Panasonic Lumix S5

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Type: camera
Sensor: Full-frame 24.2MP CMOS (35.6 x 23.8mm)
Resolution: 24.2MP
Year introduced: 2020
Mount: L-mount (shared with Leica Camera and Sigma)
Key features: Dual Native ISO; 4K 60p 10-bit; V-Log/V-Gamut; 5-axis IBIS; 14+ stops dynamic range

Overview

The Panasonic Lumix S5 was a hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera announced on September 2, 2020, designed to deliver high-quality photo and video performance in a compact body. Panasonic described it as packing “the essence of the conventional S Series cameras” — the S1R, S1, and S1H — into a smaller, lighter form factor (^[1]).

At its core, the S5 featured a 24.2-megapixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor with Dual Native ISO technology, originally developed for Panasonic’s professional VariCam cinema cameras. The Dual Native ISO used two base ISOs (640 and 4000 in V-Log) and selected an optimal circuit before gain processing, enabling a maximum ISO of 51,200 with minimal noise. This made the camera particularly capable in low-light situations (^[2]).

The S5 shipped in mid-September 2020 at $1,999.99 body-only and $2,299.99 with the 20-60mm kit lens (^[3]).

Key Specifications

Autofocus

The S5 used Contrast AF with DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology, focusing in approximately 0.08 seconds. It boasted -6 EV luminance detection with Low Light AF, matching Canon’s R5/R6 and exceeding Sony’s A7R IV (-3 EV) and Nikon’s Z7 II (-4 EV) in low-light autofocus sensitivity. The system supported 480 fps communication speed between sensor and lens with Lumix S Series lenses (^[4]). The camera incorporated deep learning-based subject detection for humans (eye, face, head, body) and fast-moving animals (^[5]).

Community members noted the S5’s strong -6 EV AF rating as a significant advantage for underwater macro photography, where cameras operate in effectively low-light conditions even during daytime diving. Forum user Interceptor121 specifically highlighted the S5’s AF sensitivity alongside Canon’s R5/R6 as superior to Sony (-3 EV) and Nikon (-4 EV) systems for underwater use (^[6]).

However, a critical limitation was that the DFD autofocus system relied on stored lens profiles to calculate focus direction. Without a compatible profile (i.e., with non-Panasonic lenses), the camera reverted to contrast-detection AF, potentially degrading performance — “especially with the Panasonic it has the distance from defocus system which relies on the camera reading the Out of focus image based upon a map of the lens stored in camera to know which way to focus,” noted forum user ChrisRoss (^[7]).

Image Stabilization

The S5 integrated 5-axis Body I.S. providing 5-stop correction with body-only stabilization and 6.5-stop correction when combined with stabilized L-mount lenses via 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (^[8]).

Video

As a pioneer of hybrid photo/video mirrorless cameras, the S5 offered exceptionally capable video specifications:

• 4K 60p/50p 4:2:0 10-bit internal recording
• 4K 30p/25p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording (up to 30 minutes)
• 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit via HDMI output
• 4K 30p 4:2:0 8-bit internal with no time limit
• 14+ stops of dynamic range with V-Log/V-Gamut (matching VariCam colorimetry)
• Slow & Quick mode: 4K at 1-60 fps, FHD at 1-180 fps
• 4K HDR (HLG) recording
• 6K PHOTO burst at 30 fps (18MP stills from video)
• 4:3 anamorphic mode

A firmware update planned for late 2020 would add C4K recording and RAW video output to Atomos Ninja V over HDMI at up to 5.9K (5888x3312) 29.97p/25p and 4K (4128x2176) 59.94p/50p (^[9]).

In dynamic range testing for video, the S5 measured 12.1 stops in 4K H.265, compared to 12.9 stops for the Canon R5 and 12.7 stops for the Sony A1 and Panasonic S1H (^[10]).

Stills Features

• 96-megapixel High Resolution mode (12,000 x 8,000 pixels) using sensor-shift technology, available in both RAW and JPEG
• Live View Composite function for long-exposure compositing (fireworks, star trails)
• HLG Photo mode with wider dynamic range

Build and Connectivity

• Magnesium alloy full die-cast body, splash/dust-resistant
• 2,360K-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (0.74x magnification, <0.005 sec lag)
• 3.0-inch free-angle LCD (1,840K-dot)
• Dual SD card slots (UHS-II x1, UHS-I x1)
• 2,200mAh battery (~470 shots via LVF, ~1,500 in Power Save mode)
• USB-C charging, 5GHz/2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2

(^[11])

L-Mount Lens Ecosystem for Underwater Use

The S5 used the L-mount system, providing access to lenses from Panasonic, Leica Camera, and Sigma. For underwater photography, the L-mount presented both opportunities and challenges.

Kit Lens (Panasonic 20-60mm)

The 20-60mm kit lens generated immediate interest from underwater photographers for its versatile focal range. Forum user Humu797 noted: “I like the idea of a 20-60mm for general point and shooting underwater.” Interceptor121 later confirmed the lens was “very good behind a dome for general video” (^[12], ^[13]).

Adapted Lenses

Community discussion revealed that underwater S5 users commonly adapted Canon EF lenses via the Sigma MC-21 adapter. Key combinations included:

• Canon EF 8-15mm fisheye — Worked “very well with the S5” for wide-angle/fisheye work, as confirmed by Interceptor121 who owned both the lens and the S5 (^[14])
• Canon 28-70mm — Usable with the Nauticam WACP-C wet lens (^[15])
• Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro — Available in native L-mount at approximately 649 GBP, considered “excellent for macro” (^[16])

However, adapted lenses had limitations. With non-native lenses, only Single AF worked reliably — continuous AF tracking was generally not available. ChrisRoss warned that without lens profiles, the camera would revert to contrast detection AF, potentially making macro work challenging (^[17], ^[18]).

Lack of Native Underwater Essentials

At launch, the L-mount system lacked a native fisheye lens, meaning underwater photographers needed to adapt Canon or other mount lenses for wide-angle work. Forum user Humu797 noted: “There’s no fisheye or a macro as far as I know” in native L-mount at launch. The Sigma 105mm macro later filled the macro gap in native L-mount (^[19]).

Market Position

The S5 was positioned as an affordable full-frame entry point that competed with the Sony A7C ($2,098 with kit lens) and Canon EOS R6 in the sub-$2,000 segment. Forum user makar0n noted the S5 was “literally FF in GH5M2 body” and observed that entry-level full-frame cameras had reached price and weight parity with Micro Four Thirds bodies (^[20]).

Interceptor121 described the S5 as “interesting” alongside the Sony A7C but noted that “when I look at lenses the choice is limited” — a recurring concern about the relatively young L-mount ecosystem compared to Sony E-mount or Canon RF. He ultimately sold the S5 after Nauticam announced they would not produce a housing for it (^[21]).

The broader community discussion around the S5’s launch reflected an ongoing debate about sensor format choices for underwater photography. Alex Mustard recommended full-frame, APS-C, and Micro Four Thirds “in fairly equal numbers when they come to me for advice,” emphasizing that the right choice depended on each photographer’s budget, travel needs, and shooting style (^[22]).

Housing Availability

Ikelite 200DL Housing

Ikelite shipped their 200DL housing for the Lumix S5 in September 2021, priced at $1,695 (Product #71309). The housing featured:

• Port system: DL (Dry Lock) port system with o-ring on the outside of the port mount for improved visibility and reduced water contact with the sensor area
• Depth rating: 200 feet (60 meters), individually pressure tested
• Construction: ABS-PC blend (corrosion-free, lighter than aluminum)
• Controls: Access to all important camera functions; the joystick “Yes” control was supported but joystick directional movement, Focus mode lever, and Preview/Fn button were not accessible
• Strobe connection: Manual hotshoe included; optional DL3 DS Link TTL Converter (for Panasonic/Olympus) with compatible Ikelite DS strobes
• Accessory ports: M16 threaded port standard, optional M24 large-bore port for HDMI monitor bulkheads (custom order or after-sale modification)
• Vacuum testing: Vacuum valve installed standard
• Viewfinder: SuperEye viewfinder included; optional straight or 45-degree magnified viewfinders available
• Weight: Housing 4.67 lb (2,121 g); tray with left handle 11 oz (312 g)
• Dimensions: 9 x 7.25 x 6 inches (229 x 184 x 152 mm) without tray

The housing was compatible only with the Panasonic DC-S5 as shipped by the manufacturer, with no support for battery grips or other accessories (^[23]).

Nauticam (No Housing Produced)

Notably, Nauticam declined to produce a housing for the original S5. Interceptor121 reported: “Nauticam said they would not do one,” which led him to sell his S5 despite having successfully used it with the Canon 8-15mm fisheye. This was a significant limitation for the S5’s underwater adoption, as Nauticam housings are the most widely used among serious underwater photographers (^[24]).

Easydive LeoR Universal Housing

The Easydive LeoR universal housing, shipping from October 2021 at EUR 3,490 (inc. VAT), listed the Panasonic S5 among its compatible cameras. The LeoR offered electronic camera control via USB, Wi-Fi, IR, or Bluetooth, an integrated OLED display, and dual SDI video output. While not S5-specific, it provided an alternative for underwater filmmakers willing to invest in a universal housing system (^[25]).

Panasonic S5 II and S5 IIX (2023)

On January 4, 2023, Panasonic announced the DC-S5 II and S5 IIX, representing a major evolution of the S5 platform. The S5 II was the first Panasonic camera with on-sensor phase-detect autofocus, addressing the most significant limitation of the original S5’s contrast-based DFD system (^[26]).

S5 II Key Specifications

• 24MP BSI (back-side illuminated) CMOS sensor with on-sensor phase detection
• Up to 30 fps electronic shutter with continuous AF and RAW capture
• 96MP multi-shot high-resolution mode
• 6K 3:2 open-gate video capture up to 30p (4:2:0 10-bit)
• DCI/UHD 4K up to 60p (Super 35 crop), unlimited record times
• Dual conversion gain sensor with explicit Dual Native ISO selection
• Active cooling fan for sustained video recording
• Twin UHS-II card slots (upgraded from original S5’s one UHS-II + one UHS-I)
• Optional paid upgrade ($200) for RAW video output

The S5 II shipped in late January 2023 at $1,999, the same launch price as the original S5 (^[27]).

S5 IIX Additional Features

The S5 IIX added professional video capabilities over the S5 II:

• RAW video output (included, vs. $200 upgrade on S5 II)
• Video recording to SSD over USB
• All-I compression modes
• Internal ProRes capture
• Wired/wireless IP streaming

The S5 IIX was priced at a $200 premium over the S5 II and shipped in late May 2023 (^[28]).

Underwater Housing for S5 II

Unlike the original S5, the S5 II received a Nauticam housing with the N120 port mount system. Forum user Interceptor121 highlighted the S5 II as “an excellent full frame entry point” for underwater photography, noting the reasonably priced Nauticam housing combined with the L-mount lens ecosystem including Sigma lenses, Canon adapted lenses, and compatibility with Nauticam’s WACP-1, WACP-C, and WACP-2 wet optics (^[29]).

Community Reception

The S5 II generated enthusiastic response in the Wetpixel community. Key discussion points included:

• Phase-detect AF as a game-changer: The addition of on-sensor phase detection addressed the original S5’s most criticized limitation for underwater macro work, where contrast-detect AF could hunt in low light
• Video capabilities: Forum users debated whether the S5 II was “entry level” for video. One commenter argued: “For video it isn’t an entry level FF camera, it’s on par with A7SIII.” Others noted that the 4K 60p mode used an APS-C crop and the sensor readout was slower than Sony’s A7S III (^[30])
• Value proposition: At $1,999 with PDAF, the S5 II was considered exceptional value — “At a bit more than A7C you can get an almost professional grade camera” (^[31])
• Real-world testing: Thanks to Nauticam Italy, photographer Rosario Scariati tested the S5 II in a Nauticam housing with a Sigma MC-21 adapter and Canon 8-15mm fisheye behind a Zen mini dome. He reported that “AF was perfect” and tested the Supe D-Pro strobes (^[32])
• Firmware updates: Panasonic announced firmware version 2.3 for the GH6 and S5 series adding external 12-bit Blackmagic RAW video recording to Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR monitors over HDMI, with 5.7K and Cinema 4K options (^[33])
• Panasonic G9 II housing compatibility: It was noted that the Panasonic G9 II (announced September 2023) shared the same body as the S5 II, suggesting the Nauticam S5 II housing might be compatible, though the G9 II used a Micro Four Thirds sensor requiring the smaller N85 port system rather than N120 (^[34])

Community Discussion

Full-Frame Debate

The S5 featured prominently in broader Wetpixel community debates about whether full-frame cameras offered meaningful advantages for underwater photography. The consensus was nuanced:

• Full-frame benefits (better low-light performance, wider dynamic range, higher resolution) existed underwater just as they did on land, but were not amplified by the underwater environment (^[35])
• Full-frame systems required larger dome ports, more powerful strobes, and greater investment in ports and wet optics, partially offsetting the sensor advantages (^[36])
• The S5 and Sony A7C were cited as cameras that made full-frame more accessible at a price point competitive with high-end APS-C and Micro Four Thirds bodies (^[37])

Wetpixel Live Coverage

Adam Hanlon and Alex Mustard discussed the S5’s relevance to underwater photographers in a December 2020 Wetpixel Live episode on upgrading to full frame, where they covered the equipment changes needed including lenses, ports, and lighting options (^[38]). Earlier episodes also addressed topics relevant to S5 owners: Episode 10, “Best Lens Choices for Underwater Photographers with Micro 4/3 Cameras,” covered the MFT lens ecosystem that the S5 competed against (^[39]), while Episode 147, “Downsizing Advice for Underwater Photographers,” discussed moving between system sizes including from full-frame to smaller formats (^[40]).

Timeline

• 2020-09-02: Panasonic announces the Lumix S5 full-frame mirrorless camera ($1,999.99 body-only, $2,299.99 with 20-60mm kit lens) (^[41])
• 2020-09-02: Immediate community interest on Wetpixel forums, discussing L-mount lens options and housing availability (^[42])
• 2020-12-07: Adam Hanlon and Alex Mustard discuss upgrading to full frame on Wetpixel Live, with S5 mentioned as an affordable entry point (^[43])
• 2020 (late): Firmware update adds C4K recording and RAW video output to Atomos Ninja V over HDMI (^[44])
• 2021-03: S5 discussed in comparison of mirrorless full-frame AF performance, rated -6 EV alongside Canon R5/R6 (^[45])
• 2021-09: Ikelite ships 200DL housing for Lumix S5 ($1,695). Nauticam declines to produce a housing (^[46], ^[47])
• 2021-10: Easydive LeoR universal housing ships with S5 compatibility (EUR 3,490) (^[48])
• 2023-01-04: Panasonic announces S5 II with on-sensor phase-detect AF and S5 IIX ($1,999 / $2,199) (^[49])
• 2023-01 (late): S5 II begins shipping (^[50])
• 2023-04: Nauticam housing for S5 II announced with N120 port mount. Community discusses S5 II as “excellent entry point for UW” (^[51])
• 2023-05 (late): S5 IIX begins shipping (^[52])
• 2023-07: Rosario Scariati tests S5 II in Nauticam housing with Canon 8-15mm fisheye, reports excellent AF performance (^[53])
• 2023-07: Panasonic firmware 2.3 announced for S5 series adding Blackmagic RAW output support (^[54])

References