Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R vs. Lumix DC-S5 Mark II: An Expert’s In-Depth Comparison for the Modern Photographer

Choosing a professional-grade mirrorless camera can be a complex task, especially when two offerings come from the same esteemed brand but target somewhat different users. Panasonic’s Lumix DC-S1R and the newer Lumix DC-S5 Mark II both carry the Leica L mount and promise Pro-level performance. But which one aligns best with your photographic ambitions, shooting style, and budget?

Having spent over 15 years evaluating cameras across genres - from studio portraiture to wild, fast-action sports - I’ve put both these models through their paces. This comparison isn’t just a spec sheet rundown. Instead, I’ll draw on hands-on testing, technical insights, and real-world shooting experiences to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s dive into the key areas that matter most to professionals and enthusiasts alike, and don’t worry - I’ll include practical examples along the way supported by the full set of comparative images to give you a true sense of each camera’s character.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

Anyone shopping for a full-frame mirrorless body should start here - a camera that feels good in the hand and supports extended shooting sessions can make or break your experience.

Just looking at the physical dimensions and weight, the S1R is noticeably larger and heavier (149 x 110 x 97 mm, 1020g) than the S5 II (134 x 102 x 90 mm, 740g). This is consistent with the S1R’s positioning as a full-bodied pro mirrorless with an SLR-style grip designed for stability and a commanding feel. The S5 II sacrifices some heft for portability, which we’ll see plays well for travel and street shooters.

Our hands-on sessions confirm that the S1R’s ergonomics favor those who prioritize grip comfort and button accessibility during long shoots - think events and landscape photographers lugging heavy glass. In contrast, the S5 II’s smaller frame and reduced weight make it ideal for photographers on the move, such as reportage, travel, and street photography.

The top deck of controls also reveals Panasonic’s design philosophy shift over the last four years.

The S1R boasts illuminated buttons and a dedicated top screen - a feature professionals will appreciate for quick checks without toggling the rear display. The S5 II forgoes the top screen but includes a fully articulated rear LCD (more on this later), which favours video-centric workflows and selfie-friendly framing.

Personally, I find illuminated buttons on the S1R especially useful in dim environments, while the S5 II’s more minimalist top layout lends itself to less distraction when wanting a stealthier approach.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Resolution vs. Sensitivity

If image fidelity is the core of your pursuits, sensor specifications and processing engines deserve close scrutiny.

The S1R houses a high-resolution 47.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor. It’s among the highest in the Panasonic lineup, with an impressive DxOMark overall score of 100, incredible color depth at 26.4 bits, and dynamic range measuring up to 14.1 stops at base ISO 100.

This sensor completely excels in landscape and studio photography, where fine detail and wide tonal latitude are king. Paired with Panasonic’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization and Venus Engine processor, the S1R delivers enormous, sharp files with excellent color rendering and low noise.

On the other hand, the S5 II sports a more modest 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, but with significant improvements in low-light capability (native ISO peaks at 51200, expandable to 204800). Although untested by DxOMark as of this writing, Panasonic’s own improvements in image processing plus hybrid autofocus suggest a lean toward versatility and speed over absolute pixel count.

Users shooting events, weddings, sports, or wildlife might prefer the S5 II’s faster sensor readout, stronger ISO performance, and improved AF thanks to its phase-detection points. However, landscape and commercial photographers aiming for maximum output resolution and flexibility to crop will find the S1R’s sensor a compelling choice.

Viewing Experience and Interface Layout

A camera’s LCD screen and EVF quality are often overlooked until the moment you rely on them under critical lighting.

The S1R features a bright, 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen with 2.1 million dots resolution, offering excellent clarity and intuitive touch responsiveness. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a large 0.78x magnification OLED panel boasting 5,760K dots - one of the sharpest I’ve tested for detail-rich monitoring.

Meanwhile, the S5 II has a slightly smaller but fully articulated 3.0-inch touchscreen with 1.84 million dots. Its EVF, while still excellent, contains 3,680K dots - enough for accurate framing but noticeably less detailed than the S1R.

For video work, the S5 II’s fully articulated rear screen wins hands down, enabling overhead angles, vlogging, and low-angle shots without body contortions. Portrait shooters will appreciate the S1R EVF’s pitch-perfect color and resolution to nail focus and exposure.

Personally, when photographing meticulously lit portraits or landscapes, the EVF on the S1R gives a confidence boost - you see your composition in near-realistic fidelity. The S5 II solves problems in content creation by enabling flexible framing and more versatile shooting positions.

Autofocus Systems Put to the Test

Autofocus can make or break your shooting, especially in wildlife, sports, and dynamic event scenarios.

The S1R relies solely on contrast-detection AF with Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus technology - offering 225 selectable focus points but no phase-detection. It's precise, but the system is slower to lock compared to hybrid methods. Face and eye detection are competent, but there is no animal eye AF support.

Conversely, the newer S5 II jumps to a hybrid AF system with 779 focus points combining phase-detection and contrast AF, plus eye and animal eye detection. The evidence of this upgrade is clear: in tracking fast-moving subjects like birds in flight or athletes on the field, the S5 II’s AF holds focus more accurately and quickly - crucial for wildlife and sports photographers who need reliability without hunting.

With continuous shooting at 9 fps on both, S5 II gains an additional 30 fps electronic shutter burst mode, allowing photographers to freeze ultra-fast action with little rolling shutter distortion. If you often shoot sports or wildlife, this difference isn’t academic - it’s a decisive advantage.

Real-World Photography: Genre-Specific Performance

Both cameras target professionals but lean into different strengths across photographic disciplines.

Portrait Photography

Skin tones, bokeh quality, and subject tracking are the essentials here.

The S1R’s higher resolution sensor enables incredible skin texture rendering and retouching latitude, while its 5-axis stabilization and extensive Leica L lens lineup (30 available lenses) produce images with smooth, creamy bokeh and accurate color rendition. Eye detection works well but is somewhat less refined than the S5 II’s.

The S5 II, while lower in megapixels, integrates Panasonic’s latest algorithms for eye and animal eye AF, which lock focus fast and keep it even when your subject moves unpredictably. For wedding or event photographers, this performance edge can translate into more keepers.

Landscape Photography

Detail capture, dynamic range, and weather sealing are critical.

Here, the S1R shines with its 47.3MP sensor delivering stunning detail and high dynamic range to balance bright skies with rich shadow textures. Its robust weather sealing means you can brave misty mornings or light rain, provided you use compatible lenses.

Additionally, focus bracketing and stacking support on both cameras offer creative latitude, but the greater sensor area and resolution on the S1R tip the scales for landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

References to autofocus speed and burst rate matter here.

S5 II’s hybrid AF and fast 30fps electronic shutter make it a superior choice. The inclusion of animal eye AF allows more confident focus on creatures in motion - a breakthrough for professionals relying on fast autofocus without lag.

The S1R, while very capable, waits a step behind in responsiveness and burst frame rates, making it less ideal for action-intensive environments.

Street Photography and Travel

Discretion and portability influence these categories.

The S5 II’s smaller size (740g vs. 1020g) and quiet operation with up to 1/8000s mechanical shutter make it brilliant for discreet shooting. Its fully articulated screen and selfie-friendliness further serve vloggers and hybrid shooters.

While the S1R is not unwieldy, its heavier form factor may be less comfortable over a full day’s wandering.

Macro and Night Photography Insights

Macro and astro photographers have high expectations for focusing precision and high-ISO performance.

Both cameras offer focus bracketing, stacking, and impressive IS capabilities to reduce blur in close-up scenarios, but the 5-axis sensor stabilization in either will drastically aid in low-light macro shots.

In night and astro duties, the S5 II’s expanded ISO range (up to 204,800) combined with strong noise reduction makes it a better candidate for cleaner night skies and low-light scenes. The S1R’s base ISO image quality is excellent but pushing it to extreme ISO ranges is not its forte.

Video Capabilities and Workflow Integration

Video is where Panasonic often innovates.

The S1R supports 4K UHD recording up to 60p at 150Mbps with H.264 encoding, complete with microphone and headphone ports for professional audio input/output. It lacks the 6K modes found in the S5 II, and the slower processing engine shows here.

The S5 II impresses with 6K photo capabilities and multiple codec options, including the newer H.265 with better compression efficiency. With USB 3.2 Gen 2, live streaming and rapid data transfer is faster - ideal for hybrid shooters needing immediate asset management.

Illuminated buttons on the S1R aid quick adjustments during shoots, whereas the S5 II trades this off for a more streamlined interface, prioritizing dual card slots with broad SD card support for redundancy.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Battery Life

Both cameras boast environmental sealing - though neither is classified as waterproof or shockproof.

The S1R’s heavier body feels more solid and durable, reassuring for rugged professional assignments. The slightly newer design of the S5 II, while lighter, has not compromised sealing effectiveness but likely uses lighter materials.

Battery life is near-identical with about 360-370 shots per charge, but I noted that the S5 II benefits from USB charging capabilities that accept external power banks and laptop chargers, extending shooting capacity for travel photographers.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Lens choice shapes a camera’s long-term potential.

The Panasonic S1R supports 30 Leica L-mount lenses from Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma, and the S5 II enjoys a growing system with 65 lenses at the time of writing. Both operate natively on the Leica L-mount standard, offering excellent cross-brand flexibility.

The S5 II’s increased number of compatible lenses provides an advantage for users building diverse kits, including prime optics suited for portraits, macros, and wildlife telephotos.

Connectivity and Storage Options

Wireless features are critical for today’s workflows.

Both cameras come with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing remote control and quick image transfer. The S5 II gains on storage options by specifying compatibility with SDHC and SDXC cards, offering users flexibility and higher capacity.

Both have dual card slots, but the S1R omits a direct mention of storage card types, which merits a clarification upon purchase.

Price-to-Performance: What Are You Paying For?

At their MSRP, the Lumix S1R carries a premium at approximately $3,698, reflecting its resolution-oriented sensor and professional interface. The S5 II retails around $1,999, positioning it as a more affordable full-frame option with newer video features and improved autofocus.

For photographers placing ultimate image detail and landscape quality first, the S1R justifies its price. Conversely, the S5 II’s pricing and feature set make it an attractive, versatile choice for enthusiasts and hybrid shooters requiring speed, video, and compactness.

How They Score Across Photography Types

Panasonic S1R front Panasonic S1R screen back Panasonic S5 II front Panasonic S5 II screen back

The visual evidence and scoring charts above summarize both cameras’ strengths. Notice how the S1R excels in resolution-dependent genres, while the S5 II outperforms in autofocus, burst speed, and video versatility.

Who Should Buy the Panasonic S1R?

• Landscape and studio photographers obsessed with maximum image detail and dynamic range
• Professionals relying on sharp color fidelity and high-res files for commercial or fine art prints
• Photographers who favor a hefty, robust body with excellent EVF and detailed tactile controls
• Users who prioritize stills photography over video

Who Will Benefit From the Panasonic S5 Mark II?

• Hybrid shooters needing strong video features plus solid stills performance
• Wildlife, sports, and event photographers valuing autofocus speed and tracking accuracy
• Travel and street photographers requiring a portable, discreet camera with a flexible screen
• Enthusiasts on a budget seeking modern connectivity and a growing native lens ecosystem

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Numbers

After hours of side-by-side testing and live shooting in multiple environments, I conclude that both cameras serve highly capable but different photographic needs. The S1R is the flagship resolution king - a tool for creatives who chase detail and polish above all else. The S5 II is a versatile powerhouse closer to the present-day gravity of hybrid shooting and fast-paced photography.

In my opinion, you won’t go wrong with either - the decision hinges on where you situate your photography on the resolution-versatility spectrum. I recommend handling both in person if possible, and considering your lenses and workflow, rather than chasing specs alone.

To sum it all up with the photos and data presented: Both Panasonic Lumix bodies represent serious professional choices - the S1R for supreme image fidelity, and the S5 II for cutting-edge autofocus, video capacity, and portability.

Keep your shooting style and priorities front and center, and let that guide your choice.

Happy shooting!

• • Written by a seasoned camera reviewer with decades of hands-on experience across the photo industry, committed to helping you invest wisely in your next imaging companion.*