Panasonic DC-S5M2K or Lumix S5II First Impressions.

wh1tby said:

I have not really stretched the ISO capabilities but I have a few internal shots at 6500 ISO which are very clean. I am not a pixel peeper and look at the general look and feel of the shot on a 27" 5K monitor, which is reasonably demanding. Overall I have been very impressed with the sensor and have managed to recover excellent shadow detail in high contrast or shots with my black standard poodle (he tend to come out as black blob against a well light background).

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Thank you!!!

l92 said:

The build would be super nice except that creaky, cheap plastic card slot door. It was a joke and the S5 and it’s a joke on the S5II. The one on the G9 feels vastly sturdier and more comfortable.

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Is the G9’s door sturdier? Yes. Does that make the S5’s a “creaky, cheap” affair? Absolutely not. I prefer the latter, actually, as it’s easier to operate.

I think you have never seen a “creaky, cheap” card door before I owned a Canon 6D once, which had a pathetic one - light, flimsy and not really weather sealed, despite claims to the contrary. And don’t even get me started on the original A7…

I am ready to add a lens or two. I need more reach than the 20 to 60 kit lens, so assume the 70 to 200 is the best option here. It is a little slow but it keeps the size down, so may work if the IQ is good enough. I read mixed reviews on this lens. Anyone care to comment on options and quality of the results from this lens. Also looking at a fast (f/1.4 or 1.8) 35 mm prime ( I don’t like the 50 mm focal length). Again any comments and/or suggestions would be gratefully received.

I still don't know if I should go with S5 or S5II. I bought the S5 again from BH, but now I'm wondering if I should have gone with the S5II. lol

wh1tby said:

I am ready to add a lens or two. I need more reach than the 20 to 60 kit lens, so assume the 70 to 200 is the best option here. It is a little slow but it keeps the size down, so may work if the IQ is good enough. I read mixed reviews on this lens. Anyone care to comment on options and quality of the results from this lens. Also looking at a fast (f/1.4 or 1.8) 35 mm prime ( I don’t like the 50 mm focal length). Again any comments and/or suggestions would be gratefully received.

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I spent way too much time looking for a long zoom. I've eventually ended up with the 70-300 - on my second attempt (the first was de-centred). I also bought a used 70-200 f4 but returned it due to a small nick on the front element. Overall, I reckon the IQ of the 70-200 f4 is a little better, but there's not a lot in it - and the size, weight, semi-macro capability, and range of the 70-300 make it the better overall choice.

But - what I will say is that neither of these 70-xxx zooms is what I would call stellar. They are "ok", but they won't take your breath away. Maybe the f2.8 70-200 is better, but that's really too big and heavy for my taste.

As to a fast prime - it's not the sort of lens I need, but if I were going for it, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 would be top of my list. Not crazy money and well reviewed.

--
Paul
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/paul_kaye

pdk42 said:

wh1tby said:

I am ready to add a lens or two. I need more reach than the 20 to 60 kit lens, so assume the 70 to 200 is the best option here. It is a little slow but it keeps the size down, so may work if the IQ is good enough. I read mixed reviews on this lens. Anyone care to comment on options and quality of the results from this lens. Also looking at a fast (f/1.4 or 1.8) 35 mm prime ( I don’t like the 50 mm focal length). Again any comments and/or suggestions would be gratefully received.

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I spent way too much time looking for a long zoom. I've eventually ended up with the 70-300 - on my second attempt (the first was de-centred). I also bought a used 70-200 f4 but returned it due to a small nick on the front element. Overall, I reckon the IQ of the 70-200 f4 is a little better, but there's not a lot in it - and the size, weight, semi-macro capability, and range of the 70-300 make it the better overall choice.

But - what I will say is that neither of these 70-xxx zooms is what I would call stellar. They are "ok", but they won't take your breath away. Maybe the f2.8 70-200 is better, but that's really too big and heavy for my taste.

As to a fast prime - it's not the sort of lens I need, but if I were going for it, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 would be top of my list. Not crazy money and well reviewed.

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You should also consider the 35f2. My Sigma 35f1,4 is superb, but I end up using the f2 much more, If it is less sharp than the art, I sure can’t notice!

indiainmotion said:

l92 said:

The build would be super nice except that creaky, cheap plastic card slot door. It was a joke and the S5 and it’s a joke on the S5II. The one on the G9 feels vastly sturdier and more comfortable.

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I absolutely love the plastic card slot door. I had the GH5 earlier with its rubberized card door and the rubber started disintegrating and peeling off after a couple of years of use. Never had that problem with the 'cheap' door on the S5.

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The same here (GH4/5). It is nice when new, it is ugly when worn out.

pdk42 said:

wh1tby said:

I am ready to add a lens or two. I need more reach than the 20 to 60 kit lens, so assume the 70 to 200 is the best option here. It is a little slow but it keeps the size down, so may work if the IQ is good enough. I read mixed reviews on this lens. Anyone care to comment on options and quality of the results from this lens. Also looking at a fast (f/1.4 or 1.8) 35 mm prime ( I don’t like the 50 mm focal length). Again any comments and/or suggestions would be gratefully received.

Click to expand...

I spent way too much time looking for a long zoom. I've eventually ended up with the 70-300 - on my second attempt (the first was de-centred). I also bought a used 70-200 f4 but returned it due to a small nick on the front element. Overall, I reckon the IQ of the 70-200 f4 is a little better, but there's not a lot in it - and the size, weight, semi-macro capability, and range of the 70-300 make it the better overall choice.

But - what I will say is that neither of these 70-xxx zooms is what I would call stellar. They are "ok", but they won't take your breath away. Maybe the f2.8 70-200 is better, but that's really too big and heavy for my taste.

As to a fast prime - it's not the sort of lens I need, but if I were going for it, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 would be top of my list. Not crazy money and well reviewed.

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Appreciate the insight. It seems that the less than stellar reviews are accurate for 70 - xxx lenses is well deserved. The f/2.8 is too large and heavy and would never get used, so agree completely.

rashid7 said:

pdk42 said:

wh1tby said:

I am ready to add a lens or two. I need more reach than the 20 to 60 kit lens, so assume the 70 to 200 is the best option here. It is a little slow but it keeps the size down, so may work if the IQ is good enough. I read mixed reviews on this lens. Anyone care to comment on options and quality of the results from this lens. Also looking at a fast (f/1.4 or 1.8) 35 mm prime ( I don’t like the 50 mm focal length). Again any comments and/or suggestions would be gratefully received.

Click to expand...

I spent way too much time looking for a long zoom. I've eventually ended up with the 70-300 - on my second attempt (the first was de-centred). I also bought a used 70-200 f4 but returned it due to a small nick on the front element. Overall, I reckon the IQ of the 70-200 f4 is a little better, but there's not a lot in it - and the size, weight, semi-macro capability, and range of the 70-300 make it the better overall choice.

But - what I will say is that neither of these 70-xxx zooms is what I would call stellar. They are "ok", but they won't take your breath away. Maybe the f2.8 70-200 is better, but that's really too big and heavy for my taste.

As to a fast prime - it's not the sort of lens I need, but if I were going for it, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 would be top of my list. Not crazy money and well reviewed.

Click to expand...

You should also consider the 35f2. My Sigma 35f1,4 is superb, but I end up using the f2 much more, If it is less sharp than the art, I sure can’t notice!

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This is a good thought, will investigate.

Haven’t tried it myself, but several people have reported good results using Canon EF mount zooms on the S5ii using the relevant Sigma adapter (MC-21?)

I was very happy with the 20-60 lens but wanted more reach. I have the 70-300 but, for me, it is too heavy to use unless I need it for as special use. I bought the 24-105 and like it a lot. It is, of course, heavier than the 20-60 but I can still comfortably carry it without being strained. It has very nice IQ. Since buying this lens, I have not used the 20-60 which is a shame because it is a very nice lens.

Hal

wh1tby said:

I just took delivery of the new Panasonic Lumix S5II with the 20 - 60 kit lens and I wanted to post a few comments and invite people to contribute their experiences.

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Here is another approach for multiple systems.

I have the Lumix S5II and a Lumix GH6 (that is, full frame and M43). For video I like to have two cameras, an A camera and a B camera. For photography, when I want reach I use the GH6 because the telephoto lenses are half the size, and easier to carry and shoot hand held. For low light, or if I want shallow depth of field I use the S5II. Otherwise either camera works.

Another significant reason to stick with one camera brand is color matching for video. Even with something like CineMatch it is next to impossible get two different brand cameras to color match close enough so it isn't distracting. Lumix cameras color match, and I can shoot with the S5II or the GH6 and not tell the difference.

Both cameras use the same accessories, and the cameras operate the same, which really helps with the workflow for both photography and video. The only downside is having two lens systems, full frame and M43.

Why not two S5II's, or a S5II and a S5? The telephoto lens advantage with M43 is big enough for me, I want to have the GH6.

I ended up purchasing the Lumix 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens (they have a $300 discount on the lens at the moment bringing it below $1k which seems like a reasonable price) and I have just done some test shots. Here are some quick observations (all on my S5II):

1. Very quick to autofocus/achieve focus acquisition (seems faster than the 20-60 kit lens, but I have not attempted to measure it).

2. Very good OIS and IBIS operation. I was shooting down to 1/5 s at 300 mm and getting 100% hit rate on focus. This is a lot better than my Sony A7RIVa. The stabilization on this camera/lens combination is very good.

3. Very clean IQ throughout the range at maximum aperture (viewed on 27" 5K monitor). I do not pixel peep (I use LRC) but the pictures look very sharp edge to edge. Certainly good enough for me. Most of my shots are at around f/5.6 and I do not expect that to be a problem for most modern lenses. I can crop in easily to APS C sized pictures and still get very sharp results which surprised me (after all this is a 24 MP camera, not like my 60 MP Sony!!).

4. Build quality is solid (all plastic construction with metal lens mount) with smooth zoom function and slightly lose focus ring (a little too 'sloppy' for me, but I rarely do manual focusing except for macro shots). I do like the fact that this is a fully weather sealed lens. It is specced for 14 F to 104 F (-10 C to 40 C) which makes it a decent outdoors in inclement weather lens.

5. Will focus very closely which is remarkable 1.77 ft (0.54m) at 300 mm. x0.5 image magnification at 300 mm which is Macro specs.

6. Bokeh is smooth and very nice to my eyes.

7. Fairly large lens but does not feel unbalanced on the S5II. 77mm filter size is large, but B & H Photo (from whom I purchased the lens) included one at no charge. Weighs 1.75 lbs (790 g) so it quite light for a lens with this focal range.

I have not attempted to test flare (sun is behind the clouds) or look for LoCA.

So for a very reasonable cost I have covered 20 to 300 mm with the 2 lenses which will allow me to use this camera for some trips so I can give it a full workout. I am, so far, very pleased with this camera and system, in particular the very good stabilization function and excellent OOC picture quality.