Thpriest

Anyway, to cover recorders up to the "mid budget" price point, you have, once you go past the price point of Zoom's offerings: 

Very low budget:
1) Sound Devices MixPre1 (the Gen2 version), basically it doesn't beat a Zoom F8n Pro even though it is a lot more expensive. At best it is "equivalent" to an F8n, but "different". So people might prefer that, just like some people prefer the flavor of hokey pokey icecream over chocolate icecream.
Entry level professional: 
1) Sound Devices 833, part of their 8 Series and basically the "633 mk2" (the 633 for years was the standard staple for many professional sound mixers, thanks to its affordable price and compact size) however with the tonnes of capability the 833 has it could for many people be all they ever need! (unlike the 633, which is totally unsuitable for mixing drama productions, especially back at launch of the 633) The 833 is out performing the former "high end" products from Sound Sound Devices (788T/688).
2) Zaxcom Nova, a bit like the F8n vs MixPre10 discussion, I wouldn't say the Nova is "better" than the 833, just "different". However to fully get all the benefits of the Nova you really must also buy into the Zaxcom wireless system as well, so don't get a Nova if you're not going to do that. Plus Zaxcom is very much like the "RED of the audio world", rather controversial with a lot of cons lurking under the surface. So while they're a strong choice, and very innovative, don't go in without your eyes being wide open. 
3) Sonosax SX-R4+, while I think when the SX-R4+ was released it was probably "the best" in this niche, it was also the first of "the new generation" (i.e. Nova / Deva 24 / 8 Series / Cantar X3 / etc came afterwards), thus I think in 2022 it is much harder to make a strong case for the SX-R4+. 
Mid budget: 
1) Sound Devices 888: this is basically the 833 but with DANTE! And an extra fader. And a few more outputs. And 4 more tracks. 
2) Cantar Mini: if I could afford it, I'd get a Cantar Mini in a heart beat, no doubt about it. Many of the top pros in the drama world are switching over to Cantar as they've taken the leader in terms of capabilities / workflow / responsiveness to users / etc
High end budget:
1) Sound Devices Scorpio: same as the 833 / 888, but with MORE!! More outputs, more inputs, more faders, more tracks. But fundamentally the same software/features as any other 8 Series. 
2) Zaxcom Deva 24: it is a Zaxcom, enough said. (if you are not in the Zaxcom ecosystem, this probably isn't for you. If you are.... then this should be #1 at the top of your shopping list to consider)
3) Cantar X3: The King. 

No video evidence (well I do but I'm not posting it) but finished my final pre-wedding season AF tests and can report that the S5 with the 20-60 is in fact 'quite decent'.
My final tests today were based on it being mounted on a tripod with the Sony ZV1 hotshoe mounted for comparison.
It did pretty well and was mostly reliable with all the walking towards tests. Anything else is a breeze.
Tripod, 4k 50p, Natural profile tweaked to my taste, one area AF + face, speed -1, sensitivity -3, f5.6 and shot at 20mm 35mm and 60mm.
I was going to test the 24-105 also but in the end decided not to because the few times I need AF and the above combo, the 24-105 is shooting stills on my S1R so of no use to me whether it's better or worse!
Some folks reckon it's actually better and I suspect it might be by a small margin, but the 20-60 is OK for my needs.
The combo actually BEAT the ZV1 on one occasion and that was a mock exit where I 'walked up the aisle' and the S5 tracked me perfectly and the ZV1 decided the background trees were more interested. F**k you Sony Boy!
My final conclusion is this entire season of 33 hybrid shooting weddings, I'm going with:
S1R 90% stills, 10% handheld or monopod video.
S1H 100% manual focus handheld, monopod or tripod (ceremony) video.
S5, manual focus ceremony and speeches, AF entrances, exits, confetti etc, 100% on the tripod.
I did use this combo 5th of last years meagre 5 weddings and the S1H + pair of S5's combo the 4 previous so know it well enough now.
Just nailed down now what is being used where, how and with what lenses as a workflow based system.
Juggled with the drone, ZV1 (BTS) and Action Go 2 (timelapse).
Phew 😜
Bring on the rest of '22!

Went with A7siii 
I would serioslly consider GH6 if it would arrive at least a year and a half earlier. It took them too long.

Indeed and one of the absolute bargain cameras of recent times.
I never went from mine to the XT4 as I thought I would, a mixture of timing due to Covid and the launch of the S5.
OK, I would rather have the battery of the XT4 and it's IBIS, but otherwise would rather have an XT3 for it's rear screen.
I absolutely hate hate hate (and hate is a strong word) these flippy out rear screens.
Tilt up, tilt down, in-line with the lens. Job done.
It's one of my 2 big grievances with the S5:
A: The non-damped shutter which the S1H and S1R have. BIG for me as a photographer.
B: The flip out rear screen which I absolutely hate. BIG for me as a videographer.
It keeps coming back to the same thing for me and that is no camera company currently makes my 'perfect' camera.
Panny for me has be the combo of the S1R/S1H/S5 with tweaked AF as a whole, but no single body is quite right. The closest out there however. They need to have a threesome and make a child.
Fuji frustrate me with my preference for the rear screen of the XT3, but the battery and IBIS of the XT4. Maybe the XH2 will solve this...
OM System OM-1 ticks all my size, weight and video specs, but has a question mark over it's stills capability for my needs.
Ditto the GH6 as in the video spec is even better, but for stills... I'd need to test it but don't believe it would match an S5/S1 never mind an S1R.
Canon too expensive and too problematic with the overheating issues.
Not really a Sony fan, but the A7iv paired with an FX3 comes closest, but the cost man, - at least double the price of my current set up to achieve what, better AF, but that's about it.
Nikon. I like Nikon. They were my tools of choice for the first 10 years of my career. Film and then digital and if they can get the spec of the Z9 into the next gen Z6 and Z7, it could be an option.
Leica. Great quality of video (SL2-S) and stills (both SL2 and the S), but lacking any form of tilt screen which would frustrate me as a run & gun hybrid wedding shooter. Plus the cost is waaaaaay above my pay grade. At least to go full system.
Sigma? The FP-L ticks several boxes but has more boxes un-ticked than any other manufacturer. IBIS, tilt screen, 4k 50/60p, twin back up card slots, not good enough e:shutter only... How much can you give up to use something before it won't do what you need it to do no matter how much you want to like it?
Ultimately it's always about compromise somewhere.
I think we're so close to eliminating it, at least for my needs but not quite yet.

I had a GH5 and GH5S and eventually changed to the S5 and S1. I had a Sony A73 for a year but sold it as it would over heat and the sensor was always blotchy. The menus were tedious and the VF and LCD weren't very good. It could make nice images but I just didn't enjoy the camera.
I use my S5 and S1 for all sorts of filming, corporate, fashion, interviews, weddings and I also use them for streaming or filming events were you have to leave the camera to film 2 hours non stop. For the price there are no other cameras that can do that.
I'd love a FX3 and A7S3 but that would cost me 7500€ whereas my 2 Panasonics cost me less than 3000€.
But I do think about AF a lot! If money wasn't a problem I'd probably have gone with Sony for the AF (I'm 47 and my eyes aren't what they were!). 

Also, I can't help but imagine how successful Panasonic would have been if they just made a gh5s with IBIS a few years ago.

That's Yankee for: "You are correct, sir!"

I have been playing with the AFC on the S5 recently. Mainly in Human Detection mode and verifying who to focus on by clicking on the box. It has worked quite well in many situations. These were mainly fairly static fashion shoots with a few moving shots (subject or camera). I wouldn't use it for anything critical but for events (weddings, company events etc) where I have to shoot hundreds of shots I think I'll start using it at non critical moments where I think it'll work and thus give my eyes a rest from MF for hours on end. I've used it with the 24-105 and 50 f1.8.
But please Panasonic, give us top notch AF in the MK2 versions. I really don't want to go to Sony or Canon as the cameras have everything else I need for the right price.

I have been playing with the AFC on the S5 recently. Mainly in Human Detection mode and verifying who to focus on by clicking on the box. It has worked quite well in many situations. These were mainly fairly static fashion shoots with a few moving shots (subject or camera). I wouldn't use it for anything critical but for events (weddings, company events etc) where I have to shoot hundreds of shots I think I'll start using it at non critical moments where I think it'll work and thus give my eyes a rest from MF for hours on end. I've used it with the 24-105 and 50 f1.8.
But please Panasonic, give us top notch AF in the MK2 versions. I really don't want to go to Sony or Canon as the cameras have everything else I need for the right price.

Worse than that I had it actually "crash" my camera. The tracking box turned red (it is supposed to be yellow) and autofocus stopped. Couldn't change to a different autofocus mode, either. had to turn off and restart the camera.
Not as far as I can tell... maybe if there are two different faces in the one area box it might??? But normally you can't "confirm" focus on a face by touching the facial recognition box or by pushing in the joystick.

Yes I started off using face tracking but switched to one area + face and found that to be the best of all of the available options.
Tracking AF is generally garbage.
Tap to confirm focus makes a difference but I can’t remember off hand if that option comes up with one area + face or whether it is a purely face tracking option only…but it does improve things if available.
The lighting situation and background plays a part in this due to the nature of how DFD works.
Also not shooting wide open on say those f1.8 primes helps.
Going forward (and my season starts in around 4 weeks and is then pretty relentless until early Oct) I have reverted my S1H into being my static (ie tripod) B cam and the S5 as my A cam which is on me at all times, handheld or monopod.
Why? The S1H can do 30+ minute recordings without resorting to dropping to 8 bit and despite me preferring it in almost every way to the S5, there is one area I do not and that is weight.
So it’s S5 back to A cam with Sigma 35mm f2 for indoor work which is switched to Sigma 65mm f2 for outdoor so shooting 4K 50p which is my go to, effectively shooting with a 50 indoors and a 100 out.
I am keeping the kit zoom 20-60 close by though for those few times when I need the best tracking AF that I can get, ie, entrances, exits etc and shooting that at f4 or 5.6 at it’s widest focal length, ie, a ‘30mm’ equiv.
Finally, in order to mitigate some of the chunk of the S1H, I’m welding on the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 as that thing is tiny and very lightweight yet offers an equivalent field of view of 27-75mm so pretty flexible. This unit is pure static manual AF anyway.
I’ll report back if I find anything new as this week is designated as another week of testing. More to keep some familiarity going than anything as even a couple of weeks off produces a surprising amount of initial ring rust.

What a terrible day. We humans show no signs of learning, progressing and stopping these thugs from coming to power and ruining everything. 😢

What a terrible day. We humans show no signs of learning, progressing and stopping these thugs from coming to power and ruining everything. 😢

Some great features:
Punch in to check focus while recording is a game changer for me. I means they can stick with their funky AF as I can always check focus like I did with my C100.
Flip screen thingy is excellent.
Full HMDI
All the 10bit 4k etc and especially ProRes.
I'm sure it'll pair really well with the 10-25 f1.7 and 25-50 f1.7
Does it have the digital crop without losing quality in 4K like the GH5? That was a great feature. Made the 10-25 into a 20-70 f1.7 equivalent.
 
In saying that I think the FF Panasonics are great and I don't think I'd go back to M43 (just sold the 10-25 f1.7 as well!). What I'm really interested in is having punch in to check focus on the FF cameras, full HDMI on the next S5and the same flippy screen, FF 4K 50p 10bit (not so bothered about 100p and over) and in camera Prores. I imagine a S1Hmk2 will show us if that's going to happen as the S5 is still a new camera. A FF 20-50 f2 and 70-100 f2 would be amazing.

I’m thinking that for 99% of users, for 99% of the time, the S5 is a better option.
Unless anyone really really really needs the ‘extra’ video capability of the GH6, S5 for me all day long.
Except for the rear screen. The GH6 spanks the S5 there.
S5ii with phase and the GH6/S1H rear screen and happy days.
 

For those interested here is a Spec Ad I shot with my colleague Greg Latham last year. A mix of S1/S5 with canon FD primes, the Lumix 24-105 as well as some Sigma 70-200 EF long lens stuff. Still amazed the quality these cameras produces for the price.
 
 

I also use all Godox. I use the Canon version and they worked just fine with the S5. I only use all manual settings though so I do not know if the TTL features work with the S5 and the Canon Godox flashes.
I only use my S5 for video so I only briefly tested the flash functions, but they all worked with my current setup. I have almost every flash Godox makes including the V860's (on camera or off camera wireless flashes), the AD360 (off camera) the AD600 (my favorite and most used flashes for off camera fashion and studio work), and Godox QS 1200's for studio work. I trigger them all with the Godox Xpro-C (Canon version) wireless trigger. 
Keep in mind that if you are going all in on Panasonic that the S5 has a builtin wireless flash radio system that I think can control up to 4 flashes natively, so if that's important to you then you may want to look into lumix or Olympus flashes. I have too much invested in Godox to turn back now and I would rather use a hot shoe mounted trigger vs digging through menus when I need to change flash settings, but I know a lot of people probably don't know the S5 has this capability.
I also recommend that for any flash you buy that you verify that it has a wireless receiver, I shoot about 95% off camera and wireless is critical for that.  I do love my V860's though, I can throw them on a light stand and shoot everything from real estate to weddings, then put them on camera when I need to run around a venue at an event.

Similar to @MrSMW I use a Godox AD200 (or an AD360) for off camera flash.
Probably for on-camera flash I would use one of the Godox flash guns as well. They are good and "pretty durable" (I have managed to kill a few though since I am not particularly careful with my equipment).
Generally, Godox designates the flash guns that are compatible with the Panasonic S5 / S1 with the letter "O" for Olympus, since Panasonic and Olympus cameras use the same flash communication protocol (as far as I know). 
Do note that the S1 has a flash sync speed of 1/320th BEFORE going in to High Speed Sync (HSS), but it only does that with certain Profoto flash guns, which are way above MY budget.
And finally, for the Godox options, the on-camera flash guns that take AA batteries are fine for light duty work, but for serious work, I do strongly suggest the ones  with LiON batteries. The recycle time is faster and they just take a lot more shots. The problem is if you lose a battery (or forgot the battery at home), you can't just pop down to your local grocery store and pick up a replacement battery (the way you could with a flash gun that uses AA batteries). Likewise, if the battery fails (or the charger dies), then you will have to order a new battery / charger online .

The only flash I use is Godox AD200 off camera.
I don't use on camera myself and haven't in at least 7 if not 8 years, but OCF, at dusk or after dark yes.
Mostly outdoors, but not always, lighting up folks speaking during wedding speeches etc.
Direct if outdoors or bounced if indoors.
Great bit of kit and all I need.
I went off flash a bit the more I did video, but I'm bringing it back quite a bit for '22.

Is anyone using a flash with the S5 or S1? Which ones work? Thinking of the Godox TT350o as it's for occasional use. Anyone tried it?

I have the same access as any/everyone...
It used to be (6 years ago), I lived in the UK and travelled to Europe or beyond.
These days I live in France and mostly get booked for France, but do still get jobs outside of such as this year, I have clients for weddings in Germany and Switzerland.
I only have enough gear to do the job, nothing surplus.
Actually, having said that, I do have a Sigma 45mm f2.8 I received for free when I bought the S5. I have used it a couple of times but it just does not fit in with anything now I have finalised my 2022 kit.
I also have Panny's own 85mm f1.8 and again, have used it, but it doesn't fit it in anywhere. Currently, I am keeping it for the few times I get stuck at the back of a church and need something longer than the 65mm f2. I may switch this out for the Sigma 90mm f2 at some point just to keep the consistency of an all Sigma lens lineup.
I just need this season to get going in early April so I can actually crack on with everything I had planned back in 2019!
2018 was the first year I felt I had really cracked hybrid coverage, but still had a huge amount of refinement and polishing to do.
I thought I'd cracked that in the 2019 season, but ended up somewhat frustrated when I realised I was still well short in so many areas.
2020 was going to be 'The Year', but it turned out to be 'The Year That Wasn't' apart from one solitary, compromised wedding.
2021... Nah, really limited and just could not get any momentum.
2022 is going to be the year 😉

C
and thanks, I hope so!
33 couples booked in with an average 2 days coverage each mostly and away 60+ nights during the Summer.
So as long as there are no new super-variants, Russia doesn’t invade Ukraine or aliens invade, it should be a good creative year.
That’s been the worst part for me, the near stagnation of creativity for 2 years.
Yes I could go shoot other things, but the reality is I have little to no interest in shooting ‘other things’ so that would just be forced and doing something for the sake of it.
No, I need to be back in my proper saddle again, have a good, (if stupidly busy) year and then next year settle back into my normal routine of max 24 jobs per annum.

I use an Anker 10k job which I’ve had for a couple of years now.
They cost around 100 Pounds/Dollars/Euros and just work.
In my experience anyway.

The Canon EF-S 10-18 does not work with the S5. You can see the barrel of the lens with that lens on the S5. I was going to use that lens for real estate work since I already had it for a Canon Rebel T6S and I discovered it does not work. I ended up getting a 24mm F2.8 instead.  I also have a 16-35mm F4.0 but its a bit big and heavy for gimbal work.
I don't shoot much real estate these days since real estate agents in my area have continued to refuse to pay more despite the fact everything else is costing more, but if I still shot a lot of real estate I would probably get the  Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM for the S5.  With that lens at 4K30FPS it would be 14mm and at 4K60FPS it would still be a 21mm. 
 
 
Turns out it was something wrong with the camera. I sent it in for repair and got to experience Panasonic's repair service first hand. No status, no information, nothing at all, but 3wks later it showed up fixed. The shutter button was also sticking and they fixed that as well. Nothing more infuriating than a sticking shutter button when you are trying to half press to focus.

I think all of this shows that if Panasonic were to fix their AF they could really start taking a larger share of the market. They have got just about everything else right, ergonomics, colours, image, reliability, price...the L range of lenses is starting to grow. If the S5 had good AF it'd sell bucket loads.