Big test
PERFORMANCE: ISO The Lumix S5 has a native ISO range of 100 to 51,200, with expansion down to ISO 50 and ISO 102,400 and 204,800 at the top end. An ISO set was shot with in-camera noise reduction turned off and the Raws were processed through Lightroom with default noise reduction applied. The exposure for this low-light shot at ISO 100 was 5secs at f/8 using the S 50mm f/1.4 lens. A Leofoto LS- 324C carbon tripod with a LH-40 ball head was the support act. ISO performance, as you might expect for a mid-resolution full- frame camera, was impressive. Actually, very impressive. Viewing on-screen at 100%, images revealed hardly any digital noise, even at ISO 3200, and detail was clean and crisp, just like it was at slower speeds. Dig deeper and magnify the ISO 3200 and noise is evident, but it is still fine and smooth, and a similar assessment could be made of the ISO 6400 shot. Graining and an impact on fine detail only started to be evident at ISO 12,800, but the result is still very good and it is only at ISO 25,600 and beyond that noise and blurring of fine detail become an issue. There’s no doubt that the Lumix S5 is a leading performer when it comes to high ISO.
SPECS
› Prices Body only £1749, £1999 with S Series 20-60mm f/3.5- 5.6 lens Lenses tried on this review: S Pro 50mm f/1.4 £2299 and S Pro 70-200mm f/2.8 OIS £2599 › Sensor 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor › Sensor format 35mm full-frame, 35.6x23.8mm, 6000x4000pixels › Lens mount L-Mount › ISO range 100-51,200, expanded 50, 102,400, 204,800 › Dual native ISO Normal: native 100, 640. Auto 100-51,2000, expanded 50, 102,400, 204,800 V-log: native 640, 4000. Auto 640-51,200, expanded 320 › Shutter range 60secs to 1/8000sec, plus B (up to 30mins). Electronic front curtain shutter: 60secs to 1/2000sec, B (up to 30mins) Electronic shutter: 60secs to 1/8000sec, B (max of 60secs) › Drive modes Max 7fps (mechanical shutter/electronic front curtain shutter). 6K photo: 30fps, 4K photo: 60fps/30fps › Exposure system PASM, 1728 zone multi-zone metering pattern. Multiple, centre-weighted, spot, highlight-weighted › Exposure compensation +/-5EV in 0.3EV steps › Monitor 3in LCD monitor with touch control, 1.84 million dots › Viewfinder 2.36 million dot OLED showing 100% with 120fps/60fps display speeds › Focusing system Contrast AF system, with DFD technology. AF-S and AF-C modes. Working range -6EV to 20EV. AF modes – auto detection (face, eye, body, animal), tracking, 225 area, zone (vertical/horizontal, oval, square), single area, pinpoint › Image stabiliser Image sensor- shift type, five-axis 5EV benefit. Dual IS 6.5EV benefit › Video Full-frame 4K 3840x160 59.94, 29.97, 23.98. Full HD 1920x1080 APS-C 4K 3840x2160, anamorphic 4K 3328x2496 (4:3) › Movie format MOV, MP4 › Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm microphone port, 3.5mm headphone output › Other key features Dust and splash resistant › Storage media Dual SD slots, one UHS-II and one UHS-I › Dimensions (wxhxd) 132.6x97.1x81.9mm › Weight 714g (body, card and battery) Contact panasonic.com/uk
ISO 100
ISO 800
ISO 1600
ISO 12,800
ISO 6400
ISO 25,600
ISO 3200
IMAGES In theory, having a lower resolution helps with ISO performance, and that is certainly the case with the Lumix S5. Results are excellent, with intricate detail and good colour saturation, even at ISO 3200 and 6400. Factor in some noise resolution in processing and there’s no reason why you can get big, noise-free prints, even at very high ISO speeds
ISO 102,400
1S0 51,200
ISO 204,800
are 16 buttons or controls that can be reassigned. With so many options and features, the Lumix S5 is a camera that needs considered set-up, and expect more fine-tuning as your experience with the camera grows. If I had to nitpick, I’d like an on/off switch that I could quickly use with my right forefinger as I brought the camera up to the eye – transposing the on/off positions would do that. And I’d like either a slightly bigger AF-ON button or that the ridged rim around the current button removed to make using it more positive. A key feature in the Lumix S5 is its autofocus system, which is said to be a significant step forward from its S1/ S1R brothers. It uses a very advanced
focusing algorithm and deep learning technology for improved focus of moving subjects, and that includes the ability to quickly recognise the human body and even the head, face or eye. In practice, this means you get real- time AF not only when the subject is moving, but the system is also capable of detecting when a face is turning round or the head is tilted. The AF system also has the ability to work, even with eye detection, when a subject is quite small in the frame. The 225 AF zones can be configured to suit most needs and subjects. You might prefer single-zone AF, where there’s the choice of eight sizes, but if you prefer a larger AF working area, the zone oval mode gives the option
ABOVE The Lumix S5 has a swivel monitor so it’s good for low-level and selfie shooting
Issue 83 | Photography News 51
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