Panasonic introduced Wednesday the next addition to its full-frame digital interchangeable lens camera family in the compact Lumix S5.
The new camera is said to combine many of the advanced creative features and image quality of its other full-frame S1 family models with the portability and light weight of Lumix Micro Four Thirds-based models.
The camera is due to hit authorized Lumix retail stores in mid September at a $1,999.99 suggested retail price for the body only or $2,299.99 for the body and a Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 standard kit lens.
The Lumix S5 is targeted at “a hybrid creator who is involved with both stills and videos and a video creator who is mainly working individually or in a small group.”
Capitalizing on the hardships and opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Panasonic has developed the S5 to be more easily adapted to professionals and high-level amateurs interested in a versatile camera that also can used for video live streaming as well as capturing high quality still and video image files.
“We believe the time has come where not only professional photographers but also amateurs can express and share their feelings with photos and videos,” the company said.
Panasonic underscores that mission with a new Lumix brand message — “Lumix Motion. Picture. Perfect” being launched along with the camera.
The S5 full-frame mirrorless camera is intended to attract a wide range of users, while retaining much of “the essence” of the top of the line S1 camera model, the company said.
The S5’s compact body design allows for more convenient shooting in the field and in smaller shooting spaces required by COVID-19 safety measures, combined with such advanced features as up to a 1/8000s speed shutter, I.S. and other features of the S1H and VariCam for “exceptional ultra low light sensitivity”, advanced image stabilization and extended 4K continuous recording time.
Optimized for video and still photography, the camera is outfitted with a free-angle 3-inch touchscreen LCD monitor with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 1,840K-dot resolution. LCD monitor for shooting from a wide variety of angles and selfie positions.
It is equipped with the same 24 megapixel full-frame image sensor used in the S1 model. A new Hi-Resolution Shot feature allows the S5 to move the sensor up to eight times to capture 8 samples it assembles into a single picture of up to a 96 megapixel size, all processed in camera and offered in either JPEG or RAW format.
For still image capture the camera lists a high sensitivity of ISO100-51200 (extended 50-204800).
The image stabilizer offers a 5-stop, 5-axis B.I.S. and 6.5 stop, 5-axis Dual I.S.
A Long Exposure mode offered for the first time in a full-frame Lumix camera allows live composite image capture in real time for star trails from the earth’s rotation, blurred city lights and light painting effects. Photographers will be able to see the images being compiled in order to end the exposure as desired, Panasonic said.
The high-speed, high precision Auto Focus system features improved face/eye/head/body recognition and improvement in video AF and AFC.
“A re-imagined AF will support the fastest and highest precision photos and video ever in a Lumix camera. It leverages advanced deep learning technology with real-time detection of subjects like human bodies, faces, eyes, heads and animals,” the company said.
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The camera’s magnesium alloy body construction will support unique levels of heat dissipation enabling the S5 to record at listed times at temperatures up to 104-degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, for video work the S5 captures wide dynamic range, and offers 10-bit 4:2:0 or 10-bit 4:2:2 in 4K/30p recording with more than 14 stops in V-Log/V-Gamut. It captures HDR video in Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR profile. Shooting intervals in 4K/60p range up to 30 min., or with no time limit on 8-bit 4K/30p recording.
A Slow/Quick Motion function supports frame rates in Full HD of up to 180 fps and 4K up to 60 fps. Slow/Quick Motion is captured at: 4K 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 fps; FHD 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 100, 120, 150 and 180 fps.
The camera also supports access to wave form monitor, features luminance spot metering and allows videographers to load their own Look Up Tables (LUTs).
Also supported is academy capture for anamorphic lenses that includes the ability to de-squeeze and stabilize 1:3, 1:33, 1:5, 1.8 and 2x anamorphic lenses.
At the same time, Panasonic announced it soon will be expanding its lineup of interchangeable lenses, including the addition of an in-development 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto zoom lens, and a range of prime lenses covering all major focal lengths at 24mm f/1.8, 35mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8.
Panasonic said that following the release of the S5 it plans to push firmware updates that among other things support over 4K and low output.
The company said a future firmware update will provide access to internal C4K video and RAW video data over HDMI when connected to an ATOMOS NINJA V compact monitor recorder for up to 5.9K RAW footage at 30 fps.
To support Live Streaming, Panasonic is planning to release Lumix Webcam software that was announced in July. This will help Lumix quickly respond to the needs of creators and remain a reliable brand, the company said.
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By Greg Tarr
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