JVC
GY-HC500U
Connected Cam 1-inch camcorder with 20x zoom, 4K60p ProRes 422 10-bit, HLG/J-Log1, 3G-SDI, weather sealing, and SRT streaming.
$3,395
Launch priceReleased Sep 2019
Panasonic
Lumix S5 II
Phase-detect L-mount hybrid with 6K open gate and strong video tools.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2023
Lumix S5 II is 3.3 years newer.
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Wins
GY-HC500U
Wins
Lumix S5 II
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BLumix S5 II has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 0)
- BLumix S5 II has higher AF frame coverage (100 % vs 0 %)
- BLumix S5 II has higher Resolution (24.2 MP vs 9.35 MP)
- BLumix S5 II has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- AGY-HC500U has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 370 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareGY-HC500U
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 × 90 mm
740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
GY-HC500U is 11mm shorter and 18mm thinner than Lumix S5 II.
GY-HC500U is 160 g lighter than Lumix S5 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm GY-HC500U · 90mm Lumix S5 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
GY-HC500U
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
GY-HC500U
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 II
134 × 90 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GY-HC500U
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lumix S5 II
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
GY-HC500U
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
AA filter
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 370 shots — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Weight
580 g vs 740 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix S5 II
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
779 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 0 % — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye, Car…
Resolution
24.2 MP vs 9.35 MP — higher is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MOV, MP4
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 200 Mbps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GY-HC500U
Pros
- ✓1-inch sensor + 20x f/2.8–4.5 zoom
- ✓4K60p Apple ProRes 422 internal
- ✓HLG / J-Log1 HDR
- ✓3G-SDI + weather-resistant body
- ✓SRT / RTMP streaming
Cons
- –Heavy at 3.6 kg configured
- –SSD ProRes needs optional adapter
- –Premium over GY-HM250
- –9.35MP effective sensor
Lumix S5 II
Pros
- ✓Phase-detect AF finally
- ✓6K open gate
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Great value
Cons
- –24MP resolution
- –L-mount size
- –AF still behind Canon/Sony
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GY-HC500U and Lumix S5 II at major authorized retailers.
JVC GY-HC500U
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, GY-HC500U or Lumix S5 II?
Lumix S5 II scores 8.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for GY-HC500U — 24.2MP — solid resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the GY-HC500U and Lumix S5 II?
GY-HC500U is 9.35 MP and Lumix S5 II is 24.2 MP, so the Lumix S5 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GY-HC500U and Lumix S5 II have in-body image stabilization?
GY-HC500U has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Lumix S5 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GY-HC500U or the Lumix S5 II?
GY-HC500U reaches 20 fps electronic. Lumix S5 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GY-HC500U and Lumix S5 II?
GY-HC500U weighs 580 g and Lumix S5 II weighs 740 g, so the GY-HC500U is 160 g lighter.
Do the GY-HC500U and Lumix S5 II record 4K video?
GY-HC500U: 4K up to 60p. Lumix S5 II: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the GY-HC500U and Lumix S5 II weather sealed?
GY-HC500U: Yes. Lumix S5 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the GY-HC500U and 370 shots for the Lumix S5 II, giving the GY-HC500U the edge.
How much does each cost?
GY-HC500U launched at $3,395 and Lumix S5 II at $1,999. The Lumix S5 II is $1,396 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way GY-HC500U vs Lumix S5 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of JVC and Panasonic press materials.