Some interesting points but oh that S5 autofocus. I have the S5D and have no problem with the autofocus at all. Amateur photography and videography, my EDC and travel camera. Not once has the autofocus ever let me down. I took time to read and understand all the different focus options so that I use the right one fir the right job. I'm glad that so many people knock the autofocus as it meant I could buy it for less than £700, brand new with a kit lens. Insane value at that price and nothing to touch it. Manufacturers are charging that price for old spec remanufactured compacts.

You give very good advices.
I'm a hobbyist amateur and I bought my first serious camera last hier - a Lumix S5 II X. I have 4 lenses, but in insight, I realize that I may have spent far more than I really needed...

We also forgot to mention the dual native iso 640 and 4000, autofocus can be useful in some situations, and it's nice to have it.

Just bought S5D at the end 2025, so I'm late to the party XD Had S9 for a while but could not live without viewfinder and proper grip. S5 is still a beast for my amateur needs!

As an LUMIX S5II owner, I’m actually considering taking a “step back” with second camera body — instead of going for the S1II or the Blackmagic Pyxis, I’ve been thinking more and more about the original S5. It might be a more reasonable choice than getting even the S9.

Anyway, I got my S5II in a great bundle with three brand-new native lenses for less than the price of a Sony A7 IV or Canon R6. Coming from Fuji, I mainly wanted better IBIS and autofocus. The AF on the S5II is quite reliable, but as you mentioned, the image quality can feel a bit oversharpened. Shooting in vlog mode helps handle that issue quite well. Also, the color science is a bit odd, even though the dynamic range is very good. I have the impression that the original S5 produces colors closer to my Fujis — and I actually prefer that.

It would be a great idea for a future episode if you talked about some good manual lenses you use with the S5 — or generally, the best manual lenses for comfortable manual focusing. On Fuji, I have three manual lenses, but only one of them feels truly smooth for focusing.

The S5 just puts out such a beautiful image man.... I've been debating on switching from it to the S5 II or to a Sony camera. I have a follow focus system now so maybe once that is set up I will be okay with mediocre autofocus. Plus the price makes a difference between Sony and Lumix.

I would add , and if you have the sound, the optics, the tripod and the money to buy the S5II, buy an used S1H

I have the S5IIX and the sharpening can be reduced in the photo style settings. I have also reduced the sensitivity of the autofocus to obtain smoother transitions in video.

Hey, another really nice video. Thanks for all the knowledge.  I have a question, though. I want to shoot a cinematic documentary of my own life. And from what I have seen so far, I do lean towards the Lumix S5, especially because of the price and the nicer, less sharpened digital image. I’ll be shooting everything by myself, mostly handheld or on a tripod, and I’ll often be in front of the camera too, recording what I do or talking to the camera. The problem is just that I don't know if I would need autofocus for a project like that. I really want to learn manual focus and use manual focus for all the shots where I am not in frame, but I’m not sure if it’s realistic to film myself manually. I know that you can't give me a perfect solution, but I would appreciate it if you could give me your opinion on that.

I’ve had both and the S5iiX and s5 is still better, on sale I got it for 1200.  I found the low light actually better and sharper.  Since I use older lenses I liked it as it evened out the look. And for anamorphic it’s great.  S5 for a b cam would be great but as a solo shooter a s5iix is super all around.

Anyone compare S5 and S9?

Hi! I recently bought a brand-new Lumix S5D on sale for €749. It seemed like a really good price to me, especially considering what this camera can still offer in 2026.

I mainly shoot with manual lenses, and before this my camera was the Sony a6400. I’m really enjoying the S5D so far.

I wanted to ask you one question: is a V30 SD card fast enough to record 10-bit 4:2:2, or do you really need a V60 card for this?
Thanks!

I had the S5. Now, I have the S5ii. They are both excellent cameras. I bought my S5ii for $700 less than its original price. I don't think many cameras can compare as well with the S5 and the S5ii for image quality and accurate colors. The AF of the S5ii is excellent. I don't mind the sharper image of the S5ii is because I can always soften the image in post - if I want to. They're both great cameras. Rolling shutter is overrated. I have barely come across the issue in all the time I've used any camera with slower sensor speeds. And I have yet to experience it with my S5ii. And the difference between 4.2.2. and 4.2.0 is barely noticeable.

Thanks, great video. are the square images like the one in 0:30  originally shot in 16:9 and cropped latter?

Why don’t you compare the footage from those two cameras and make a video about it?

Congrats! You have one of the best channels for indie low budget filmmakers.
I havw one question. How does the Lumix S5 compare to the S5D? I heard that it's 99% the same camera. I'm interested mostly in the sharpness. Does the S5D have the same non-sharpened image than the S5? S5D with a kit lens is available for around 950 euro on the Italian Amazon. With the addition if the 50mm f1.8 it comes 1199 euro. It sounds like a great deal but I wanna be sure they produce the same image in terms of sharpness.
I was also wondering if the S5 shoots apsc open gate? That would be great.

Just wanted to point out the 422 vs 420 discussion.

First off the s5ii also has 4k24/30 in 422. Too many ppl keep pushing the false narrative the s5ii only shoots 420, it's extremely misleading. It has all the recording formats of the s5 while having the 6k 420 options.

Second, the 6k open gate is 420 but it's image literally has almost 3x more resolution than a 4k image (6k open gate is a 23mp image while a 4k has only 8.3mp). All those extra pixels contain, surprise surprise, color. Anyone trying to push the message that 6k 420 is inferior to 4k 422 is really pushing bad uninformed info.

That's why I'm still  recommend S1H if you don;t need AF. S1H has even better image, and OLPF filter to reduce moire. IBIS is one same level as S5ii but movement are more natural. Bigger better screen and EVF and 6k and 5.9K. You can now get used S1H cheaper than S5II.

Great vid. Great points however, the s5 2 is a better camera. It’s more future proof. Buy the s5 now then spend more money when u want to upgrade? No. Buy once, cry once   😂

You're talking nonsense. You forgot that this camera is also used to take photos and the AF is quite good.