There's no separate charger with the S5 II but the Type 3.2 Gen 2 USB port can be used to charge, power or power and charge the camera. To output motion pictures with 4K or higher, use a Premium High Speed HDMI cable (Type A - Type A plug). The body of the camera is built around a full magnesium alloy frame, ensuring that it’s tough enough to handle regular professional use. And thanks to its dust and weather resistance, it’s also a camera you can use with confidence in most conditions. What’s most surprising is that the S5II X can be used in direct rain, despite the fact that it has open vents, which form part of its active cooling system. Another remarkable thing about the cooling system is that it doesn’t add a huge amount of size to the body, making the new S5II and S5II X appear similar in size to their predecessor and weighing only 26g more. The added weight and extra millimetres in size are a fair trade for this camera’s capabilities and unlimited video recording times at all resolutions. The S5II was already a video-centric camera, offering features like; best in-class active image stabilization, waveform monitoring, shutter angle control, 4 channel audio and 10-bit color in almost all of its video formats. However, the Lumix S5 IIX takes things a step further, especially for pro-filmmakers. Operating very much like a DSLR, the Panasonic Lumix hybrid mirrorless cameras are absolutely photographers' cameras. The ergonomics will be instantly familiar to those who have moved from the DSLR form factor, with a plentiful supply of buttons, dials and switches that make a smoothly efficient hands-on experience, rather than having to delve continuously into various menus. The S5 was a great camera, the S5 II made many improvements and the S5 II X continues this path, with a hybrid that also extends the video capabilities. The S5 II has already been reviewed and is Highly Recommended and the Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is an Editor's Choice, so let's see how the S5 II X plus the same lens continue with this already well-established path of excellence.

The Panasonic Lumix S5II and Panasonic Lumix S5IIX were both announced at CES on 4th January 2023. The two cameras have a lot in common, but the S5IIX has a few extra features that may appeal to dedicated videographers. However, it’s not slated to go on sale until mid-May 2023 whereas the S5II went on sale in January 2023. With that in mind, we’re going to compare the key features of the two cameras and pull out their differences. Panasonic Lumix S5II Panasonic Lumix S5IIX Sensor Key full frame video resolutions: [6K] 5952×3968 (3:2): 29.97p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), [6K] 5952×3136 (17:9: 29.97p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), [5.9K] 5888×3312 (16:9): 29.97p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), [C4K] 4096×2160: 29.97p, 400Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 29.97p, 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 29.97p, 150Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 400Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 150Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), [4K] 3840×2160: 29.97p, 400Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 29.97p, 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 29.97p, 150Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 400Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), 23.98p, 150Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM) The camera's battery life rating is a rather disappointing 370 shots per charge, per CIPA standard testing methods. As always, these numbers tend to significantly underestimate how many shots you can typically expect (unless your shooting style is very energy-intensive). A 370 shot-per-charge rating will typically give you plenty of charge for a day's shooting, but you'll want to keep a USB power source near to hand for intensive shoots. A power-saving mode gives a rating of 1,250 shots per charge for viewfinder shooting. The S5 II also sees its second card slot upgraded to the UHS-II standard, allowing the use of faster SD cards in both slots. Notably, even with the fastest V90-rated cards, UHS-II isn't fast enough to record all the S5 IIX's video modes, with the most demanding of its All-I capture modes and all its 4K and 5.8K ProRes modes requiring the use of an external SSD. Panasonic says it's been working with third-party accessory makers to provide useful ways to attach popular SSDs to the camera.Panasonic has also improved its image stabilization system, promising a performance twice as effective as in the S5. For its revised system it's adopted the branding 'Active IS,' though it hasn't been very specific about how these improvements have been achieved. Despite the familiar appearance, a lot has been redesigned or reworked. The most significant change is the addition of the fan to the camera's viewfinder hump. This is central to the camera's promises of video endurance, but is designed not to undermine the body's weather sealing. The autofocus is nothing short of a revelation, either. Panasonic cameras have always had fantastic specifications in every department except AF, but the contrast-based Achilles heel has finally been rectified. Again it's not quite on par with the Canons and Sonys of the world, but the difference is night and day compared to past Panasonics.

Like the original S5, the S5IIX is far from small and fiddly. It’s grip is reasonably chunky and it feels comfortable in the hand. It’s also good to know that the camera body frame is made from die-cast magnesium alloy and it’s sealed against dust and moisture ingress. However, it will be interesting to see how the fan vents cope with rain. You may not notice them at first, but the finned vents of the fan on either side of the viewfinder show that the S5 II is serious about video.

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The original LUMIX S5 was one of the best mirrorless cameras around, and gained a reputation for being an outstanding video production tool. Both S5II models continue that legacy, featuring similarly powerful specs to appeal to the firmly video-oriented side of the ‘hybrid’ (meaning photo and video capable) mirrorless market. These two cameras, the S5IIX in particular, are not playing around — while many of today’s video-focused hybrids are geared towards vloggers and social media creators, you need only look at the number of resolutions and formats the S5II models offer to realize they’re aimed squarely at filmmakers and hardcore videographers, not TikTokers. There are a host of other video assist features in Lumix cameras, not specific to the S5II X, which is a strength of this system. Including professionally recognized tools such as waveform monitoring, anamorphic lens de-squeezing in camera, luminance spot metering, histogram, and more, make these cameras ideal for video creators.

There is enough commonality between the S5 and the Mark II that the new camera can still use the existing DMW-BGS5 battery grip, providing space for a second battery. Battery This image was shot at ISO 25,600 and is astoundingly clean, even for a full frame camera, and noise smoothing hasn’t reduced everything to a blur. There is some noise on the rear wall and some detail has been lost in the face and gold paint of the statue. But still, the photo looks fantastic for such a high ISO. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) When the camera is used at recommended operating temperature 0-40 degrees C. 6K and 5.9K at 30p/25p video recording stops once when continuous recording time exceeds 30 minutes if [Thermal Management] is set to [STANDARD]. Telling the camera the squeeze ratio of your lens also allows the S5 II to adjust its image stabilization system to accommodate the differing effective focal lengths of your vertical and horizontal capture, improving the stabilization performance. LUT-applied shootingThe fan means the S5 II can record for unlimited periods in most of its video modes, as tested by Panasonic at temperatures of 40°C (104°F). Panasonic points out that most of its rivals only quote figures for 22–25°C (72–77°F), which is significantly less demanding and less representative of average temperatures across much of the US. Video The vari-angle hinge also means that the screen can be made clearly visible whether the camera is in portrait or landscape orientation. Panasonic Lumix S5IIX: full-sensor internal 4:2:0 10-bit 6K (3:2) and 5.9K (16:9) footage at 30fps, 4:2:2 C4K and 4K at up to 60fps The LUMIX S5IIX is capable of 5.8K Apple ProRes recording to SSD via HDMI or USB, and ALL-Intra Recording. Additionally, the S5iiX can support Apple Pro Res RAW video output to Atomos. It also supports wiredand wireless IP streaming and USB tethering. The S5 II continues to use the DMW-BLK22 battery from the previous version, which means it's also fully compatible with the same AC adaptor, DC coupler and dedicated battery chargers as the Mark I.

The S5 II gains a couple of additional functions, including 'Full-range HLG' shooting. This ignores the upper and lower brightness limits that are imposed by the HLG standard, meaning you retain a little more flexibility in the edit. This is handy both if you have HLG as your final intended output or if you're using it as a Log-like intermediate step. Anamorphic support A range of picture profiles including 14+ stop V-Log/V-Gamut are available on both models, as well as a new REAL TIME LUT function enabling colour grading LUTs to be uploaded to an SD card and directly applied in-camera rather than in post-production. The S5II X also gains ALL-Intra recording up to 4K/60p 10-bit 422 with a crop or 4K/30p 10-bit 422 with no cropping, whereas the S5 II can only record in LONG-GOP. Thanks to host of new and improved features, the LUMIX S5IIX and S5II are able to deliver truly astounding photo and video performance, including high-speed burst shooting at up to 9fps with mechanical shutter and 30fps with electronic shutter (capable of capturing up to 300 images), a 96-megapixel High Resolution Mode (JPEG/RAW) and Dual Native ISO sensitivity, which minimises noise and allows a maximum ISO of 51200 (204800 when Extended).The cards that can be used for recording vary depending on the motion pictures bit rate and format type. Both models are built around a newly developed 24-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor and imaging engine. The sensor supports Hybrid Phase Detection Auto-Focus, a first for LUMIX cameras, while the new engine provides superb image quality and high bit-rate video performance on a par with the LUMIX S1H. The S5 II does not come with its own charger and instead used the USB-PD standard to allow in-camera charging, operation or operation and charging, when connected to high-current power sources. Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=200mm when S-E70200 is used. Firmware must be updated to the latest version. Given the number of similarities between the Lumix S5II and S5IIX, it may not be easy to choose the best camera for your needs. That is unless you specifically need streaming, SSD recording or more advanced video recording capabilities, then the choice is simple, go for the S5II X.