Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

Choose S5M2? Or S5M2x? For newcomers who want to get the Panasonic S5M2 series, the choice of these two models is really a big problem. I am the first batch of users to buy S5M2, and recently the studio bought a S5M2x. I have been using these two machines for a long time, so this issue will share some feelings and functional trade-offs of these two machines, hoping to give you a little help to the "cameramen" who are waiting for money.

Price and function

The price difference between the two is not much. S5M2x is only about 15% more expensive, and there are still many differences between them:

1. 12bit RAW HDMI external recording.

two。 Record the video directly to USB-SSD.

3. ALL-Intra intra compression format is supported.

4. Video recording in Prores format is supported.

5. Wired / wireless IP streaming function.

6. A more handsome blackened fuselage.

Personally, I think it is worthwhile to spend an extra 1700 yuan and enjoy these functional upgrades. However, the premise is that you do need these functions, or you have a need for them. Among the new functions of S5M2x, ALL-Intra intra-frame compression and SSD out-of-frame recording are two of the most important functions, and they are also functions that most users may use.

ALL-Intra intra compression

Before we explain ALL-Intra intra compression, let's take a look at what LongGOP intra compression is (the only recording specification supported by S5M2). LongGOP intra compression only allows the key frame (I frame) in the video to retain the complete picture information, while the P frame and B frame in the middle record only the change of the picture. Therefore, P frame and B frame will lose more information, and the overall compression degree of the video will be higher.

The ALL-Intra intra compression added by S5M2x is to compress every picture in the video to a certain extent, and each frame is complete and independent, so the overall compression degree will be relatively low.

LongGOP intra compression and ALL-Intra intra compression are just two different compression methods. There is no good or bad difference between them, but each has its own advantages. In most cases, it is difficult to detect the difference in picture quality between them.

@ poor photographer Lao Cui S5M2X official sample frame

However, in some cases, the difference in picture quality between them can be seen. As I just said, the compression mode of LongGOP is to record only the changes of the picture. So once the picture changes quickly and the movement is irregular, such as shooting waves and fireworks, the details of the ALL-Intra picture will be better than LongGOP. So those who live by the sea, or who like to shoot the sea, can give priority to S5M2x.

In addition, if you like to capture a large number of motion pictures at a high frame rate of 50p / 60p, and you need to slow down to 240p later, ALL-Intra may be more suitable for you, because every frame of ALL-Intra contains complete picture information, so when you slow down later, the motion trajectory will be smoother and the motion blur will look more natural. This is why professional users and business users tend to use ALL-Intra format when using micro-order shooting.

But if your main purpose is to make videos and publish them on major video platforms, it doesn't matter whether you use LongGOP or ALL-Intra, because the secondary compression of the video platform will make it difficult to distinguish the visual gap between them, which is why I chose to use S5M2.

Of course, different compression methods, which means different bit rates and different decoding difficulties, the compression degree of ALL-Intra is much lower than LongGOP, so the amount of data of ALL-Intra will be relatively larger. S5M2 / S5M2x uses LongGOP to record video, use V30 SD card, while S5M2x uses ALL-Intra to record video, at least V60 SD card is required. In addition to the need for a faster SD card, the recording time is the same, and the capacity of ALL-Intra video is at least 2-3 times larger than that of LongGOP, so the cost of using ALL-Intra card is also relatively high.

Many people may think that the large amount of ALL-Intra data, decoding will be more difficult. But in fact, on the contrary, the middle frame of LongGOP only records the change information, so when editing, the editing software needs them to return to the normal screen to play, which requires a lot of computing power. Currently, only N card RTX 30 series graphics cards, intel 12 generation Kerr and above kernel, Xe graphics cards, A card 6000 series graphics cards and Apple M1, M2 series chips support hardware accelerated decoding of 4K LongGOP encoding (some only support 4:2:0 specification, not 4:2:2 specification). If you use a device that does not support hardware acceleration to edit the video, the experience of playback and editing will be poor.

On the contrary, ALL-Intra has very low requirements for computers, and even a cheap office computer can edit and play it back without pressure. So if you have an average computer configuration and want to smoothly clip 4K videos, I suggest you choose S5M2x and use ALL-Intra to record.

USB-SSD external recording function

If you are worried about large ALL-Intra data, the card is too expensive. S5M2x's USB-SSD external recording function just can eliminate your troubles. After all, the price of a 2TB PSSD is not as expensive as a 256g V60 SSD card.

The highest bit rate that can be recorded using USB-SSD in S5M2x is 1.9Gbps (5.8K 30p ProRes 422 HQ), which is equivalent to 243MB/s. For USB-SSD, this speed requirement is not high, but it is highly recommended that you choose the USB-SSD confirmed by Panasonic to avoid some compatibility problems that may occur. The list of compatible devices will be updated from time to time. It is recommended that you collect them [including compatible devices such as SD cards].

I have tested other USB-SSD myself, and there are many USB-SSD whose speed far exceeds the speed required by S5M2x, but it still happens when the recording speed is not fast enough to stop recording. I suspect that it is possible that the continuous write performance of these USB-SSD is not enough, or it is caused by heating and slowing down when writing continuously.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended to use the compatibility equipment officially recommended by Panasonic. I have been using SanDisk E81 2TB. I have recorded countless videos from GH6 to S5M2x, and there has been no problem so far. And SanDisk E81, the iron head has a special hard disk clip, which can be fixed on the rabbit cage. After all, the USB-SSD is an external device, and the fixed problem also needs to be considered.

The disadvantage of USB-SSD external recording is that it takes up the only Type-C interface of the camera, which means that it is impossible to charge the camera while using USB-SSD external recording. But the solution is also simple: use fake batteries. In addition, when S5M2x uses USB-SSD for external recording, the camera will not be able to use a "camera card", which means that it will not be possible to get a double backup during shooting, so for rigorous / professional shooting scenes, it is recommended to choose the USB-SSD confirmed by Panasonic to ensure that the shooting content is foolproof.

Other featur

As for 12bit RAW HDMI external recording and Prores format, similar to ALL-Intra, there are also two recording specifications, but the amount of data of these two specifications is much larger than ALL-Intra, and the later stage is also more difficult. 12bit RAW HDMI external recording also requires additional equipment to be used, which is suitable for professional users who have high requirements for picture quality. Ordinary users and home users basically do not need them.

Wired / wireless IP streaming feature is suitable for friends with LVB needs. You can understand that S5M2x can be turned into a webcam and streamed to the LVB platform or conference system through the private network. The highest coding format of 1080P60 16Mbps is supported, and live broadcast with camera has significant advantages in picture quality performance and detail control. It is hoped that the future S1 flagship series will be able to support 4K resolution.

I believe there should be a lot of friends because of this pure black skin, finally chose S5M2x ~! This deep and low-key color matching does make it look more professional. If it hadn't been for S5M2x for 2 months in the evening, I would have chosen S5M2x because of my skin. I hope this set of colors will also be used in the future S1 series models.

Last

Personally, I think that for most "photographers", the difference between S5M2 and S5M2x is not very big. If the budget is sufficient, individuals still recommend going directly to S5M2x. After all, the upper limit of S5M2x is still higher. For home users who record their lives, S5M2 is recommended personally, because most home users are generally dual-use video / photo, and the demand for these professional features is not so strong. The extra 1700 price difference is used to invest in better lenses, cover more focus / raise aperture, and enhance the fun of photography.

OK, that's all we've shared this time. I hope you can provide a little help to your friends who have already started or are planning to buy Panasonic S5M2 / S5M2x. I look forward to your continuous attention, so I'll see you next time!

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