Short answer: Absolutely yes!

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is an outstanding full-frame camera and one of the best value-for-money cameras available. However, it's important to consider your specific needs. This camera is ideal for photography enthusiasts and videographers who prioritise exceptional image quality, durability, and an extensive range of lens options. On the other hand, if you require advanced autofocus and superior low-light performance, you might want to explore other models.

My own S5 has been heavily used for several years and has accompanied me on countless adventures and trips. Over the years, I learnt to love and trust this exceptional full-frame camera.

But before you invest in your creative future with the S5, let me share with you my hands-on review of the Panasonic Lumix S5.

Outstanding video quality, but not without kinks:

The Panasonic Lumix S5 produces high-quality video, especially for its price. However, its autofocus, low-light performance, and in-body image stabilisation present some challenges that users should consider.

Recording 4K V-Log keeps file sizes manageable while allowing for flexible colour grading. For a camera body priced around 1000 CHF, this capability is impressive and a must have for anyone who prioritises video work.

In the market for a second camera?

For a second angle?

Take the S5.

For the absolute best and easiest colour grading, check out my OneClick-LUT-Pack.

The built-in mic is not good, so I never use it.

The autofocus, which has a significant amount of breathing and has ruined many shots but also created some nice focus pulls on accident. It felt faster to lose a target than reteach it. Maybe my S5 has a special interest in my background.

Most of the time I switch to manual for any longer shots that include faces, just to eliminate unnecessary focus breathing.

Same with the In-Body-Image-Stabilisation; it ruined a lot of shots since it induces a jitter that is hard to remove in ports. Quite often, the edges seem a bit wobbly, so I default to shooting tripod shots, saving me countless hours in post. Which is quite a bummer.

The low light quality is grainy, and as soon as the sun is setting, the shadows become noisy. Even with the dual native ISO at 640 and 4000, where the noise is the lowest.

There, I expected more from a full-frame camera.

The S5's Outstanding Full-Frame Image Quality:

I love the image quality. The grain, the colours, the flexibility in post. All of this.

All of my best pictures, and the majority of pictures in my wallpaper packs, have been shot with this particular camera. The 24-megapixel sensor is the perfect balance between file size and detail. Especially for usage on social media. Here, the camera is the absolute best. Delivering outstanding crispy pictures, landscapes, and portraits. With details allowing you to count hairs.

Exceptional Overall quality, in camera tech:

I love the build quality.

My S5 has accompanied me on every adventure. In a foggy, wet forest, 40°C hikes and through snowstorms. It got wet, dusty, snowy, cold, and warm. I dropped it several times, and except for the broken kit lens, which is an L-Mount detachable, there are no scratches or damage. After all the years of abuse, the camera works like a charm. I am deeply satisfied with the overall build quality, and the sturdy body supports that ruggedness. The Lumix S5 is perfect for every outdoor adventure.

With the capability to take two SD cards, I never reached the limit of two 128 GB cards. For a professional photoshoot, saving JPGs to one card and RAW to another is an absolute game-changer.

Not only does it enable you to show a client a quick preview of the colour-graded image, but the dual-slot function can also serve as a backup card.

Saving a RAW video might take one or two seconds, but in reality, this never really bothered me. The ability to record to an external SSD would be amazing, which they included in the S5 II.

That alone does not provide enough reasons to upgrade.

The future of my S5:

I am deeply satisfied with the picture quality of my S5, and I'm going to keep it for the foreseeable future for that purpose. As B-Cam, the S5 will continue to see regular use, but for my main shooter for video, I am currently planning to switch to the Sony FX3.

My personal use case is dependent on good autofocus and low-light capabilities. For the foreseeable future, the S5 will provide me excellent service and is one of my beloved cameras today.

Conclusion for an outstanding full-frame camera:

The S5 is a perfect camera to branch into full-frame photography and videography. New models can be obtained for around 1000 CHF, and used ones for 800 CHF. Which is one of the best price-performances I have ever seen. The utilisation of L-Mount provides a wide range of lenses from Panasonic to Leica and even cinema lenses from Sirui.

Even if Panasonic is a niche brand in the camera market, the S5 is definitely worth investing in if you are looking for a full-frame camera in 2025.

Should You Buy the Panasonic Lumix S5 in 2025? [Full-Frame Camera Review]