Lumix S5II Auto Focus

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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I can compare my S5II to the best AF cameras available now. I have the R5, A7R5, A1 and A7CR.

In single shot there's not much perceivable difference. Mind you the SL2 is great in AFS.

I think the S5II feels the best in hand out of all these cameras.

The blackout speed is faster on the S5II than the Canon and A7R5/A7CR. That does make a usability difference.

When using fast moving subjects the more erratic that movement becomes the more the A7R5 pulls ahead of the others. The S5II is last but only by a tiny margin. The Sony's remain the *best* but the gap is mostly insignificant. It'll come down to things like lens selection etc.

I like the Canon the best for portrait eye focusing with a dynamic subject in studio. This could be because of the differences in the lenses I own. Mostly though I use an X2D or GFX100II for studio portraits. Haven't used the R5 is a couple of months.

If I had to pick one camera overall for sports and wildlife it would definitely be the A1. By far. It's not quite as Af wise as the A7R5 but a bit better than the Canon with no blackout available, which is game changing for wildlife. I expect the Z8/9 would be fabulous as well but I don't have those.

When I get my SL3 it won't be my main wildlife camera regardless, because of the A1. But it should have a wider shooting envelope than the SL2.

I don't see much banding on the A7R5 when files are pushed (there's a small amount). Not like the A7R3 which basically had stripes under heavy post processing.

If you have used a Q3 then you know what you're getting it's very very similar to the S5II

Gordon

Edited January 25, 2024 by FlashGordonPhotography

[FlashGordonPhotography]

6 minutes ago, SrMi said:

Video functionality is sometimes in the way of a still photographer. 
I do not care whether a camera has video functionality as long as it is not an obstacle to still photography (accidental switching to video, complex menus, added weight for cooling).

It doesn't in the SL2. The SL3 will just be more of that.

Gordon

[LocalHero1953]

9 minutes ago, SrMi said:

Video functionality is sometimes in the way of a still photographer. 
I do not care whether a camera has video functionality as long as it is not an obstacle to still photography (accidental switching to video, complex menus, added weight for cooling).

In all my time in ownership of the M240, SL, SL2, SL2-S and Q2, the only time I have accidentally engaged video was when I had just got the SL and was working out how to use it without reading the manual, in a car park in France. It has never got in my way otherwise. It is there when I want it, and not there when I don't.

[jaapv]

On 1/25/2024 at 9:59 PM, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I can compare my S5II to the best AF cameras available now. I have the R5, A7R5, A1 and A7CR.

In single shot there's not much perceivable difference. Mind you the SL2 is great in AFS.

I think the S5II feels the best in hand out of all these cameras.

The blackout speed is faster on the S5II than the Canon and A7R5/A7CR. That does make a usability difference.

When using fast moving subjects the more erratic that movement becomes the more the A7R5 pulls ahead of the others. The S5II is last but only by a tiny margin. The Sony's remain the *best* but the gap is mostly insignificant. It'll come down to things like lens selection etc.

I like the Canon the best for portrait eye focusing with a dynamic subject in studio. This could be because of the differences in the lenses I own. Mostly though I use an X2D or GFX100II for studio portraits. Haven't used the R5 is a couple of months.

If I had to pick one camera overall for sports and wildlife it would definitely be the A1. By far. It's not quite as Af wise as the A7R5 but a bit better than the Canon with no blackout available, which is game changing for wildlife. I expect the Z8/9 would be fabulous as well but I don't have those.

When I get my SL3 it won't be my main wildlife camera regardless, because of the A1. But it should have a wider shooting envelope than the SL2.

I don't see much banding on the A7R5 when files are pushed (there's a small amount). Not like the A7R3 which basically had stripes under heavy post processing.

If you have used a Q3 then you know what you're getting it's very very similar to the S5II

Gordon

Most reviewers proclaim the S5 II to have the best image stabilizing on the market if used with lenses that support active stabilization. This is very important to me as I shoot up to 900 mm handheld. The S5 is already quite good.
What is your experience? 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 2/7/2024 at 9:56 PM, jaapv said:

Most reviewers proclaim the S5 II to have the best image stabilizing on the market if used with lenses that support active stabilization. This is very important to me as I shoot up to 900 mm handheld. The S5 is already quite good.
What is your experience? 

Sorry for the tardy reply. I'm in Iceland...

The S5II IBIS is about as good as it gets in 24x36mm. The OM-1 is better and the X2D is also stupidly good. But they're not playing in the same sandpit. At the same print size my SL2 is VERY close (both are better than my A7R5 and Canon R5). I don't have a modern Nikon to compare with (Z8 or Zf), so there's that but I have no problem saying the S5II IBIS is as good as anything I've used in 24x36mm format.

Gordon

[jaapv]

I've been shhoting a few test shots: overcast day, ISO 1000, Sigma 150-600 , TC 1411, 840 mm effective, 1/1000th fully handheld. Animal recognition on. 50% crop. Freehand. 

Focus spot on, IS perfect. The EVF stabilization in the lens makes it possible to keep the subject framed.

 

 

 

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