Panasonic has been making some of the most interesting cameras in the market and they are continuing the upgrade with new and better products to provide both casual and professional users with high-quality yet versatile options such as the Panasonic Lumix S5 Vs GH5. These cameras are far apart in age but they share so many similarities and we do think hybrid shooters will love them as well. If you wonder which of the two will be the better option, let’s see the comparison below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- Which Camera to Buy
- What are Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5
- How are the Design of Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5
- How are the Image Quality of Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5
- How are the Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 for Video Recording
- Panasonic Lumix S5 Vs GH5
Digital Cameras
Most people are familiar with a camera because they are integrated in our smartphone and we are carrying them almost anywhere. Of course our smartphone camera is not as good as a dedicated device but they should be enough for daily activities. For those who are more serious about the hobby, it just makes sense to invest in a better device because they allow you to improve the skill and allow you to take better images or videos especially if the purpose is to share with a wider audience.
There are various camera types based on the system and not all of us will have the same preference. DSLR and mirrorless cameras are very popular nowadays with the same specs and ability. The difference is that mirrorless doesn’t have the mirror inside like a DSLR so instead of optical viewfinder, we are composing images from the live view. The capabilities will be highly dependent on the camera’s features and system so no single system is absolutely better than the other.
Image quality is what we are aiming for when getting a dedicated camera but unless you see the sample photos or videos it is difficult to determine the quality. Sensor size, pixel count, and autofocus system can be used to help you decide whether the camera is reliable or not. In most cases all will be good for still pictures and capturing still objects as well but great cameras will also produce much better shots even for fast moving subjects or shooting under low light.
Camera is a tool and the best tool is those that not only work properly but are also comfortable to use. This can be subjective but consider the form factor and handling type whether you like it or not. The compact cameras such as Fujifilm X E4 Vs X100V are very small and convenient as a street photography tool or as your travel camera to take fascinating shots in your travelled place. Larger cameras can house larger sensors which improves camera ability but also ideal for mounting a wide range of lenses.
In addition, if you choose to go with an interchangeable lens camera, do consider the collection of lenses that match with the mounting. It is important to give you the freedom to choose the type of lenses that work for different applications. It is great for enthusiasts to try different lenses because it is one of the core factors that affect image quality as well. If you are into recording video too, some lenses have built in stabilization when the camera doesn’t, to help improve the video quality.
| Panasonic Lumix S5 | Panasonic GH5 | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 7.6 x 6.1 x 5.59 inches | 5.83 x 7.56 x 6.14 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 2.46 ounces | 1 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
About Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5
The choice is all yours, depending on what type of camera or which seems to fit best in the application. Some cameras are amazing for stills but they may not be as convenient for video recording while on the other hand there are cameras that can record at unlimited time but are mediocre for keeping focus. There is no perfect camera but there is always the best choice for everyone as long as we can spend the time to consider the options.
If you are here then we assume that you are in the market for a capable camera, the one that can work well for stills and video recording too. These types of cameras come from numerous brands that most people are already familiar with but today we are going to talk about the offering from Panasonic. This brand carries some of the most interesting cameras we have seen and while it is a pretty competitive market, they are still very promising, especially with their moderate pricing.
For those who will be taking stills but also using the camera to record footage like a video blog or events and setting up the camera for interview or similar purposes, the Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 are two interesting options to go for. They are not very close to each other and if you want the cost-saving options we simply recommend GH5. The drawback is it will be an older system because when the S5 was released, the GH5 was already 3 years old.
The GH5 is still very popular nowadays but instead of stills, this camera is well-known for their videography and you can find so many tutorials and recommendations about what settings or lenses to use with this camera. On the other hand the S5 is more like an all-rounder and the prominent difference is that this camera is a full-frame type, similar to the a7III which is also popular but not exactly all-rounder, especially on the video part.
Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 Design
Before we check on the Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5, let’s see the camera’s body first. Considering that S5 is a full frame, these cameras are not very far apart in form factor and in comparison the design of S5 is more modern with sharper edges. The camera itself is 133mm wide, 97 mm tall, and 82 mm deep from the grip while the GH5 is slightly larger at 139 mm wide, 98 mm tall, and 87 mm deep. They weigh almost the same or a little above 700 grams.
They have a very robust build quality but the GH5 is better as it is weather sealed already while the S5 is only splash and dust resistant so if your shooting condition is in extreme weather, the GH5 is more reassuring. The control systems are still very similar and there is an adequate amount of physical controls to command the cameras. We also like the centered viewfinder and the fact that both cameras have a fully articulating rear display.
Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 Image Quality
Now for the most important part, let’s see what the Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 can offer starting from the basics. As it has been mentioned above, one of the core differences between the two is S5 being a full-frame sensor while the latter is a cropped four-thirds 17.3 x 13mm. They are also featured with different amounts of pixels and the full frame is already quite high at 24MP instead of 20MP, making it very similar to Z6 II or the R6.
Next let’s talk about the image quality or stills from these cameras. The GH5 is so popular for video that it is rare to hear about the image capabilities and in comparison to S5, it will be inferior if you blow up the result to a billboard size picture. But, if your audience is only seeing the picture from a computer screen or smartphone screen, we do think they are just as good as many other cameras. When there is adequate light, the photo will look awesome but we are more confident taking stills at high ISO with the S5.
Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 for Video Recording
Because most people seem to buy the Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 for their video ability, let’s see how these cameras work for video recording. The two are capable of doing 4K which is like a standard nowadays and it is already 60fps which is why they are also versatile for various shooting applications. In the past there have been issues with the focusing performance but GH5 has been updated to fix the system. Using face detect is the most common method used by the general users.
However, side by side they are not the same and in comparison the S5 works slightly smoother when the object is moving in front of the lens. Being contrast based makes these cameras not very powerful in terms of autofocus but it is still manageable. Another difference is that we found the color on the GH5 being a little bit higher in contrast. Both cameras have microphone and headphone jack as well as compatibility with UHS-II cards. If you dislike the battery of GH5, it is still the same with the S5 because one of our biggest complaints while the camera itself doesn’t limit the recording time is the battery capacity.
Panasonic Lumix S5 vs GH5
Both Panasonic Lumix S5 and GH5 are good cameras for stills and for recording videos depending on which matters the most for you. In comparison the S5 will be better for stills and being a full-frame also tells you that the focus of this camera is for taking photos with video recording to complement the system. On the other hand GH5 has an enormous shooting resolution, it can record high quality footage with improved focus as well but when compared to S5, the new camera is still slightly better and has a more natural color in general.
Conclusion
There is no bad option here but the two cameras have different main usage. Personally we love the GH5 for its video ability and the autofocus is already improved with firmware updates so if you don’t take professional photos, the Lumix GH5 is an incredible choice at an affordable price point.