Though they share a variety of the identical core specs and options, there are some vital variations between the Panasonic Lumix S9 that was launched in 2024 and the Lumix S5 II from 2023.
So we’re bringing you this in-depth Panasonic Lumix S9 vs S5 II head-to-head comparability that can assist you select between these two mirrorless cameras.
It’s also possible to learn our detailed Panasonic Lumix S9 evaluate and Panasonic Lumix S5 II evaluate to search out out precisely what we consider every digicam.
Sensor
The picture sensor used within the new Lumix S9 is strictly the identical because the one discovered within the S5 II.
Each cameras provide 24.2 megapixels of decision by way of a 35mm full-frame sensor with no low-pass filter, which helps Hybrid Part Detection Auto-Focus.
In addition they share the identical Venus picture processor, so each fashions will due to this fact present precisely the identical picture high quality as one another.
Excessive Decision Mode
Each cameras provide the particular hand-held Excessive Decision mode, which delivers 96 megapixel pictures for the final word high quality when element actually issues.
Within the Multi-Shot mode the digicam quickly takes 8 separate pictures and combines them into one JPEG or Uncooked file to create a 12000×8000 pixel tremendous high-resolution picture. The ensuing Uncooked information are 165Mb in measurement!
ISO Pace
The native sensitivity vary of each the S9 and S5II is ISO 100 to ISO 51,200, which could be expanded all the way down to ISO 50 and as much as ISO 204,800.
Twin Native ISO is a characteristic borrowed instantly from the S1H and Panasonic’s broadcast line of video cameras. This routinely switches between native ISO settings of 640 and 4000 with out growing noise by altering the best way the digicam reads out the picture sensor.
You’ll be able to manually swap between the LOW and HIGH settings or select Auto and depend on the digicam to take action at numerous ISO ranges.
Video
Each fashions help inner 4:2:0 10-bit 6K (3:2) and 5.9K (16:9) at 30fps and 4:2:2 C4K and 4K at as much as 60fps. There’s additionally HFR (Excessive Body Charge) recording at as much as 120fps and Gradual & Fast seize at as much as 180fps.
One key distinction between the S9 and S5 II is that the previous has a Micro HDMI Sort D terminal, reasonably than a full-size Sort A model as on the S5 II.
One thing else to significantly contemplate is recording occasions. On the S5 II you possibly can document 6K footage for as much as half-hour, however the S9 is restricted to fifteen minutes as a result of an absence of cooling constructed into the smaller physique.
Two model new video options provided by the Lumix S9 and never featured on the S5 II are a devoted real-time LUT button and help for the brand new MP4 Lite video recording format.
Autofocus
Each cameras use a hybrid distinction and phase-detection auto-focus system with human, animal, automotive and bike detection.
Quick and reliable and offering 779-area metering, the AF system is ready to detect goal topics in troublesome circumstances reminiscent of low mild and backlighting and, as soon as locked on, will stay monitoring them even with different transferring objects within the body.
Burst Capturing
The S5II gives high-speed burst capturing charges at as much as 9fps with the mechanical shutter and 30fps with the digital shutter.
The S9 solely has an digital shutter – there is not any mechanical shutter – however it might nonetheless shoot at 30fps, identical to the S5II.
Flash
This is likely one of the key variations between the 2 cameras.
The S5 II has a flash hotshoe and due to this fact gives a variety of various flash modes.
Panasonic have considerably controversially determined to not implement a hotshoe on the S9 – as a substitute it has a chilly shoe that can primarily be used for mounting a microphone accent.
Shutter Pace
Each cameras provide a quickest shutter velocity of 1/8,000 sec for stills and 1/16,000 sec for video, which reasonably lags behind a few of their primary rivals.
Physique and Design
Thanks primarily to its compact, flat-style design and never having a viewfinder, the S9 is considerably smaller than the S5 II, reminding us a variety of the Lumix GM1 Micro 4 Thirds digicam from 2013.
It’s by a way the smallest and lightest mannequin in Panasonic’s vary of 35mm full-frame mirrorless cameras, measuring 126 x 73.9 x 46.7mm and weighing 486g / 1.08 lb with a battery and reminiscence card fitted.
The S5II measures 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1 mm weighs 740g with a battery and reminiscence card fitted, making it a whopping 254g heavier than the S9.
IBIS
The S9 is the newest Panasonic digicam to characteristic 5-axis in-body picture stabilisation (IBIS), following on from the S5 II.
Each fashions present as much as 6.5 stops of Twin IS compensation for stills, or 5 stops of in-body IS.
Each have an Energetic I.S. mode which supplies extremely steady video recording by optimising horizontal, vertical and rotational correction.
That is particularly efficient in historically difficult circumstances for handheld capturing, reminiscent of utilizing telephoto lenses or filming whereas strolling.
Viewfinder
This is likely one of the key variations between the 2 cameras.
The Lumix S5 II has a fairly respectable 3,680k 0.78x OLED viewfinder.
The S9 achieves its compact, flat-style design and smaller measurement by not having a built-in viewfinder in any respect. There’s additionally no possibility for becoming a viewfinder accent.
LCD Display screen
Each cameras share precisely the identical 1,840k vari-angle LCD display.
Each have a contact display, that means that you would be able to, if want, drag the main target space across the display together with your finger or thumb.
Alternatively, on the S5II you should utilize the thumb-operated joystick to the upper-right of the LCD to do the identical. The S9 has a D-pad reasonably than a joystick, which is much less handy to make use of.
Reminiscence Playing cards
The S5II has twin reminiscence card slots, utilising two UHS-II SD card slots housed in a devoted compartment on the facet of the physique.
The smaller S9 solely has a single UHS-II SD card slot that is positioned on the underside of the digicam contained in the battery compartment, , which is much less handy to make use of particularly when mounting the digicam on a tripod.
Battery Life
Each fashions use the identical rechargeable 2,200mAh DMW-BLK22 lithium-ion battery.
On the S9, which does not have a viewfinder, this supplies 470 picture battery life, as measured utilizing stringent CIPA trade requirements.
Maybe unsurprisingly on the extra power-hungry S5II, battery life drops considerably to 370 photographs.
Each cameras may also be powered and charged by way of a USB-C connection, which is beneficial should you’re out and about and have a appropriate power-bank to plug the digicam into.
Value
The brand new Panasonic Lumix S5II is priced at £1,999 / €2,199 / $1,999 body-only within the UK, Europe and USA respectively.
The S9 is priced at £1,499 body-only, £1,799 with the 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 equipment lens, and £2,249 with the 28-200 mm F4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S. zoom lens.
Conclusion
The brand new S9 inherits a lot of the key options from the S5II and homes them in a a lot smaller, lighter physique in a variety of 4 colors. It does not have a viewfinder or AF joystick, although, which my each be dealbreakers for some customers.
So what do you suppose? Would you select the brand new Lumix S9 or the larger, costlier S5II? Go away a remark beneath!
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