The Panasonic Lumix S5 Mark ll is incredible in it,s performance in both photo and video capture and stunning lightweight mobility, the classically stylish LUMIX S5 II is designed to fulfil the demands of the most ambitious creators while representing exceptional value for money. Both the S5 II and S5 II X are built around a newly developed 24-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor and imaging engine. The sensor supports Hybrid Phase Detection Auto-Focus, a first for LUMIX cameras, while the new engine provides superb image quality and high bit-rate video performance on a par with the LUMIX S1H. With a new imaging engine developed within the L2 Technology partnership formed by LEICA and LUMIX, and a new 24-megapixel sensor, the LUMIX S5II and S5IIX are the first LUMIX cameras to offer Hybrid Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF). The new engine also gives the LUMIX S5IIX and S5II enhanced video recording capabilities including internal 4:2:0 10-bit 6K (3:2) and 5.9K (16:9) at 30fps and 4:2:2 C4K and 4K at up to 60fps, while a new low-profile heat management system allows for unlimited recording times without increasing the size of the camera body. The cameras also support HFR (High Frame Rate) recording at up to 120fps and Slow & Quick capture at up to 180fps.

What's new?

Phase detection AF

The biggest news is the inclusion of on-sensor phase detection: a technology Panasonic has not previously used. Phase detection essentially works by generating two views of the scene from slightly different perspectives (typically by forming separate images that 'look' through the left and right sides of the lens) and comparing them. Just as with human vision that uses two eyes set apart from one another, this enables the camera to establish an understanding of distance and depth in the scene.

Comparing the two images lets the camera calculate how far it needs to drive focus in order to bring the two perspectives into alignment, at which point the aligned subject is in focus. This is especially valuable in video mode, as it allows the camera to refocus to a different distance without overshooting and also, critically, means the camera can check that it's still in focus without having to move the lens. This means phase detection can be decisive in situations where it must hold focus, as it can confidently stay there.

Panasonic says it helps to improve tracking ability, performance in low light levels and backlit conditions and when dealing with multiple subjects (staying locked on your chosen subject better because it knows which one in the scene it is).

Subject recognition AF

In the S5 II, Panasonic has combined its newfound depth awareness with an enhanced version of its existing subject recognition tracking system, which has been trained to recognize both humans and animals.

There are three distinct recognition modes that narrow down your intended subject type, to maximize your success rate. Human + Animal tracking mode is the broadest and will track any of the subjects it's been trained to recognize, and we're told will prioritize animals. Human mode has a hierarchy of subjects it can detect, with the highest priority being eyes, then faces, then heads, then bodies; it will focus on the most important of these it can find. Finally, Face/Eye detection solely focuses on eyes and faces in the scene.

In all three modes, the camera will start searching from your selected AF point and the area immediately around it, meaning It will focus on the specified subject type if it's found under your AF point. This system makes it possible to use the AF point to specify an individual subject in a group (you can also change its mind by tapping on the screen or using the joystick to jump between recognized faces). It also means you can leave Face/Eye detection on to specify a non-human subject, without the camera automatically giving precedence to any people in the frame. Note that when your AF area is the whole screen, Face/Eye mode will choose to focus on someone facing the camera, not simply the nearest human if can detect.

Updated in-body image stabilization

Panasonic has also improved its image stabilization system, promising a performance twice as effective as in the S5. For its revised system it's adopted the branding 'Active IS,' though it hasn't been very specific about how these improvements have been achieved.

What the company has said is that its algorithms have been re-worked and that the camera assesses camera motion more precisely. We've been impressed with what we've seen from the S5 II so far, in terms of keeping both stills still and video clips smooth. The Boost IS mode, which tries to cancel all movement for a tripod-like video look, is particularly impressive.

The stabilization system also underpins the eight-shot 96MP High Resolution mode. The S5 II doesn't have the hand-held high-res mode from the GH6, and so requires a tripod or otherwise fixed camera, but it still offers a motion correction mode for preventing artifacts from moving subjects in the scene.

New processor

At the heart of the S5 II is a new processing engine that is the first product of Panasonic's L² co-development project with Leica. The two companies shared know-how and resources to develop the new processor, which we'd expect to see in future Leica models, too.

While Panasonic says the sensor in the S5 II is also new, from what we've seen its performance appears to be similar to its non-phase-detect predecessor, which suggests that its newfound ability to shoot at up to 30fps in e-shutter mode is more about having a processor able to cope with this speed.

Built-in fan

The S5 II includes a fan mechanism, to allow video shooting for extended periods. The fan is at the top of the camera, with vents under the leading edge and along the sides of the viewfinder hump, drawing the heat up and out of the camera. As usual, the fan sits outside the body's sealed area, so the vents aren't a weak point for its dust and splash resistant design.

The fan means the S5 II can record for unlimited periods in most of its video modes, as tested by Panasonic at temperatures of 40°C (104°F). Panasonic points out that most of its rivals only quote figures for 22–25°C (72–77°F), which is significantly less demanding and less representative of average temperatures across much of the US.

Video

The S5 II builds on the video capabilities of the S5, despite using a chip with similar ˜21ms readout times for its 16:9 footage.

The most obvious addition to the camera's capabilities is the ability to shoot full sensor height 3:2 'open gate' video. This is available at up to 30p and provides the scope to crop into various aspect ratios or to pan around the frame in post. Alternatively there are 6K options, either in UHD-style 16:9 aspect ratio or the DCI-like 18.9:1 format.

Beyond this are the full-width 4K modes (both DCI and UHD) which are taken from 6K capture. These are offered at up to 30p and up to 10-bit 4:2:2 encoding.