I’ve used the Lumix S5 for nearly a year, and in this video I explain why I still think it’s the smarter choice for a lot of filmmakers going into 2026—especially if you’re on a limited budget. I’m not doing an image-to-image comparison with the S5II (I haven’t used it), but I am looking at the specs, the real-world tradeoffs, and what you actually get for the extra money. Used, the S5 is often around $700–$800, while the S5II is closer to $1,200, which is roughly a $400 gap. For me, the S5 is one of the best deals right now because it’s full frame, has solid dynamic range, and the IBIS is genuinely great—I’ve shot everything handheld without needing to rig it out, and I’m not fighting micro-jitters. I also like that the S5 looks a bit less oversharpened and less clinical than what I’ve seen from the S5II. Rolling shutter differences are small in full frame, but in APS-C mode the S5 can actually be significantly better, which matters if you want to use APS-C lenses. Yes, the S5II gives you 6K and open gate, and the autofocus is way better. But if you don’t need those features, I’d rather put that $400 into things that actually improve your filmmaking—like a lens, tripod, audio, or even a used laptop for editing.