Am I going to regret getting the Panasonic S5?

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

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Phily said:

Your problem might be better framed in terms of full frame vs m43 or APS-C because as far as full frames go, the size of the S5 is probably below average

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jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

I have size and weight limitations due to some health issues, and I have small hands also.

The S5 is definitely on the high side of my comfort zone. However, after a very short adjustment period, I have no problems at all with it with everything up to and including the 70-300mm lens

The only issues I have are with the Sigma 150-600mm, which I do require monopod or tripod support to use (of course, that's about a 4 1/2 lb lens, so not a surprise there).

I also use different bags than I used for M43, as the lenses are enough bigger that they need more room. (I have a separate bag for the lenses I am not using at any given time, and the 150-600 has its own bag, as you would expect.)

Additionally, I use a sling type strap, vs a wrist strap, for regular carrying. (For my M43, I use a wrist strap except for the PL100-400, when I use the sling strap also.) I find the sling strap with the S5 keeps my wrists from getting fatigued, which is the only weight issue I had with the S5 when I initially was using it with a wrist strap only.

So, in summary: Expect to modify your bag and strap lineup, and you should do great. If you do decide to shoot long tele, though, be prepared to use more support, but for everything else the adjustment should be pretty smooth.

-J

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unhappymeal said:

jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

I have size and weight limitations due to some health issues, and I have small hands also.

The S5 is definitely on the high side of my comfort zone. However, after a very short adjustment period, I have no problems at all with it with everything up to and including the 70-300mm lens

The only issues I have are with the Sigma 150-600mm, which I do require monopod or tripod support to use (of course, that's about a 4 1/2 lb lens, so not a surprise there).

I also use different bags than I used for M43, as the lenses are enough bigger that they need more room. (I have a separate bag for the lenses I am not using at any given time, and the 150-600 has its own bag, as you would expect.)

Additionally, I use a sling type strap, vs a wrist strap, for regular carrying. (For my M43, I use a wrist strap except for the PL100-400, when I use the sling strap also.) I find the sling strap with the S5 keeps my wrists from getting fatigued, which is the only weight issue I had with the S5 when I initially was using it with a wrist strap only.

So, in summary: Expect to modify your bag and strap lineup, and you should do great. If you do decide to shoot long tele, though, be prepared to use more support, but for everything else the adjustment should be pretty smooth.

-J

Click to expand...

Thanks. I have wrists issues in my dominant hand from decades of competitive fencing. Weight is a very real concern for me.

Click to expand...

jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

I have size and weight limitations due to some health issues, and I have small hands also.

The S5 is definitely on the high side of my comfort zone. However, after a very short adjustment period, I have no problems at all with it with everything up to and including the 70-300mm lens

The only issues I have are with the Sigma 150-600mm, which I do require monopod or tripod support to use (of course, that's about a 4 1/2 lb lens, so not a surprise there).

I also use different bags than I used for M43, as the lenses are enough bigger that they need more room. (I have a separate bag for the lenses I am not using at any given time, and the 150-600 has its own bag, as you would expect.)

Additionally, I use a sling type strap, vs a wrist strap, for regular carrying. (For my M43, I use a wrist strap except for the PL100-400, when I use the sling strap also.) I find the sling strap with the S5 keeps my wrists from getting fatigued, which is the only weight issue I had with the S5 when I initially was using it with a wrist strap only.

So, in summary: Expect to modify your bag and strap lineup, and you should do great. If you do decide to shoot long tele, though, be prepared to use more support, but for everything else the adjustment should be pretty smooth.

-J

Click to expand...

Thanks. I have wrists issues in my dominant hand from decades of competitive fencing. Weight is a very real concern for me.

Click to expand...

For me, the critical stress on my wrists is, oddly enough, relative to the grip size. If it's too deep for me to reach my hand completely around, I stress my wrists greatly trying to grip it. The S5 is a bit big for me, but I adjusted how I held it after a couple of days, and now have no problems at all with wrist pain from it. The Sonys, other than the original A7 (and the recent A7C), by the way, were extremely uncomfortable to use after they changed to the larger grip after the A7 due to their grip. Also the G9 I rented had a way too deep grip for me, so I didn't look further at any of those . All of the DSLR FF bodies are also too heavy and deep for me (rented a lovely D750 a couple of years ago, and spent weeks trying to unsprain my wrist after using it for a week. Ack).

Can you rent an S5 and give it a try?

-J

Click to expand...

unhappymeal said:

jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

I have size and weight limitations due to some health issues, and I have small hands also.

The S5 is definitely on the high side of my comfort zone. However, after a very short adjustment period, I have no problems at all with it with everything up to and including the 70-300mm lens

The only issues I have are with the Sigma 150-600mm, which I do require monopod or tripod support to use (of course, that's about a 4 1/2 lb lens, so not a surprise there).

I also use different bags than I used for M43, as the lenses are enough bigger that they need more room. (I have a separate bag for the lenses I am not using at any given time, and the 150-600 has its own bag, as you would expect.)

Additionally, I use a sling type strap, vs a wrist strap, for regular carrying. (For my M43, I use a wrist strap except for the PL100-400, when I use the sling strap also.) I find the sling strap with the S5 keeps my wrists from getting fatigued, which is the only weight issue I had with the S5 when I initially was using it with a wrist strap only.

So, in summary: Expect to modify your bag and strap lineup, and you should do great. If you do decide to shoot long tele, though, be prepared to use more support, but for everything else the adjustment should be pretty smooth.

-J

Click to expand...

Thanks. I have wrists issues in my dominant hand from decades of competitive fencing. Weight is a very real concern for me.

Click to expand...

For me, the critical stress on my wrists is, oddly enough, relative to the grip size. If it's too deep for me to reach my hand completely around, I stress my wrists greatly trying to grip it. The S5 is a bit big for me, but I adjusted how I held it after a couple of days, and now have no problems at all with wrist pain from it. The Sonys, other than the original A7 (and the recent A7C), by the way, were extremely uncomfortable to use after they changed to the larger grip after the A7 due to their grip. Also the G9 I rented had a way too deep grip for me, so I didn't look further at any of those . All of the DSLR FF bodies are also too heavy and deep for me (rented a lovely D750 a couple of years ago, and spent weeks trying to unsprain my wrist after using it for a week. Ack).

Can you rent an S5 and give it a try?

-J

Click to expand...

Sadly, none of the rental shops in Frankfurt carry Panasonic gear. It's ridiculous.

Click to expand...

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

Ed Jeffersen said:

It really depends on the lens. The S5 body is quite compact and light. With a Lumix prime lens mounted it is very easy to handle. With my Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 mounted it’s another story.

Click to expand...

Barnie25 said:

unhappymeal said:

jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

jalywol said:

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

I have size and weight limitations due to some health issues, and I have small hands also.

The S5 is definitely on the high side of my comfort zone. However, after a very short adjustment period, I have no problems at all with it with everything up to and including the 70-300mm lens

The only issues I have are with the Sigma 150-600mm, which I do require monopod or tripod support to use (of course, that's about a 4 1/2 lb lens, so not a surprise there).

I also use different bags than I used for M43, as the lenses are enough bigger that they need more room. (I have a separate bag for the lenses I am not using at any given time, and the 150-600 has its own bag, as you would expect.)

Additionally, I use a sling type strap, vs a wrist strap, for regular carrying. (For my M43, I use a wrist strap except for the PL100-400, when I use the sling strap also.) I find the sling strap with the S5 keeps my wrists from getting fatigued, which is the only weight issue I had with the S5 when I initially was using it with a wrist strap only.

So, in summary: Expect to modify your bag and strap lineup, and you should do great. If you do decide to shoot long tele, though, be prepared to use more support, but for everything else the adjustment should be pretty smooth.

-J

Click to expand...

Thanks. I have wrists issues in my dominant hand from decades of competitive fencing. Weight is a very real concern for me.

Click to expand...

For me, the critical stress on my wrists is, oddly enough, relative to the grip size. If it's too deep for me to reach my hand completely around, I stress my wrists greatly trying to grip it. The S5 is a bit big for me, but I adjusted how I held it after a couple of days, and now have no problems at all with wrist pain from it. The Sonys, other than the original A7 (and the recent A7C), by the way, were extremely uncomfortable to use after they changed to the larger grip after the A7 due to their grip. Also the G9 I rented had a way too deep grip for me, so I didn't look further at any of those . All of the DSLR FF bodies are also too heavy and deep for me (rented a lovely D750 a couple of years ago, and spent weeks trying to unsprain my wrist after using it for a week. Ack).

Can you rent an S5 and give it a try?

-J

Click to expand...

Sadly, none of the rental shops in Frankfurt carry Panasonic gear. It's ridiculous.

Click to expand...

If you don't mind the drive, you can rent them here in the Netherlands.

Click to expand...

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

unhappymeal said:

I'm contemplating adding a full frame L-body to my stable. Everything I've read about the S5 sounds like it's an absolutely fantastic camera. My only issue is the size. My day-to-day carrying back is a Peak Design 6L sling. I think it might be hard to fit the S5 in there with a lens.

Has anyone purchased an S5 and later regretted it due to the size and weight?

Click to expand...

vigna said:

Depending on your photographic need you may consider slight lighter body Sigma FP and weighs only 420g. Very good low light sensor works with all L mount lenses and modular. Very good dynamic range and excellent video quality however less in camera features compared to S5.

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