Panasonic unveils Lumix DC-S5 hybrid camera

The new Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 full-frame mirrorless camera, shown with the 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens. (Source: Panasonic.)

The new camera’s splash- and dust-resistant, magnesium-alloy body weighs only 714 grams with battery and card and measures 132.6 x 97.1 x 81.9 mm, which is significantly smaller than the DC-S1, slightly smaller than the GH5 camera, which has a smaller M4/3 sensor.

This illustration shows the comparative dimensions of the S5 and S1 camera bodies. (Source: Panasonic.)

Although smaller in size than other S-series models, the new camera has been designed with a consistent controls layout, making it easy for users to swap between the models in this range. The illustrations below show the front, back and top views of the S5’s body.

 

The S5 is targeted at ‘hybrid’ photo/video shooters, who need high performance for both stills and video recording. Accordingly, its body has been designed to provide a high level of user mobility plus the flexibility to use a wide range of accessories. Two views of the new camera in use are provided to illustrate its capabilities.

The articulated monitor makes it easy to shoot from different angles. (Source: Panasonic.)

The S5 can be fitted out with a full rig for professional-standard video work. (Source: Panasonic.)

The layout of heat dispersion components is designed to transfer heat away from electronic components to ensure stable, continuous video recording for extended periods of time.  The large OLED LVF (Live View Finder) has a magnification ratio of approx. 0.74x, a high resolution of 2,360,000 dots and a minimum time lag of less than 0.005 sec. A versatile free-angle 3.0-inch LCD rear monitor (3:2 aspect, approx.1,840,000 dots) with touch control makes it easy to apply quick changes to settings, even when the user is in front of the camera. Frame Markers for checking composition re displayed during recording and the camera supports a wide range of aspect ratios, including those for popular social media platforms – 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 4:5, 5:4 and 9:16. An eye-catching red frame provides a quick check that the camera is recording.

The sensor in the new camera is the same 24.2-megapixel CMOS chip as is used in the Lumix DC-S1 and S1H cameras. Measuring 35.6 x 23.8 mm it boasts a wide dynamic range and superior high sensitivity performance. Proprietary Dual Native ISO technology enables users to leverage a dual-base ISO setting to reduce noise and maintain image quality at up to ISO 51200 for both stills and video.

A new 96-megapixel High Resolution mode records eight frames, using the sensor-shift technology and then combines them to create a single highly detailed 12,000 x 8,000-pixel image, which can be saved in RAW and/or JPEG format. The S5 also features a Live View Composite function in which the camera releases the shutter at designated exposure intervals and produces a single picture combining all the areas of high luminosity such as lights, stars or fireworks. Photographers can monitor this in Live View and stop the capture sequence once the desired result is obtained. Panasonic’s 5-Axis Dual I.S. 2 technology combines a high-precision gyrosensor with the Dual I.S. system of 5-axis in-body stabilisation and 2-axis optical stabilisation in selected lenses to deliver highly accurate shake detection and compensation. This system claims to achieve shake correction of up to 6.5 stops for both photo and video recording, reducing the need to carry a tripod or gimbal.

While the S5 uses the same contrast-detection with DFD technology AF system as other Panasonic cameras, advanced control technology in the lens, sensor and imaging engine have improved focusing speed and accuracy. The lens and sensor communicate at a maximum 480 fps and an improved Deep Learning autofocus algorithm offers greater accuracy in detecting subjects such as people’s faces and fast-moving animals. In addition to face, eye and body detection, head is also separately recognised by real-time detection technology to provide even more precise focusing. The camera can keep tracking subjects in AFC mode, even when they move quickly, turn away, tilt their head or move far away from the camera.

On the video front, the S5 inherits many of the advanced features offered in the video-orientated S1H camera, with support for 4K 10-bit video plus unlimited 4K 60p/50p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output. In addition, 4K 30p/25p 4:2:0 8-bit internal recording is also unlimited, while 4K 60p/50p 4:2:0 10-bit and 4K 30p/25p 4:2:2 10-bit can be recorded internally for up to 30 minutes. The camera also includes V-Log/V-Gamut recording with a wide dynamic range of 14+ stops (in line with the dynamic range of the Panasonic VariCam) to capture everything from dark to bright areas and reproduce faithfully the subtle of skin. Recorded footage is easily matched with V-Log footage recorded by the Lumix S1/S1H or Lumix GH5/GH5S, for an easier post production workflow. Practical tools like a Waveform Monitor and V-Log View Assist are included. The S5 also provides Slow & Quick recording modes, which are supported with autofocus and can be accessed directly using the mode dial. In 4K the S5 achieves up to 30x quick or 2.5x slow motion at 1-60fps, and in FHD it achieves 60x quick or 7.5x slow motion at 1-180fps.

Dual SD Card slots are provided; one supporting the high-speed, high-capacity UHS-II (Video Class 90) cards and the other with UHS-I. Users can select Relay Recording, Backup Recording or Allocation Recording modes. The S5 uses a new DMW-BLK22 high-capacity battery which meets its power demands in a small form factor. It can be recharged either via AC or USB and is backwards compatible with the GH5, GH5S and G9. The S5 is also capable of power supply and delivery via USB-C, making it possible to continuously power the camera with a USB power source.

Content sharing with smartphones is streamlined using Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy connection, Wi-Fi 5-GHz (IEEE802.11ac) and 2.4-GHz (IEEE 802.11b/g/n). With an always-on Bluetooth connection, a smartphone can act as the camera’s remote control via the Lumix Sync app. The settings of an S5 camera can also be copied and transmitted to other S5 cameras when shooting using multiple cameras. The S5 is compatible with the Lumix Tether applications which enable tethered shooting via USB and allows images to be viewed on a large PC screen while shooting. For live streaming, LumixTether for Streaming (Beta) with LIVE VIEW mode is available. Lumix Sync for iOS/Android devices enables image transfer to a smartphone or tablet via easy wireless connection.

Optional accessories for the S5 include a Microphone Adaptor (DMW-XLR1) for professional XLR microphones and the Battery Grip (DMW-BGS5), which extends battery capacity and provides controls for portrait oriented shooting. Other accessories include a Remote Shutter (DMW-RS2), DC coupler (DMW-DCC17) and Tripod Grip (DMW-SHGR1).

Panasonic will also release firmware updates for the LUMIX S1R, S1H and S1 by the end of 2020. New firmware will enable the S1R to record 5K video, making the most of its high-resolution image sensor. In addition, the AF improvements introduced with the S5 will be available on the S1R, S1H and S1 for both video recording and stills shooting.

The S5 will be available in late September 2020 from leading photographic specialists. It will be offered as a body alone at AU$3199 and with the Lumix S 20-60mm f/.5-5.6 kit lens for AU$3699. Click here for more information. https://www.panasonic.com/au/consumer/lumix-cameras-video-cameras/lumix-cameras/lumix-s-cameras.html

SPECS
Image sensor: 35.6 x 23.8 mm CMOS sensor with 25.28 million photosites (24.20  megapixels effective)
Image processor: Venua Engine
Lens mount: L-Mount
Focal length crop factor:  1x
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF, Exif Ver. 2.31),  RW2.RAW, RAW+JPEG, HLG Photo (CTA-2072); Movies: MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, Audio format: LPCM (2ch 48kHz/16-bit); MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, Audio format: AAC (2ch)
Image Sizes: Stills: 3:2 aspect – 6000 x 4000, 4272 x 2848, 3024 x 2016, 12000 x 8000, 8496 x 5664, 5184 x 3456 (6K PHOTO), 3504 x 2336 (4K PHOTO), 5984 x 4000 (HLG PHOTO, Full-Res.), 3232 x  2160 (HLG PHOTO, 4K-Res.). 4:3 aspect – 5328 x 4000, 3792  x 2848, 2688 x 2016, 10656 x 8000 (XL), 7552 x 5664 (LL), 4992 x 3744 (6K PHOTO), 3328 x 2496 (4K PHOTO), 5312 x 3984 (HLG PHOTO, Full-Res.), 2880 x 2160 (HLG PHOTO, 4K-Res.); Movies: MOV: PAL (50Hz) – [4K] 3840 x 2160 @ 25p, 150Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) / 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM), [FHD] 1920 x 1080 @ 50p/25p, 100Mbps (4:2:2 10-bit LongGOP) / 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP) (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, LPCM); MP4: PAL (50Hz) Full-frame [4K] 3840 x 2160 @ 50p/254p; Slow & Quick recording modes available
Aspect ratios: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1, 65:24, 2:1
Image Stabilisation: Image sensor shift type (5-axis / 5.0-stops);  Dual I.S. 2 compatible (6.5-stops)
Shutter (speed range): Mechanical & electronic shutter (60-1/8000 seconds plus Bulb [Max. 30 minutes]; Movie range: 1/25 to 1/16,000 second
Exposure Compensation: +/- EV in 1/3EV steps (+/-EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing: 3, 5, 7 images in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV step, max. +/-3 EV, single/burst
Other bracketing options: Aperture, Focus, White balance
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay plus 10sec, 3 images
Interval recording: Yes, for time-lapse
Focus system: Contrast AF system with DFD technology
AF  selection: Auto Detection (Face, Eye, Body, Animal), Tracking, 225-Area, Zone (Face, Eye, Body, Animal), Tracking, 225-Area, Zone (Vertical/Horizontal), Zone (Square / Oval), 1-Area+, 1-Area, Pinpoint, Custom 1, 2, 3
Focus modes: AFS (Single), AFC (Continuous), MF; Post Focus, Focus Stacking
Exposure metering: 1,728-zone multi-pattern sensing system with Multiple, Centre-weighted average, spot and  highlight weighted metering patterns; Metering range – 0-18 EV
Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual Exposure
Photo Style modes: Standard, Vivid, Natural/Flat, Landscape, Portrait, Monochrome, L. Monochrome, L. Monochrome D, Cinelike D2, Cinelike V2, Like709, V-Log, Standard (HLG), Monochrome (HLG), Like2100 (HLG), My Photo Style 1-10
Picture adjustment: Contrast, Highlight, Shadow, Saturation, Colour Tone, Hue, Filter Effect, Grain Effect, Sharpness, Noise Reduction, ISO, WB
Filters: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Fantasy, Star Filter, One Point Colour, Sunshine
Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO range: Auto, ISO 50-204800 in 1EV or 0.3EV steps; Dual Native ISO [Normal] Native ISO: 100, 640; [HLG] Native ISO: 400, 2500; [Cinelike D2 / Cinelike V2] Native ISO: 200, 1250
White balance: AWB, AWBc, AWBw, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set (x 4), Colour temperature setting (x 4), Blue/Amber and Magenta/Green adjustments
Flash: TTL External Flash (sold separately)
Flash modes: Auto / Auto/Red-eye Reduction/Forced On/Forced On/Red-eye Reduction/Slow Sync./Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction/Forced Off Flash synch., 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync Flash output adjustment
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 3EV in 1/3EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max.7 frames/sec. with AFS/MF; 4K PHOTO 60 fps, 6K PHOTO 30 fps
Buffer capacity: Max. Large/Fine JPEGs, 24RAW files
Storage Media: Dual slots for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (Slot 1 compatible with UHS-I / UHS-II UHS Speed Class 3, slot 2 UHS-1 only standard compatible)
Viewfinder: OLED Live View Finder with approx. 2,360,000 dots, 100% FOV, magnification approx. 0.74x, 20mm eyepoint, -1 to +4 dpt adjustment, eye sensor
LCD monitor: Free-angle, 3.0-inch TFT LCD with static touch control; 1,840,000 dots, 100% coverage
Interface terminals: SuperSpeed USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C, microHDMI TypeD, 2.5 mm jack for remote control, 3.5 mm jacks for microphone and headphones
Wi-Fi function: Built-in (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) 2.4GHz; Bluetooth v4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy)
Power supply: 7.2V, 2200mAh, 16Wh rechargeable Li-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. 440 shots/charge, USB charging supported
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 132.6 x 97.1 x 81.9 mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 714 grams with battery and one SD card

RRP: AU$3199 (body only); $3699 (with Lumix S 20-60mm f/.5-5.6 kit lens)
Distributor: Panasonic Australia, Ph. 132 600; www.panasonic.com.au