Lumix S5 (mark 1) - Ode to a Legend!

[Erik_A]

I was initially excited for the S1Rii release, and really wanted to see the pixel-binning similar to the Leica Q3 or Sony A7R V:
"Medium Raw (M Raw) refers to a lossless compressed RAW file type that results in 26MP images, downsampled from the full 61MP sensor".

Instead, I satisfied my GAS with a second Lumix S5 body so that I can shoot with 2 primes quickly without changing lenses. It is something that I have wanted for awhile, since the Lumix S5 sensor glass seems to be a dust magnet in the field.

I like to have the Sigma 35mm f2 on one body; and either the Sigma 65mm f2 or Lumix 20-60mm on the 2nd body. So far I love this setup, and hang both from my neck simultaneously.

I have decided that I really don't need more than 24-26 megapixels. Sometimes, with my Sigma primes, I think the 24 megapixels on the S5 is "too sharp" for the monochrome work that I do. I will use a Tiffen Black Diffusion/FX 1/2 filter to lower sharpness a bit. I also lower contrast slightly in Lightroom.

I had the 50 megapixel, Fujifilm GFX 50R for awhile and loved zooming into the images at 300% in Lightroom to see the detail; but for prints up to 20" (my max), that detail is lost. The noise, even at 640 iso was also worse than the S5 at higher ISOs.

Single point autofocus on the S5 is fast enough and accurate for what I need. The clean, low-noise files and great dynamic range from the S5 means that I will be satisfied with these 2 bodies for a long while.

My recent work: https://www.instagram.com/erikannis/

 

[cascadian]

I need to shed some gear for an imminent medical bill. I'm hoping that when it's over I will still hold the S5 and 20-60; it is such a unique team for us who live in the Land of Low Budgets. The ii series has some great improvements for people whose work needs the AF & shot speed, but for many of us the S5 'classic coke' is an excellent choice.

I have some μ43 and Pentax gear, plus the 70-300 and 85/1.8, already on the runway. I'll miss it or hold on to that if I must, for now.

 

[Markuswelder]

The S5 was my first foray back into the world of full frame, after a 8 or so year dalliance with m4/3. And a Canon 6D previous to that. Oh my. How things have changed. Lumix understands the attraction of small, light, great quality, reasonably priced lenses, that perform admirably. They really do. So far I've somehow managed to collect the 20-60mm -well, technically that's not quite true as it came with the S5 for a very very small premium over body only, the Lumix 14-28mm, Lumix 18mm F1.8, 26mm F8, 50mm F1.8, and 85mm F1.8. To say I'm very happy with all of them would be the understatement of the year. And year previous.
I think the L mount alliance is also a brilliant idea, you can go as premium, or consumer level as your budget allows, and you're not missing very much at the consumer end.
Yeah, the S5 has a few budget conscious decisions made in the spec level of some components and features, but that 24MP sensor really is something pretty damn good.

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

The S5 is still a fantastic camera despite being a little old. I've have mine for almost three years now and hope it does just fine for at least another three.

 

[dirk]

I like my Lumix S5ii. But to be honest for my use cases like family, street and and travel photography, I could happily stick with the original S5 and would not really miss anything.

There is always a better here and better there with newer products like the S5ii. But the S5 is already such a well rounded product, that you do not feel the lack of features at all.

 

[Travis Butler]

The stuff I’m interested in the S5 II for are mostly niche quality of life features, like being able to store sets of manual lens info. I shoot almost exclusively with manual lenses, so autofocus improvements have little value. And the reports of possible IQ issues with the sensor pixels devoted to phase detection bother me. So the II is a bit tempting, but not sure it’d be that much of an upgrade.

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

The mark II has been reported by a number of people to have slightly worse IQ than the original, likely due to the on-sensor PD pixels, and I've stayed away largely due to that. The higher resolution viewfinder and ability to add focal length to exif would be very nice to have but not worth a potential loss of image quality or the money I would lose in a trade-in or selling and buying a mark II new.

 

[Pete_W]

The mark II has been reported by a number of people to have slightly worse IQ than the original, likely due to the on-sensor PD pixels, and I've stayed away largely due to that. The higher resolution viewfinder and ability to add focal length to exif would be very nice to have but not worth a potential loss of image quality or the money I would lose in a trade-in or selling and buying a mark II new.

I remember seeing a review that said IQ was essentially the same for both cameras other than in burst mode where the S5II drops to 12-bit. Having owned both, I can't tell the difference.

 

[CharlesH]

I remember seeing a review that said IQ was essentially the same for both cameras other than in burst mode where the S5II drops to 12-bit. Having owned both, I can't tell the difference.

And the S5II has slightly less dynamic range. Again, I can't tell the difference.

 

[robin0112358]

I have two reasons to upgrade from the S5: higher pixel count and improved viewfinder. But I am not willing to spend the ridiculous sums required to jump from the bargain S5.

I recommend this camera to everyone I know. My photos get plaudits regularly. But so far every single person has bought into Sony instead. A decision I completely understand.

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

I recommend this camera to everyone I know. My photos get plaudits regularly. But so far every single person has bought into Sony instead. A decision I completely understand.

I remember back when people who didn't count themselves as photographers still bought cameras for travel, family etc and people asked me what I would recommend. Back then I used Pentax and would recommend them as a DSLR, or later on Fujifilm too and I'd recommend them for something smaller and lighter. Either way, when I said anything other than "Canon" or "Nikon" people's eyes glazed over... they were going to buy CaNikon anyway, no matter what I said.

Now no-one's asked for years because people just use their phones or maybe a GoPro if they want something waterproof for the beach and pool.

The S5 will go down as one of the really great FF mirrorless cameras across all brands, if it isn't already.

 

[robin0112358]

The S5 will go down as one of the really great FF mirrorless cameras across all brands, if it isn't already.

But only for the few of us who know!

I have no particular brand loyalty here. When I was looking at getting a FF camera I was also considering a Blackmagic for my video work. Because that system has a superior workflow with lovely footage. (I teach video production, so I have an inkling.)

But to outfit two kits (stills + video) was beyond my budget, which is apparently meagre by other standards. That's when I looked at hybrid systems which, I guess, most cameras in the lower end of the price bracket really are. My only experience with Panasonic was a GH2 and lenses for MFT (where I preferred Olympus bodies).

I have a long-time dislike of Canon because they make so much junk. Their marketing model is to encourage a customer buy a junk camera, upgrade to a slightly better trash camera, and then finally buy the good top-of-the-line model. Whenever I am handed a Canon to take photos (at a reception or whatever) I am so surprised at how badly made they are.

I have more respect for Nikon, at least their film models. Pentax forget it. Their days are gone, though (as you know) I still love the lenses.

Sony always annoy the crap out of me. I have bought their cassette recorders, digital audio recorders, even a MiniDisc. But many of their devices tend to be slick rather than functional. I think cameras is one area they have succeeded in (besides console gaming).

With these as my biases, but really open to anything, the Lumix S5 was the logical choice at a fraction of the price of other systems for similar features. I got an incredible kit deal including a prime lens of my choice and bought a second prime second-hand. It remains a great deal a few years on. And I still only have those three native lenses.

But when friends decide to buy a complete Sony videography kit, as one did recently, I cannot blame them. They can now share gear with others with the same system. Whereas I know of only one other Lumix shooter in my city. (And I tend to know all the still/video folk.)