I finally pulled the trigger on the S5II after years of shooting on an old GH5 and man the autofocus is a game changer for me. Im still getting used to the full frame look though. I have the 50mm 1.8 prime which is sweet for portraits but I'm heading to Kyoto next month for a two week trip and I really dont want to be swapping lenses in the rain or while I'm walking through shrines. I'm looking for that one lens that can just stay on the body most of the time. I was looking at the Lumix 20-60mm that came in the kit but it feels a bit short on the long end for what I need. Then there's the 24-105mm f4 which seems perfect because of the constant aperture and OIS but is it too heavy for all day carry? Or should I just go for the Sigma 24-70mm Art even though its a brick? My budget is roughly $1200 maybe a bit more if it's worth it. I do a mix of street photography and a lot of handheld 4k video so the stabilization is huge for me. If anyone has used these on the S5II specifically how does the balance feel? I want something sharp but not so big that I'm gonna regret it halfway through the day...
Kyoto is absolutely stunning, youre gonna have a blast! I did a similar two week stint in Japan last year with my S5II and honestly, I spent a lot of time agonizing over the same lens choice. I ended up bringing the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS and it was the best decision I ever made for that trip. The technical synergy between this lens and the S5II is just amazing because of the Dual I.S. 2 system. When youre shooting handheld 4k video, the stabilization is rock solid compared to using a lens without built-in OIS. I was getting shots that looked like I was on a tripod even while walking through the Gion district at dusk. The constant f4 aperture is totally fine since the S5II sensor is so good with high ISO performance. Heres my breakdown for your situation:
- The Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS weighs about 680g. It sounds heavy on paper, but it balances so well on the S5II grip that it doesnt feel front-heavy at all. Plus, that extra reach to 105mm is vital for temple details.
- If you really want to save weight for street photography, the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is only 470g and tiny, but you lose that precious OIS and the wide 24mm end.
- The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is fantastic glass but at nearly 830g, its a total brick for walking 20k steps a day in Kyoto humidity. I found the 105mm reach was perfect for capturing intricate rooftop details without crowding other tourists. Its right in your budget range too... usually you can find it for around $1,100. Go for the 24-105mm, your video footage will look incredible.
