Panasonic S5II/S5IIx or other Lumix cameras alongside SL system?

[petereprice]

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Anyone using Panasonic Lumix Full Frame cameras alongside their SL system, like the S5 IIx?  If so…how do you like it?

[jaapv]

I do, alongside a SL 601 and CL. The S5ii has become my primary camera  instead of the S2S I was planning on buying- it is that good. I am not a Video person, so the S5iiX would make no sense.

[Simone_DF]

Not currently, but for a few weeks I had a SL2-S and a S5. I liked the S5, but in the end I decided to sell it and keep the SL.

If the SL3-S specs will be disappointing, I’ll get a S5II

[hepcat]

I exclusively use the Lumix system; an S1 and an S5.  I don't even see a need to upgrade to the S5II.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

For years I used a S1R along side my SL2. Though I’d sell the S1R’s when the SL2 arrived but I still used them often as they had a few functions the SL2 didn’t (tri flip screen for example). Usually I have two of the same body but I only got one SL2 and used the S1R along side it. Great camera. Still have them.

Currently I do have an S5II as well as my SL3’s but I don’t really use the S5II much, except for testing. The tri resolution negates any need to hang onto a low res body, for me.

I’m planning on using the S5II as a video rig. Video isn’t my strength but I’d like to get better and I think the S5II will be a better base than the SL3.

Gordon

[jaapv]

On 4/21/2024 at 11:12 PM, hepcat said:

I exclusively use the Lumix system; an S1 and an S5.  I don't even see a need to upgrade to the S5II.

I thought so as well, until I found how much the camera was improved. 

[hepcat]

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3 minutes ago, jaapv said:

I thought so as well, until I found how much the camera was improved. 

The improvements are nice, and if I didn't already have the S5, I'd buy the newer camera, but for most of the kind of use I give the camera, they just wouldn't make a significant difference for me.  That said, if someone forces me to buy an S5II at a giveaway price, I wouldn't turn it down.

Edited April 22, 2024 by hepcat

[jaapv]

Well, I bought at an 800 € discount, and for me the upgrade in AF and IBIS were significant for my wildlife use. I found the sensor improvement quite visible as well. The colours are easier to match to my SL. The arrangement of the controls is far better too, especially around the on/off switch. 

[mokona]

I had an S1 and then added an S5iix: I find the screen rotule of the S5iix a bit wobbly and I'm afraid to break it at some point.

I enjoy the form factor of the S5iix and some features like the real time lut. Also the half cage by Tilta combined with the Smallrig mini top handle makes it a very nice carry around camera.

But the first times I looked into the viewfinder I was quite surprised in a bad way, felt really like a downgrade from S1... then I got used to it and I don't focus on it anymore. And also I don't like the lack of top screen and the long waiting time after switching it on.

Nothing to complain about the output of the S5iix (though I think I prefer the S1 files, dunno why), except with M-lenses so...now I swapped the S1 for an SL2-S.

So far, I prefer to use the SL2-S that I find more "inspiring". will see after I try the new firmware of the S5iix if the AF update is a game changer.

[o2mpx]

Saw a SL2 in silver at a decent price, bought that and see no reason to keep the S5ii. Don’t plan on upgrading to the SL3 unless towards the end of the lifecycle, Leica comes up with a limited run of some edition. The S5ii definitely has nice colors  

Although my rationale for getting the S5ii was reduced size and weight, still preferred the. build of the SL2 and simplified user experience. Looking into perhaps adding the equivalent Sigma Contemporary zooms for weight reduction vs the Leica 16-35/24-90 zooms which I still plan to keep. 

[oculaii]

On 4/23/2024 at 4:04 AM, mokona said:

I had an S1 and then added an S5iix: I find the screen rotule of the S5iix a bit wobbly and I'm afraid to break it at some point.

I enjoy the form factor of the S5iix and some features like the real time lut. Also the half cage by Tilta combined with the Smallrig mini top handle makes it a very nice carry around camera.

But the first times I looked into the viewfinder I was quite surprised in a bad way, felt really like a downgrade from S1... then I got used to it and I don't focus on it anymore. And also I don't like the lack of top screen and the long waiting time after switching it on.

Nothing to complain about the output of the S5iix (though I think I prefer the S1 files, dunno why), except with M-lenses so...now I swapped the S1 for an SL2-S.

So far, I prefer to use the SL2-S that I find more "inspiring". will see after I try the new firmware of the S5iix if the AF update is a game changer.

You're not alone to prefer the S1 files over the S5II.

[Geoff C. Bassett]

I use the S5II and S5IIx for most of my work due to the significantly faster AF and video features.

Leica SL2 is more for landscape/travel/personal use. It's just more fun to shoot with.

I actually prefer the skin tone of the Panasonics out of camera, but overall image rendering I prefer the Leica.

[jaapv]

Just a question as a photographer : why buy an S5iiX over the S5ii if you are not a professional videographer?  The photographic part of the camera is the same and the extra video capabilities are only of interest for the highest level of work. And can be purchased as an upgrade should you ever need them. I put my money in a battery grip which really makes a handling difference with heavy lenses. 

[BernardC]

17 hours ago, jaapv said:

Just a question as a photographer : why buy an S5iiX over the S5ii if you are not a professional videographer?

The available upgrade doesn't add every X feature to the base S5ii, plus it costs more than the price difference between the two models (in my market). The X seems like the logical choice if you know you'll need higher bit rates.

[jaapv]

Quote

 

Just a question as a photographer : why buy an S5iiX over the S5ii if you are not a professional videographer?

Yes, of course, you are right,  but for a photographer with limited video ambitions it does not appear to be the optimal camera. The S5ii is no slouch in the video department either for low to mid level work. 

[Photoworks]

I think the blackout logo is worth the $200

One of my clients likes to grab stills from video, I bet they like the ProResRaw to SSD, for better corrections. 

[BernardC]

39 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Yes, of course, you are right,  but for a photographer with limited video ambitions it does not appear to be the optimal camera. The S5ii is no slouch in the video department either for low to mid level work. 

True, but that doesn't mean that the extra "X" features are just for professionals. The amateur market is much bigger, and there are a lot of people who create high quality content on their own dime. Just like there are a lot of amateurs who create gallery-quality prints.

If anything, a real professional will be better served by a dedicated video camera.

[jaapv]

37 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

I think the blackout logo is worth the $200

One of my clients likes to grab stills from video, I bet they like the ProResRaw to SSD, for better corrections. 

A Sharpie worked perfectly for me. 

[costa43]

I had a similar decision to make recently, s5ii or sl2s. I went for the sl2s in the end as I primarily use adapted vintage glass and thought it might perform a touch better with corner performance and evf experience but the s5ii is the stronger camera in most other respects and a great value. Once I’ve built up a collection of some native lenses for my wildlife project, I’ll likely pick one up. I want two l mount bodies at some point. 

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[Photoworks]

3 hours ago, costa43 said:

I had a similar decision to make recently, s5ii or sl2s. I went for the sl2s in the end as I primarily use adapted vintage glass and thought it might perform a touch better with corner performance and evf experience but the s5ii is the stronger camera in most other respects and a great value. Once I’ve built up a collection of some native lenses for my wildlife project, I’ll likely pick one up. I want two l mount bodies at some point. 

I agree with you, canon tilt-shift lenses and the 15mm zero-D are much better on the SL2 than the a7R4 and Panasonic. Whatever they did on the sensor lenses benefits adapted lenses like no other camera.