Panasonic GH6 vs S5: The Definitive Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals Alike

When Panasonic announced both the Lumix GH6 and Lumix S5, it stirred quite a bit of excitement in the photography community - and no wonder. These two pro mirrorless cameras, one MFT-based and the other full-frame, target enthusiasts and professionals eager for versatility, solid video specs, and excellent stills performance. But how do they truly compare in day-to-day use, especially across different photography disciplines? If you’re grappling with the choice between the GH6 and S5, this deep-dive comparison will not only arm you with detailed specs but also share insights based on hundreds of hours of hands-on experience.

Below, I unpack the key strengths and weaknesses of each, grounding the evaluation in technical data, real-world shooting scenarios, and what they each offer for various genres - from portraits and landscapes to the fast-paced action of sports.

Let’s get started diving under the hood, shall we?

Size and Handling: Portability Meets Ergonomics with a Twist

First impressions matter - and that first grip shapes your shooting comfort and agility. The GH6, being a Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera, boasts a compact footprint compared to the larger full-frame S5. At 139x100x100 mm and roughly 823g, the GH6 is visibly chunkier in depth but narrower in width than the S5, which measures 133x97x82 mm and weighs a lighter 714g.

While the S5's full-frame sensor accounts for its larger frontal dimensions, the GH6’s boxy body offers a reassuring hold - especially if you prefer a chunkier grip and physically larger buttons for sweaty-fingered adrenaline rushes in wildlife or sports shoots.

In real terms, the S5 feels more balanced with heavier lenses (thanks to its more substantial magnesium alloy chassis), but the GH6 wins points for travel-friendly versatility, especially when combined with the smaller, lighter MFT lenses. Take landscape photography from mountaintops or street photography in crowded alleys: lugging the S5 all day is noticeably more tiring.

In my testing, after a full day shooting wildlife, I preferred the GH6 for comfort; yet the S5 inspired more confidence for professional portrait sessions with long Leica L-mount glass.

Design and Controls: At-a-Glance Usability on Both Cameras

Beyond size, the control layout can make or break your workflow. Panasonic sticks with familiar SLR-style ergonomics for both cameras, but subtle differences affect efficiency.

From my time with both, the GH6’s top panel feels busier but well-spaced, featuring dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - a boon for intuitive manual mode operation. The S5 offers cleaner aesthetics but somewhat smaller dials. Its command wheel placement benefits shooters transitioning from Panasonic’s S-series or Sony cameras.

Both have fully articulated 3.0-inch touchscreens with 1840k-dot resolution that swivel for selfies or low-angle shooting - a boon for video creators and macro enthusiasts alike. More on screens later.

A minor note: the GH6’s exposure compensation dial offers tactile locking, a feature I often missed on the S5 when working quickly.

Sensor and Image Quality: MFT vs Full-Frame - The Eternal Debate

Arguably the most technologically divisive aspect - the sensor - makes all the difference.

The GH6 employs a 25MP Four Thirds sensor sized 17.3x13 mm with no optical low-pass filter, measuring 224.90 mm² sensor area. In contrast, the S5 sports a larger 24MP full-frame sensor (35.6x23.8 mm), boasting 847.28 mm² - roughly four times the size of the GH6 sensor.

How does that translate to image quality?

Resolution and Detail

Although the GH6’s 25MP count edges out the S5’s 24MP by a hair, the bigger sensor size of the S5 captures more light and renders finer details - especially critical in landscape, portraiture, and any pixel-peeping scenario. The S5 delivers cleaner highlight retains and deeper shadows due to superior dynamic range, making it the champion in high-contrast scenes.

That said, the GH6's sensor excels in capturing sharp detail considering its smaller size, and its resolution suffices for large prints or web sharing. For everyday shooting and even commercial assignments, its images hold up impressively well.

ISO and Low-Light Performance

Here, the S5’s full-frame advantage is clearer. With a max native ISO of 51200 (expandable to 204800), it pulls off stellar low-light results with significantly less noise than the GH6, which maxes at ISO 25600. In dimly lit venues or night sky photography, this difference is very noticeable.

The S5 is your friend in candlelit wedding receptions or astrophotography sessions; the GH6 can handle the same scenarios but often needs a tripod or supplemental lighting.

Color Depth and Tonal Gradation

Both cameras dispense 14-bit RAW files, giving post-processing pros plenty of data to adjust color and tone. The S5’s sensor architecture provides a slightly richer color depth, with smoother gradations in skin tones and subtle backgrounds.

For portrait shooters obsessed with skin rendition, the S5 offers a slight edge. Meanwhile, the GH6 captures pleasant, natural colors that flatter casual and professional portraits alike.

Autofocus: Who Tracks Better - The Speed Demon or The Steady Companion?

Accurate and fast autofocus is non-negotiable for many photographers, especially in wildlife, sports, and street photography.

The GH6 and S5 both use contrast-detection autofocus with advanced DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology but lack phase-detection pixels on their sensors, which may surprise those expecting phase-detect on modern cameras.

Autofocus Points and Coverage

The S5 musters 225 focus points, an improvement over previous Lumix bodies, across a wide area. The GH6’s exact number is unspecified but matches the quality and flexibility found in the newer GH lineage, including advanced face and eye detection.

Real-World AF Speed and Accuracy

In my hands-on comparison, the GH6’s autofocus held steady when tracking fast-moving animals or athletes, aided by Face and Animal Eye AF that works reliably even in complex scenes. Its 14 fps mechanical shutter continuous shooting bursts capture crowning moments without notable focus hunting.

The S5, however, occasionally faltered in low-contrast or very fast action, capped at 7 fps continuous, which might frustrate sports shooters needing to nail every millisecond. Its autofocus shines in still portrait and landscape setups with ample light due to more focus points and refined algorithms.

Both cameras include impressive touch-to-focus and tracking in live view, but the GH6’s video-focused autofocus makes it one of the best hybrid cameras for moving subjects.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing: Ready for Rough Adventures

Toughness counts when you’re out in nature or field assignments where fortune doesn’t smile gently.

Both cameras feature dust and splash-resistant magnesium alloy bodies, with environmental sealing that stands up well against moisture and elements.

The GH6 is slightly heavier and chunkier, reinforcing that rugged vibe; the S5, though lighter, still feels robust and dependable.

Neither claim full waterproofing, shockproofing, or freeze-proofing, so extreme adventurers should carefully consider protective accessories.

Display and Viewfinder: Previewing Your Masterpiece

The rear LCD and electronic viewfinder (EVF) are your windows into the photographic world.

Both models feature fully articulating 3.0-inch touchscreens at 1.84 million dots, bright and responsive for creative framing, vlogging, or macro work.

Where they diverge is in the EVF: the GH6 offers a higher resolution 3.68M-dot OLED viewfinder with 0.76x magnification, whereas the S5's EVF is 2.36M dots at 0.74x magnification.

This means the GH6’s EVF looks crisper and more detailed, providing better manual focus precision and clarity when composing tight or intricate shots, a strong selling point for video shooters and those who dislike pulling out the LCD in bright daylight.

Lens Ecosystem: An Arsenal Tailored to Your Sensor

Lens choice can make or break a system. Panasonic’s lens strategy for these two cameras couldn’t be more distinct.

GH6: Micro Four Thirds Ecosystem

With 118 lenses available for Micro Four Thirds mount, the GH6 offers an extensive, mature lens lineup - from affordable primes to weather-sealed pro-grade telephotos. The 2.1x crop factor means effective focal lengths double - a 12mm lens delivers a 24mm equivalent, and a 100mm lens becomes a 200mm shooter.

This makes GH6 an appealing choice for wildlife photographers needing reach without massive glass. For example, a lightweight MFT 100-400mm is simpler to carry in the field than equivalent full-frame telephotos.

However, the smaller sensor means lower shallow depth-of-field potential, affecting bokeh aesthetics.

S5: Leica L-Mount Full-Frame Ecosystem

The S5 employs the Leica L mount, which allows use of lenses from Panasonic's L line, Leica, and Sigma. This yields 31 native full-frame lenses ranging from ultra-wide to professional zooms.

Though smaller than the MFT lineup, the quality and optical characteristics are truly top-tier. Portrait photographers benefit from luscious bokeh from fast primes, while landscape photographers get razor-sharp wide-angle options.

While the initial lens investment is costlier, the optical performance and creative latitude favor serious photo professionals and enthusiasts wanting the closest thing to film-like depth and character.

Burst Speed and Shutter: Catching the Decisive Moment

In action photography, milliseconds count.

The GH6 pulls off faster mechanical shutter bursts at 14 fps (electronic silent shutter up to 30 fps), while the S5 top out at 7 fps mechanical (and also 30 fps electronic). This gives GH6 wildlife and sports shooters a clear advantage in capturing fleeting expressions or a flutter of wings.

Moreover, the GH6’s electronic shutter clocks a mind-boggling 1/32000s - great for shooting wide-open in bright light, taming motion blur in fast action.

S5’s electronic shutter caps at 1/8000s, respectable but less extreme.

Video Capabilities: Cinema-Grade Power or Solid Versatility?

Both demand respect for hybrid shooters, but the GH6 leans into video dominance.

• GH6 crisply records up to 5.7K (5760x2880) at 60p and 4K at 120p, using efficient codecs (H.264 and H.265).
• The S5 maxes out at 4K 60p in 200 Mbps MP4 files.

The GH6 supports advanced video features like 10-bit 4:2:2 internally, high frame rate recording, and pro-level video assist tools.

Both cameras feature 5-axis in-body image stabilization with sensor-shift tech, though the GH6’s is slightly more refined and effective for handheld video.

Audio-wise, both have mic and headphone jacks, vital for monitoring. Only the S5 supports USB charging on the fly, a bonus for long shoots.

Video pros and vloggers will find the GH6’s capabilities difficult to beat on a budget but the S5 remains an excellent all-rounder.

Battery Life and Storage: Staying Powered and Saving Shots

Battery performance depends on your shooting style but it’s a practical concern.

• The GH6 uses DMW-BLK22 battery packs rated for about 360 shots per charge.
• The S5 boasts a longer 440-shot battery life and supports USB charging, handy in the field.

Dual card slots shine on both, but the GH6 ups the ante with a faster CFexpress Type B card slot alongside UHS-II SD support, suited for heavy 6K/5.7K video workflows. The S5 sticks with dual UHS-II SD slots.

Connectivity and Workflow Integration: Plug and Play?

Both cameras provide Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and file transfer but curiously lack NFC or GPS - inconvenient for geotagging enthusiasts.

The GH6 offers USB 3.2 Gen 1 (10 Gbps), faster than the S5’s USB standard, speeding tethered shooting and file downloads.

Both house full HDMI ports, supporting video output and external recorders, crucial for pro video pipelines.

Price and Value: Investment for Today and Tomorrow

When I bought my GH6, the price hovered near $2200 body-only, while the S5 was around $2000. Not a vast difference, but enough to nudge some budgets. Factor lens needs: MFT glass is cheaper and more abundant; L-mount lenses demand more commitment.

Real-World Performance Across Photography Disciplines

Photography isn’t one-size-fits-all, so where do these cameras shine or falter by genre?

Portrait Photography

The S5 produces skin tones with exquisite nuance and creamy bokeh courtesy of its full-frame sensor and quality lenses - a clear choice for studio or natural light portraits demanding subtle expression capture.

The GH6 renders pleasant tones but due to smaller sensor and tighter depth of field, backgrounds tend to be more in focus, resulting in less dreamy separation. Its Animal Eye AF is a standout for pet or child photography.

Landscape Photography

High resolution, dynamic range, and weather sealing are priorities here.

The S5’s full-frame sensor unlocks better dynamic range to capture shadow detail in dawn or dusk scenes. Combined with sharp Leica L lenses, landscapes pop with clarity.

GH6 offers portability and speedy focusing, with weather sealing ideal for rugged terrain. The smaller sensor limits ultimate resolution but produces excellent detail.

Wildlife Photography

GH6’s 2.1x crop multiplier extends effective focal length, giving reach advantage with lighter lenses. Faster burst rates and robust AF tracking make it the better choice for birding or fast beasts.

S5’s autofocus is good but slower burst and expensive, bulky telephotos make it less practical in field.

Sports Photography

14 fps mechanical up against 7 fps on the S5 is a game changer for action shots. GH6 handles jump shots, fast-moving players with aplomb; the S5 suits slower subjects or portrait-like coverage.

Street Photography

Portability and stealth count.

S5's lighter weight slightly edges GH6 for urban wandering, especially with compact primes. Both are quiet but GH6's larger lens footprint might attract curious glances.

Macro Photography

Both cameras benefit from articulating touchscreens and focus peaking.

GH6's combination with dedicated MFT macro lenses offers superb focusing precision and handheld shooting ease. S5’s larger sensor adds resolution and tonal subtlety.

Night and Astro Photography

S5’s lower noise at high ISO shines in star fields; longer exposures reveal richer colors and less grain. GH6 can manage but generally needs longer exposures and more care.

Video

GH6 wins hands down on frame rates, resolution, and codecs - solidifying its pro video appeal.

S5 covers sufficient ground for most videographers but lacks some cutting-edge video specs.

Travel Photography

Portability and battery life are paramount.

The S5’s lighter frame and longer battery make it attractive for travel, although GH6’s lens versatility and ruggedness counterbalance for those pushing limits.

Professional Work

Both are rugged and reliable; GH6 more video-centric, S5 more stills-centric with superb image quality and lens choices.

Final Scores and Genre Analysis

Here’s a snapshot of their overall and genre-specific strengths:

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the GH6 if:
  You’re a hybrid shooter with heavy video needs, a wildlife or action photographer requiring swift burst and extended telephoto reach, or value MFT’s smaller lenses for portability.

• Choose the S5 if:
  You prioritize ultimate image quality, work predominantly in stills - especially portraits and landscapes - or desire full-frame’s low-light prowess and richer bokeh.

Closing Thoughts: Two Cameras, Two Paths

My extensive time with both Panasonic Lumix flagships reinforces the truth that the "best" camera depends on your creative priorities rather than specs alone.

The GH6 is a powerhouse for video, action, and portability. The S5 seduces with full-frame artistry and a solid balance of photo and video features.

Either way, you’re getting proven, professional-grade gear with solid support and dauntingly capable features.

Happy shooting!

Appendices: Technical Specifications and More Sample Shots

(Include technical tables, sample galleries, and links where permissible.)

Thank you for reading this comparative exploration. I hope it helps you find your perfect photographic companion. If you have questions or want specific test results, feel free to reach out!