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Panasonic

HC-X2

1-inch 15MP pro camcorder with 20x 24.5–490mm zoom, 4K60p 10-bit, 13-stop V-Log/HLG, triple manual rings, and RTMP streaming.

$3,399

Launch price

Released Oct 2022

vs
Lumix S5 II

Panasonic

Lumix S5 II

Phase-detect L-mount hybrid with 6K open gate and strong video tools.

$1,999

Launch price

Released Jan 2023

Lumix S5 II is 3 months newer.

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Wins

4categories

HC-X2

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

8categories

Lumix S5 II

Sports & ActionPortrait

6 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

HC-X2 wins 1 categories·Lumix S5 II wins 4 categories
  • BLumix S5 II has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 225)
  • BLumix S5 II has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
  • AHC-X2 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 370 shots)
  • BLumix S5 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 120 frames)
  • BLumix S5 II has higher Resolution (24.2 MP vs 15 MP)

Key specs at a glance

HC-X2Lumix S5 II
Resolution15 MP24.2 MP
SensorMFTFull Frame
ISO max25,60051,200
Burst20 fps30 fps
4K60 fps60 fps
IBIS7-stop5-stop
Weight580 g740 g
Battery640 shots370 shots

Size and weight, to scale

HC-X2

134 × 91 × 72 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Lumix S5 II front view

Lumix S5 II

134 × 102 × 90 mm

740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)

HC-X2 is 11mm shorter and 18mm thinner than Lumix S5 II.

HC-X2 is 160 g lighter than Lumix S5 II.

Depth (front-to-back): 72mm HC-X2 · 90mm Lumix S5 II

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

HC-X2

134 × 91 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Lumix S5 II back view

Lumix S5 II

134 × 102 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

HC-X2

134 × 72 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Lumix S5 II top view

Lumix S5 II

134 × 90 mm

Sensor size, to scale

HC-X2

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

Use caseHC-X2Lumix S5 II
Portrait
4.0Fair
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
7.5Good
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
7.5Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
3.5Limited
7.0Good✓ wins
Travel
7.5Good✓ wins
6.5Good
Wildlife
9.0Excellent✓ wins
6.5Good
Vlogging
7.0Good
8.0Excellent✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

HC-X2

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 134, 91, 72

  • AA filter

    Only HC-X2 supports it

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Vehicle

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only HC-X2 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 -4 EV — lower is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1

  • AF points / zones

    779 vs 225 — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Face, Eye, Car…

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds MOV, MP4

  • RAW buffer depth

    200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better

  • Resolution

    24.2 MP vs 15 MP — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • 4K max frame rateBoth 60 fps
  • Max video bit rateBoth 200 Mbps
  • Internal RAW videoBoth support internal raw video

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

HC-X2

Pros

  • 1-inch 15MP MOS sensor
  • 4K60p 10-bit HEVC/LongG
  • 13-stop V-Log + HLG HDR
  • Triple manual focus/zoom/iris rings
  • Ethernet RTMP + dual XLR handle

Cons

  • No SDI (HDMI only)
  • Premium over HC-X1600
  • Fixed lens only
  • Heavier than HC-X1200 series

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 HC-X2 and Lumix S5 II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

HC-X2
Lumix S5 II
Resolution
15 MP
24.2 MP+61%
Sensor type
Four Thirds Live MOS
35mm Full-Frame CMOS
Sensor size
17.3 × 13.0 mm
35.6 x 23.8 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
HC-X2
Lumix S5 II
Processor
Venus Engine
Venus Engine
HC-X2
Lumix S5 II
ISO min (native)
100
100
ISO max (native)
25,600
51,200+1 stop
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
204,800
HC-X2
Lumix S5 II
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Focal-plane mechanical + electronic shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/8000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for portraits, HC-X2 or Lumix S5 II?

Lumix S5 II scores 8.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for HC-X2 — 24.2MP — solid resolution.

What's the resolution difference between the HC-X2 and Lumix S5 II?

HC-X2 is 15 MP and Lumix S5 II is 24.2 MP, so the Lumix S5 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the HC-X2 and Lumix S5 II have in-body image stabilization?

HC-X2 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Lumix S5 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the HC-X2 or the Lumix S5 II?

HC-X2 reaches 20 fps electronic. Lumix S5 II reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the HC-X2 and Lumix S5 II?

HC-X2 weighs 580 g and Lumix S5 II weighs 740 g, so the HC-X2 is 160 g lighter.

Do the HC-X2 and Lumix S5 II record 4K video?

HC-X2: 4K up to 60p. Lumix S5 II: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.

Are the HC-X2 and Lumix S5 II weather sealed?

HC-X2: Yes. Lumix S5 II: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the HC-X2 and 370 shots for the Lumix S5 II, giving the HC-X2 the edge.

How much does each cost?

HC-X2 launched at $3,399 and Lumix S5 II at $1,999. The Lumix S5 II is $1,400 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way HC-X2 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 Panasonic press materials.