The catch
Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
Tall 6K 3:2 tops out at 30p, 4K60 is cropped, and there is no USB-SSD recording.
Side by side
Panasonic S5II vs S1II: S5II is the simple choice for ordinary 6K, S1II adds tall 60p and direct SSD
Quick verdict
Ordinary 6K stays simple on the S5II, and the S1II adds tall 60p and direct SSD recording. The S5II is the pick if 6K 3:2 at 30p and supported two-SD recording already meet the output. The S1II is the pick if 5.1K 3:2 at 60p or qualified USB-SSD recording solves a specific editing problem. Both are body-only. Two-card use on the S1II needs mixed card formats, and its SSD mode turns off card recording.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
A faster tall source only pays off if the final clip calls for it
Both bodies give you 5952×3968 3:2 at 30p. For a conversation, a craft demonstration or an ordinary family film, S1II gives that source no more pixels. What it does add is 5088×3392 3:2 at 60p, which can support slower playback and leaves more vertical room than a 16:9 capture would. For movement that has to work in two orientations, that is a meaningful upgrade. Its full-height portrait crop is 1908×3392, though, so native portrait 4K is not preserved. Begin with the finished clip, and pick S1II if the faster source changes it. Do not buy the newer body for 30p work that stays the same.
Where this comes from
From the exact 3:2 format tables and 3392×9/16=1908. No claim that 6K 3:2 reaches 60p or 5.1K60 yields native portrait 4K.
The catch
Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
Slots are one Type B CFexpress and one SD. In SSD mode card copies are lost and battery demand goes up.
Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
- Why pick it
- What you regularly produce is ordinary-speed horizontal and portrait edits from a single 6K take.
- A lighter body and two compatible SD cards suit the routine you have.
- The catch
- Tall 6K 3:2 tops out at 30p, 4K60 is cropped, and there is no USB-SSD recording.
Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
- Why pick it
- For slower playback in horizontal and portrait edits alike, a tall 60p source matters.
- Recording straight to a compatible SSD improves the editing handoff enough that you will plan your power and copies around it.
- The catch
- Slots are one Type B CFexpress and one SD. In SSD mode card copies are lost and battery demand goes up.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Panasonic S5II vs S1II for family films and a home studio that is growing. Weigh two-orientation 60p, editing straight from the drive and the cards behind the upgrade.
A proven full-frame L-mount body set against a more capable current hybrid. Buyers can hold on to their lenses while deciding if faster tall capture and direct SSD recording are worth a different supporting setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Hold on to a matched pair of suitable SD cards
S1II needs CFexpress Type B in its first slot.
- Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
- Better fit
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
- Caution
Shoot tall 3:2 footage at 60p
S1II adds 5.1K 3:2 at 60p.
- Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
- Not suitable
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
- Better fit
Record directly to a qualified USB SSD
S1II handles the drive workflow, with cards turned off.
- Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
- Not suitable
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
- Better fit
Cut ordinary-speed edits from 5952×3968 footage
Both provide that 3:2 geometry up to 30p.
- Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
- Good
- Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
- Good
In practice
Differences you will notice
A faster tall source only pays off if the final clip calls for it
Both bodies give you 5952×3968 3:2 at 30p. For a conversation, a craft demonstration or an ordinary family film, S1II gives that source no more pixels. What it does add is 5088×3392 3:2 at 60p, which can support slower playback and leaves more vertical room than a 16:9 capture would. For movement that has to work in two orientations, that is a meaningful upgrade. Its full-height portrait crop is 1908×3392, though, so native portrait 4K is not preserved. Begin with the finished clip, and pick S1II if the faster source changes it. Do not buy the newer body for 30p work that stays the same.
How we worked this out
From the exact 3:2 format tables and 3392×9/16=1908. No claim that 6K 3:2 reaches 60p or 5.1K60 yields native portrait 4K.
Direct-to-drive work relocates the backup task instead of removing it
A compatible USB SSD can take S1II recordings, which is handy if the same drive then goes straight to the editing computer. Card recording is disabled while that mode is active. The drive thus holds the original, so an editor should make a separate verified copy before reusing it. S5II writes its internal formats to cards and needs a later transfer to the working drive. In a supported workflow, S1II can skip that first transfer, but the backup time remains. The drive also calls for proper mounting, cable and power planning when one person operates the camera.
How we worked this out
S1II offers USB-SSD support with explicit card and power restrictions, while S5II has no SSD capture. Editing compatibility and the copy workflow are conditional.
A new card format can matter even before you touch a new video mode
If you already run matched SD cards in S5II, you can keep that two-card routine and avoid buying into another format. S1II has one CFexpress Type B slot and one SD slot. Even if you carry on recording an ordinary supported format, filling both slots requires the right first-slot card and a way to read it. Demanding formats may also rule out duplicate recording, since the SD side cannot support them. That is why the whole recording and transfer setup belongs in the upgrade budget. S5II stays a sensible choice when the familiar SD workflow already protects and delivers the work you make.
How we worked this out
Drawn from card interfaces, supported backup roles and S1II’s SD-format restrictions. No card prices or included accessories are invented.
Option A
Panasonic, DC-S5M2BODY9
Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
What you regularly produce is ordinary-speed horizontal and portrait edits from a single 6K take.
- Best for
- What you regularly produce is ordinary-speed horizontal and portrait edits from a single 6K take.
Facts we checked
- Ordinary-speed tall 6K: 5952×3968 up to 30p
- Tall 60p option: Unavailable in 6K 3:2
- Direct USB-SSD capture: Unavailable
- Two-card setup: Two UHS-II SD
Option B
Panasonic, DC-S1M2BODY9
Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
For slower playback in horizontal and portrait edits alike, a tall 60p source matters.
- Best for
- For slower playback in horizontal and portrait edits alike, a tall 60p source matters.
Facts we checked
- Ordinary-speed tall 6K: 5952×3968 up to 30p
- Tall 60p option: 5088×3392 3:2 up to 60p
- Direct USB-SSD capture: Supported with qualified media
- Two-card setup: CFexpress Type B plus SD
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Panasonic LUMIX S5II body | Panasonic LUMIX S1II body | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary-speed tall 6K | 5952×3968 up to 30p | 5952×3968 up to 30p | For this particular source, upgrading adds no pixels. |
| Tall 60p option | Unavailable in 6K 3:2 | 5088×3392 3:2 up to 60p | S1II brings a useful source for slower playback, with less room to crop. |
| Direct USB-SSD capture | Unavailable | Supported with qualified media | With S1II the recording destination changes and the cards are disabled. |
| Two-card setup | Two UHS-II SD | CFexpress Type B plus SD | Both S1II slots cannot be filled with existing SD spares. |
| Body with battery/card | 740g | 800g | The 60g gap between bodies leaves out any recording rig. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
- Each needs a lens. A separate RAW HDMI workflow may require a recorder or activation.
With Panasonic LUMIX S1II body
- Count the cost of media, a reader and any drive mounting or power accessories. Optional DMW-XLR2 is needed for 32-bit float audio.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Ordinary-speed work and two SD cards cover the job
Go with Panasonic LUMIX S5II body. S5II lets you keep the simpler kit you have.
The output changes with tall 60p or direct-drive capture
Go with Panasonic LUMIX S1II body. Those extra routes are offered by S1II.
Decision guide
Before you buy
You want a more capable camera, and you do not want an ordinary family film to become a complicated recording rig.
What this page can’t tell you
- No claim rests on measured autofocus, image quality or recording duration.
- Smooth editing on every computer is not something the camera guarantees.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the mirrorless cameras we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic LUMIX S5II body |
|
| |
| Panasonic LUMIX S1II body |
|
|
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Panasonic LUMIX S5II body
What you regularly produce is ordinary-speed horizontal and portrait edits from a single 6K take.
A lighter body and two compatible SD cards suit the routine you have.
See price & reviews on AmazonPanasonic LUMIX S1II body
For slower playback in horizontal and portrait edits alike, a tall 60p source matters.
Recording straight to a compatible SSD improves the editing handoff enough that you will plan your power and copies around it.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money