Lumix S5 IIXvs Now Gen 3
Lumix
Lumix S5 IIX (2023)
Starting from £2399 new
Best for Professional video, filmmaking & hybrid shooters on L-mount
View Lumix S5 IIX
Polaroid
Now Gen 3 (2024)
Starting from £120 new
Best for Classic Polaroid fans & square-print lovers
View Now Gen 3
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Professional Video, Filmmaking & Hybrid Shooters On L-Mount — Lumix S5 IIX (2023): The S5 II with ProRes RAW and 6K Open Gate — the most serious L-mount video tool in a portable, weather-sealed body.
Classic Polaroid Fans & Square-Print Lovers — Now Gen 3 (2024): The definitive modern Polaroid. Autofocus, USB-C, and full-sized square prints — classic Polaroid experience, updated for today.
Who should buy what
Lumix S5 IIX (2023)
- Video professionals who need ProRes RAW output and 6K Open Gate in a portable L-mount body
- L-mount filmmakers who want USB power for extended recording without battery changes
- Hybrid shooters who need both 24MP stills quality and professional video specs in one camera
- S5 II users who specifically need ProRes RAW support for their post-production workflow
Now Gen 3 (2024)
- Anyone who wants the classic full-sized square Polaroid print experience
- Instax users who prefer Polaroid's dreamy colour palette and white border
- Party hosts and event photographers who want iconic-looking keepsakes
- Previous Polaroid Now owners upgrading to the Gen 3's improved autofocus
Quick take: The now gen 3 is the most affordable; only the lumix s5 iix is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix S5 IIX (2023) | Now Gen 3 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,399 | £120 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS | i-Type / 600 Polaroid film (79 × 79mm / image area 62 × 62mm) |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | — |
| Video | 6K/30p Open Gate, 4K/60p 10-bit, ProRes RAW via HDMI — V-Log, LUT support | N/A — instant film camera |
| Autofocus | Phase-hybrid AF — improved over S5 with subject recognition | Autofocus (0.4m–2m close; 2m–∞ landscape) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 6.5 stops | N/A |
| Burst Rate | 9fps mechanical, 30fps electronic (6MP crop) | N/A |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | Rechargeable internal battery (USB-C, ~15 packs) |
| Weight | 740g body only | ~445g |
| Dimensions | 134.3 × 102.3 × 90.1mm | 138.2 × 112.6 × 62.7mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | OLED EVF, 3.68M-dot, 0.78× | Real-image optical viewfinder |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | N/A |
| Mount | L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma) | i-Type or 600 film (8 shots per pack) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | N/A — instant film only |
| Connectivity | USB-C with power delivery, 3.5mm mic & headphone jacks, HDMI full-size | USB-C (charging) |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix S5 IIX | Now Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Parties & Events | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Creative | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with Lumix S5 IIX
Camera family history