Upgrade Guide
Lumix S5 II→Lumix S9
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the S5 II. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the S9
-
Generation1 year newer (2024 vs 2023)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (24MP)
-
Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | S5 II | S9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.9 | ||
| Street | +0.6 | ||
| Travel | +0.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.9 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +0.5 | ||
| Filmmaking | -1.2 | ||
| Documentary | -1.0 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.6 | ||
| Landscape | -0.4 | ||
| Wildlife | -1.2 | ||
| Casual | +0.8 | ||
| Food | +0.1 | ||
| Macro | — | ||
| Architecture | -0.1 | ||
| Astrophotography | +0.3 | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | S5 II | S9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £1,299 | |
| Released | 2023 | 2024 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 24MP | |
| Video | 6K/30p, 4K/60p, C4K/60p, V-Log | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | Phase-hybrid AF with subject recognition | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS (up to 6.5-stop with OIS lenses) | IBIS — up to 5 stops | |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 7fps mechanical | 30fps electronic | |
| Battery Life | 740 shots (CIPA) | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 740g (body only) | 403g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 3.68M dots | None — rear screen only | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen (touch drag AF) | |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Leica L mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-II slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See S5 II and S9 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the S9 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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Camera family history