CheckMag | Full-frame cameras with OLED viewfinders and lenses from €799 make switching from smartphones more appealing than ever
Smartphone cameras are getting better year after year, but flagship smartphones are becoming increasingly expensive, not least because of the DRAM crisis. The Vivo X300 Ultra, for example, is expected to cost around €2,000 in Europe. On the other hand, some full-frame cameras are gradually becoming more affordable. The Panasonic Lumix S5D is a good example of the value a full-frame system can offer, as it has been available from retailers for just €799 for weeks, including on Amazon.
The camera features a 24.2MP full-frame sensor paired with both an electronic and a mechanical shutter, making it compatible with flashes. Despite its low price, Panasonic still includes both a flip-out 3-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1.84 million dots and an electronic viewfinder with a 2.36-million-dot OLED panel.
The 2024 camera offers a relatively modern selection of ports and connectivity options, including USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbit/s), HDMI, WiFi 5, and Bluetooth 4.2. Another feature many professionals want is dual SD card slots. The included 18-40mm zoom lens is not particularly fast, with a maximum aperture of f/4.5-f/6.3, but it is compact.
Alongside the Lumix S5D, there are several other relatively affordable full-frame cameras that are suitable as an entry point into this segment. Anyone trying to decide whether to buy a new flagship smartphone specifically for better cameras should at least consider trying a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera instead. These are generally larger and heavier, but interchangeable lenses and flashes make them much more versatile. The significantly larger sensor also allows for better image quality.
The main trade-offs are in convenience. Smartphones are not only small enough to fit in a pocket but also make it possible to edit and share photos directly, while features such as night mode can make it easier to get usable photos in difficult conditions without having to spend much time learning the camera.
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