Upgrade Guide
Lumix Lumix S5→Lumix TZ99
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the Lumix S5. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the TZ99
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Burst rate10fps vs 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS)
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Generation5 years newer (2025 vs 2020)
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution20MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
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StabilisationIBIS not 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 | Lumix S5 | TZ99 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -3.5 | ||
| Street | -0.3 | ||
| Travel | -0.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -4.3 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | ||
| Filmmaking | -4.3 | ||
| Documentary | -3.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.9 | ||
| Landscape | -3.1 | ||
| Wildlife | -1.4 | ||
| Casual | +1.6 | ||
| Food | -2.1 | ||
| Macro | -2.6 | ||
| Architecture | -3.0 | ||
| Astrophotography | -4.9 | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Lumix S5 | TZ99 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £493 | |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch MOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion | 4K/30p | |
| Autofocus | Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection | Contrast-detect AF with face detection | |
| Stabilisation | 6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses) | Optical image stabilisation (lens-based) | |
| Burst Rate | 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS) | 10fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 380 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 714g (with battery and card) | 322g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification | None (screen only) | |
| Screen | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots | Tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Fixed Leica 30x zoom lens (24-720mm equivalent) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Single SD (UHS-I) |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Lumix S5 and TZ99 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 TZ99 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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Camera family history