Audio Information Screen in Lumix S5II

[Charles Hull]

Hybrid and video users of the Lumix S5II will notice that the button and control layout is almost exactly the same as the more video centric Lumix GH6. Except it doesn't have that very handy Audio Information button just below the ISO button that brings up the Audio Information screen. This is the sort of thing that if you've used it it's hard to give up.

It turns out the S5II does have this screen. But you need to program a button to bring it up. I've done that with Fn2 button. Go to the Fn Button Set function in the menu, in Rec mode scroll down to page 2 and select Fn2. Then scroll down and select Audio Information. (Of course you can use any other button for this). Now the S5II acts just like a Gh6; push Fn2 and the Audio Information screen comes up.


Lumix S5II Audio Information Screen

This is a screen where I'm using an External Mic (a Rode Pro). It shows the Record Limiter is off and audio is set to 96kHz/24bit. Each of the grey tabs can be used to program from this screen. If you use the XLR microphone adapter mounted on the hot shoe, and an XLR mic, you can use this to control four channel audio.

 

[Off The Mark]

Good to know.

I often contemplate getting the Panasonic XLR input but I always worry about what if I switch systems, and how much of an improvement it will give me over my (admittedly not great but certainly useable) Tascam DR-60D II.

 

[Kharan]

Excellent information, thanks.

 

[Charles Hull]

Good to know.

I often contemplate getting the Panasonic XLR input but I always worry about what if I switch systems, and how much of an improvement it will give me over my (admittedly not great but certainly useable) Tascam DR-60D II.

Hard to say. The XLR hot shoe input has been around for some time, but it was awkward to use through the menus, until the Audio Information screen was introduced on the GH6. And now it's on the S5II (and the upcoming S5IIx). It makes a world of difference, but I don't have any way to compare it to using the Tascam. I think if you are just starting with the GH6/S5II/S5IIx it is clearly the way to go. Here is a Panasonic blurb on this. Maybe not obvious, when you touch either audio meter you can adjust the audio level with the top knob, and it is really easy to balance the mics. Also I'm finding the 3.5mm sound to be quite clean.

 

[Off The Mark]

Good to know.

I often contemplate getting the Panasonic XLR input but I always worry about what if I switch systems, and how much of an improvement it will give me over my (admittedly not great but certainly useable) Tascam DR-60D II.

Hard to say. The XLR hot shoe input has been around for some time, but it was awkward to use through the menus, until the Audio Information screen was introduced on the GH6. And now it's on the S5II (and the upcoming S5IIx). It makes a world of difference, but I don't have any way to compare it to using the Tascam. I think if you are just starting with the GH6/S5II/S5IIx it is clearly the way to go. Here is a Panasonic blurb on this. Maybe not obvious, when you touch either audio meter you can adjust the audio level with the top knob, and it is really easy to balance the mics. Also I'm finding the 3.5mm sound to be quite clean.

Thanks for the link. It was a pretty interesting read. It certainly is pretty capable.