TL;DR from this thread: the general consensus is that while the Panasonic LUMIX S 26mm f/8 Lens is tiny, it's basically just a body cap with glass, and those dirt-cheap manual pancakes can be a huge risk for ur gear. Honestly, as someone who looks at the technical side, I've seen some of those ultra-cheap lenses have poorly machined mounts that can actually scratch the electronic contact pins on your Panasonic LUMIX S5II Mirrorless Camera. That is a safety nightmare for such an expensive body! Plus, if the internal baffling is low quality, you get weird light leaks and reflections that mess with the sensor's performance. So basically, here is the technical breakdown of the safest pancake-adjacent options that wont compromise your build quality:

• Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens for L-Mount: This is the gold standard for compact L-mount glass. It weighs about 215g and has a dedicated aperture ring. It is built like a tank, so you dont have to worry about it feeling flimsy or snapping.
• Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary Lens for L-Mount: If you want wider for street, this is it. It has a 1:2 magnification ratio which is SO useful for close-ups, and the optics are way better than any generic pancake.
• Panasonic LUMIX S 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3 Lens: I think this one is the newest compact zoom option. It is super tiny for a zoom and much more reliable than no-name brands. Ngl, stick with the Sigma I-series if you want that premium feel without the bulk. Its better for your wallet and your cameras health in the long run... gl! peace

ok so i totally feel u on the bulk... the s5ii is a lot to carry. honestly that 26mm f8 is basically just a body cap. if u want actual autofocus, i highkey recommend these:

• Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
• Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary the sigma 45mm is really my go-to for street stuff. it's tiny and the build is actually insane. have u looked at the sigma i-series yet? gl!!

Hey so i would suggest being a bit careful with the super cheap stuff. I actually just got into this whole system and man that camera is heavy but i love the photos. I think i heard from a friend that some of the really tiny manual pancakes can sometimes have issues with the mount fitting too tight so honestly i always play it safe. Its a big investment you know? I mean, I dont want to break anything... For your situation i guess i can share what ive found while looking for myself. I havent tried everything yet but ive been doing a lot of reading because i also hate the bulk of that kit zoom. It makes the whole setup feel kinda unbalanced when youre just walking around.

• The small metal series from Sigma is really what you probably want. They have a few different ones that are super thin and look great on the body. honestly they feel so solid but are way lighter than the zoom.
• Theres a really flat one from Panasonic that people use as a body cap. I think its like f/8 or something? Just keep in mind it wont be great if your shooting at night or inside a dark cafe.
• I also saw some people talking about using adapters for older vintage lenses but i dont know if i would recommend that if you want fast autofocus for street stuff. Anyway but yeah i think sticking with the native L-mount stuff is probably the safest bet even if its a bit more expensive. Idk but i just dont like the idea of forcing a weird lens onto my new gear. Just my two cents as a fellow beginner! gl...

This^ Also wanted to add... I wasted sooo much cash on cheap pancakes that felt realy flimsy. Honestly, it's way better for ur wallet if u avoid that junk