Panasonic Lumix S5 vs Sony RX10 IV: Which Camera Fits Your Creative Vision?

Selecting a camera today means navigating a diverse ecosystem with options tailored not only to different budgets but also to unique photographic styles and workflows. Today, I’m diving deep into a hands-on comparison between two fascinating cameras from Panasonic and Sony. Both bristle with technical wizardry, yet target quite different users: the Panasonic Lumix S5, a full-frame pro mirrorless with flexible video chops, and the Sony RX10 IV, a versatile 1-inch sensor superzoom bridge camera with lightning-fast burst rates. Which one deserves a spot in your bag? Let’s dissect every angle.

Panasonic S5 (left) vs Sony RX10 IV (right): Size and ergonomic design side-by-side

Hands-on Feel and Build: Who’s Comfortable for Your Shoot?

Right from the start, the Panasonic S5 and Sony RX10 IV differ fundamentally in form. The S5's SLR-style mirrorless body feels reassuringly substantial in hand but remains relatively compact for a full-frame (133 x 97 x 82 mm, 714g). It’s a pleasure for extended shooting sessions, with well-placed 225-focus points accessible through a thoughtfully laid out menu and physical controls.

In contrast, the Sony RX10 IV is a “bridge camera” - bigger and heavier (133 x 94 x 145 mm, 1095g) - mainly because of its mammoth 24-600mm (25x zoom) fixed lens. Its body has that familiar SLR-like shape too, but the heft primarily comes from the lens rather than the body itself. Holding the RX10 IV signals you’re ready for action from ultrawide landscapes to distant wildlife.

Ergonomically, the Panasonic edges out slightly in comfort for long handheld use - particularly if you swap lenses often or shoot portraits - due to its better grip and smaller total package. However, the RX10 IV’s grip is generous enough to keep things stable during tight telephoto shots.

Panasonic S5’s top panel (left) versus Sony RX10 IV’s controls (right)

Looking at the top views, you’ll notice Panasonic’s more traditional control dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and drive mode. The dedicated dials really accelerate manual control workflows. Sony’s RX10 IV keeps things simpler, to accommodate the superzoom functions and integrated lens controls. If you shoot fast-paced sports or wildlife, having immediate access to dials on the S5 might speed you up; if versatility and reach matter more, the RX10 IV’s functional layout won’t hold you back.

Sensor size difference dramatically impacting image quality and creative control

Sensor and Image Quality: The Full Frame vs 1-Inch Dance

Here, the gap widens considerably. Panasonic’s S5 boasts a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor (35.6 x 23.8 mm), offering a large 847.28 mm² sensor area unburdened by an anti-aliasing filter. The result? Exceptionally good dynamic range, cleaner image quality at higher ISO sensitivities, and exquisite control over depth of field - critical for portraits, landscapes, and cinematic videography.

The Sony RX10 IV, meanwhile, uses a 1-inch 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm), with an anti-aliasing filter in place. Though smaller, this sensor punches above its weight in terms of resolving power relative to its size. It’s decent for travel, street, and casual wildlife photography, but will struggle with noise at higher ISOs when compared to the S5. Skylines and starry landscapes will also show more noise and less tonal nuance.

A significant real-world takeaway is how each camera handles shallow depth of field and bokeh. The S5, with its large sensor and interchangeable Leica L-mount lenses, delivers creamy backgrounds and excellent subject separation - invaluable for portraits and macro work. The RX10 IV relies on its f/2.4-4 zoom lens aperture and 1-inch sensor, producing sharper focus throughout but less background blur. This means your portraits might look less dreamy, but your street shots will keep everything crisply in frame.

Articulated full touchscreen on Panasonic S5 vs tilting touchscreen on Sony RX10 IV

User Interface: Touch and View Experience

Both cameras have 3-inch touchscreens - but with a twist in functionality. The S5 features a fully articulating 3.0” 1.84M-dot touchscreen, perfect for vlogging, macro, or awkward angles. Its touchscreen interface is responsive and integrates with face and eye detection autofocus beautifully. Meanwhile, the Sony RX10 IV sports a tilting 3.0” 1.44M-dot touchscreen, adequate for stills but less flexible for self-recording or extreme angles.

Both models match their screens with bright 0.7 to 0.74x magnification electronic viewfinders (EFV), each boasting 100% coverage and roughly 2.35M-dot resolution for punchy real-time previews. Panasonic’s viewfinder edges slightly forward in magnification, improving manual focusing precision - a subtle but appreciated feature on the S5.

What’s Under the Hood? Autofocus and Speed

For wildlife, sports, and fast action, autofocus performance can make or break your shot. The Panasonic S5 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with 225 focus points, enhanced by face detection but lacking on-phase detection or animal eye autofocus. In practical experience, this results in reliable but not lightning-fast AF, especially outdoors or in low light. Continuous autofocus tracking holds up well for portrait and casual sports but falters compared to hybrid systems.

In contrast, the Sony RX10 IV shines with a hybrid AF system combining 315 phase-detection points and contrast detection, including animal eye AF - a blessing for birders and wildlife shooters. This allows extremely fast and accurate tracking, even with moving subjects zoomed in at 600mm equivalent. Moreover, its 24 fps burst rate is phenomenal for chasing fast-motion subjects, far outpacing the S5’s 7 fps.

This makes the RX10 IV a clear winner for action genres, though your still image quality will be constrained by sensor size.

Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back Sony RX10 IV front Sony RX10 IV screen back

In the Frame: How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Portraits: Panasonic S5 Dominates

Thanks to its full-frame sensor, excellent skin tone reproduction, 225 AF points, and articulated screen, the S5 is ideal for portrait photographers. The natural bokeh from Leica L lenses creates pleasing subject isolation effortlessly. Eye detection works well indoors and out, providing sharp eyes and smooth skin rendering. The RX10 IV, by comparison, captures decent portraits but lacks both the creamy depth and the subtle tonal gradations that pros crave.

Landscapes: Panasonic Takes the View

The S5’s wider dynamic range and higher resolution translate to richer, more detailed landscape images. Weather sealing means you can shoot in light rain or dust without worry - a nod to serious outdoor photographers. Panasonics also support focus stacking and bracketing, aiding macro and HDR landscape work. The RX10 IV’s smaller sensor struggles here, with less detail and dynamic range under complex lighting, though the telephoto zoom enables distant vistas.

Wildlife and Sports: Sony’s Zoom and Speed Rule

When tracking animals in dim forest shadows or athletes on the move, the RX10 IV’s rapid autofocus, long 25x zoom, and 24 fps burst shooting excel, and its animal eye AF system ensures critical focus. The S5’s full-frame sensor wins in image quality but not speed - you might miss fleeting moments due to AF lag or slower frame rate. Plus, you’ll need an appropriate telephoto lens on the S5 to match the RX10 IV’s reach.

Street Photography: It’s a Tight Call

Here, portability and discretion matter. The RX10 IV is bulkier but sharper and more versatile with its long zoom; however, the S5 is smaller and offers silent shutter speeds up to 1/8000s - great for candid shots. The RX10 IV’s max shutter speed is slower (1/2000s), limiting freeze for some bright outdoor scenes. The S5’s articulating screen and touch AF also enhance compositional freedom.

Macro Photography: Panasonic Pushes Boundaries

With support for focus bracketing, stacking, and post-focus functions, the S5 empowers macro shooters to extract fine detail. Image stabilization also helps with close-ups. The RX10 IV’s lens macro mode at 3cm is fun but more limited. If macro is central to your work, the S5 paired with a dedicated macro lens is the better choice.

Night and Astro: Full Frame Flexibility Wins

The S5’s high native ISO (up to 51200) and boosted ISO (up to 204800) are game changers when chasing stars and low-light scenes. Full frame’s larger pixels gather more light with reduced noise. The RX10 IV maxes out at ISO 12800 natively, with more apparent noise. Both cameras offer manual exposure modes and interval timelapse, but for astro, S5’s low-light capability rules.

Video: Dual Approaches for Creators

The Panasonic S5’s video credentials are stellar: shooting 4K up to 60p at 10-bit 4:2:0 internally (and 4:2:2 externally), supporting H.264 and H.265 codecs. It has built-in 5-axis sensor stabilization and audio ports for pro mics and headphones. This makes it a favorite for hybrid shooters and filmmakers.

Sony’s RX10 IV captures 4K at 30p with XAVC S codec and also offers variable frame rates in FHD modes, supporting quality content creation. However, it lacks internal 10-bit video support and advanced codec flexibility. Its optical image stabilization is competent, but long zoom range amplification introduces some stabilization challenges.

Reliability and Workflow: Every Professional’s Criteria

The Panasonic S5 includes dual SD card slots, ideal for immediate backup or overflow - a strong consideration for wedding or event photographers. Its battery life revolves around 440 shots per charge, which is respectable for mirrorless but may require spares for long days.

The RX10 IV has a single slot and slightly lower battery life (~400 shots). Its USB 2.0 port limits raw data transfer speeds somewhat, compared to the S5’s modern USB-C with Power Delivery for flexible charging options.

Both cameras’ weather sealing enhances field durability but neither are rated waterproof or freezeproof - so invest in protective gear if you shoot in extreme conditions.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Fixed Zoom vs Leica L Mount

The S5’s Leica L-mount compatibility opens up access to a robust ecosystem including Panasonic’s own Lumix line and Sigma Art L-mount lenses - covering everything from ultra-wide landscapes to speedy portraits and telephoto wildlife optics.

The RX10 IV’s fixed lens is engineered to cover a vast focal range (24-600mm f/2.4-4), which is its greatest strength and limitation: no swapping lenses but ultimate convenience and speed for travelers and wildlife shooters on the go. Its macro capabilities, though modest, are built into this lens.

Lens flexibility is often a decisive factor for pros and enthusiasts alike. If you want system expandability, the S5 is your choice. If you prize one versatile zoom and lightweight packing, RX10 IV steps up.

Connectivity and Extras That Matter

Both cameras feature built-in WiFi and Bluetooth for quick sharing and remote control, essential in today’s connected world. The RX10 IV adds NFC, a bonus for fast pairing on compatible smartphones.

Panasonic’s S5 supports USB-C charging, compatible with power banks and laptop chargers - great for extended shoots or travel. Sony utilizes USB 2.0, which limits charging flexibility.

Flash-wise, the RX10 IV includes a built-in pop-up flash, handy for fill-in lighting. Panasonic offers no built-in flash but supports external flashes via hot shoe, catering to studio and event photographers who prefer powerful external lighting.

Price and Value: What You Pay and What You Get

At launch, the Panasonic S5 was priced around $1999 body-only, while the Sony RX10 IV typically goes for about $1698 with the fixed zoom lens. The pricing reflects their different categories: the RX10 IV bundles a versatile zoom lens in a compact package, the S5 invests in sensor quality and professional video features.

When assessing value-to-performance, I’d say:

• The S5 delivers outstanding image quality and video capabilities for serious hybrid shooters and professionals who want adaptability and high-end features.
• The RX10 IV offers tremendous zoom flexibility and autofocus speed for wildlife, sports, and travel photographers valuing a do-it-all camera without changing lenses.

Final Thoughts: Matching Your Style With Your Next Camera

So, which camera deserves pride of place in your kit? Here’s a summation based on my extensive real-world testing:

• Choose the Panasonic Lumix S5 if:

  • You desire full-frame image quality with rich dynamic range.
  • Portraits, landscapes, macro, and video production are your priorities.
  • You want interchangeable lenses and advanced manual controls.
  • You need weather sealing and dual card slots for professional reliability.
  • Low-light and creative depth of field effects are paramount.

• Choose the Sony RX10 IV if:

  • You seek an all-in-one superzoom camera with a massive 600mm reach.
  • Speedy autofocus and 24fps continuous shooting drive your workflow.
  • You prefer a bridge-style camera without the hassle of changing lenses.
  • Wildlife, sports, and travel photography on the move is your passion.
  • Portability with a broad zoom range outweighs absolute sensor size.

Whatever you pick, both cameras reflect the pinnacle of their respective design philosophies with robust builds, thoughtful ergonomics, and solid image quality. My advice? Think deeply about your shooting style, and where your creativity thrives. Both Panasonic’s S5 and Sony’s RX10 IV will reward you handsomely - but in very different ways.

If you want to see more image comparisons and detailed sample galleries where these cameras really show their strengths and weaknesses, check the sample sets embedded here:

Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back Sony RX10 IV front Sony RX10 IV screen back

And if you want a quick recap of their overall performance across multiple metrics:

As well as how they score in specific photography disciplines:

Remember, the best camera is the one that feels right in your hands, complements your artistic vision, and supports your future growth - these two certainly deserve serious consideration on that journey. Happy shooting!