Matt Johnson compared the new Sony FX5 with the 50% cheaper Panasonic Lumix S1II.
Key Comparison Highlights
- Raw Video Recording:
⚬ Sony FX5: Records in Sony’s proprietary XOCN RAW format. It offers 16-bit color and efficient compression options that make RAW filming feasible on standard SD cards.
⚬ Panasonic S1ii: Records in ProRes RAW. While highly capable, it results in massive file sizes (up to 4.2 Gbps), necessitating large, expensive memory cards. - Usability & Features:
⚬ External SSD Recording: The S1ii allows recording directly to an external SSD via USB-C, a major cost-saving feature that the FX5 lacks.
⚬ Menu & Workflow: The S1ii wins on menu usability, allowing filmmakers to filter frame rates and resolutions easily without restarting the camera. In contrast, the FX5 requires the camera to restart when switching certain formats or frame rates, which can be disruptive.
⚬ Hybrid Capability: The S1ii is a true hybrid camera, fully capable of taking high-quality RAW photos. The FX5 is positioned strictly as a cinema camera and lacks the ability to take RAW photos, a point of frustration for many users. - Performance:
⚬ Low Light & Dynamic Range: The FX5 excels in low light with a higher base ISO (12,800) and better control over noise reduction. It also has a slight edge in dynamic range (up to 14 stops).
⚬ Overheating: The FX5 performed flawlessly in outdoor, high-temperature stress tests. While the S1ii has received firmware updates to improve its heat management, it still carries a higher risk of overheating compared to the FX5 when recording at high frame rates.
⚬ IBIS: The Panasonic S1ii remains the winner for “brute force” in-body image stabilization (IBIS), providing incredibly stable handheld footage.
⚬ Autofocus: While the S1ii is a massive improvement over previous Panasonic generations, Sony’s AF tracking (especially in challenging “edge cases”) remains superior.
Now imagine if Lumix made a compact cinema camera that competed with the Sony FX5 at a lower price. I think it would sell well!