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expired Posted by DLS4U | Staff • May 8, 2022
expired Posted by DLS4U | Staff • May 8, 2022

Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera (Body Only)

& More + Free S&H

$1,498

$1,998

25% off
Amazon
65 Comments 52,343 Views
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Deal Details
Various Retailers have Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera (Body Only) for $1497.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Slickdeals Staff DLS4U for sharing this deal.

Available from:
  • Amazon $1497.99
  • Adorama $1497.99
    • Includes Accessories Kit when you select Kit Style
  • BH Photo Video $1497.99
    • Includes Accessories Kit when you select Kit Style
Also available, Various Retailers have Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera with 20-60mm Lens from $1797.99. Shipping is free.

Available from:

Editor's Notes

Written by johnny_miller | Staff
  • About this store:
  • Reviews:
    • Highly rated w/ 4.8 out of 5 stars by 138 Amazon customers.
  • About this deal:
    • Please refer to the forum thread for additional information & deal discussion.

Original Post

Written by DLS4U | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Various Retailers have Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera (Body Only) for $1497.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Slickdeals Staff DLS4U for sharing this deal.

Available from:
  • Amazon $1497.99
  • Adorama $1497.99
    • Includes Accessories Kit when you select Kit Style
  • BH Photo Video $1497.99
    • Includes Accessories Kit when you select Kit Style
Also available, Various Retailers have Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera with 20-60mm Lens from $1797.99. Shipping is free.

Available from:

Editor's Notes

Written by johnny_miller | Staff
  • About this store:
  • Reviews:
    • Highly rated w/ 4.8 out of 5 stars by 138 Amazon customers.
  • About this deal:
    • Please refer to the forum thread for additional information & deal discussion.

Original Post

Written by DLS4U | Staff

Community Voting

Deal Score
+40
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Top Comments

RickyBobby26
402 Posts
100 Reputation
This is such a great deal. An underrated video camera and solid photo camera. Vlog is one of the best camera log formats and easiest to work with.

Autofocus isn't great and won't beat Sony or canon in video. Photo is decent, but I wouldn't plan on getting one if you shoot a lot of action sports. Battery life is solid and flip out screen is versatile. 2 sd card slots which I prefer over the more expensive options like cfexpress.
kevinh
2439 Posts
304 Reputation
I had it for a month and returned it but not because of the AF. I went with the A7 IV because it's lens system is so robust and it's so easy to get good lenses for cheap on the used market. So Cal is a hot bed for photography and you might see one or 2 lenses for the Panny full frames for sale on Craigslist where you'll find dozens for the Sony system. This will change in the future hopefully as the M4/3 system has lenses aplenty.

The AF is actually quite good. Beyond usable but nowhere near the A7 IV. Also, the IBIS is top notch on the S5 so if you're not using a gimbal the difference in the two camera's IBIS is pretty big. I have external tremors (shaky hands/fingers) and the S5 completely nullifies it whereas the A7 IV doesn't come close for me.

At the end of the day, I'd just suggest looking at a camera system as a whole. I was able to get the Sony 24-105mm F4, 20mm F1.8 and 90mm Macro lenses all in pristine condition on the used market for $2000 here in So Cal. Took some patience but there are deals to be had.

Under $2k price point though, you might consider the Fuji XT4 if you aren't dead set on full frame.
RickyBobby26
402 Posts
100 Reputation
Solid ~~ decent. I gave specifics to why. I'm not sure what your issue is when I described the context.

If you're not shooting action with lots of movement for focus tracking, I'd recommend this for the price. If you're a general photographer wanting a full-frame camera, this really is a good option. Not every camera is perfect for every use in this price range.

I don't think most professionals are seeking advice on slickdeals on the ins and outs of cameras. The purpose of my post was to quickly provide some pros and cons of it to a general consumer.

For video, I don't think there's anything comparable in this price range. I've shot on this camera since it was released for professional work in a variety of settings. If anyone has specific questions, feel free to ask.

64 Comments

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May 9, 2022
402 Posts
Joined Jun 2011
May 9, 2022
RickyBobby26
May 9, 2022
402 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank RickyBobby26

This is such a great deal. An underrated video camera and solid photo camera. Vlog is one of the best camera log formats and easiest to work with.

Autofocus isn't great and won't beat Sony or canon in video. Photo is decent, but I wouldn't plan on getting one if you shoot a lot of action sports. Battery life is solid and flip out screen is versatile. 2 sd card slots which I prefer over the more expensive options like cfexpress.
1
May 9, 2022
2,081 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
May 9, 2022
jomeyq
May 9, 2022
2,081 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank jomeyq

Some compelling video options on this, like being able to record full frame 4k30 (UHD OR DCI) at 10 bit 4:2:2. That's pretty unusual, but great if you want to use a stealth rig while still having a lot of room for extreme color grades. The video autofocus hunts a lot, but if you're shooting 10 bit 4:2:2, you're probably also manually pulling focus

Edit: If you want to use native lenses without making some pretty big investments, I'd recommend getting the kit with the 20-60mm lens for $1797. The selection of native lenses for this mount is pretty disappointing at the moment. I'm sure it will get better, but worth knowing what's available before buying in. I just recently switched to Nikon Z due to the some of the impressive and surprising lens options they have (the 28-75mm f/2.8 and the 40mm f/2 in particular). With L mount it looks like you need to spend a lot to get any wide aperture options, with the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 being one of the few options, but that's no bargain at $1000 plus.
Last edited by jomeyq May 9, 2022 at 06:40 AM.
1
May 9, 2022
858 Posts
Joined Jan 2014

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

May 9, 2022
855 Posts
Joined Jan 2006
May 9, 2022
daledemp
May 9, 2022
855 Posts
Quote from Mindcontrol :
I'll keep it short: Beats the A7IV period.
Now you've done it!
1
1
May 9, 2022
716 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
May 9, 2022
myfiremanishuge
May 9, 2022
716 Posts
This or Fujifilm X-T4?
May 9, 2022
11,286 Posts
Joined May 2007
May 9, 2022
superslickz
May 9, 2022
11,286 Posts
Quote from Mindcontrol :
I'll keep it short: Beats the A7IV period.
Can you explain in what ways? Pretty sure autofocus is better with Sony. Lens selection is also better with Sony.
May 9, 2022
2,081 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
May 9, 2022
jomeyq
May 9, 2022
2,081 Posts
Quote from myfiremanishuge :
This or Fujifilm X-T4?
That really comes down to whether you want full frame or APS-C

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May 9, 2022
1,392 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
May 9, 2022
ChrisML
May 9, 2022
1,392 Posts
Bought this camera during the last slickdeal. LOVE it. It's been great for photo and video. Friend has a Sony a7iii and was super impressed with my low light performance compared to his in both photo and video. Just picked up the 50mm to go along with my 85 which has been phenomenal.
May 9, 2022
3,904 Posts
Joined Feb 2013
May 9, 2022
babygdav
May 9, 2022
3,904 Posts
Quote from superslickz :
Can you explain in what ways? Pretty sure autofocus is better with Sony. Lens selection is also better with Sony.
I'd agree. Sony Alphas are top dogs nowadays. Even the Nikons have a touch of trouble keeping up with the Sony AF reliability and lack of contrast-focus hunting, which the Panasonic uses instead of passive focus in uber Sony.

Take AF out and it's down to pro filmmaker preferences for this vs that.

E.g. Some might prefer the image colors of one brand vs another. Or a specific codec + bitrate/bitdepth to match other cameras or workflows, etc.

In general, for the average consumer, ignoring AF, you can buy either and film nice looking 4k movies without much trouble. Limitation will be the user.

For the pro level, I find it hilarious that a $2k camera nowadays can't lock and hold AF reliably like a Sony/Nikon while filming running babies to soccer stars.

...

Resolution wise, Sony A1 for the 8K at $$, then Blackmagic 12K at $$$. Those would be the "best cheapest good" options to start looking at, although with filmmakers given a huge budget, there's always better.
May 9, 2022
5 Posts
Joined Jan 2019
May 9, 2022
Kaldish04
May 9, 2022
5 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Kaldish04

Is the autofocus really that bad? Is there anything better for under $2k than this Panasonic? Obviously I would rather have Sony A7 IV, but with a decent lens it would be almost twice the price of Panasonic S5.
1
1
May 10, 2022
2,439 Posts
Joined Jul 2008
May 10, 2022
kevinh
May 10, 2022
2,439 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank kevinh

Quote from KonradP8255 :
Is the autofocus really that bad? Is there anything better for under $2k than this Panasonic? Obviously I would rather have Sony A7 IV, but with a decent lens it would be almost twice the price of Panasonic S5.

I had it for a month and returned it but not because of the AF. I went with the A7 IV because it's lens system is so robust and it's so easy to get good lenses for cheap on the used market. So Cal is a hot bed for photography and you might see one or 2 lenses for the Panny full frames for sale on Craigslist where you'll find dozens for the Sony system. This will change in the future hopefully as the M4/3 system has lenses aplenty.

The AF is actually quite good. Beyond usable but nowhere near the A7 IV. Also, the IBIS is top notch on the S5 so if you're not using a gimbal the difference in the two camera's IBIS is pretty big. I have external tremors (shaky hands/fingers) and the S5 completely nullifies it whereas the A7 IV doesn't come close for me.

At the end of the day, I'd just suggest looking at a camera system as a whole. I was able to get the Sony 24-105mm F4, 20mm F1.8 and 90mm Macro lenses all in pristine condition on the used market for $2000 here in So Cal. Took some patience but there are deals to be had.

Under $2k price point though, you might consider the Fuji XT4 if you aren't dead set on full frame.
Last edited by kevinh May 9, 2022 at 05:24 PM.
2
May 10, 2022
135 Posts
Joined May 2016
May 10, 2022
MarkB8915
May 10, 2022
135 Posts
Save yourself the money on the 20~60 and get a better lens.. It's an OK lens but with a nice S5 in your hand you want a good lens.
May 10, 2022
277 Posts
Joined Jan 2012
May 10, 2022
mazingaz
May 10, 2022
277 Posts
Quote from MarkB8915 :
Save yourself the money on the 20~60 and get a better lens.. It's an OK lens but with a nice S5 in your hand you want a good lens.
How about Sigma 24-70 mm for little over 1000 .
May 10, 2022
1,971 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
May 10, 2022
violian
May 10, 2022
1,971 Posts
I do corporate photoshoots every now and then (have one next week for ~60 people) and have been eyeing full-frame (currently use Fujifilm APS-C). Was interested in this until I realized it doesn't support tethering in CaptureOne Pro. The lack of tethering for large photoshoots is a huge deal-breaker.

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Pro
May 10, 2022
2,890 Posts
Joined Jun 2017
May 10, 2022
NikonShr
Pro
May 10, 2022
2,890 Posts
Picked up a Nikon z6 kit instead...

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