Panasonic Lumix S1IIe vs S5II: Is it worth to upgrade?

Yes, if you can afford it. Let me explain. The Lumix S1IIe is a major upgrade to the Lumix S5II and despite technically having the same 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS sensor (the S1IIE sensor has been refined – improvements in dynamic range and readout speed), it has an updated Venus Engine processor, which significantly enhances its capabilities in all areas. Along with the S1II line new bigger body, this new software/hardware combination has starched the limits of what Lumix can extract out of this older sensor, giving us 4k 60p 2.34:1 (Cinemascope mode), 5.1K Open gate at 60p, internal ProRes RAW, better monitoring (false color, vectorscope), cropless EIS, UVC webcam implementation, wireless TC, Capture One + Lumix Flow integration, added HEIF photo format, and CineLike A2 color profile.

The new line of S1II bodies gives us a substantially better higher-res EVF (5.76 MD vs. 3.68 MD), a more versatile 5-axis screen, a deeper grip, tougher/freeze-rated body, longer-life shutter with power-off closure, a CFexpress slot, front tally light, photo/video/S&Q switch, and the ability to lock the shooting/drive mode dials.

The performance improvements are also notable; better IBIS implementation (not that the IBIS in the S5II is bad), with focus on center objects and the option of cropless image stabilization, refined autofocus with added Urban Sports mode, and a better hand held 96MP high-res mode. You can also have the 32-bit float audio option (via the XLR adapter) and paid ARRI LogC3 option, which are both not available in the S5II.

***not tested*** best for: upgrade to first ff camera

Lumix S1IIE

• 4k 60p 2.34:1, 5.1K Open gate at 60p, internal ProRes RAW
• AF improved face/eye recognition accuracy, Urban Sports
• 5.76 MD EVF, 5-axis screen
• Improved IBIS, up to 8 stops (cropless EIS, centered)
• CineLike A2, false color, proxy recording, more LUT slots
• CFexpress slot, front tally light, photo/video/S&Q switch

read the full review →

***owned and tested*** best for: Entry level FF

Lumix S5II

• 4k 60p 1.5 x crop, 5.1K Open gate at 30p
• Great second had + bundle deals
• IBIS Up to 5 stops body / 6.5 stops Dual I.S. 2
• 3.68 MD EVF, fully articulating screen
• V-Log, CineLike profiles, LUTs
• Internal fan, no overheating

read the full review →

I have not tested the S1IIE, but I have researched it extensively, watched all the user videos I could find on YouTube (even foreign ones) – which are very few in comparison to the S1II/R videos – and have evaluated it for a potential future acquisition. Below is an extensive comparison between the two cameras, taking into account also the firmware upgrades both cameras have received:

The Downsides of the S1IIE

The only downsides of the S1IIE compared to the S5II are its price, overheating issues and size/weight. At its current price of $2,397 (new) it is significantly more expensive than the S5II $1,697 (new). You can also get amazing deals of the S5II bundled with the 20-60 kit lens and the 50mm F1.8, which are often promoted by various sellers, even on Panasonic’s website. Also, if you search on the second hand market you can find deals of the Lumix S5II $1,299 (Amazon body only) while the S1IIE is still at over $2,000 used.

The overheating was a major problem at the launch of the S1II series of cameras, particularly at higher frame rates and codecs. The November 2025 firmware update did improve the overall heat management of the cameras and now they can generally be used for longer recording sessions in hot weather. The S5II, that has an internal fan inside and has never had any issues with overheating, is still the more reliable option is long shooting scenarios. Keep in mind that the S1IIE can record RAW internally and has higher codecs, so the comparison is not 1 to 1. Nevertheless, if you do a lot of outside shooting in hotter climates, the S5II/X might be a better choice for you. And finally just to mention the weight/size – there is a difference, but it is minimal – the Lumix S1IIE has a slightly deeper grip and EVF housing (1.5 mm) and is 50 g (~1.8 oz) heavier – Lumix S1IIE794 g (1.75 lb) vs Lumix S5II 744 g (1.64 lb). These are

The competition of the S1IIE

So the real main downside is the price, which is high, and while the S1IIE offers incredible specs, with its current pricing, it competes with cameras such as the Nikon ZR, the Nikon Z6III and Sony Alpha 7 IV. Both the Nikon cameras are cheaper, offer higher specs and have a greater lens choice. The Nikon ZR in particular is a great competitor, with its 4-inch screen, internal 32-bit float audio, 4 internal RAW codecs (including RED RAW), and no overheating issues.

 If and when the price drops down to around $1,600 – 1,797 (second hand) then this camera will be a viable choice – I have already seen second hand offerings of under €1,900 for it on the second hand market. Will this happen with the current situation of all the camera prices going up? I don’t know but if it does, this camera will be a camera worth considering.