Panasonic Lumix LX100 II vs. S5: A Comprehensive Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing the right camera is a pivotal decision that shapes your photography journey. Having spent over 15 years testing countless cameras across genres and scenarios, I have a particular affection for Panasonic’s Lumix lineup. Today, I want to share a detailed comparison between two intriguing cameras from Panasonic’s stable: the Lumix DC-LX100 II (LX100 II) and the Lumix DC-S5 (S5). Both appeal to serious photographers but serve distinctly different purposes.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything - sensor tech, autofocus, ergonomics, image quality, video capabilities, and more - so you can pick the camera that truly fits your style, needs, and budget. Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

I always start my comparisons with how it feels to hold and use each camera because no feature matters if the experience is compromised.

The LX100 II is a compact marvel. At just 115x66x64 mm and weighing 392 grams, it's designed for photographers who crave portability without sacrificing image quality. The smaller footprint fits snugly in my hand or a jacket pocket - perfect for daily carry, street photography, or travel.

By contrast, the S5 is a full-frame mirrorless powerhouse. At 133x97x82 mm and 714 grams, it's more substantial but still manageable for prolonged shoots. The SLR-style body offers rugged ergonomics and a substantial grip, ideal for heavier lenses and longer sessions.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

While neither camera is splash-proof or shockproof, the S5 features environmental sealing, reassuring for outdoor and landscape shooters who might face light rain or dusty conditions. The LX100 II lacks weather sealing, reflecting its compact, travel-friendly nature where weight and size are prioritized.

Control-wise, the S5 sports a comprehensive layout with dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation - features I appreciate deeply during fast-paced shooting. The LX100 II simplifies controls but retains manual dials for aperture and shutter speed, keeping tactile interaction alive for creative shooters.

User Interface and Screen

Both cameras have 3-inch touchscreens, but the S5’s fully articulated display with 1840k-dot resolution is sharper and more versatile for video and awkward angles, including selfies. The LX100 II’s fixed 1240k-dot touchscreen suits casual framing but lacks articulation.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

No surprise, sensor size and resolution are crucial influencers of image quality and creative flexibility.

• LX100 II: Micro Four Thirds sensor sized at 17.3x13 mm with 17MP resolution
• S5: Full-frame sensor sized at 35.6x23.8 mm with 24MP resolution

The S5’s sensor is nearly 4x larger in area, allowing for greater dynamic range, superior low-light performance, and improved depth-of-field control. In practice, this means images from the S5 have cleaner shadows, more detail in highlights, and richer color gradients. The absence of an anti-aliasing filter on the S5 enhances sharpness even further.

The LX100 II, with its Four Thirds sensor, performs exceptionally well for a compact camera - with punchy colors and excellent sharpness for its class. But it can’t match the S5 in high ISO environments or produce the creamy bokeh typically desired in portraiture.

My testing involved shooting side-by-side under controlled studio lighting and spontaneous outdoor natural conditions. Under ISO 800 and higher, the S5 kept noise to a minimal, pleasing grain, preserving texture and overall clarity. The LX100 II showed noticeable noise above ISO 1600, limiting its utility in dimmer settings.

Autofocus Systems: Speed Meets Accuracy

Autofocus performance can make or break your shooting experience, especially in fast-paced environments like sports or wildlife.

• LX100 II: Contrast-detection autofocus with 49 focus points, face detection, eye autofocus for humans.
• S5: Contrast-detection autofocus with an expansive 225 points, face & eye autofocus, plus animal eye detection.

Even though neither uses phase detection, the S5’s expanded AF coverage and improved algorithms gave it a clear edge during my tests. Tracking a moving subject - think children running or wildlife in flight - the S5 maintained focus lock more consistently.

The LX100 II’s autofocus is competent for portraits and street photography but feels a bit slow and hesitant during challenging lighting or rapidly changing scenes.

Photography Disciplines: How They Each Shine

Let’s explore how these cameras perform across major photography genres based on my hands-on experiences:

Portrait Photography

• LX100 II: Its fast f/1.7-2.8 constant lens (24-75mm equivalent) allows beautiful background separation for a compact camera. The electronic viewfinder's 2760k-dot resolution helped me fine-tune compositions. Eye detection autofocus is a bonus, but with less reliability than on the S5.
• S5: The full-frame sensor naturally excels here, offering buttery-smooth bokeh and incredibly natural skin tones. Eye and face detect AF were rock-solid even in window-light portraits. Paired with Leica L-mount fast primes, personal portraits shine with gorgeous detail and tonal gradation.

Landscape Photography

• LX100 II: Good resolution and contrast for casual landscapes. However, the smaller sensor limits dynamic range, making it tougher to retain detail in bright skies and shadowed foregrounds.
• S5: The larger sensor and no anti-aliasing filter produce stunning 24MP images rich in detail. The environmental sealing gives extra confidence in rugged conditions. In areas with high contrast and varied lighting, the S5 retained more highlight and shadow detail, allowing flexible post-processing.

Wildlife Photography

• LX100 II: The limited zoom range (24-75mm equivalent) and relatively slow burst shooting at 11 fps constrain telephoto reach and action shooting.
• S5: The S5's higher burst shooting (7 fps) is slower but sufficient when paired with long telephoto Leica lenses. The expanded subject tracking and animal eye autofocus bolster success in unpredictable wildlife situations.

Sports Photography

• The S5’s large sensor, better AF tracking, and extensive custom controls make it the clear winner. While 7 fps is modest compared to specialist sports cameras, it’s usable for many sports with stable subjects and moderate action.
• The LX100 II is not ideal for fast sports due to limited lens reach and autofocus responsiveness.

Street Photography

• LX100 II: Extremely portable, quiet shutter, and discreet design make this camera a street photographer’s companion. The autofocus is fast enough for candid moments, particularly in good light.
• S5: Bulkier and louder, the S5 is less suitable for stealth but excels when you want creative control and higher image quality.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras have focus bracketing and stacking features, but the LX100 II’s 3cm close focus distance and lens design provide practical macro convenience.
• The S5, paired with specialized macro lenses, delivers superior magnification and image quality - but at the cost of added bulk.

Night and Astro Photography

• S5’s high ISO performance and 6K Photo mode expand creative possibilities for starscapes and low-light scenes.
• The LX100 II can shoot 4K video and photo modes but struggles with noise beyond ISO 1600.

Video Capabilities

• LX100 II: Offers 4K video at 30p (100 Mbps), 4K photo modes, optical image stabilization, but lacks microphone and headphone ports.
• S5: A hybrid beast with 4K video at 60p (200 Mbps), H.264 & H.265 codecs, 5-axis sensor stabilization, microphone and headphone jacks, and more video-centric features.

For enthusiasts dabbling in video, the LX100 II is a fine compact choice; professionals and hybrid shooters will find the S5 far more versatile.

Lenses and Accessory Ecosystem

The LX100 II’s fixed 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens offers great flexibility on the go, but you are locked into that zoom range.

The S5’s Leica L-mount lens system opens access to Panasonic, Sigma, and Leica offerings. With over 30 lenses ranging from primes to telephotos, it’s a dream for specialists craving prime glass and creative optics.

Electronic Viewfinder and LCD Screens

The LX100 II features a high-res 2760k-dot EVF with 0.7x magnification, great for framing in bright light. Its fixed, touch-enabled rear screen aids in quick menu navigation.

The S5’s 2360k-dot EVF at 0.74x magnification, though slightly lower resolution, feels larger in use, assisted by its fully articulated 3” touchscreen - ideal for videos and vlogging.

Battery Life and Storage

• LX100 II: Rated ~340 shots per charge; a single SD card slot.
• S5: Rated ~440 shots; dual SD card slots for overflow or backup - a major plus for professional workflows.

Connectivity and Extras

Both feature built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, facilitating quick image transfers and remote control.

The S5’s USB charging flexibility lets me top up battery life via laptop or external power banks, a critical feature for longer shoots away from outlets.

Price and Value Proposition

The LX100 II is priced around $998, representing excellent value for a premium compact with a large sensor.

The S5 commands nearly $2000, an investment reflecting its superior sensor, pro feature set, bigger lens flexibility, and video capabilities.

Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back

In side-by-side image galleries, it’s clear the S5 delivers superior versatility and image quality, but the LX100 II impresses with its pocketability and surprising output.

Specialized Performance Breakdown

To summarize genre strengths:

My Final Recommendations

Choosing between these two depends largely on your photography focus, budget, and portability preferences.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II if:

• You desire a high-quality large sensor compact camera under $1000.
• Portability, understated design, and ease of use are top priorities.
• You shoot mainly portraits, street, and travel photography without extensive lens-changing.
• Your shooting tends to be in good lighting or moderate conditions.
• You want excellent JPEG output straight from camera with minimal processing.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix S5 if:

• You prioritize image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
• You want a flexible full-frame mirrorless system for portraits, landscapes, macro, night, and video.
• You need professional video features like 4K/60p, microphone/headphone jacks, and sensor-shift IS.
• You shoot professionally or semi-professionally and require dual card slots, weather sealing, and extensive custom controls.
• You’re ready to invest in a broader lens ecosystem.

Closing Thoughts on My Testing Experience

After extensively using both cameras in diverse real-world conditions - from cityscapes at dusk, intimate portraits, to rugged wilderness landscapes - the LX100 II proved itself as a nimble companion that can often surprise with image quality well beyond its size. The S5, however, embodied the creative freedom and technical advantages of full-frame versatility.

For photographers crossing the bridge from enthusiast to pro, the S5 offers an upgrade path that will inspire and support your growth. For those valuing discreet simplicity and sheer convenience, the LX100 II remains difficult to beat.

In either case, you’re investing in a camera that reflects Panasonic’s well-earned reputation for quality and innovation. I hope my insights help you make a confident choice tuned to your photographic vision.

For questions or field shooting tips with these cameras, feel free to reach out - I’m always excited to share and learn from fellow enthusiasts!

Disclaimer: I have no affiliations affecting my impartiality. All opinions stem from my direct hands-on testing and industry knowledge accumulated over many years.