helimat wrote:
And the S5 IIx! Not that I am a video guy in the least, but maybe exciting for some.
I really like the S5 IIx's stealth appearance. It reminds me of the Leica SL2-S.
With its new air cooling vent system this new platform should be able to handle higher heat generating sensors, like Sony's 61MP BSI or 50MP stacked. I hope the S5 II chassis will be basis for the S1R replacement and also for both of Leica's SL3 models later this year.
This will be my next camera, I think. It's a true hybrid. We use four Panasonic µ4/3rds cameras in our studio, and for educational content, I feel µ4/3rds is perfect. We shoot in 4K, and release in 'full' HD (1920 x 1080). More than good enough for Vimeo and Youtube.
But for a personal camera that can do everything I need, I can't see anything better on the market right now, and even if another company does come out with something better, we have already reached the "good enough" stage. The S5II (or the 'stealth' model) has excellent ergonomics, sensible menus, and the best IBIS, it seems. And adding phase detect is something we have been waiting a long time for (yet its lack until now has not stopped Panasonic cameras making superb video).
I am extremely pleased to see this body although I’ll never buy one. I don’t shoot video and I want/need more megapickles.
I REALLY like the Panasonic bodies. The S1R’s I have are fantastic. If this means more people get into the system and experience some of the best L mount glass then that’s a good thing. I’m really hoping that Pansonic/Leica release a new high res body with something like the M11 sensor. The M11 output is glorious. If the rumors are true that it’s the same base as the A7RIV, then it should be phase detect ready. I don’t need it but any future camera will need to have it to sell at all.
An interesting side by side comparison below. No intention to buy into Panasonic system myself, but I am interested to see "what's in it for me" and the forthcoming Leica SL3 system 😁
SlowDriver wrote:
Slightly bigger body? The S1 is already big and heavy (1,021g) as is, that is why Panasonic released the S5 and from what I can see it has worked out for them.
I tend to agree with what was said above, i.e. that the S5 is the flagship model now as it is outselling the other models.
Sorry, not bigger than the original S1, bigger than the S5. I actually find the S5 a bit too small, I don't love the way it balances with larger lenses. So something slightly bigger with a more substantial grip than the original S5 would be perfect for me. And regarding flagships, best-selling does not equal a flagship. The strategy thus far for all the major brands is to have an entry level hybrid model that appeals to the average user, 24-30mp, decent burst, 4k60 crop, etc. It sells the best because it's more affordable and fulfills most people's needs. But you have to offer more professional models, aka a flagship, so that people know that as their skills and needs grow there will be a camera that suits it.
The S5ii (and similar the R6 and A7IV) is not going to be a camera that many experienced professionals will use. Sure, wedding shooters, YouTubers, novice/intermediate filmmakers and photographers will use it, but there's a reason why Canon has the R5/R3, Nikon has the Z7/Z9, Sony has the A9/A7R/S/A1.
Kind of surprised they introduced an amazing new AF system on the low end. Sony/Canon/Nikon usually start at the top and then things trickle down. But I get it, so few are actually buying Panasonic FF bodies and they've clearly put a lot of effort into the first gen S1/5's and now this. This will bring more into the system. But given the lack of lenses compared to the E-mount and how fast CaNikon are cranking out new mirrorless bodies and lenses, its still not going to make much of an impact.
I wonder what was the final straw to go PDAF since they were so head stuck in the sand with that goofy DFD? People have been banging on them for years about the mediocre AF compared to Sony and Canon and they kept pretending their AF was just as good.
But kudos for getting it so right out of the gate. After watching that comparison video posted above, I'm impressed. Panasonic looks to be close to Sony levels. It'll be interesting to see more comparisons beyond the lame walk in and out of the frame and vlogging. Fuji should take lessons from this camera. If Fuji had this capability, I wouldn't be straddling the Fuji/Sony fence and would have adopted the XH2 and XH2s for all my photo and video work. I'd probably have an XT5 too !
I’m interested in the S5ii as a platform for my old, classic, manual focus lenses. I had tried the o.g. S5, and the viewfinder was a letdown. The Leica SL series have great VFs for manual focusing, but they are just too big and heavy.
So the S5ii is looking pretty good for my use (all stills, no video). Plus, that Sigma 65/2 is so lovely, it would be nice to have a camera for that lens, too.
I doubt I'll ever buy one for myself, but I'm excited that Panasonic finally has competitive autofocus. Their willingness to put high end features in their "budget" full frame body could force Sony/Canon/Nikon to keep improving their own offerings.
And while I'll never buy one new, maybe in about 5 years I'll be able to snag a discounted SL3-S with similar PDAF from a FM seller
joychris wrote:
Kind of surprised they introduced an amazing new AF system on the low end. Sony/Canon/Nikon usually start at the top and then things trickle down. But I get it, so few are actually buying Panasonic FF bodies and they've clearly put a lot of effort into the first gen S1/5's and now this. This will bring more into the system. But given the lack of lenses compared to the E-mount and how fast CaNikon are cranking out new mirrorless bodies and lenses, its still not going to make much of an impact.
I wonder what was the final straw to go PDAF since they were so head stuck in the sand with that goofy DFD? People have been banging on them for years about the mediocre AF compared to Sony and Canon and they kept pretending their AF was just as good.
But kudos for getting it so right out of the gate. After watching that comparison video posted above, I'm impressed. Panasonic looks to be close to Sony levels. It'll be interesting to see more comparisons beyond the lame walk in and out of the frame and vlogging. Fuji should take lessons from this camera. If Fuji had this capability, I wouldn't be straddling the Fuji/Sony fence and would have adopted the XH2 and XH2s for all my photo and video work. I'd probably have an XT5 too !
The MC-21 performance looks to be incredible with Sigma lenses now with PDAF, and this opens up the long glass practicality for tracking. I am not so interested in the smaller body, but this is a really positive sign for those of us invested in the Lumix glass and accessories and looking to the S1R evolution.
joychris wrote:
………... But given the lack of lenses compared to the E-mount and how fast CaNikon are cranking out new mirrorless bodies and lenses, its still not going to make much of an impact…………
Chris
Where are they lacking though? Apart from a couple of super teles and a fisheye, which are easily adapted. Sony have no T/S lenses either. Everyone just adapts the Canon’s, including the L mount.
I believe it’s close to 50 lenses across the three brands. Up until 300mm I see no holes at all. Most lenses are available in multiple speeds at multiple price points.
I would like to see a few more halo options at the 400mm+ end, Sure. But few drop 10K on a fixed tele, althouh I do find it strance Sigma haven’t dropped a single super tele prime.
Three more Panansonic Lmount lenses on the way and I think we will see a new Leica SL 21 APO Lmount lens soon too:
"Following the announcement of its forthcoming full-frame S5 II and S5 IIX cameras and Lumix S 14–28mm F4–5.6 Macro lens, Panasonic has updated its lens roadmap to include two new L-mount S series lenses: one prime lens and one zoom lens.
Based on the new roadmap, embedded below, it appears the two new L-mount S series lenses will be a 100mm macro lens and a zoom lens with a range of roughly 28–200mm , although the exact range could change between now and launch."
ftllens wrote:
s5 was my favorite balanced ml, this solves the only main gripe I had during af usage, so looking forward to it
I only had two gripes with the original S5, but this update only moderately fixes one of them - the lightly better EVF. Unfortunately, the LCD screen still doesn't tilt for low-angle use; that's why I'm hoping for an update to the S1R.
Kit Laughlin wrote:
Re. stealth: it would be a lot cheaper to use a Sharpie to do this!
For sure.... But would be tough to cover the red trim as well and have it look as good! I don't normally put all that much stock in aesthetics, so if the differential was much more than $200 I'd be in the no way department. However in the whole scheme of things $200 isn't a huge amount... And one could also argue the extra features would help the 'x' version hold it's value better as well.
! 
