burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

In January, Panasonic broke new ground (for them) with the Lumix S5 Mark II, a 24 MP hybrid mirrorless full frame camera that has hybrid phase detect autofocus. They pre-announced the S5 Mark IIX at that time. It is finally here.

Find out more about it by searching for reviews on YouTube. Most of them are highly complimentary.

Both of these cameras are true hybrids, meaning they are just as important for still photography as they are for videography. Panasonic puts more video features into their hybrid cameras than any other manufacturer, and the S5 Mark II and IIX are the most well-rounded examples.

The S5 IIX comes in a sleek, gorgeous, blacked-out body that some folks say is, by itself, worth the extra $200. It also adds additional video options over the S5 II.
The IIX can record Apple ProRes Raw to an external SSD, and Black Magic Raw to a Black Magic external monitor/recorder.

Apparently, there is some faster processing going on, and live streaming video options have been added, similar to those in the Lumix GH5 Mark II.

If you make films, TV commercials, news and sports reports, training videos, wedding videos, or if you are a YouTube video blogger, either of these cameras may interest you. If you also do portraits, events, or most types of still photos, these are also worth a look.

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Altho I might agree that the blacked out finish is probably worth about $200, I do NOT like the gray-on-black control labels.

OTOH $200 buys a lot of black nail polish. Other than black, I use a lot of white nail polish, to emphasize visibility of controls.

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burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Yes, I feel the same way. I'd probably grab some white model airplane paint and fill in the depressions on the button and dial labels — at least on the top and rear panels.

After cataract surgery, I have fixed focus eyes and need progressive readers to see controls, so every little bit of contrast helps.

I would have been happy if they had made one camera with all the features of both in it. By selling more of the same model, they could probably keep the price down and make more margins. But timing of engineering projects probably led the way... Knowing Panasonic, they also probably wanted something to reveal at CES and something new to show at NAB.

I'm still waiting for a Micro 4/3 version of this, such as a GH6X or GH6 II with live streaming and hybrid phase detect AF... Emily over at Micro Four Nerds has a video comparing the S5 IIX and the GH6. It's full of good insights. https://youtu.be/RW0mDYlmio0

William Loc: Mississippi

not my bag but intresting@

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Why black out the name?

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Many of us would rather not have a conversation piece in our hands. I've used black gaffer's tape to hide the logo on cameras before. It's sort of like not using the wide, brightly colored logo camera straps that the manufacturers include with every new body... Why draw attention to the brand when you're a photojournalist or event photographer? Sometimes, you just want to blend into the background and use the silent electronic shutter in "stealth mode."

When I'm working, I'm not advertising for a camera manufacturer. When I'm "just relaxing," I don't wear logo merchandise, either. One of my favorite T-shirts of all time, worn by a kid I met at a yearbook editor's workshop in 1983, said, "I am not a @!%$& brand label." It was a rejection of the teen logo culture of the time, which had gotten out of hand with conformative preppie-ness. "I-zit," "Low Coste," "Abercrumb," "Timmie Humpfinger," "Donna Krakhead New Jersey," "Nukee," and "Ray-Gun" were just some of the pejoratives used by kids who rejected the aspirational logo lifestyle pushed by the mall rats.

60 years ago, Nikon made the original 'F' in both chrome and black models. The black bodies were favored by war photographers because they reflected less light for the enemy to see. One of them even took a bullet and survived the hit, also saving the life of the photographer, Don McCullin. https://www.flickr.com/photos/martsharm/4683329492

A practical application for an all-black camera is copy stand work. When photographing shiny objects, photos, or flat art framed under glass, or when photographing items under a sheet of glass to hold them flat, you don't want to see a reflection of the camera from the object or the glass holding it down. In the 1980s, I used a Nikon F3 (which was all black to begin with) with black tape over the logo. Before that, when using my chrome Nikon FTn, I used a matte black plate with a hole in it, mounted on the macro lens with an empty filter ring, to hide the reflections from the chrome body and the chrome lens barrels of the time.

Even now, when I copy prints, slides, and negatives to digital files, I tape over the logo on my Lumix GH4.

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Just got my GH-6. Perhaps its the last available DFD AF high performance GH before PD AF takes over. In giving not a ratzazz about BIFs or dimly lit HS hoops, I huuuugely value the extreme accuracy of DFD focusing ... just whats needed at 100MP, even better than magnified MF.

Given that I work in dim light, I am also hugely happy to NOT have PD elements lurking on the sensor (sadly known for showing up in shadow areas).

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Perhaps a few special cases for reflections.
Do you cover the badging on your automobile or bicycle or other badged products.
I refuse to buy shirts that are walking billboards.
If given free I wear caps, shirts etc. though and t-shirts usually wind up as gardening or other chores where a paid for shirt could be famaged.

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Acetone beats black tape any day :-)

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burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Great points. One reason Lumix stuck by CDAF for so long is the problem of how to hide the PDAF sensor elements among the regular sensels. Fortunately, they kept CDAF and added PDAF.

Serious videographers pull focus manually, which is why Lumix didn’t have a sense of urgency about PDAF. BUT, the market for YouTube vloggers is huge, and they want sharp selfie “walk-and-talk” footage. PDAF delivers that.

Enjoy your GH6! It’s a beast of a machine, for lots of reasons.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

You forgot to black out Tamron.

PS, even with the camera name blacked out, all but the brain dead will easily figure out you are holding a camera.

Also when doing copy work etc make sure all lens info on the front is blacked out, and anything else including strap lugs not blacked out.

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No reason to black out Tamron. What do you figger that would accomplish ?

I have found that if youre hand holding a (large-ish) camera folks do know what it is, but if you mount it on a tripod folks tend to thinks youre a surveyor (urban experience only).

As to copy stand use, I have no problems even with chrome cameras. I have more copy technique expertise and experience than most any 100 Hawgsters combined. Its still paying the rent quite nicely.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Ever photographed yearbook covers with embossed metal seals and foil titles? Light sources have to be huge, relative to size of cover. Ceiling must be black. Walls must be black. Photographer must wear black and stand back. Camera must be black or shrouded in black…

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I'll take your expertise and experience over anyone else here.

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Yes I have had to build the environment. Done pretty much every version of copy. Even ran a line camera which filled up a suite of rooms, and I still have the glass fresnels from the carbon arcs, which Ive kept as souveniers after the shop closed.