Is the Lumix G9 a great Micro 4/3 value? I think so.

I believe it is a great value if you can live with Panasonics lackluster contrast detect autofocus. This camera is weather sealed as are many available lenses. Since a major firmware update, it has excellent video capabilities. It has a wonderful viewfinder that works exceptionally well with manual focus lenses. The image stabilization is first rate and the 20 megapixel sensor does the job. Here are links to a couple of comprehensive reviews:

[chrisbrown]

Hello I decided to follow you. I am 74 years old and love this camera that I own for its ergonomics and image quality. I have had many years experience like you and was pleased to find an older photographer with plenty of experience. I have some Panasonic pro lenses to go with it as well. A great commentary on this camera and you describe well why I like this camera and lenses so well.

[motebike]

Found you recently by chance. It's a pleasant experience to watch someone with a down to earth attitude, and without the 'bells and whistles' that distract what other folks think to be necessary, or 'cool', to attract an audience. I owned the G9 a few years back, but then decided to play the 'chase the better, stronger, greater' camera game. Prior to watching your video, I acquired the G9, again, for £350 on eBay (UK). The love affair begins, again. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Liked, and subscribed.

[laurentyarp]

To make it clear with the focus issues on that camera, and Panasonic cameras in general prior to the G9 II: this is only related to video mode. There is no focus problem in photography mode.
On the contrary the G9 has some unique focus assist tools that makes it very fast to acquire on a subject. It is called FarShift and NearShift focus. With the shutter half pressed you engage NearShift focus and the camera will focus on the nearest object in the focus area. You have to set a dedicated button for this but the G9 has lots of buttons and even digital ones.
As for digital buttons the LCD screen is full touch and the menu is comprehensive. Panasonic cameras are easy and enjoyable to operate.

[grahamvenning]

Really appreciate you taking the time to put this together and share. So many great insights!

[marvellis]

Got one yesterday on ebay for £395 in mint condition and 10k count. In my opinion the Lumix G9 is a legendary camera. Successful because of this outstanding tool.

[jocko_]

Nice video. I just picked up this camera used off of eBay for a great price. Took it out today for the first time to get some fall color. Yea.. the shutter is super sensitive.

[artistjoh]

It is hard to find a G9 user that doesn't love it. Great camera. Ergonomically perfect. I bought mine as a Pro kit, with the 12-35mm f2.8, and was able to do a deal on the 35-100/2.8. Best deal I ever made. Brilliant camera. I never have any real focus problems. As with any camera, you work with its limitations, and get the most from the camera.

[billmassey]

Thank you for the feedback and recommendations, much appreciated!

[martingreenberg]

I’ve seen this camera for $500 too. Unbelievable. The G9 was marketed as the Panasonic flagship photography camera. Being a Panasonic there are a lot of video features. The depth from defocus (DFD) is very good for photography. The camera locks onto the subject quickly and accurately. DFD isn’t so sticky for video. The focus sometimes looses lock and then drifts.

The IBIS feels like it is more than five stops of stabilization . II easily can hand hold and capture an image at 1/2”. Add an OIS lens and you get dual stabilization for about seven stops. This is unbelievable.

The lens choice is quite large. Panasonic and Zuiko lens are interchangeable but only the camera’s brand lens has full functionality. There are also third party lenses worth looking at. Two lenses in particular are worth note. The 12-35 & 35-50 f2.8 lenses are all you really need. Small. Lightweight. Sharp. Fast. Reasonable price. Yes the Panasonic-Leica 12-60 is a very good lens. It starts out fast at f2.8 but quickly stops down to f4. I love the Panasonic primes. The Panasonic-Leica lives on my GX9 for street photography.

The Panasonic G9 is a true bargain for photography and/or videography. It is inexpensive and a powerful tool. The choice of glass is very good. The DFD is more than adequate for everyday use. A minor negative for some is that the body is somewhat large for a M43 body. This doesn’t translate to a heavy body. I purchased this body new when first released and have used it a lot. I wish I could have purchased the body at current prices. I love this body and wholeheartedly recommend it for any video or photography user.

Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[jondough]

I just picked up a lightly used G9 with the PL 12-60 for $850. I love it so far!

[richardwalker]

I find the CDAF on the G9 excellent, especially with the latest firmware updates, it is super fast and very accurate. It can get lost in scenes with little contrast of course and I get it that the PDAF is the setup you want for tracking fast moving subjects. I have an Olympus camera with PDAF and it doesn't always nail the focus as accurately as the G9 does. The G9 is a great camera to use manual lenses, big viewfinder, peaking is there straight off when the MF lens is detected (Olympus you have to program it to a button, an extra step in the workflow), and it throws up the focal length setting screen on start up when you have a manual lens on it (Olympus you have to remember to do a menu dive). The G9 is a winner, they got so much right on the first release and what little they didn't has largely been fixed in firmware. You cap that off with the insanely low prices you can get mint copies second hand and it's probably the no-brainer of the century.

[jamesmlodynia]

I started digital photography 16 years ago with a Pentax K100D super and many other Pentax models over the years I have added Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm, Nikon and one Sony A7 ii, i have a Panasonic S5, S5 MKII, G9 and G95. The G9 is a well made camera and the lens selection for the 4/3 cameras is amazing and the lens are very compact, the Panasonic 9mm f1.7 is such a small lens for a fast aperture lens. I also have the Olympus OMD Em1 MKII AND MKIII along with the EM5 MKIII. The 12-40 f2.8 Olympus lens is a great all around lens and my next favorite lens is the 40-150 F2.8, i also have many different Panasonic and Olympus zoom and prime lenses that I use as my travel camera setup.

[eltinjones]

I have one and I use the 12-35mm f2.8 (brilliant lens, so sharp)
I also use the 45-150 like you, a decent zoom for telephoto
I use the Laowa 7.5 for wide angle, the zooms here are too expensive for the use I'd give them
I personally find primes a waste of money except for the Laowa. The zooms are just as good
Thanks for highlighting this brilliant camera and finally I, like many photographers don't need phase detect auto focus for what we do 📷👍

[chrisbrown]

I use back button ato focus that solves the shutter sensitivity and I prefer to use back button autofocus anyway.

[numbersix]

Thanks! Most of my gear is MFT but I don't have any G series cameras - yet.

[jacobh]

It may sound a bit silly, but I use the G9 with my 50mm Summilux-M that’s normally on my M11. The M is my main camera for personal work, but it has its limitations, so I took a G9 that was still lying around in our studio together with the gorgeous Leica 12-60 and I can use it for videos and whenever I need a more flexible platform than the full manual M. With the adapted 50 Summilux (100mm equiv.) I also have an awesome portrait setup. It’s a $4500 lens on a $500 camera and yet it feels totally perfect. The G9 is still amazing…

[Lepewhi]

I picked one up a few months ago for 600€ boxed with everything as new condition. Had fewer than 4k clicks. We spent the day together today. I thought that it was going to be too heavy. But, it balances so well. I carried it around all day with little if any effort. I have a couple of day trips planned in the next weeks. Then sitting down and playing with them in Affinity 2. It's a bargain and I'm glad I have it. Yes, the G9ii is newer and superior. But, would I notice it and would the difference in price justify it? I don't think so.

[andrasgergely]

Hi! Thank you for your great review. The Brightstar lens, is a great recommendation!
I have a question regarding my next camera purchase, because you have reviewed both of them: G9 and Canon M6 II.
I own cameras from both brands, original Canon eos M with magic lantern and Lumix GX80/85 and G100. Have some primes and kit lenses for both. I want to upgrade but I can't decide. Both are in the same price range. I have seen many reviews but I would like to hear your opinion as you've used both. Mostly, I use my cameras for photography: portraits, street and landscapes. But I'm more and more interested in video. Mostly I'm familiar with their strength and weaknesses, but what I don't know how the two sensors compare. Is the mft 20 mp sensor a match for the larger 32 mp sensor? Is there a difference in IQ and dynamic range in photos?
Thank you in advance for your answer.

[Lepewhi]

I am thinking about getting one purely for the weather sealing. I have two M4/3 bodies, but they don't have this feature and there have been two times where I was out and it began raining, so I had to quickly hide my camera under my coat, it was ok. But, that got me thinking that it would be nice to have a body where I wouldn't have to stress so much about the weather suddenly shifting. I had considered a G80/85, but for the same price can get a used G9. I can't justify a G9ii at 2000€!!!

[sdrtcacgnrjrc]

I'm looking to get the 14-140 lens to start with. Not a wide aperture but has a good reputation. (I have a bunch of m43 lenses but they not weather sealed.). But haven't decided whether this or GX8 (because smaller).