Panasonic LUMIX S5 II vs Panasonic LUMIX S9
The bottom line
There's a real price gap here: the Panasonic LUMIX S9 at $1,499 versus the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II at $1,999. The extra buys you dual card slots and weather sealing. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II if…
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio.
- ✓You need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events.
- ✓You work outdoors — it's weather-sealed for rain and dust, the other isn't.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S9 if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 30fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames.
- ✓You're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,499, about $500 less, freeing money for lenses.
- ✓You value portability — at 486g (1.07 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 740g (1.63 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
Where they differ
- ›Burst: the Panasonic LUMIX S9 shoots 30fps to the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II's 9fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
- ›Price: the Panasonic LUMIX S9 launched at $1,499, $500 under the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Card slots: the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II has dual slots for instant backup — the reliability paid work depends on.
- ›Durability: the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II is weather-sealed against dust and rain; the other isn't.
- ›Weight: the Panasonic LUMIX S9 is 486g (1.07 lb) vs 740g (1.63 lb) — 254g you'll feel on a long day out.
Frequently asked
Is the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II or the Panasonic LUMIX S9 better?
There's a real price gap here: the Panasonic LUMIX S9 at $1,499 versus the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II at $1,999. The extra buys you dual card slots and weather sealing. The question is whether those advantages are ones you'll use often enough to justify the premium — if not, the cheaper body is the smart buy.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II if you shoot video seriously — it brings both mic and headphone jacks for monitored audio. Choose it if you need backup-while-you-shoot reliability — dual card slots (the other has one) matter for paid work like weddings and events. Choose it if you work outdoors — it's weather-sealed for rain and dust, the other isn't.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX S9?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX S9 if you shoot action, sports or wildlife — 30fps burst keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 9fps would drop frames. Choose it if you're budget-conscious — it launched at $1,499, about $500 less, freeing money for lenses. Choose it if you value portability — at 486g (1.07 lb) it's noticeably lighter than the 740g (1.63 lb) alternative for travel and all-day carry.
What is the main difference between the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II and the Panasonic LUMIX S9?
Burst: the Panasonic LUMIX S9 shoots 30fps to the Panasonic LUMIX S5 II's 9fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full-Frame | Full-Frame |
| Image Processor | Venus Engine | Venus Engine |
| Effective Resolution | 24.2 MP | 24.2 MP |
| Lens Mount | L-Mount | L-Mount |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 100 – 51200 | 100 – 51200 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 50 – 204800 | 50 – 204800 |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | − |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/250 |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 9 fps | 30 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 6K | 6K |
| 8K Recording | − | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 60p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 120p | Up to 120p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | V-Log / HLG | V-Log / V-Log L / HLG |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | No |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Full-size (Type A) | Micro (Type D) |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 779 | 779 |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | − |
| Low Light AF | -6 EV | -6 EV |
| Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | − |
| EVF Resolution | 3.68M dots | − |
| EVF Magnification | 0.78x | − |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 1.84M dots | 1.84M dots |
| LCD Type | Vari-Angle | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | v5.2 | v5.2 |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Memory Card Slots | 2x SD UHS-II | 1x SD UHS-II |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $1,999 | $1,499 |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Aluminum Alloy |
| Dimensions | 134.3×102.3×90.1 mm | 126×73.9×46.7 mm |
| Weight | 740g (1.63 lb) | 486g (1.07 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 370 shots | 470 shots |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 440 shots | 470 shots |
| Battery Type | DMW-BLK22 | DMW-BLK22 |
