MIRRORLESS: panasonic s5ii or sony fx30

S

stefanocps

Well-known member
Hello can't decide between ths 2 camera. I have seen many review, read info, so i know enough of the 2. ABout sony, i like that it has the best AF which is really important, and it is more portable.For panasonic i like the fact that is FF, so may b ebetter in low light, and, for what they say, the color straight from the camera are better.
Stabilization is good, which also i simportant for me, but not that good. For what i see, any stabilization has little wobble on th eedge of the frame..so in this case i don't consider it usable. Sony seems more oslid, whil epanasonic has many feaure, it gives more for less, but also for me is a bit confusing and disappoint. Many of the nice feature are easily limited. Fro higher fps is no more FF, AF is nice not in only the resolution, fh2 hasn't got dpaf autofocus. Then i read about hdmi lag, and about a rolling shutter being really evident. More than FX30.
I shoot interview, docs, reportage sometimes shortmovie, and in general i am always n my own. SO this point is to be considered, in many cases i prefer have a fast setup, no rig...run and gun style. I plan to use only on elens, 18 105 or similar
Last consideration, if can be worthy, sony seems to retain their value better, in cas ei want to sell it later on.
For now the S5ii it cheaper for me, around 300 euro, though lens will be more expensive
Fell free to express any, even not technical, feedback
Thank ypu
 
What lenses do you currently have? Can they be adapted to either Panasonic or Sony?

I think you really need to decide whether you want full frame or APS-C before considering specific models.

Sony makes an 18-105mm f/4 with built-in servo and zoom rocker, so you can make an FX30 function almost like a camcorder. It's not the greatest lens, but it's quite versatile.
 
no lens now..i sold all my fuji lenses, i had xt3. Yes, this feature you told me now is something i forgot to mention, as it is another + for me. For the decision apsc/ff...i don't know how to take this decision. I started 10 years ago with mft, then 5 years ago i went with apsc..in some way i am really curious to see how it is with FF. But i know for video in the end it is not so gamechanger. Hence i am stucked in this decision. The AF, the zoom and the zoom rocker are 3 very importan point for sony, on the other end fx30 doesn't have anyhting exciting (all those tools that s5ii has, the opengate ecc). But eventually if they were both apsc , i would go sony, no doubt. The problem is that i cannot compare with what is like working with FF instead of PASC...probably i ave come to the core of the undecision now
 
I haven't used the Sony fx30 but have the S5ii and think it has a beautiful image, prefer it to the Sony footage I have seen but that is obviously very subjective. The IBIS I think is amazing on it and way more useable than you have suggested - anything wider than 20mm may start to show a little wobble on the edges but I don't shoot at that focal length much. I found IBIS on SOny A7siii to be nowhere near as goo0d as Panasonic's. Another big plus for me with S5ii is the viewfinder - couldn't work without one so the FX30 is a no go for me. I have mainly adapted Canon EF lenses which can be got used very cheap with Sigma adapter and they work very well with AF in video. Canon f4 24-105mm L lens for £200 used, and Sigma adapter used for another £100, Canon EF 50mm 1.8 STM for £40 used - as I say many good lenses from Canon EF legacy. The Panasonic 50mm 1.8 and 20-60mm kit lens I got the S5ii with are both excellent quality, completely silent AF with focus breathing controlled
Rolling shutter is not great but have not had a shot ruined by it yet, again everyone has different levels they can live with.
The apsc mode on the S5ii I found was actually cleaner and sharper than full frame on the Canon R6 which I had before. I don't use 50p for slow motion much but found the extra reach in apsc mode very useful with no obvious image degradation from full frame
Hope some of that helps
 
ade4all said:
I haven't used the Sony fx30 but have the S5ii and think it has a beautiful image, prefer it to the Sony footage I have seen but that is obviously very subjective. The IBIS I think is amazing on it and way more useable than you have suggested - anything wider than 20mm may start to show a little wobble on the edges but I don't shoot at that focal length much. I found IBIS on SOny A7siii to be nowhere near as goo0d as Panasonic's. Another big plus for me with S5ii is the viewfinder - couldn't work without one so the FX30 is a no go for me. I have mainly adapted Canon EF lenses which can be got used very cheap with Sigma adapter and they work very well with AF in video. Canon f4 24-105mm L lens for £200 used, and Sigma adapter used for another £100, Canon EF 50mm 1.8 STM for £40 used - as I say many good lenses from Canon EF legacy. The Panasonic 50mm 1.8 and 20-60mm kit lens I got the S5ii with are both excellent quality, completely silent AF with focus breathing controlled
Rolling shutter is not great but have not had a shot ruined by it yet, again everyone has different levels they can live with.
The apsc mode on the S5ii I found was actually cleaner and sharper than full frame on the Canon R6 which I had before. I don't use 50p for slow motion much but found the extra reach in apsc mode very useful with no obvious image degradation from full frame
Hope some of that helps
Click to expand...

i was told that canon ef are not that good to work with s5ii. If i remmebr well somone told me that you loose or AF or Ibis...Is it true? Also, the af/ibis are comparable to the lumix lens? For the wobble, idon't know pobably i have watched video with lens above 20, but all of theme..at glance seems good..then go to the border and there is some wobble. The problem is that as i want to use oone lens. like for example 24/105 i will always have to deal with wobble? Anyway, the camere i have dfound is 1400 euro with 20/60 lens...a really good price it seems, and this also make my indecision as the s5II at this price is a deal
 
I feel the Canon EF work as well as the native lenses for AF they just aren't as quiet as the Lumix ones. IBIS again with the Canon lenses work great for me, perhaps Lumix lenses with IS work better in tandom with IBIS but none of my Lumix lenses have IS. But the IBIS with Panasonic is so good that I am very happy with it, compared to the Sony and Canon I have tried they are not in the same league. That is a great deal and I find the 20-60mm lens good quality especially for a kit lens, nice to have 20mm on the wide end
 
I film mostly in full frame which is what Ive got used to the last few years, the apsc I have used only when i need a bit more reach on the lens. Quality wise they are very similar. The 6k open gate is another handy feature which I have used when needing portrait 9:16 as well as 16:9 shots. Rolling shutter is quite pronounced in that mode though
 
Since both camera are the same price comes down what you're going to use the camera for. I prefer FF because I'm more interested is shooting indoors in limited spaces so the wide angle is more important. If you know the angle of view you need then see what lens choices are available for each camera. That's what settled it to me because if you need or want a native zoom lens and it costs $2,500, which is more than the camera it's going to change the equation. If stabilization is most important and you're not using a gimbal then the S5II wins. On the downside Panasonic has very small market share, Sony has the brighter future.
 
A random waffle.

A camera with no viewfinder is in this day and age junk.
(if you want to walk around shooting easy stuff)
Viewfinders rock.
So that means no FX30


Panasonic? Weel there is some nice footage.. but its just wrong. Dated AF and no producers ask for it and no huge pool of used lenses. and they don make an AF/ND/XLR camera that you might need to hire for some proper jobs or buy later.

So

Choose.

2) your lenses .. canon EF are cheap, RF are good and Sony are good,

3) find a camera with a view finder to wang on the back of your chosen lenses

4) in the future buy that AF ND XLR video camera used, to hook on your lenses

FFvs S35.?. personally I think 24-105 is a fullframe winner that cant be matched in s35, but there are some zooms like 18-200 that will do a thing on s35 .. get some range.

Id go FF but it doesnt really matter if you are shooting with primes??

So canon R6 then :)
 
morgan_moore said:
A random waffle.

A camera with no viewfinder is in this day and age junk.
(if you want to walk around shooting easy stuff)
Viewfinders rock.
So that means no FX30


Panasonic? Weel there is some nice footage.. but its just wrong. Dated AF and no producers ask for it and no huge pool of used lenses. and they don make an AF/ND/XLR camera that you might need to hire for some proper jobs or buy later.

So

Choose.

2) your lenses .. canon EF are cheap, RF are good and Sony are good,

3) find a camera with a view finder to wang on the back of your chosen lenses

4) in the future buy that AF ND XLR video camera used, to hook on your lenses

FFvs S35.?. personally I think 24-105 is a fullframe winner that cant be matched in s35, but there are some zooms like 18-200 that will do a thing on s35 .. get some range.

Id go FF but it doesnt really matter if you are shooting with primes??

So canon R6 then :)
Click to expand...

canon r6II is your preferences then?will fit the ef series?
 
Peter C. said:
Since both camera are the same price comes down what you're going to use the camera for. I prefer FF because I'm more interested is shooting indoors in limited spaces so the wide angle is more important. If you know the angle of view you need then see what lens choices are available for each camera. That's what settled it to me because if you need or want a native zoom lens and it costs $2,500, which is more than the camera it's going to change the equation. If stabilization is most important and you're not using a gimbal then the S5II wins. On the downside Panasonic has very small market share, Sony has the brighter future.
Click to expand...

sony value is retained very well with the year..while panasonic no. I already find many panasonic s5II sold at really low price..and are not sold!
 
If you try hard enough you can make a convincing argument for any camera. In the end what's more important is the person behind the camera.

As for the viewfinder while all my cameras have one I rarely use it since I almost exclusively film indoors. On the rare occasions I'm outdoors I generally use a bright field monitor.
 
morgan_moore said:
A random waffle.

A camera with no viewfinder is in this day and age junk.
(if you want to walk around shooting easy stuff)
Viewfinders rock.
So that means no FX30


Panasonic? Weel there is some nice footage.. but its just wrong. Dated AF and no producers ask for it and no huge pool of used lenses. and they don make an AF/ND/XLR camera that you might need to hire for some proper jobs or buy later.

So

Choose.

2) your lenses .. canon EF are cheap, RF are good and Sony are good,

3) find a camera with a view finder to wang on the back of your chosen lenses

4) in the future buy that AF ND XLR video camera used, to hook on your lenses

FFvs S35.?. personally I think 24-105 is a fullframe winner that cant be matched in s35, but there are some zooms like 18-200 that will do a thing on s35 .. get some range.

Id go FF but it doesnt really matter if you are shooting with primes??

So canon R6 then :)
Click to expand...

I had the R6 before the S5ii - I would say the AF on the Panasonic is better than on the R6. Also much better dynamic range, cleaner image even in apsc mode compared with full frame of R6, full size hdmi instead of the ridiculous micro hdmi on the R6, also you can connect external monitor with S5ii and everything works - R6 screen turns off if you connect a monitor - again ridiculous. And no overheating and no silly 30 minute record limit with S5ii.
The R6 is a better camera for taking stills but that's it. As I say just adapt Canon ef lenses and you don't have to fully commit to Panasonic, can always pick up a Canon camera with XLR and nd when needed
 
Sony power zoom lenses aren't equivalent to B4 zoom lenses, but better than trying to zoom with photo lenses. An FS5 MK II or FS7 MK II are good S35 options with built-in XLR and NDs.

What was the total budget for a camera and lenses, 1400 euro?
 
I have seen for nit less than 2400. I have made a think tò the Mark 1 because can be found at good price, but i found not good review, also seems a big object tò carry around, isnt'it?
 
ade4all said:
I had the R6 before the S5ii - I would say the AF on the Panasonic is better than on the R6. Also much better dynamic range, cleaner image even in apsc mode compared with full frame of R6, full size hdmi instead of the ridiculous micro hdmi on the R6, also you can connect external monitor with S5ii and everything works - R6 screen turns off if you connect a monitor - again ridiculous. And no overheating and no silly 30 minute record limit with S5ii.
The R6 is a better camera for taking stills but that's it. As I say just adapt Canon ef lenses and you don't have to fully commit to Panasonic, can always pick up a Canon camera with XLR and nd when needed
Click to expand...

Well this is interesting. So my silly post want entirely a waste of pixels.

I think I structured a good argument for putting bucks into canon/sony glass, probably canon as it will work with many 'proper' video cameras.

And you come back suggesting the Panicsonic is a good choice for hanging on the back of your Canon glass.

And it may well be so I will be checking that out.. because per se im not a fan of the R6 .. its just a thing not a thing I love or admire.

large HDMI and no screen switch off are certainly a step beyond the r6 and even the r5 (which I just consider to be an overpirced r6!)

thanks.
 
No worries I have to say I do prefer the image also from the S5ii, that extra DR is quite obvious, there's something strange going on in the shadows on the R6, R5 - there is no lattitude there.
Another plus is the audio takes line in and through my Sound Devides mix pre-d the audio is the best by far from a stills camera. Panasonic take the video side seriously and there are some great deals on the S5ii at the moment.
The one thing I do miss form the R6 is the cheap but great Meike vari nd adapter, heard they are making one for the Panasonic L mount but not happened yet
 
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