For Panasonic Lumix S5 II, one highly recommended lens is Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS.

This lens offers versatility with a focal length range of 24-105mm, making it suitable for a variety of photography styles, including landscapes, portraits, and macro photography with its close focusing capability. Constant f/4 aperture, allowing for consistent exposure throughout the zoom range. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to help reduce shake, which is especially useful in low-light conditions or when shooting video. 

The new released Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art lens is a good choice.

When looking for lenses for your Panasonic Lumix S5 II, it’s essential to consider factors like versatility, image quality, and intended use. Here are three highly recommended lenses: 

1. Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S.:

   • This lens offers versatility with a focal length range from wide-angle to short telephoto, making it suitable for various types of photography, from landscapes to portraits. The constant f/4 aperture allows for consistent exposure throughout the zoom range, and the Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) helps in reducing camera shake.

2. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art:

   • Known for its exceptional image quality and beautiful bokeh, this prime lens is perfect for portrait, street, and low-light photography. The wide f/1.4 aperture allows for excellent subject isolation and performance in low-light conditions.

3. Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8:

   • A compact and lightweight prime lens, the 50mm f/1.8 is ideal for portrait photography and everyday shooting. The fast aperture provides beautiful background blur (bokeh), making it great for isolating subjects. It also delivers sharp images and good color rendition.

Prime Lens: Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 offering excellent image quality, a fast aperture for shallow depth of field and low-light performance, and is particularly well-suited for portrait photography.

Zoom Lens: Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS it covers a useful focal length range, making it ideal for a variety of shooting scenarios, from landscapes to portraits. The constant f/4 aperture provides consistent exposure throughout the zoom range, and the macro capability allows for detailed close-up shots.

Here are my recommendations:

General Walk-Around Lens: The Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is a compact and affordable kit lens that provides a versatile 24-120mm equivalent zoom range on the S5 II. While not the fastest aperture, it's great for standard photography like landscapes, portraits, and street photography.

Low Light/Portrait Lens: The Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 is a fantastic budget prime lens. With its bright f/1.8 aperture, it excels in low light and produces beautiful shallow depth of field for portraits and low light event photography.

Zoom Lens for Events/Travel: If you want more reach, consider the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS. This flexible zoom lens covers wide angle to short telephoto, has great image stabilization, and can focus close for macro shots.

Professional Zoom for Versatility: The Panasonic Lumix S PRO 16-35mm f/4 is an outstanding wide-angle to standard zoom professional lens. Its rugged, weather-sealed design and excellent sharpness make it ideal for the most demanding photography needs.

Of course, the "best" lens truly depends on your specific needs and budget. I'd recommend renting a few options first to see what suits your shooting style before purchasing. But those are some great lenses to get you started with the impressive S5 II!

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN Sports are my best choices.

I love my Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS very much!

Here are some top options lenses for your Panasonic Lumix S5 II:

1. Standard Zoom:

   • Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 – This is a compact and versatile zoom lens that covers wide-angle to standard focal lengths, making it great for everyday photography.

2. Prime Lenses:

   • Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 – A great portrait lens with a fast maximum aperture for beautiful bokeh and low-light performance.
   • Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art – Known for sharpness and excellent image quality, this is a fantastic option for wide-angle shots, portraits, and street photography.

3. Wide-Angle:

   • Panasonic Lumix S 16-35mm f/4 – Ideal for landscapes, architecture, and interior photography, this lens provides a wide perspective while maintaining good image quality.

4. Telephoto:

   • Panasonic Lumix S 70-200mm f/2.8 – Work well for sports, wildlife, and portrait photography, offering a fast aperture and excellent image stabilization.

5. Macro:

   • Panasonic Lumix S 70mm f/2.8 Macro – Perfect for close-up photography, this lens offers 1:1 magnification and outstanding detail.

6. All-in-One Zoom:

   • Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 – A versatile and practical option for those looking for a lens that can handle a range of subjects, from wide-angle landscapes to portraiture.

Ultimately, the best lens will depend on your specific shooting style and the subjects you frequently capture.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: If you love prime lenses, this Sigma lens offers excellent image quality and a wide aperture. It’s perfect for creative shots and low-light conditions.

The best lens for your Panasonic Lumix S5 II is Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS. This versatile lens offers a wide focal range, image stabilization, and macro capabilities, making it ideal for a variety of photography styles, including landscapes, portraits, and close-up shots.

Been using this for years, no complaints

Been using this for years, no complaints

I think sticking to the latest native primes is probably your best bet for maximizing the autofocus performance on that body. Not sure but I recall hearing that some of the older glass doesnt quite keep up with the new phase detection system as well as the recent stuff does. IIRC, the weather sealing on the professional grade primes is much more robust for field work too. Someone told me that certain wide angle options can have a bit of focus breathing which might be a dealbreaker for video, tho I havent tested every single one yet. If you want reliability, going with lenses that share the same filter thread size is a smart move for your workflow. It saves a lot of time and hassle when youre swapping gear mid-shoot. Its basically about finding that balance between glass quality and how well the electronics talk to each other...

Anyone tried the Leica L-mount lenses on S5 II ?