Panasonic Lumix S5IIX palms on: All black all the pieces

The Panasonic Lumix S5IIX was teased alongside the launch of the Lumix S5II earlier this 12 months. It is primarily the identical digital camera, however with some significant upgrades that may make it extra interesting to skilled video shooters.

This time round, it is wearing all black, and it definitely seems to be prefer it means enterprise. Possibly the times of placing black electrical tape over the white producer logos are lastly behind us.

In fact, its aesthetics solely matter if it performs. And whereas we have not had sufficient time with it to evaluate its capabilities absolutely, we went hands-on with the brand new digital camera at its launch occasion and took loads of photographs and movies. Listed below are our ideas thus far.

Panasonic

Panasonic Lumix S5IIX

First impressions

The Lumix S5II will get a trendy all-black paint job and a bunch of video-centric upgrades together with inside ProRes recording, USB-SSD recording and Blackmagic RAW over HDMI.

Design

• Dimensions: 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1mm
• Weight: 740g
• All black design

Apart from the plain color change, the Lumix S5IIX is an identical to the S5II, and each are fairly just like the unique S5 as nicely. Which means the format feels intuitive and acquainted, whereas the supplies are as hardy and confidence-inspiring as ever.

We have been happy that the format is unchanged as a result of the darkish gray legends on a black background imply that it is fairly onerous to see them in low-light situations. And the launch occasion was, in fact, very dimly lit to match Batman’s favorite digital camera. With some follow, muscle reminiscence will kick in and this may not be a lot of a difficulty, we could not assist however want for backlit buttons on this specific situation, although.

There was a longstanding custom {of professional} photographers blacking out their gear with electrical tape, primarily to cease the white digital camera brand from showing in reflections. It isn’t one thing we have ever been too involved with, however it’s good that the brand new design has a sensible affect.

The one splash of color is the large crimson report button on the highest of the digital camera. It is a clear indicator of the video focus of this mirrorless physique, and it makes crucial button on the chassis stand out nicely.

One factor that is value noting is that every one of Panasonic’s lenses have white textual content on them. So whereas the all-black physique seems to be undeniably cool, the general look is rather less cohesive when a lens is connected. It isn’t a giant deal, however it’s one thing that stood out to us.

Connectivity and shows

• Full-size HDMI, USB-C, Headphone and Mic sockets
• Twin SD card slots, USB-SSD recording assist
• ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW over HDMI

The shows are unchanged from the S5II, and that is effective by us. We, once more, discovered the EVF to be very sharp and easy, and whereas the LCD is not going to knock your socks off, its touchscreen controls are responsive and it is vivid sufficient to see in most situations.

The largest change right here is the truth that the S5IIX can report on to transportable SSDs over USB-C. That is the primary time, so far as we’re conscious, {that a} mainstream digital camera producer has added this functionality to a full-frame digital camera. We have beforehand solely seen it featured on the GH6, and area of interest cameras just like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Digital camera and ZCam E2 sequence.

It is a large deal, because it means you need to use extra inexpensive storage media and nonetheless be capable to shoot in probably the most demanding codecs. It makes a variety of sense on this mannequin, too, because it has some exceptionally heavy encoding choices, and you may want all of the storage you may get.

One other shock addition is assist for five.9K 12-bit Blackmagic RAW encoding, with a suitable exterior recorder such because the Blackmagic Video Help. This comes along with 12-bit ProRes RAW output for Atomos customers.

Photograph and video efficiency

• 24.2MP sensor with IBIS and Energetic I.S.
• Part hybrid AF, 779-point
• Inside ALL-Intra and ProRes 422 HQ recording

The S5II and S5IIX share the identical sensor, the identical capturing modes and the identical image profiles, so the photographic outcomes are an identical. So, it is no shock that we have been happy with the efficiency.

The part hybrid autofocus works fantastically, even in low mild and through high-framerate S&Q recording. The IBIS is superb in each photograph and video modes, too, however we already knew that.

What’s modified with this mannequin are the encoding codecs which might be supported. On the S5IIX, you possibly can shoot video with exceptionally excessive bitrates, including to the general picture constancy, in addition to permitting for a lot larger flexibility in post-production.

There’s now ALL-Intra recording obtainable internally at as much as Cinema 4K decision, with a storage-munching 800Mbps bitrate at 60fps. This pales compared to the ProRes choices, although, which let you shoot up 5.8K 30fps and can eat up a whopping 1.9Gbps.

We have not had the possibility to correctly analyse these new recording codecs simply but, however those that require them will seemingly already understand it. The one factor you will want to remember is that the heavier encoding choices (mainly something north of 600Mbps) would require recording to an exterior SSD, slightly than an SD card.

First impressions

There aren’t too many surprises with the Lumix S5IIX, it is primarily the identical digital camera because the S5II, however with extra codec choices, USB-SSD recording and an all-black paint job.

For skilled video shooters, although, this new mannequin might provide precisely the enhancements that they want. The worth distinction, for what’s on provide, may be very affordable too. On the time of writing, the S5IIX will solely set you again a further $200 over the usual mannequin.

When you are likely to depend on an exterior recorder in your video work, it is value contemplating that the unique S5II shall be getting a firmware replace to permit for a similar Blackmagic RAW and ProRes RAW capabilities over HDMI. That’ll be approaching June 13 2023 and will imply you could avoid wasting money. USB-SSD recording and inside ProRes will stay unique to the S5IIX, so far as we are able to inform.

We’ll maintain off on our full verdict till we have spent a bit of extra time with the digital camera, however our first impressions are very constructive. The S5II was already the most effective worth propositions within the full-frame market, and these video-centric upgrades make it all of the extra interesting to filmmakers.