Video test
SMALL BUT MIGHTY The flagship S1H dwarfs the S5 II, but the new camera aces it in many ways
PERFORMANCE: GAMMA COMPARISON While many users will be happy with colours straight out of the camera, the S5 II offers V-Log, which enables you to breathe more life into highlights and shadows, as this set of images shows.
The top image is made with standard settings, the bottom left has V-Log applied and the bottom right shows V-Log corrected. Contrast is lower, but there’s more detail at the extremes of the exposure range.
Final word
Verdict Panasonic’s Lumix S5 was a smash hit on launch, offering great spec and a small form factor at a competitive price. The new version is a much better all-round camera and still undercuts its full-frame rivals. There’s no super-fancy stuff like internal Raw, ProRes, 4K/120p or 4:2:2 All-Intra 800Mbps codecs. But it’s unlikely you’ll have need for this. Great-looking footage and stills, no overheating and an effective AF system are far more important for a workhorse camera, and the Panasonic S5 II offers this and more. 23 /25 FEATURES It’s packed with all the tools most serious filmmaking professionals want 22 /25 HANDLING The S5 is small, lightweight and easy to use, with excellent menus 23 /25 PERFORMANCE Autofocus is now very usable – and the footage is simply excellent 24 /25 VALUE FOR MONEY In a world of escalating inflation, it’s a wonder a camera this good is only two grand 92 /100 OVERALL Fantastic general-purpose camera only really lacking in high-frame-rate shooting options
Standard settings
V-Log applied
V-Log corrected
PROS Phase detection AF, great footage CONS No 240fps HD or 4K/120p for slow motion
Issue 104 | Photography News 51
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