Panasonic Lumix S5 II Black Review

Panasonic finally nailed autofocus. The S5 II is a full-frame hybrid that delivers pro video specs without the pro price tag. If you shoot both photos and video, this is your new benchmark.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 II is the hybrid shooter that finally got it right. For years, Panasonic cameras were held back by their contrast-only autofocus. This one fixes that with a new phase-detect system, and the result is a camera that's shockingly good at both photos and video without asking you to pick a side. The one thing to know? It's a video powerhouse that doesn't feel like a video camera. It's a proper stills camera first, with pro video features baked in.

The autofocus is the story here. It's in the 99th percentile in our database, and you can feel it. After years of Panasonic's DFD system hunting in video, this new phase-detect system locks on and tracks subjects like it's a Sony. It's a game-changer for the system. The other surprise is the unlimited 4K 60p recording in 10-bit 4:2:2. That's a spec you usually find on cameras costing twice as much, and it means you can just hit record and not worry about hitting a time limit.

Absolutely worth it, especially if you find it near the lower end of its $1798-$2098 price spread. For the feature set—phase-detect AF, full-frame sensor, 6K video, pro color modes—it undercuts rivals like the Sony A7 IV and Canon R6 II by a few hundred bucks. That money you save can go towards a nice L-mount lens. Shop around, because that $300 price difference is real.

You're probably looking at the Sony A7 IV or Canon EOS R6 Mark II. The Sony has a better lens selection and slightly better battery life, but it costs more and its 4K60p video is heavily cropped. The S5 II gives you full-sensor 4K60. The Canon R6 II has faster burst shooting and better weather sealing, but its video codecs aren't as robust for color grading. The Panasonic sits in a sweet spot: better video specs than the Sony, a more affordable price than both, and autofocus that's now genuinely competitive.

If you're a travel photographer who needs a lightweight, weather-sealed companion, this isn't it. The lack of sealing and its decent-but-not-tiny weight (658g) hold it back. Look at a Fujifilm X-S20 or a Sony A7C R instead. Also, skip it if you demand the absolute highest resolution for landscape or studio work—24MP might feel limiting next to 45MP+ competitors.

We're recommending it. This is the camera that fixes Panasonic's biggest weakness and wraps it in a killer video package. If you're a hybrid creator who needs reliable autofocus for both talking-head videos and photo sessions, the S5 II is a compelling, cost-effective choice. It makes the previous generation S5 feel outdated overnight.