Panasonic Lumix G9 II REVIEW: Now with PDAF!

My Panasonic Lumix G9 II review PART 1 - now with phase-detect AF!

Equipment used for producing my videos

00:00 - Lumix G9 II introduction and rivals
01:57 - Lumix G9 II design and controls
06:57 - Lumix G9 II viewfinder
07:41 - Lumix G9 II screen
08:05 - Lumix G9 II ports
08:46 - Lumix G9 II battery and grip
09:43 - Lumix G9 II card slots
10:09 - Lumix G9 II USB SSD recording
11:41 - Lumix G9 II lens mount
12:26 - SPONSOR: Used lenses at MPB
13:30 - Lumix G9 II sensor
14:10 - Lumix G9 II autofocus PDAF and subject detection
16:57 - Lumix G9 II IBIS stabilization
17:59 - Lumix G9 II photo settings
19:30 - Lumix G9 II iDynamic
19:56 - Lumix G9 II Leica Monochrome
20:08 - Lumix G9 II burst shooting
20:54 - Lumix G9 II movie mode and settings
21:43 - Lumix G9 II movie quality 1080 4k 5.8k
23:07 - Lumix G9 II movie autofocus
23:59 - Lumix G9 II rolling shutter
24:34 - Lumix G9 II vlogging tests
26:20 - Lumix G9 II verdict and sample images

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[SkWine]

22:27 I have watched ALL the g9 II review videos and none answer this question – until now! Thank you Gordon! going through the menu systems while explaining briefly is brilliant.

[Nitrogenetiks]

This is a camera killer, for sure. Is like a mini z9 with a smaller sensor but even more capable in some parts. Cost 70% less and can give similar results if you know how to play with the camera. I know all of you will say this sensor can't fight a fullframe one but man this specs are crazy, ill buy one and check myself. And video is almost the same than gh6 without fan to cool down the camera. One of the best hybrids available on the market it seems

[DocBoA]

I've been battling the urge to bite on the S5IIX due to the necessity of purchasing lenses. With my G9 and GH5II + eight M43 lenses, this is exactly what I've waited for. The PDAF alone is worth the upgrade for me. Great review Gordon

[williamburkholder]

This is a very well-balanced feature set. I passed on the GH6 when it arrived without PDAF. I'm glad I did. It is great for what it is, but my next camera WILL have PDAF, and this just might be it. It seems to have all the still and video features I need. I'll know after watching and reading around 30 reviews! Thanks, Gordon, for this first look. Your assessments make sense.

[nndoorgaans]

The launch of the G9II is a significant boost for the m43 community. Recently, I've made a full transition back from Sony FF to m43. Virtually everything you can do with Fullframe can also be achieved with m43, but with less weight (which becomes increasingly important as you get older) and less intimidating to the surroundings. The video quality of the GH6 is impressive and fantastic to work with. However, compact and yet excellent cameras like the GX9 are pleasant companions for a day out. Naturally, the G9II (with its much-improved AF) is on my wishlist, along with the highly underrated OM5 from OM systems (420 grams). The latter camera is a hybrid marvel when it comes to both photo and video (4K and 120 FPS HD) in a small and lightweight body. Try capturing a handheld video with panning using a Sony (e.g., the zv1 or the a7c); it's quite challenging. The OM5 can do it, and, of course, the G9II can as well. Hopefully, Panasonic will continue to innovate and soon release a GX9 mkII and/or a G90 mkII.

[alexandercarder]

No way Mr Gordan Laing you’re still going. It’s been a long time since I last watched any camera reviews due to personal reasons but I’m back. The first time I discovered camera labs was the n 2007 when I was building up to purchasing the Olympus E-510 twin lens kit. And I remember devouring your reviews of it and reading them over and over again along with Wrotniaks website and excellent E-510 review. Good to be back.

[Localtraveler]

I agree 100% with your comments on the top screen going away. I use mine on my G9 quite a lot and it makes it look like a higher end camera.

[dominiquedrouin]

For me, the biggest advantage of this camera over the OM-1 is the HUMAN detection. With OM-A, as soon as the subject turns his/her face away, it seems that the OM-1 does not detect him/her anymore. The G9ii keeps the tracking on the subject moving to its HUMAN detection. Very useful feature for a bunch of applications where the face may be hidden by a scarf or momentarily turn his/her face away

[stevemurnan]

A good review Gordon. Well done Panasonic. There's nothing here to make me switch from my OM-1 but I can see the attraction for current M43 Panasonic owners and the video capabilities will appeal to some as the OM-1 is less than stellar in this department. The real winner is the M43 format with 2 excellent flagship body options now available.

[jakr]

Great initial review, as always.

I was hoping for a slightly smaller form-factor, but if this is what Panasonic had to do to be profitable with it, I understand. I hope the body size doesn't turn people off to the m43 format.

I would love to see a flat-out high speed tracking comparison between this and the OM 1. And given some of the dynamic range boosting technology Panasonic is using, I would love to see a high iso comparison as well. The GH6 was criticized for its DR, and I know this sensor is modified in that regard, so any improvement is welcomed.

I know this is cross format, but this is priced right in the range of some good apsc/ff gear as well, maybe even a quick comparison, or just your thoughts, on the g9.2 vs something like an r10/8, or the new Sony 6xxx would be interesting as well. There's a lot of great gear in this price range. We are fortunate, even in a declining market in general, to have a luxury of options here.

[RonMantay]

Gordon, thanks so much for your excellent and detailed early review of the Panasonic G9 ii using pre-production firmware. I am convinced that the G9 ii is an awesome upgrade from the original Panasonic G9 in nearly all respects. However, with the new 25.2 MP dual-gain sensor on the G9 ii, I hope you might publish information about how the G9 ii image quality (with final production firmware) compares with the OM-1 and the original Panasonic G9 – across all ISO settings. You've asked viewers what they'd like to see in your next review of G9 ii with final firmware, and I am sure that most photographers are interested in what this new 25.2 MP sensor delivers in terms of image quality. Thanks again for your awesome videos; they are super-helpful to photographers and videographers!! I will probably upgrade my Panasonic G85 next year; not sure if I will get the G9 ii or the OM-1; both are very good tools !

[georgescanvas]

Another thorough camera review from Gordon. As far as people commenting in the forums about phase detect autofocus finally coming to Panasonic, I think they worry too much about the gear and not enough about their own abilities.

[yukonchris]

I'm definitely ready to refresh my 43rds camera from the original OM-D E-M1 so I am looking forward to your G9ii vs OM-1 comparison. I'm primarily a photographer as opposed to a videographer so it's the still image performance that will interest me primarily. Good review as usual, Gordon.

[PavSZ]

Great and detailed review that only felt like 10min. Good and very informative watch.

[TheRealRichardWong]

Very nice review as usual Gordon, i have to say i really love how your review just flow from one topic to next to next. So smooth and natural. I watched the whole review before I realise it

[AmadoWildlifeVideos]

Having switched to Nikon and found the video stabilization a bit meh. Now packed and ready to go with my Nikon gear and finding the backpack heavy, I may have to have a serious talk with myself about the G9ii....

[MicroFourNerds]

Great review Gordon!!! Thanks so much for the shoutout ☺️📷🙏

[OneMonthTwoCameras]

Well I had watched this when you released it and now watching it again, you've sealed the deal my friend. Guess who's getting a G9ii... 😉

[mediamannaman]

I have a G9 and use it mostly for photography. I never check the LCD display on the top of the camera. Won't miss it.

[javierruizamado]

Great video!

Perhaps a good combination for shooting vlogs is the G9 II with the PanaLeica 9mm f/1.7 and electronic stabilization on HIGH. I don't even think a gimbal will be needed and there will be no trace of that annoying jelly effect.

In a future review, when the camera is on sale and the firmware is more polished, it would be great if you could delve into how the Raw files behave in photos. How well they recover highlights and shadows.