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Panasonic S5 II Quick Take

PDAF fixes AF, strong IBIS, 6K open-gate — a value-packed full-frame hybrid for video-first creators.

Panasonic camera on table

Pros

PDAF autofocus

Big improvement over DFD; better face/eye tracking.

IBIS

Excellent stabilization; great for handheld video.

Video formats

6K open-gate, 4:2:2 10-bit, strong codecs for grading.

Cons

AF consistency

Better than before, still trails Sony/Canon in erratic scenes.

Rolling shutter

Present in some modes; avoid fast pans in open-gate.

Lens ecosystem

L-mount growing, but fewer budget lenses than E-mount.

Who should buy it

Video-first creators who want strong IBIS, open-gate workflows, and now-decent AF at a fair price. Great for indie films, YouTube, and corporate video.

Real-world notes

Stabilization

IBIS + E-Stabilization is excellent; watch for wobble on ultra-wide lenses.

Color

V-Log grades well; skin tones are pleasant, especially with good WB.

Thermals

Handles long takes well; the active cooling design helps reliability.

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