ONE SIZE FITS ALL

Big camera or small camera? What’s your preference? There’s no question that plenty of photographers rank many other things ahead of a camera size, especially if they’ve been used to using a higher-end DSLR with a full-frame sensor. It’s equally true that for many, having something that’s smaller and lighter is a priority for a variety of reasons. This where the smaller sensor sizes have proved popular, especially for anybody who regularly uses longer focal length lenses. But there are a growing number of shooters who want the bigger sensor in a more compact package, and this is where Sony has been cleaning up with its A7 series models, with a new challenger in the shape of the even more compact A7C.

In comparison, Panasonic’s Lumix S series bodies have been unashamedly chunky, which hasn’t mattered because, for most of the target audience, they’re not much different from whatever they were using before. They’ve also all been higher-end, so the smaller, lighter and cheaper S5 is aimed at a different group of users. To be honest, it’s still pretty high-end – at over $3,000 it’s not exactly cheap – but it is still a very different package overall to the S1 despite sharing some key elements, including the sensor. Interestingly, the S5 is smaller than Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds flagship models, the GH5 and GH5S, and with a suite of video features that’s also likely to appeal to users of these cameras (especially after the coming firmware upgrade). Importantly too, it’s also quite close to being the same size and weight as the latest-generation Sony A7 bodies, except of course, for the much more compact A7C. Available as a kit lens is the Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom, which is currently the smallest and lightest lens in Panasonic’s L mount system (as well as being the most affordable), but has a very handy focal range spanning real wide-angle to short telephoto, and also pretty decent close-up capabilities. Of course, being an L mount camera, there’s also a growing selection of lenses from Sigma and, if you feel like splashing out, some truly superb Leica primes.

The styling is still quite angular, like that of the S1 series models, but a lot less imposing because the S5 is significantly smaller than its siblings. As Nikon has done with the Z 5, Panasonic has put the S5’s main mode dial where the top-panel info display is on the S1 models, and given it a second dial for setting the drive modes and self-timer. The body is still magnesium alloy