Some cameras get all the celebrity, others are quiet imaging champions. The Panasonic Lumix S5 II is without doubt one of the most underrated full-frame cameras, quietly providing colourful full-frame photographs and hybrid video capabilities at a extremely aggressive worth – a worth that simply reached an all-time low within the US.
I get to strive extra cameras than most photographers in my position as a tech journalist, and the S5 II is a digital camera that I preserve coming again to, at the least amongst different full-frame cameras with an analogous decision. The rationale that I think about the S5 II some of the underrated full-frame cameras comes down to 2 key causes: coloration and ergonomics.
I’m not afraid to confess it: I’m an enormous coloration nerd. The cameras that I’m drawn to are the cameras which have incredible colours straight out of the digital camera, the pictures that I don’t have an enormous itch to tug into Lightroom and slap on a preset.
The S5 II’s built-in coloration profiles are amongst my favorites for full body. Colours on the JPEGs really feel cinematic, and sure, generally they’re finest coloration graded, however I discovered fewer coloration annoyances with the S5 II.
That’s boosted by the flexibility to make use of in-camera LUTs, which is actually like creating your individual Lightroom coloration presets, however making use of them within the digital camera slightly than put up.
However Panasonic has embraced LUTs throughout a number of completely different fashions, which brings me to the opposite purpose that I like the S5 II: ergonomics. The Panasonic Lumix S9 has incredible colours too, however I would like a digital camera with an excellent grip and a viewfinder.
The S5 II has a very comfy grip that jogs my memory of a DSLR. No, the S5 II isn’t tremendous transportable just like the S9, however the design conforms to my hand and has my must-haves like a viewfinder, autofocus joystick, twin card slots, and weather-sealing.
I didn’t actually love the unique S5 as a result of the autofocus was a bit hit-and-miss, however the S5 II makes key enhancements in efficiency. It wouldn’t be my first alternative for sports activities or wildlife, but it surely’s greater than able to dealing with portraits and comparable genres.
Usually, the S5 II prices practically $2K and not using a lens, however as a part of the early Black Friday offers, the physique is $500 off within the US, which is the bottom worth that I’ve ever seen on this digital camera. That’s sufficient of a reduction you can get the 20-60mm equipment lens and nonetheless spend lower than the unique body-only worth, because the equipment is available in at slightly below $1,800.
The Panasonic Lumix S5 II is on my brief record for full-frame mirrorless – learn the total Panasonic Lumix S5 II overview to see if it is the precise match for you.
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