because the S5II, however with extra codec choices, USB-SSD recording and an all-black paint job.
For skilled video shooters, although, this new mannequin might provide precisely the enhancements that they want. The worth distinction, for what’s on provide, may be very affordable too. On the time of writing, the S5IIX will solely set you again a further $200 over the usual mannequin.
In the event you are likely to depend on an exterior recorder in your video work, it is price contemplating that the unique S5II shall be getting a firmware replace to permit for a similar Blackmagic RAW and ProRes RAW capabilities over HDMI. That’ll be approaching June 13 2023 and will imply which you could avoid wasting money. USB-SSD recording and inner ProRes will stay unique to the S5IIX, so far as we will inform.
We’ll maintain off on our full verdict till we have spent somewhat extra time with the digicam, however our first impressions are very optimistic. The S5II was already probably the greatest worth propositions within the full-frame market, and these video-centric upgrades make it all of the extra interesting to filmmakers.
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