I Want This Camera? Lumix G9II Is The New Champion?

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My name is Matti Sulanto, I'm a photographer based in Helsinki Finland.

[ElusiveFrame]

I completely agree about the Gii's size. We definitely need a Gx9ii or a Gx10.🎉

[dzeng]

Let’s hope Panasonic comes out with a new GX camera in the next few months. That’s the one I’m really waiting for. I don’t care that much about the specs as long as it is better than the GX9. I just want the latest sensor, usb C, weather sealing, and less burst photos and video features to reduce the price. A GX size model is great for travel and a walk around camera.

[TheGreenEggFarm]

This is the perfect camera for the "Professional" Micro 4/3 shooter. The only problem is the size and weight. We need a GX9II with ALL these features, weather sealed and with good EVF. Then, Micro 4/3 system would be perfect.

[lukather]

Your test of this new camera is one that those of us who use Lumix cameras look forward to the most, like the G9, you know well how the G9 and all the Lumixes work, since for years I remember you as an ambassador of the brand. Your test is valid and a very reliable test, and not that of people who have never used a Lumix.

[knofi]

I think the G9II needs to have that size for not overheating. Anyway, I agree that something like a GX9II would be very appreciated...

[UpBebop]

Been a Fuji shooter since I grabbed an XT3 on launch day. Now have an XT4, which I also got on launch, ha. A local pro near me had a G9 with under 1k shutter up for sale for $475 last month due to all the rumors of the G9ii. I wanted an extra camera for YouTube videos and webcam/streaming, and this was in the "GoPro" tier of pricing, haha, so figured why not. He had the G9 as his backup to his OM1 he said so he barely used it and only grabbed the G9 when it dropped in price to $900 2 years or so ago, as he figured it would be nice to have a pro quality backup for cheap. I went to his studio, saw that it was truly mint condition, and snagged it so fast after talking to him, and have been absolutely amazed by this, what, 6 year old camera? You nailed it when you said the G9 is STILL competitive in the market with all of its features. Panasonic was super smart by putting a beefy processor in this thing and it has kept it modern with those firmware updates. I'm now using this G9 more than my XT4 and I only have 2 lenses for the G9 - the two super basic kit lenses, the 12-32 and 45-150, which I got both for under $200 total... Crazy!

The price point of the G9ii being right there with the S5ii is just confusing. It seems, to me, whenever m43 sale prices go around 1k USD, they start selling like crazy. The G9 when it hit $900, the E-M5 Mark Iii when it was on sale at $799, the GH6 at $1200, etc. There really is an already established golden area of pricing for these cameras. I really feel if I were buying a new camera today, and seeing the G9ii at close to $2, 000, I'd just get the S5ii.

[AprilClayton]

The one reason I would like a LUMIX G9 II is for wildlife. As a Sony A7IV user, I miss the reach of the Leica 100-400 on the old G9. I sold all my micro 4/3 bodies and lenses. I miss them for bird photography. 800 mm reach in such a light package is tempting. I’m considering getting the G9 II when it reaches the secondhand market.

[Raistdb]

Nailed it. m43rds unique selling proposition is the size and without it, it doesn't look that hot vs cameras with bigger sensors. IN this case we have m43rds in an S5ii body.

[jlganivet]

I just got rid of my (aging) A7rII and all my Sony lenses for 3 reasons:
- Weight and bulk
- Segmentation which means that Sony does not release ANY updates
- No video, which requires me to carry a camcorder
I don't have any m4/3 lens, but by taking the G9II I think it will largely meet my needs as a small amateur photographer.
OK I won't be able to raise the ISO to stratospheric values, OK the background blurs, dynamics etc.
But I will have my equipment with me without having to break my back, which is essential to use it.
I share your analysis and I would have preferred a camera in the GX range, which I hope will soon wisely complement the Panasonic offer.
Thank you for your excellent YT videos that I discovered today and thank you for your diction which makes the explanations very understandable.
Jlouis from Montpellier (France)

[KrispyKutz]

Nice to see M43 is not dead. I just got a G7 and enjoying the smaller lenses. Much smaller than their FF counterparts. I can definitely understand the appeal of M43 format. Although we’re starting see mirrorless FF dropping size and weight on their body’s and lenses. Anyways, thanks for sharing your thoughts Matti!

[TheRealRichardWong]

Good video Matti some really fair points. I would like to see Panasonic make a smaller version with similar tech too

[ThatMicroGuy]

Thanks Matti, similar views to me about the size. What I really want is a new fully featured GX8ii. It is a bit larger than the other GX cameras but I absolutely love it and even if it had the features of my old G9 it would be an awesome camera but even better with a 25Mp PDAF

[LyndonPatrickSmith]

Agree with your comments about the the GX80/85. I love that camera and still use it for some video work. The shutter mech is fantastic; sounds good and feels right with no shutter shock. I’m also a big fan of the G80/85 with it’s slightly better ergos and weather sealing. I’d love to see updates to those cameras, as well as a new diminutive GM1/GM5.

[the-additional-f-stop]

Thank you Matti for this video. You address the struggle I am facing as well. I turned to M43 because I wanted to save space and weight in my travel bag. I prefer my old GX9 in 85% of the scenarios. However, I actually do own one long lens because I am a casual wildlife/bird photographer as well. I was hoping for a Panasonic body that would handle it all. It seems I will continue to use my GX9 and Fuji x-t30ii for everything except wildlife. I'm still hoping for a compact and suitable M43 travel camera that I can also use for birding. If the GX9II offered the same specs I would not hesitate to sell off my 3 out of 4 of my Fuji cameras and keep only one in this case! Thanks for all your hard work in these videos.

[dokugohikken]

Thank you so much for your very informative (as usual) video. True. IN GENERAL. Not just for this particular camera. If you are going birding and want to photograph birds, it would make a lot of sense to buy a modern camera. It can be said that if you want to photograph birds, the less high-sensitivity noise you have, the better. But for a quick photo walk, you don't need the latest camera. Originally, I kept a single 5 cm lens on my Nikon F. When I got married and went on my honeymoon, I bought an F4, a speedlight, and one standard zoom considering the possibilities of some indoor Photographies. When our children started having field days, I bought two F100s (a 400mm f/5.6 single focal length lens attached to one of them). After my children grew up, I used two FM2n and Ai Nikkor 28mm F2.8S, Ai Nikkor 50mm F1.8, Ai Nikkor 105mm F2.5. Then I bought a D300 as a digital camera, which is heavy. It has the quality feel of a flagship, though. But for casual photo walks, I tend to use my D40 or D3000. They are just enough for my use. I was happy I could buy used ones, with prices of about $20, with cumulative shutter count of 1000, or something, which I consider as almost new. However, it is true that they are old cameras, so I bought two (one D40 and one D3000) as backups.

[Kukimuncher]

I love the new features but i agree about the body size.

[pedrorrodriguez]

I see your points, although, i believe the advantage of MFT is in the smaller lenses, not the bodies necessarily. Also, your panasonic leica is 1.4, and your 50mm sony is not, that's why they're similar in size. Try comparing it with the sony 1.4.. But you know that. In the end, different strokes for different folks. All in all, a very solid release from panasonic.

[mc]

A success that relaunches the micro 4/3! But I like compact devices. If a GX9 II or a G90 II follows soon (and with weather sealing), I will leave OMDS for Panasonic after the disappointment of the OM5 in the EM5 III body.

[ericmeter]

I loved shooting with the G9, and a smaller version of the G9II would be compelling. Thanks again!

[kemerthomson]

Excellent analysis. I loved my G9 and have a very complete set of the Panasonic/Leica lenses. I waited as long as I could for this update, and had it come out at the same time as the GH6, things probably would have been different for me. But the delay pushed me into getting a full frame, and I discovered the joys of depth of field, low noise, and high resolution. The remaining “advantage” of M43 is size and weight, with the weight of the zoom lenses being the big factor. Or are they? The weight difference between new my full frame zooms and the Panasonic/Leica equivalents ranges fromm about 150% to 200%: that may sound like a lot, but it’s not really when the bodies are close to the same size and weight. So, you are right: a smaller M43 body with the same new features, coupled with the smaller lenses I own, would complement my already big full frame set and keep M43 in my life. I think the new G9 will be most successful with the wildlife crowd, coupled with the 100-400 mm Panasonic/Leica zoom.