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Another vote for the Lumix S5 if AF isn't a priority. I got mine for $535 and it's a big step up from the GH5 which I sold to get it. I waited long enough in the depreciation cycle that I actually had some money left over after the trade up to full frame. I would combine S5iix with S5 and S9 for a really solid and cheap 3 camera system that gets you most of the 2020's tech advancements but at minimum cost for the image you're getting. If you need high quality stills just swap out the S5 for a Lumix S1R and you're all set. This was my plan before I got swayed into Fuji bodies and a bump up to the GFX medium format system.

I shot S5ii h265 yesterday as b-cam to the ursa mini pro, and for some shots I'm really preferring the S5ii image. Consider the fact that the BRAW out of the S5ii bypasses most of the complaints people have with the L2 processing…if you can deal with a monitor and latency…that image is literally the best you can get for its accompanied features under $2.5k, no question. I’d agree though, the S series first gen colors are special. It’s what makes me want to pick up an s5 or s1h sometime.

It is ready. Everyone who replied here so far, will get it free and I'll be sending you all a direct message and email this week.

^ Agree ^ The only reason I switched (2 reasons actually) to S5II's was: A. I needed more reliable forward motion AF tracking. The AF of the first gen FF S line cameras was and is perfectly fine, except in this regard when it can be a bit hit and miss and just one miss with a critical unrepeatable scene and it's gone. I shoot weddings so I am thinking bride entrance, confetti walk etc. It happened. Several times. B. I shoot outdoors mainly and some days, over 35c / 100f, direct sunlight and without a fan is not good. I never had an overheating issue, but it could just have been a matter of time and was constantly on my mind. With the S5II's, they still get hot, but I am not concerned. _ I have personally never noticed any file quality difference between the S5 and S5II, but then never shot them side by side and 6 months apart. There may be a difference, but nothing I have noticed or concerns me especially. IMO, the S5 is the budget filmmakers bargain of this current decade.

The S5 is still such a great camera and one that you can still grow into, all for under $900 in like new condition with a warranty on sites like MPB, or even better deals you can find locally or on Facebook Marketplace/Craigslist/eBay/whatever. And even though it's going to be 5 years old this year, Lumix kept improving it with firmware updates so it doesn't feel terribly outdated. One of the reasons I say it's a camera that you can still grow into is because I've never even used the ProRes RAW or BRAW capabilities, never really had to because I do mostly event work, but the fact that the capability is there is incredible. There's just so much value in that camera even today. We've kinda hit a point where there's a good chance you will still be able to get comparable images from it five years from now, because you can't really say there are tons of cameras released since that give you a significantly better image in the under $4000 price range and I don't know that we're going to see a huge leap in the next 5 years outside of more resolution that most of us have no need for. Great camera and it's pretty funny how often I recommend it.

They look like Matt Grangers to me.