www.panasonic.co.uk £2,299/$2,198 (body only)
You noted the release of the Lumix S5 II, but you held off from buying it because the announcement of the forthcoming S5 IIX caught your eye instead. So was it worth the wait? Having tested both cameras for the past few months now, I hope to answer that question.
It’s unusual for a camera company to announce a variant model that will come to market some months later with external and performance differences. But, keen to avoid a repeat of its misstep when it revealed the Lumix GH5 II alongside a development announcement of its successor, the GH6, Panasonic appears to have learned its lesson. The S5 IIX and S5 II were announced in tandem, with only the S5 IIX’s compatibility with recording format BlackMagic B-RAW kept secret until it was available to order in early May.
Offering raw video alone would make the S5 IIX a pretty niche camera, but its additional features don’t stop there. You might expect a twin release like this to see compromises made to both models to avoid cannibalising sales, but this camera retains everything the S5 II has, plus extras.
If you’re a creator considering your next camera, does the S5 IIX make a compelling enough case to justify the extra spend? Let’s find out.
