Panasonic Lumix S5II review: phase-detect AF comes to Lumix full frame

Panasonic's full-frame L-Mount hybrid from 2023, announced at CES. Launched at $1,999.99 (body only). Who it suits: hybrid shooters who need long 10-bit takes and L-Mount lens choice.

October 23, 2026 · Camera · Review

A black Panasonic Lumix S5II body without a lens, seen from the front — Panasonic Lumix S5II, front view.
Photo: Mateusz Stopczynski via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

HIGHLIGHTS

Why it exists. Panasonic's release names no spokesperson; in the maker's own words: "Panasonic is proud to announce two new hybrid full-frame mirrorless cameras, the LUMIX S5II and S5IIX, as the latest additions to its LUMIX S Series camera line-up." The release lists phase-detection AF (779 points), Active I.S., 6K and 5.9K 10-bit video, and unlimited 4:2:2 10-bit C4K/4K recording with a heat-dispersion mechanism.

Panasonic announced the S5II at CES in January 2023 at $1,999.99 body-only; the S5IIX followed at $2,199.99 in May 2023. It keeps the original S5's full-frame format but adds phase-detection AF, a 24.2MP sensor with Dual Native ISO, a heat-dispersion mechanism for unlimited 4:2:2 10-bit 4K, and 6K 3:2 recording. Body I.S. rates 5 stops, rising to 6.5 with Dual I.S. 2 lenses. The trade-offs are a 3.68M-dot finder, a 1.84M-dot screen and modest CIPA battery figures (370 shots).

Our gallery comes from three photographers: a roe deer, almond blossom and windmills in Öland and Spain; a harbor rope and a stairwell at ISO 3200; and the Château de Nemours. Who should buy it? Hybrid shooters who need long 10-bit takes and L-Mount lens choice from Panasonic, Sigma and Leica. On FredMiranda the launch thread welcomed phase-detect AF in L-Mount; later threads weigh it against the G9 II and the Leica SL2-S.

The story

Panasonic announced the LUMIX S5II and S5IIX at CES in Las Vegas on January 4, 2023 (Panasonic).

Panasonic priced the S5II body at $1,999.99 for January 2023, and the S5IIX at $2,199.99 for May 2023 (Panasonic).

Panasonic North America's DC-S5M2 specifications sheet lists the full figures, including the ISO ranges, shutter, bursts and battery ratings (Panasonic specifications).

Specifications

Key specs for the Panasonic Lumix S5II, from Panasonic North America's DC-S5M2 specifications sheet and Panasonic's January 4, 2023 release. Source for each row in brackets. The sheet gives one ISO range for photos and video rather than a movie-only row.

Sensor	35mm full-frame CMOS (35.6 × 23.8 mm), 24.20MP effective; L-Mount [Panasonic]
ISO (stills)	100–51200; extended 50, 102400, 204800; Dual Native ISO 100 / 640 [Panasonic]
ISO (V-Log / HLG)	V-Log: 640–51200 (extended 320); HLG: 400–51200 [Panasonic]
Autofocus	Phase detection (779 points) plus contrast AF with DFD [Panasonic release, Panasonic]
Stabilization	Body 5-axis, 5 stops; Dual I.S. 2, 6.5 stops (CIPA); Active I.S. [Panasonic, Panasonic release]
Shutter	Mechanical 1/8000–60 s; electronic to 1/8000 s; electronic front curtain to 1/2000 s [Panasonic]
Bursts	Mechanical H 9 fps (AFS/MF), 7 fps (AFC); electronic SH30 30 fps [Panasonic]
Viewfinder	OLED, approx. 3.68M dots, approx. 0.78× [Panasonic]
Screen	3.0-in, approx. 1.84M dots [Panasonic]
Video	6K (3:2) and 5.9K 10-bit; C4K (4096×2160) and 4K (3840×2160) 4:2:2 10-bit with no recording time limit [Panasonic release, Panasonic]
Battery	7.2V 2200mAh; CIPA approx. 370 images (1,250 in Power Save LVF mode, with S-R2060); movie (actual) approx. 45 min (4K/60p, APS-C) [Panasonic]
Size / weight	134.3 × 102.3 × 90.1 mm; approx. 740 g with battery and SD card (657 g body) [Panasonic]
Announced / price	Jan 4, 2023; $1,999.99 body (S5II); $2,199.99 (S5IIX, May 2023) [Panasonic release]

Sample photos

Six photos taken with the Panasonic Lumix S5II by three photographers, shared on Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licenses. Each caption gives the settings the file records. Select a photo to enlarge it. More samples from Wikimedia Commons

Roe deer on a shoreline under a low sun — f/11, ISO 160, 1/500 s, 100mm: a roe deer at sunset on Öland (100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary 020).
Photo: Werner Wilmes via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Almond trees in pale blossom below a rocky hill — f/8, ISO 100, 1/200 s, 50mm: almond blossom near Cieza (LUMIX S 50/F1.8).
Photo: Werner Wilmes via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Three wooden windmills silhouetted against a dusk sky — f/8, ISO 100, 1/320 s, 100mm: windmills on Öland (100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Contemporary 020).
Photo: Werner Wilmes via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

A thick rope wound around black harbor bollards — f/5.6, ISO 250, 1/60 s, 60mm: a harbor rope on bollards (LUMIX S 20-60/F3.5-5.6).
Photo: Henry Söderlund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Looking down a stairwell between white railings — f/3.5, ISO 3200, 1/60 s, 20mm: a stairwell at ISO 3200 (LUMIX S 20-60/F3.5-5.6).
Photo: Henry Söderlund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

A stone château with towers behind a lawn and flower beds — f/18, ISO 100, 1/100 s, 64mm: the Château de Nemours (24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art 019).
Photo: Gautier1er via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Panasonic: Launched at $1,999.99 in 2023 (US, body only); the S5IIX was $2,199.99.

Verdict

Who it's for: hybrid shooters who want phase-detect AF, unlimited 4:2:2 10-bit 4K and L-Mount lens choice.

Prefer a smaller Micro Four Thirds video body? See our Panasonic Lumix GH5 review.

Pros

779-point phase-detection AF
Unlimited 4:2:2 10-bit C4K/4K with a heat-dispersion mechanism
6K 3:2 and 5.9K 10-bit video
5-stop body I.S.; 6.5 stops with Dual I.S. 2

Cons

3.68M-dot finder and 1.84M-dot screen
CIPA approx. 370 shots per charge
About 740 g with battery and card

Check price: Amazon (new, body)

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Further discussion

Sources