LUMIX S5IIX

Released May 2023

A full-frame L-Mount hybrid camera with open-gate 6K video, USB SSD ProRes recording, HDMI RAW output and live streaming.

Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame
Megapixels: 24.2
Lens: L-Mount
Video: 5952 × 3968 at 29.97 fps
Body weight: 657 g

What reviewers say

Both reviews praise image quality, handling, stabilisation and the video workflow options. Amateur Photographer finds it compelling for established creators but criticises missing tally lights and the screen hinge. Tom's Guide considers it excessive for primarily stills shooting and notes inconsistent metering and weak battery life. Both report slow initial startup; autofocus is improved but can still select the wrong subject.

From amateurphotographer.com and tomsguide.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Mirrorless
Sensor format: Full frame
Sensor type: CMOS
Sensor dimensions: 35.6 × 23.8 mm
Effective resolution: 24.2 MP
Largest image: 6000 × 4000
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 100–51200
Sensor detail: Maker Japan specifies 24.2 million effective pixels, 35.6 × 23.8 mm CMOS; native 3:2 stills 6000×4000. High-resolution composites up to 12000×8000 are separate from native output; BSI or stacked construction is not inferred
Image formats: JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; high-resolution composite RAW generated in-camera
ISO detail: Standard ISO 100–51200; expanded 50/102400/204800. Dual Native ISO 100/640 in standard stills, 640/4000 for V-Log and 400/2500 for HLG; profile-dependent ranges apply

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: L-Mount
Stabilisation: Lens and sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst: 30 fps
Autofocus: Phase Hybrid AF combines phase and contrast detection; 779 points (maker US). Current Japan recognition includes people, animals, cars, motorcycles, trains and aircraft; launch-era reviews described fewer subjects, so later firmware recognition is not treated as a launch feature. Continuous autofocus during zooming requires compatible updated lens firmware
Shutter: Mechanical 60–1/8000 second, Bulb approximately 30 minutes; electronic first curtain 60–1/2000 with the same Bulb maximum; electronic 60–1/8000 with Bulb approximately 60 seconds
Burst detail: Full-resolution electronic SH30 at 30 fps AFS/AFC/MF; SH30 PRE added in version 2.0. Current SH buffer 200 RAW/RAW+JPEG/JPEG frames. Mechanical/electronic-first-curtain 9 fps AFS/MF or 7 fps AFC; normal electronic 9/8 respectively. Normal RAW/RAW+JPEG buffer at least 200 and JPEG at least 300 frames under maker media/test conditions
Stabilisation detail: Five-axis sensor-shift B.I.S. with compatible-lens Dual I.S.2; maker US Dual I.S.2 claim 6.5 stops under CIPA yaw/pitch conditions with S-E70200 at 200 mm and updated lens firmware. Active I.S. optimises video correction; electronic video modes have separate restrictions
Flash: No built-in flash; external flash sync up to 1/250 second, with reduced guide number and maker restrictions at the fastest sync setting

Video

Highest video resolution: 5952 × 3968 at 29.97 fps
Video detail: Internal 5952×3968 3:2 open-gate 6K at 29.97p, 4:2:0 10-bit HEVC Long GOP 200 Mbps; C4K/4K 59.94p uses an APS-C crop. ALL-Intra and ProRes 422/HQ options include 5776×3056 up to 29.97p with supported USB SSD/media restrictions. RAW is separate HDMI output to compatible Atomos/Blackmagic recorders, including 5888×3312 12-bit up to 29.97p or APS-C 4128×2176 up to 59.94p; not internal RAW. Built-in fan; maker unlimited-recording claims require 0–40 °C, and Thermal Management STANDARD can stop high-resolution recording after 30 minutes. Battery/media can also limit duration
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone; 48 kHz/24-bit recording and compatible external/XLR high-resolution 96 kHz/24-bit options under maker mode restrictions

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Electronic
Screen size: 3″
Screen dots: 1,840,000
Touchscreen: Yes
Tilting screen: Yes
Display detail: Three-inch 3:2 capacitive touchscreen, approximately 1.84 million dots; free-angle articulation. Amateur Photographer and Tom's Guide report connected HDMI/USB cables can impede its movement, despite the maker launch claim of no interference
Viewfinder detail: Current Japan table 0.5-inch 4:3 OLED, approximately 3.68 million dots, 100% coverage and 0.78× magnification with 50 mm lens/infinity/−1 dioptre/3:2 ratio. US launch release's 0.76× description differs and is not silently substituted

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Battery life (maker's claim): 370 photographs
Body weight: 657 g
Release detail: Maker US confirms May 2023 availability; UK launch announcement states Spring 2023. Tom's Guide's June 2023 date is not used as the global first-sale month; no exact UK retail day inferred. UK body launch price £2299
Recording media: Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots, both UHS-II including V90; supported formats can record to USB SSD
Ports: USB-C SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps, full-size HDMI Type A, 2.5 mm remote and 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets; wired LAN streaming requires an optional USB-LAN adapter
Wireless connections: Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n and 5 GHz 802.11a/n/ac; Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0. Wired/wireless IP streaming and USB tethering; regional 5 GHz restrictions apply
Battery life detail: DMW-BLK22, 7.2 V 2200 mAh; current Japan table approximately 370 LCD/EVF shots with S-R2060 and Panasonic SDXC, or 1250 under specified one-second power-save EVF conditions. Tom's Guide's quoted 330 shots is not substituted for the current maker table
Charging: Japan table approximately 220 minutes in-camera with bundled AC adapter or 170 with DMW-BTC15 adapter; optional DMW-BTC15 charger approximately 175 minutes
Dimensions: Approximately 134.3 × 102.3 × 90.1 mm, excluding protrusions
Weight detail: Maker Australia and Germany specify 657 g body only; Japan 740 g with battery and one SD card. Lens excluded
Materials: Magnesium-alloy die-cast front and rear frames; dust/splash-resistant construction, not waterproof; matte black body and dark markings
In the box: Maker Japan lists body cap, hot-shoe cover, battery-grip connector cover, shoulder strap, battery, USB AC adapter and USB A–C cable; regional contents may vary

Pros and cons

Pros

Full-resolution 30 fps electronic shooting with continuous autofocus
USB SSD recording and multiple professional video formats
Dual UHS-II SD slots and active cooling

Cons

No built-in flash or tally lights
4K at 60p uses a crop
Connected HDMI and USB cables can obstruct screen movement

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
CanonEOS R8	Mirrorless	Full frame	24.2	Canon RF	3840 × 2160 at 59.94 fps	414 g	Apr 2023
NikonZ f	Mirrorless	Full frame	24.5	Nikon Z mount	3840 × 2160 at 60 fps	630 g	Oct 2023
NikonZ 8	Mirrorless	Full frame	45.7	Nikon Z mount	8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps	820 g	May 2023

Sources

Photo: panasonicjp.scene7.com

LUMIX S5IIX side view with connection cover open: Panasonic, official LUMIX S5IIX product gallery; s5iix_body_jacksideopen_k.jpg.
LUMIX S5IIX opposite side view with connection cover open: Panasonic, official LUMIX S5IIX product gallery; s5iix_body_jacksideopen2_k.jpg.
LUMIX S5IIX side profile: Panasonic, official LUMIX S5IIX product gallery; s5iix_body_side2_k.jpg.
LUMIX S5IIX rear view with the articulated screen open: Panasonic, official LUMIX S5IIX product gallery; s5iix_body_back_k_lcd.jpg.

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