Today, Panasonic announced all the details for the LUMIX S5 that they began teasing last month. This fully featured full-frame mirrorless leaves no stone unturned.
The 24.2-megapixel LUMIX S5 joins the three previously released full-frame mirrorless cameras from Panasonic including the S1, S1R, and S1H. The company sees the LUMIX S5’s position in the lineup as taking influence from each of those three and distilling it into a more compact, lighter weight body.
As a hybrid shooter, Panasonic placed weight in both video and stills. On the video side, the LUMIX S5 is capable of internal recording up to 4K 60p in 10-bit 4:2:0 and 4K 30p 10-bit 4:2:2. For recording in 4K resolution without a time limit, 4K 30p 8-bit 4:2:0 is available. Recording externally via HDMI enables 4K 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 output. Regular recording of Full HD 1080p is capable of 60p 10-bit 4:2:2 internally. In Slow & Quick mode, 1080p video can be recorded up to 180 fps on a 24p timeline to create 7.5x slow motion video.
Rounding out the video capabilities, the LUMIX S5 is said to deliver 14-plus stops of dynamic range, V-Log and V-Gamut compatibility, 4:3 Anamorphic mode, interval shooting, and 4K HDR. Of note is the Dual Native ISOs of 640 and 4,000 for a cleaner image throughout the sensitivity range.
Both video and stills benefit from the LUMIX S5’s five-axis in-body image stabilization. This can be paired with O.I.S. S Series lenses to compensate 6.5 stops. The contrast detect autofocus system uses deep-learning technology for real-time detection of humans and animals and can focus in -6 EV low light situations.
In High Resolution mode and with the assistance of a tripod, the new camera is capable of shooting eight consecutive photos to create a 96-megapixel equivalent image. There’s also a new Live View Composite function which can be used for fireworks or stars to expose for the bright parts that are the focus of the images.
The Panasonic LUMIX S5 is priced at $1,997.99 and will begin shipping in mid-September 2020.
Wooooow looks like a work horse!
Looks like it has many good capabilities. That said, I fail to comprehend why Panasonic endowed such a camera with two memory slots, but made one UHS-I and the other UHS-II. Almost three years ago, the same folks introduced the fantastic DC-G9 with two memory slots, both of which are UHS-II. I just don't get the thinking. That said, the S5 allegedly has an feature that allows astrophotographers to see star trails during exposure and decide when to close the shutter. I'm hoping that this feature comes to the G9 and S1 in an upcoming firmware release.