Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX | Sony - FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 6K | 4K120 |
| Sensor size | Full Frame | APS-C |
Between the Lumix S5IIX and FX30, the Lumix S5IIX comes out ahead in max video / sensor size, while the FX30 wins on several specs. Overall, the Lumix S5IIX scores 67.2 and the FX30 scores 63.8 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Lumix S5IIX edges ahead on the Mars Score (67.2 vs 63.8), but the 3.4-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the Lumix S5IIX if you care most about max video / sensor size. The biggest gaps in its favor are max video, sensor size. The single most decisive one: Max video: 6K (vs 4K120).
The FX30 similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable optical zoom, xlr input, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX or Sony - FX30?
Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX leads the current Mars Score by 3.4 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare max video, sensor size against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX if…
Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX has the measurable edge on max video, sensor size.
Choose Sony - FX30 if…
Sony - FX30 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX wins
- ▲Max video: 6K (vs 4K120).
- ▲Sensor size: Full Frame (vs APS-C).
Why Sony - FX30 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Video
| Spec | Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX | Sony - FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Max video | 6Klead | 4K120 |
| Optical zoom | 0 | 0 |
| Sensor sizeⓘ | Full Framelead | APS-C |
Audio
| Spec | Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX | Sony - FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| XLR input | false | false |
| Headphone jack | true | true |
Design
| Spec | Panasonic - Lumix S5IIX | Sony - FX30 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 740 g | 646 glead |
| Articulating screen | true | true |