In my latest Panasonic Lumix S5 II assessment – the full-frame digicam scored a most 5-star ranking – I praised specifically its video options, that are unmatched on the sub-$2,000 / £2,000 worth level. We already knew one other model of the digicam was within the pipeline, and the S5 IIX – which boasts much more superior video options – has now been formally introduced.  

I described the S5 II as a video-first, photo-second digicam, and its primary rival, the Sony A7 IV a photo-first, video-second digicam (which prices an additional 20%). However regardless of the S5 II having the all-round edge for video, the Sony A7 IV has some benefits over it on the subject of video high quality.

The 2 digicam manufacturers have beforehand taken totally different approaches on the subject of video high quality. Within the S5 II and A7 IV match-up, the S5 II affords 6K / 30p uncropped video with 10-bit recording in MOV format, LONG GOP compression, and a 200Mbps bitrate, whereas the A7 IV has a lesser 4K decision in 16:9 side ratio, however superior ALL-Intra (ALL-I) compression and 600Mbps bitrate. It’s not a simple selection, then – however now the S5 IIX steps in.

When additional particulars had been revealed in regards to the S5 IIX on Might 9, every little thing modified. The supercharged model of the S5 II surpasses the Sony A7 IV on all video high quality fronts, and can rank among the many greatest mirrorless digicam, particularly for video.

The choice for video makers has simply grow to be a complete lot clearer – however who wants the S5 IIX essentially the most? I’ve spent a good bit of hands-on time with each S5 II and S5 IIX concurrently, and right here’s what I feel.

Video king

We’ve highlighted how the S5II and S5 IIX match up in our Panasonic S5 II vs S5 IIX key variations defined article, and on the face of it little or no has modified within the S5 IIX. The digicam our bodies are equivalent, besides the later mannequin has greyed-out controls and black branding. It appears to be like super-slick, however virtually talking it’s a complicated design selection – I struggled to see the controls at the hours of darkness lighting of the launch venue after I first held the digicam.

Even the video spec appears to be like largely related: 60Okay / 30p uncropped video from the complete 3:2 side ratio of the sensor, 4K / 60p video with a Tremendous 35 (APS-C) crop, and Panasonic’s new phase-detection autofocus, properly carried out. Nevertheless it’s these areas that the Sony A7 IV has the benefit over the S5 II – superior compression and bitrates – the place S5 IIX has gone to new heights, and settled the rating.

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(Picture credit score: Future)

(Picture credit score: Future)

(Picture credit score: Future)

Recording to an exterior SSD through the USB-C port is now attainable within the S5 IIX along with SD reminiscence card, and I paired the digicam with a SanDisk Excessive SSD providing knowledge transfers as much as 1050 MB/s. With this set-up a bountiful vary of improved video qualities can be found – too many to listing right here, however highlights embrace Apple ProRes uncooked, with the 422 HQ 5.8K setting a whopping 1.6Gbps bitrate. That blows the S5 II’s MOV format, LONG GOP compression, and most 200Mbps bitrate out of the water.

Even direct to SD card, the S5 IIX can now shoot in ALL-I compression, and matches the A7 IV’s 600Mbps bitrate. You’ll be able to up the ALL-I bitrate to 800Mbps with the SSD in play. It’s additionally attainable to shoot Blackmagic uncooked (BRAW) when the S5 IIX is related to an exterior monitor like an Atomos Ninja V – severe filmmakers don’t want telling how thrilling that’s.

So not solely can the S5 IIX shoot superior 6K video to the A7 IV’s 4K, it additionally shoots inner ProRes uncooked to SSD, exterior BRAW to a monitor, and affords ALL-I compression with the identical bitrate to SD card. There’s just one winner right here.

Who’s the S5 IIX for?

For the sort of video productions I make, I’d quite shoot with the S5 II’s LONG GOP compression. Its 6K / 30p 420 10-bit video appears to be like super-sharp, and Panasonic’s colour science is a superb start line for easy grading. Additionally, the 200Mbps bitrate produces manageable file sizes, even for high-resolution 6K video. 

I don’t really want the additional bitrate of the S5 IIX, and virtually talking its ProRes uncooked and ALL-I recordsdata gobble up onerous drive house super-fast, and demand a top-of-the-range pc to course of. However you’ll be able to take that format or go away it – all the identical S5 II video report modes can be found right here within the S5 IIX. I’ve labored for shoppers that completely would demand the upper video high quality, for which I might normally rent the required equipment.

And for all that further clout, the S5 IIX is barely a average additional outlay over the S5 II, and really cheaper than the A7 IV, as you’ll be able to see within the desk beneath evaluating the three cameras’ body-only costs. Panasonic additionally introduced worth cuts of a number of full-frame lenses that places extra stress on Sony and others.

For those who already personal the S5 II, firmware V2.zero was additionally introduced on Might 9 which additionally makes ProRes uncooked video output and SSD recording attainable, albeit through a paid DMW-SFU2 key which prices $300 / £200 / AU$300. Additionally, there’s nonetheless no official phrase on what further options the S5 IIX has over the S5 II with paid DMW-SFU2 key.

If I used to be shopping for a Panasonic from scratch, I might completely go for the S5 IIX over the S5 II. Actually, I can’t consider a smart cause to decide on the previous, and I’ve up to date our S5 II assessment to mirror this growth. We’ve got a brand new video king on the town.

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Panasonic Lumix S5 II vs S5 IIX vs Sony A7 IV: costs in contrast

Panasonic Lumix S5 II	$1,999 / £1,999 / from AU$3,000
Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX	$2,199 / £2,299 / from AU$3,300
Sony A7 IV	$2,499 / £2,400 / from AU$4,000