Capable at stills but even better at video, this Lumix should appeal to videographers. (Image credit: James Artaius) As you’d expect, the S5IIX’s screen preview matches the captured image/video well but as usual, it can be hard to see some details in bright conditions. This makes an external monitor with greater brightness and/or a hood an attractive option in some instances. Motion pictures with 200Mbps or less: External USB-SSD, SD memory card with UHS-I / UHS-II UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) or Video Speed Class 30 or higher In response to requests from professional users, functions such as Waveform Monitor, Vector Scope and Zebra Pattern have been added, as well as features such as System Frequency (24.00Hz) and Synchro Scan. The S5 II gains the ability to import LUTs in the industry-standard .cube format (in addition to Panasonic's own .VLT type). It can store up to 10 LUTs and adds the ability to apply the LUT to the footage as you shoot. Doing do means you lose post-processing flexibility, putting greater emphasis on getting exposure and white balance right in-camera, but it lets you achieve the look you want straight out of camera. S5 IIX features

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 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. Panasonic’s use of phase detection as well as contrast detection focusing in the Lumix S5IIX and S5II is very welcome. It enables a significant step up in the autofocus performance in comparison with the company’s previous cameras that rely exclusively on contrast detection.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. 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.

While it’s great for stills, the S5IIX is not a photography-oriented camera, and its video specs are seriously overkill for anyone who will be primarily taking photos. Enthusiast photographers would instead want to look at the cheaper Fujifilm X-T5. If you’re a photo-oriented pro or semi pro who dabbles in a bit of nicely produced video, the Canon EOS R6 Mark II or Sony A7 IV will better fit the bill. Both cameras can shoot 4K video and have better developed autofocus systems that will really benefit photographers. Likewise, the S5IIX is overkill for vloggers, who won’t need its professional specs and would instead be better suited to a Canon EOS R50 or a Fujifilm X-S20. 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 S5 II includes a fan mechanism, to allow video shooting for extended periods. The fan is at the top of the camera, with vents under the leading edge and along the sides of the viewfinder hump, drawing the heat up and out of the camera. As usual, the fan sits outside the body's sealed area, so the vents aren't a weak point for its dust and splash resistant design. 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 60fpsMOV] in [6K/29.97p] [6K/25.00p] [5.9K/29.97p] [5.9K/25.00p] when Thermal Management mode is set to Standard. At the heart of the S5 II is a new processing engine that is the first product of Panasonic's L² co-development project with Leica. The two companies shared know-how and resources to develop the new processor, which we'd expect to see in future Leica models, too. Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 30 minutes in [6K/29.97p] [6K/25.00p] [5.9K/29.97p] [5.9K/25.00p] when Thermal Management mode is set to Standard.