Best Memory Cards Panasonic S5 IIx – 36 Cards Tested

The Panasonic S5 II and the Panasonic S5IIx both feature a dual SD card slot configuration that supports UHS-II V90 cards, and their memory card configurations and recommendations will be the same.

The Panasonic S5IIx has slightly beefier video specs, with a maximum internal recording bitrate of 600 Mb/s, and requires the fastest UHS-II cards.

You can record 800 Mbps or ProRes to an external SSD via USB-C.

The maximum capacity supported for an internal memory card is 512 GB.

Photographers looking to clear the buffer quickly, especially when bursting at 30fps with 24.2MP, will benefit from the improved speeds of V90 cards. Videographers looking to record at higher bitrates will also need a V90 card.

However, lower bitrates at 4k will still take advantage of the dual gain output sensor, and 4k files will also deliver 4:2:2. Meaning, you will still get a lot of advantages with this camera recording at 4k 4:2:2 at 200Mbps, allowing you to use V30 or V60 cards, which offer some pretty significant cost savings.

Recommended SD Cards For Panasonic S5IIx

Here are some of the best memory cards for the Panasonic S5 II. The V90 is the fastest memory card available for this camera, but the V60 is also suitable for lower-bitrate video recording. The Sandisk Extreme Pro V90 cards generally perform well in Panasonic cameras, as well, but mine was giving me issues, so I didn’t include it (I think I just messed up one of the pins after testing it in so many cameras).

SSD and USB-C Recording Solutions

If you prefer not to use the HDMI Ninja V setup for the 12-bit ProRes RAW, you can opt for a Kondor solution with a USB-C handle that supports Sandisk SSD Cartridges.

Kondor Blue Blade SSD Handle

Available At: B&H

This solution allows you to use an M.2 Sandisk Cartridge with a USB-C interface effortlessly. USB-C is limited to 10-bit on this camera, but it’s a practical way to achieve ProRes 10-bit recordings.

Kondor Blue Camera Cage For Panasonic S5 II X

Available At: B&H

The Kondor cage system is fully featured, allowing you to equip the Blue-Blade SSD Handle seamlessly.

It can be ordered in Grey or Black.

Panasonic S5 IIx Capacity

What is the maximum capacity of SD cards that can be used with the Panasonic S5 IIx?

The official Panasonic S5M2 user manual lists 512GB as the maximum storage capacity that the camera will support.

Here is a link to the Panasonic S5IIx User Manual.

Panasonic S5 IIx Memory Card Benchmarks

Here are the test results for all the cards tested in the Panasonic S5 II. A few of my cards are not performing correctly and need to be replaced. If any V90 cards are performing unusually slowly, this is why.

Panasonic S5 IIx Camera Specs

Sensor Size: 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor SD Card Slot: Dual SD UHS-II Maximum SD Card Size / Memory Card Capacity: Up To 512 GB. Estimated Buffer Size: untested Video Bitrate: Panasonic S5 IIx has a bitrate of up to 600 Mbps internally and 800 Mbps via USB-C. Video Resolution: 6k up to 30p, 4k up to 60p, 1080p up to 120fps

Panasonic S5 IIx: What Size Card To Buy?

If you’re into photography and use some light video, I suggest starting with a 128GB card. However, if high-bitrate video is your primary focus, consider upgrading to a 256GB card or opting for the maximum 512GB card. 

When using high-capacity V90 memory cards for video recording, consider comparing their prices to those of an SSD, even if you only record in H.265. If you’re already set up in a camera cage, you may be able to find significant cost savings by going external.

Panasonic S5 IIx Recording Specs & Details

Audio File Format: 16-bit 48 kHz AAC, 24-bit 48 kHz Linear PCM

Record Limits

This image is from the user manual.

Panasonic S5 IIx Record Times – Memory Card Capacity

The table below illustrates various recording modes and their corresponding time usage on different card sizes. If you want personalized figures, check out the bitrate-to-time converter.

Panasonic S5 IIx Record Times	64GB	128GB	256GB	512GB
4k
600Mbps | 75MB/s	14min	28Min	57min	114min
200Mbps | 25Mb/s	43min	85min	171min	341min
150Mbps | 18.75MB/s	57min	114min	288min	455min

Best SD Cards Panasonic S5 IIx | Conclusions

The Panasonic S5 IIx is a stellar camera; pairing it with the right SD cards can yield exceptional results. Sony, Lexar, or Delkin provide reliable 128GB UHS-II SD cards that seamlessly complement the Panasonic S5 IIx.

Remember that you are only required to have a card with a rating better than v30 if you’re using bitrates above 200 Mbps or doing a lot of continuous bursting in photo mode and want to clear the buffer quickly. In such situations, you’ll likely want to find the fastest SD memory card for the Panasonic S5 II. And you may need two of them for redundancy.

Opting for v60 cards can offer substantial cost savings for everyday photography or casual video, providing excellent value for your money with this camera. For native lens options for the S5 IIx, the L-Mount lens list covers every Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma option.

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