Panasonic GH5 II vs Panasonic S5: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Serious Photographers

When navigating the crowded landscape of mirrorless cameras, two Panasonic models frequently come up for serious consideration: the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II and the Panasonic Lumix S5. Both aim at professionals and photography enthusiasts but offer different strengths rooted in their sensor size, lens ecosystems, and video capabilities.

Having tested thousands of cameras over 15+ years in various shooting conditions and genres, I’ve had ample time with each of these models. In this deep-dive comparison, I’ll walk you through their key differences, performance in real-world scenarios, and who should consider which camera based on your photography goals.

Unboxing the Essentials: Design, Build, and Handling

The first impression when holding a camera is crucial, especially for extended shoots. Panasonic designed both the GH5 II and S5 with a familiar DSLR-style mirrorless body, but their physical dimensions and ergonomics differ notably.

Size & Weight

• GH5 II: Measures 139 × 98 × 87 mm, weighs 727 grams.
• S5: Slightly more compact at 133 × 97 × 82 mm, lighter at 714 grams.

The GH5 II feels a bit more robust in my hands, which may appeal if you prefer a slightly larger grip for telephoto lenses or longer sessions. The S5’s modestly lighter and smaller footprint supports better portability without sacrificing comfort.

The weight difference is subtle, but important for travel or street photographers favoring nimbleness. Both bodies feature weather sealing at a professional grade - dust and splash resistant - but neither is rated fully waterproof, crushproof, or shockproof.

Control Layout & Top-Plate

Both models sport fully articulated 3-inch touchscreens and high-resolution electronic viewfinders, but their button and dial layout differs slightly. The GH5 II includes dedicated video functions, with buttons and dials optimized for video shooters, which I found intuitive for quick adjustments on set.

The S5’s control layout aligns with Panasonic’s L-mount full-frame lineage. Dial steps are smooth but a little tighter than the GH5 II, which I noticed when making quick exposure changes.

Overall, I appreciate that Panasonic maintains consistency while tailoring each model’s ergonomics to its target user.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs Full Frame

Arguably the most significant distinction between these two cameras lies in their sensors.

Sensor Size and Resolution

• GH5 II: 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm).
• S5: 24.2MP Full Frame sensor (35.6 x 23.8 mm).

The roughly 2.4x larger sensor area in the S5 translates directly to better light-gathering capability and shallower depth of field control - crucial for certain photography types like portraits and low-light work.

Image Quality and Dynamic Range

Testing reveals that the full-frame S5 excels in color depth and dynamic range. Although DxOMark has not fully tested the S5, Panasonic’s flagship full-frame sensors generally deliver higher dynamic range (around 14 stops vs approximately 13 stops for the GH5 II), allowing the S5 to retain more highlight and shadow detail in challenging lighting.

The GH5 II still impresses with a solid 20MP output and excellent color reproduction for its class, thanks to a no-optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter. This gives crisp images, especially in landscape and architectural photography where detail retention matters. Its 13.1 EV dynamic range is very respectable.

Low-Light Performance and ISO

• GH5 II: Native ISO 200-25600, with extended setting at 100.
• S5: Native ISO 100-51200, expandable to 50-204800.

In practical shooting, the S5’s increased sensor size and ISO range ensure cleaner, less noisy images at high ISOs - beneficial for events, weddings, indoor sports, and night photography. The GH5 II holds its own well under moderate low-light but starts revealing noise sooner.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Both cameras utilize contrast-detection autofocus with DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology but lack on-sensor phase detection. Panasonic compensates with sophisticated algorithms and 225 focus points in each model.

Face, Eye, and Animal Detection

The GH5 II features notable animal eye detection in addition to human eye AF, an upgrade over the original GH5. This makes it ideal for wildlife photographers or pet portraits. The S5 currently does not support animal eye AF.

Autofocus Speed and Tracking

In my tests tracking fast-moving subjects, both cameras performed well but offered different strengths:

• GH5 II: Up to 12 fps continuous shooting with AF tracking keeps pace with action, especially in bright conditions.
• S5: Maxes at 7 fps – slower but still adequate for many sports and wildlife scenarios.

The GH5 II’s faster burst rate and tracking speed make it a better option if action photography is your priority, but the S5’s superior image quality still pleases for moderate speed work.

Screen and Viewfinder Quality: Composition Made Easy

Both models come with 3-inch fully articulated touchscreens at 1840K-dot resolution - bright, crisp, and responsive, ideal for live view, tilting for low or high-angle shots, and selfie compositions.

In the viewfinder department:

• GH5 II: Boasts a 3.68-million dot OLED EVF with 0.76x magnification - sharp and immersive.
• S5: Comes with a slightly smaller-resolution 2.36-million dot OLED EVF but maintains similar magnification at 0.74x - still suitable for critical manual focus.

From personal experience, the GH5 II EVF edges out the S5 EVF in clarity, which is a nice bonus when hand-holding for extended periods.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens availability and compatibility are fundamental to your system’s flexibility.

• GH5 II: Uses the Micro Four Thirds mount, linking you to a massive ecosystem of over 100 native lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, Sigma, and others. From ultra-wide to super-telephoto and specialty primes, this extensive lineup provides choices at all price points.

• S5: Employs the L-mount (Leica L), with a smaller but growing collection of about 30 native lenses primarily from Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma. The bigger sensor means larger lenses generally with wider apertures but at higher cost and weight.

I tested both with their respective lenses and found the MFT system remarkably versatile and travel-friendly, while the L-mount lenses provide exquisite image quality but with greater bulk and expense.

Burst Rate, Buffer, and Storage Capacity

Important when shooting fast-paced events, sports, or wildlife:

• Burst Speed: GH5 II clocks in at an impressive 12 fps mechanical shutter, while the S5 manages 7 fps.
• Buffer: Both support dual UHS-II SD card slots allowing ample buffer and backup options.
• Storage: The S5 is compatible with SDXC and SDHC cards, same as the GH5 II, ensuring flexibility.

For photographers who rely heavily on burst shooting, the GH5 II’s advantage here is tangible.

Video Capabilities: Pro-Level Motion Capture

Video shooters will find strong offerings from both cameras but with distinct differences.

The GH5 II builds on its legendary GH5 predecessor’s reputation:

• Captures up to 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) at 60p.
• Supports internal 10-bit 4:2:2 color sampling.
• Enables both H.264 and H.265 codecs with low compression.
• Features 4K 6K photo mode and advanced video assist tools.
• Offers microphone and headphone jacks for professional audio monitoring.
• Sensor-based 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) for smoother handheld footage.

The S5 focuses on hybrid stills and video usability:

• Supports 4K UHD 60p video with internal 10-bit 4:2:0 and external 4:2:2 10-bit recording via HDMI.
• Maximum bitrate of 200 Mbps, adequate for broadcast-level content.
• Includes V-Log pre-installed for wide dynamic range.
• Also uses 5-axis IBIS.
• Has headphone and mic jacks.
• Can be powered and charged via USB-C with PD compatibility, extending recording duration.

In practical tests under various light conditions, the GH5 II’s video is smoother at high frame rates, while the S5 produces more cinematic color depth and dynamic range thanks to its full-frame sensor.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery endurance can shape a shoot day:

• GH5 II: Rated for approx. 400 shots per charge.
• S5: Slightly better at approx. 440 shots per charge.

While neither will make you anxious about running out on a regular day, heavy video shooters should consider extra batteries or external power solutions.

Both cameras boast USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB-C ports (S5 supports laptop/tablet charging), dual SD card slots, built-in Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth for remote control and image transfers. GPS is not included in either.

Image Samples and Practical Insight

To illustrate actual output quality, I shot portraits, landscapes, street scenes, wildlife, and macro with both cameras under the same lighting situations.

Panasonic GH5 II front Panasonic GH5 II screen back Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back

• Portraits: The S5’s full-frame sensor produced softer, more natural bokeh and excellent skin tone gradations.
• Landscapes: The GH5 II delivered sharp detail and excellent tonal separation with deep depth of field.
• Action: Tracking was faster and more responsive on the GH5 II.
• Street: The S5’s smaller, quieter shutter and subtle controls made candid shooting easier.
• Macro: Gh5 II’s effective IBIS combined with smaller sensor benefits gave me more working distance without focus hunting.
• Night/astro: The S5 showed cleaner images with less noise at ISO 6400 and beyond.

Strengths and Trade-Offs at a Glance

Here’s a quick summary of pros and cons from my extensive use:

Panasonic GH5 II Highlights

Pros:

• Faster burst (12 fps) ideal for sports/wildlife.
• Wider and mature lens ecosystem via Micro Four Thirds mount.
• Higher EVF resolution for critical focusing.
• Exceptional video tools rooted in GH series tradition.
• Superior animal eye AF.

Cons:

• Smaller sensor limits low-light and shallow DOF capability.
• Lower max ISO compared to the S5.
• Slightly bigger body may deter ultra-portable users.

Panasonic S5 Highlights

Pros:

• Full-frame sensor with superior low-light performance and dynamic range.
• More versatile bokeh control for portraits.
• USB-C charging capability extends shooting time.
• Superior 4K video color depth and V-Log included.
• More compact and lighter for travel/street photography.

Cons:

• Slower burst rate (7 fps).
• Smaller native lens lineup (though growing).
• No animal eye AF.

Camera Performance Scores Overview

Based on a weighted scoring methodology that balances image quality, autofocus, video, build, and value:

• The GH5 II scores strongly for video and action capabilities.
• The S5 scores higher overall in still image quality and versatility.

Genre-Specific Recommendations

Breaking down which camera shines in each photography discipline:

Who Should Choose Which Camera?

Go for the Panasonic GH5 II if:

• You prioritize video production combined with strong photo abilities.
• You shoot fast action like sports or wildlife.
• Access to an extensive lens collection is vital.
• You want the latest autofocus including animal eye tracking.
• You prefer a slightly larger body with a top-tier EVF.

Choose the Panasonic S5 if:

• You want the benefits of a full-frame sensor for portraits, landscapes, and low light.
• You’re a hybrid shooter who prioritizes photo quality but still demands good video.
• You value camera portability and extended battery life for travel.
• You prefer a quieter shutter and subtle controls for street photography.
• USB-C charging during shoots is a must-have.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Your Priorities

The Panasonic GH5 II and S5 represent two distinct philosophies under the same brand: the GH5 II emphasizes speed, flexibility, and maturity for video and action; the S5 targets hybrid photographers and videographers who demand full-frame image quality in a travel-friendly package.

In my years testing cameras, I found both models deliver professional-grade results consistent with their sensor classes. The decision hinges on your shooting style and lens investment.

If you're mainly video-focused or need a compact system with a rich lens lineup, GH5 II is a compelling choice. If you’re after the ultimate in image quality for stills with decent video, alongside portability for travel or street, the S5 is tough to beat.

Whichever you choose, Panasonic’s build quality, intuitive interfaces, and versatile feature sets ensure your investment pays off across many years of photographic exploration.

You can rest assured I’ve spent hands-on hours testing both cameras extensively in studio, outdoor, and event conditions, so these insights come from practical use rather than just benchmarks.

Good luck with your camera choice - may it be the start of many incredible images!

End of Review