Panasonic's Auto Focus Sucks | Lumix S5 | 2.0 Firmware Update
Panasonic Autofocus Sucks: Putting the Lumix S5 to the Test
Introduction
Hey, I’m Thomas, and this is my Lumix S5. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and while it’s growing on me, I had some serious reservations before making the switch from my Micro Four Thirds camera. Why? Because Panasonic’s autofocus sucks. Or at least, that’s what I had heard.
So, I decided to put the S5’s autofocus to the test—both at home and on client projects—to see how reliable the Face/Eye Detection AF mode really is. Let’s find out if this camera’s autofocus is worth trusting.
Testing Autofocus in Real-World Scenarios
Client Shoot #1: Dana Lee Jones Photography
For this shoot, I was at the W Midtown Hotel, filming behind-the-scenes content for a branding video. I started with the Lumix 20-60mm lens and customized the autofocus settings:
AF Speed: +3
AF Sensitivity: +3
Results:
The first test involved shifting focus from my LED light to Dana’s face. While there was some pulsing, the focus locked onto her face fairly quickly.
I also tested different autofocus modes:
AF Tracking Mode: Initially tracked a ring but lost focus halfway, shifting to the dress instead.
One-Area AF Mode with Human Detection: Performed well in a low-light scenario.
Face Detection and V-Log Performance
Since I shoot in V-Log most of the time, I wanted to see how well the Face Detection mode worked. I noticed that the Lumix 20-60mm lens locked focus much faster than my Sigma 35mm lens. Here’s the breakdown:
Lumix 20-60mm @ f/3.5 – Faster autofocus, fewer focus issues.
Sigma 35mm @ f/2.2 – Took an extra second to lock on.
Sigma 35mm @ f/1.4 – Prioritizes faces but still focuses on other objects.
The best settings for reducing pulsing were:
AF Speed: 0
AF Sensitivity: +3
Filming Myself – YouTube Interview Setup
For an interview setup where I had no one to adjust focus for me, I:
Connected the S5 to my MacBook Pro via USB-C.
Used a FeelWorld monitor for better visibility.
Set autofocus to AF Speed: 0, Sensitivity: +3.
Results:
The autofocus held my face in focus well but had some pulsing in the background.
However, adjusting the AF Speed to -2 significantly improved performance, keeping me sharp with minimal pulsing.
Final Autofocus Settings for Best Results
After weeks of testing, here are the ideal settings for different shooting scenarios:
Scenario AF Speed AF Sensitivity Notes General Use 0 +3 Smooth, minimal pulsing Filming Yourself -2 +3 Best for solo filming, steady focus Backlit Shots -2 +3 Quick lock-on, works better in standard picture profile Slow, Smooth Focus Transitions -5 +3 Great for cinematic transitions Walking Toward Camera -1 +3 Works best at 1080p 60fps 120fps Slow Motion -1 +3 Autofocus still functional Animal Detection -1 +3 Works flawlessly
Panasonic S5’s Biggest Autofocus Weakness
While the Face Detection works well with the right settings, the S5 struggles with subjects walking toward the camera. Here’s what I found:
4K at 24fps, AF Speed +5: The camera loses focus completely as the subject moves closer.
4K at 24fps, AF Speed -1: Still struggles but slightly better.
1080p at 60fps, AF Speed -1: By far the best results! The autofocus held onto the subject much better in this mode.
Final Verdict: Does the Panasonic S5 Autofocus Actually Suck?
Short answer: Not entirely.
With the right settings and the right lens, the S5’s autofocus can be quite reliable. The biggest issue remains walking subjects, but filming in 1080p 60fps helps significantly.
So, while Panasonic autofocus still isn’t perfect, with proper tuning, the Lumix S5 doesn’t suck—at least not as much as people think.
Would I recommend it? If you’re used to manual focus or don’t need Canon-level autofocus, then yes, it’s a great camera with fantastic image quality.
What do you think? Have you used the Lumix S5? Let me know your experiences with Panasonic’s autofocus!
