I got the Panasonic S5 recently and it is exactly what I needed*. With a couple of dedicated lenses and a few legacy options I now have a second video rig. That’s what I have to remember. I have a second rig, not a replacement.
Going into another format was always a concern.
By fixing the problems I had with something outside my usual work space**, I had to settle in my mind where that left me and for a while, I lost sight of that.
More than just similar looking.
The twin G9’s are now relegated to my non newspaper kit (studio, video etc), but are still the foundations of my video kit. They are for in some ways limited for video compared to the S5, but very capable none the less.
Lacking any form of LOG, waveforms, continuous recording and shutter angle has made the S5 seem far better for video, but the reality is, the G9’s are better at hand held, slightly more reliable using AF, create sharp and clean footage in a variety of well tried colour modes and have a brilliant range of dedicated lenses.
For a lot of my work, the G9’s will still probably be better than the S5. That is because the things the S5 offers are at the extreme end of what I might need, but are all the more reassuring for that. I don’t even intend to upgrade the G9’s to VLOG-L as HLG, Cine-D, Standard and Natural are plenty.
If I go into major productions that need multiple camera angles, I would likely pick up another S5, G9 mk2, do the upgrade, buy a Ninja-V or maybe get a GH5 mk2, but that is in the future and for now I am over equipped. The S5 really was the simplest, cheapest and most versatile video empowerment I could have made.
M43 has served me well. I feel more than ever that even though their is an obvious increase in some areas with full frame, the real life application of this always comes with a catch. 150mm f1.8 that fits in your hand and at an affordable price? That is the M43 advantage.
So, the point is, I am a dedicted M43 shooter who has a useful full frame alternate, like the weekend sports car or handy utility vehicle. My work and weekday vehicle is ever reliable, my backup is empowering when required.
*LOG and Continuos shooting.
**Run and gun client friendly footage up to a decent standard.