The Buyers guide to...Panasonic Lumix S5II vs S5IIX

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.

Sensor

• Panasonic Lumix S5II: 24.2MP full-frame (35.6×23.8mm) CMOS sensor
• Panasonic Lumix S5IIX: 24.2MP full-frame (35.6×23.8mm) CMOS sensor

The two cameras use the same 24.2MP full-frame sensor and processing engine, which means that all other things being equal, they should produce the same image quality.

That sensor may sound familiar, but it’s actually newly developed and features phase-detection pixels that makeup part of the hybrid focusing system. The S5II and S5IIX are the first Panasonic Lumix cameras to feature phase detection focussing.

Video

• Panasonic Lumix S5II: 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
• 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 core video specifications of the two cameras are the same with both offering the ability to shoot 4:2:0 10-bit 6K (3:2) and 5.9K (16:9) footage at 30fps, and 4:2:2 C4K and 4K at up to 60fps. However, only the Lumix S5IIX is immediately capable of recording 5.8K Apple ProRes footage to an SSD or Atmos device connected via HDMI or USB, and ALL-Intra recording (C4K, 4K or 3.3K at 800Mbps (USB-SSD), 600Mbps or 400Mbps). Panasonic has also recently announced that the S5IIX will be capable of recording Blackmagic Raw (BRaw) footage to a Blackmagic Video Assist recorder.

Unlike the S5II, the S5IIX also supports wired and wireless IP streaming and USB tethering.

The S5XII also has some other advantages over the S5II in Slow & Quick mode as it can record C4K 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 10-bit video at 1-60 fps (up to 30p). The S5II can only muster 4:2:0 10-bit C4K at 1-60fps (up to 30p).

The S5IIX can also record 4K 4:2:2 10-bit in Slow & Quick mode whereas the S5II is limited to 4:2:0 10-bit.

Switching to Full HD in Slow & Quick mode limits the S5II to 4:2:0 10-bit in 1-180 fps (up to 60p) whereas the S5IIX can also capture in 4:2:2 10-bit colour at the same rates.

Panasonic is going to make a firmware upgrade available for the S5II and that will allow users to install a paid-for update to enable raw video output. The paid upgrade will only unlock the Raw recording options to Atomos or Blackmagic devices. It does not unlock the following features, which are only available on S5IIX:

• ProRes recording
• All-Intra recording
• USB-SSD recording
• Wireless IP streaming
• USB Tethering to smartphones
• Wired IP streaming

Build

• Panasonic Lumix S5II: 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1mm, 740g (body, hot shoe cover, battery and SD card)
• Panasonic Lumix S5IIX: 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1mm, 740g (body, hot shoe cover, battery and SD card)

Both cameras are made from magnesium alloy and have weather seals to keep out dust and moisture. They also have the same control arrangement. However, the S5IIX is matte black apart from the red record button and its control markings are grey. Even the Panasonic logo is black, to make it more discreet.

Price

• Panasonic Lumix S5II: $1,999 / €2,199 / £1,999
• Panasonic Lumix S5IIX: $2,199 / €2,499 / £2,299

Naturally, the extra features brought by the Lumix S5XII come at an additional cost, $200 / €300 / £300. That may not be a major issue for those who want access to the greater video functionality, however, they will have to wait until Mid-May before they can get their hands on the S5IIX.

It looks like we will also have to wait a little longer to find out exactly what the paid-for upgrade to the Lumix S5II will deliver.