Could this be the best sub-£2,000/$2,000 camera on the market? It certainly makes a strong case

£1,799/$1,999 (body only)

www.panasonic.co.uk

1 Amazingly, the S5 is a full-frame camera that’s as small as Panasonic’s top Micro Four Thirds models.

2 The 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens that comes with the Lumix S5 performs well in terms of build and image quality.

Specifications

Sensor: 24.2MP CMOS full-frame sensor

Image processor: Venus Engine

AF points: 225-area DFD contrast AF

ISO range: 100 to 51,200

Max image size: 6,000 x 4,000

Metering modes: 1728-zone multi-pattern sensing system, centre-weighted, spot

Video: 4K/60p 10-Bit 4:2:0, FHD 180 fps S&Q mode Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36m dots

Memory card: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I), SD (UHS-II)

LCD: 3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84m dots

Max burst: 7 fps (mechanical shutter), 6K Photo Mode (18MP @ 30fps)

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Size: 133 x 97 x 82mm

Weight: 714g (body with card and battery)

The Lumix S5 joins three existing Lumix S models, and the Panasonic Lumix move to full-frame has been largely positive. The Lumix S-line of cameras and lenses are capable of capturing sumptuously attractive photos and videos. But two criticisms in particular - autofocus and size - have been tough for Panasonic to shake. The Lumix S5 aims to tackle both of those points and it smashes at least one of them: size.

Panasonic has packed some of the best tech inside the significantly larger Lumix S1 and Lumix S1H into a camera body smaller than the Micro Four Thirds champion, the Lumix GH5. It’s nothing short of witchcraft.

Larger full-frame sensors are the professional photographer’s standard, but they’re less common in the video world. The benefit is that they can gather more light, as they have about 2.5 times the surface area of APS-C sensors found in rival cameras like the APS-C king, the Fujifilm X-T4.