Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera, 4K 60P Video Recording with Flip Screen & WiFi, LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 Lens, L-Mount, 5-Axis Dual I.S., DC-S5KK (Black)

Since the Lumix S5 is a mirrorless camera, I was expecting it to be light. Most reviews talked about the portability of it, how small it was, etc. On receiving the camera (which took 5 days even though I bought it from Amazon and it was supposedly “in stock”), I realized it is heavier than my Nikon DSLR! But I took it around to check for picture quality, and that also was not as expected. The autofocus seemed off, but in any case it was way too heavy for an old person so I attempted to return it. Amazon claims it is unable to be returned, but on the description of the camera on Amazon’s website, it states you must make your return in 30 days. I attempted to return it in about 7 days. I was told to go to Panasonic’s site and return directly to them, but when I click on that link, I end up back at Amazon. I will never ever buy another camera from Amazon. Be aware that for some reason, this particular camera cannot be returned.

I really love this camera, and at the 2-2.5k USD price point I think it is the best out there. I usually jump between Nikon and Sony, so this felt like an awesome blend of the two (with the autofocus being the only quality that’s worse than both of the others). Overall, for narrative filmmaking, travel filmmaking, vlogging that doesn’t challenge the autofocus with fast-changing lighting or subjects, general photography (except for maybe sports unless you’re okay with 6K Photo burst) this is an amazing all-rounder. The kit lens is also super versatile. The 20mm is awesome for vlogging, architecture, and some landscape work, while 60mm is decent enough for some light portraiture and compression. I paired this with the newer 85mm 1.8 to satisfy some low-light, bokeh and telephoto gaps that the kit lens leaves. I think an S5 + 20-60mm, 85mm 1.8 (and/or 35/50mm 1.8), and 70-300mm would be a perfect combo for most hybrid shooters that don’t require faster zooms for sports/weddings/other high-pressure and non-repeatable moments.

This issue: I thought I purchased a new camera, but the package doesn’t come with sealing so there’s no way to really tell, but I found that my 20-60mm Lens came with the wrong model lens cap and the rear lens cap has some subtle scratches on it. It seems like the optics are pristine and the camera looked and worked equally fantastic, but when you pay for a new product (even if it was on sale at the time) you expect to have an unused product. I’m fine with dinged up, scratched and beat gear, but I’d much prefer to be the one to run it through the mud and to at least not pay a “new” price for someone else’s mistakes.

Still a wonderful camera and I will either re-order or wait for a successor, because this is really something special.

This camera is marvelous given the price and capability it provides. If you are a pro or semi pro and use manual focus most of the time, this is your dream come true under 2k. It got all the bells and whistles a pro shooter wants, 4k 10 bit 4:2:2, external 5.9k recording, Vlog, CineD, every dime of settings, beautiful fully articulated screen, pretty much everything the bigger brother S1H have. IBIS is ok (not as good as S1H), and you got vlog built in. BUT BUT BUT, contrast based defocus calculations for autofocus is pretty bad. If you depends heavily on Auto Focus and buying this Camera for v-logging, walking in and around, Selfie style video and will have different subjects in your video shots, DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA. This will disappoint you. I would rather use iPhone for that than this camera. This is near idea for me but since I wanted something that can be used for v-logging, I am disappointed. I am going to return this and looking at Sony A7C for that purpose.

UPDATE: 02/25/2021: I was testing S5 in a studio setup with Key light, fill light and a RGB light background. Forget about all other auto focus modes, this camera still manages to loose focus when the setting was even on face tracking or Area+ tracking with human detection. However, it slightly improves with frame rate set to 60 on 4k. But that crops to APS-C mode. Don’t know if this autofocus is something Panasonic can fix via software update. They completely redesigned the contrast based auto focus for S5 and update S1 series with this new autofocus system. Panasonic, If you are listening, would you be able to tell your customers when these autofocus nightmares will be over? Panasonic, if this is fixable through firmware update, please do, because you are going to loose lot of customers in this segment of camera because this segment relies heavily on AUTO FOCUS.

Update: 03/01/2021: I got Sony A7C to test it against this. I must say that Panasonic beats all Sony camera’s including higher end A7SIII if you can live with Panasonic S5 Autofocus system or Manual focus system. I found that Sony A7C, which in fact Sony’s highly acclaimed A7III in a compact body, has pretty bad banding problems due to Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFCS) mechanism (it has no full mechanical shutters and that is why you cannot turn that option off). Especially if you shoot in LED lights environment with increase shutter speed > 1/60. Long Story short, Panasonic S5 is near perfect and even better as compared to all Sony camera’s upto A7SIII if you can live without perfect autofocus.

Update: 03/09/2021: Since Panasonic is not giving us any update on its autofocus vision or future of autofocus in Pana cameras, I am going to return this camera. I can live with it if I am sure of its future or if price goes down so I can invest in good manual focus assistive setup and rig.