Panasonic Lumix G9 review - first looks

First looks review of the Panasonic Lumix G9 by Gordon Laing.

[hjd]

Oh my goodness! Panasonic just seems to do almost everything right! Great ergonmics, fully articulating touch screen, no overheating in video, great IBIS, improved skin tones, full sized HDMI, dual card slots, WIFI, bluetooth, joystick for AF point selection, large EVF. Now they just need to get auto focus tracking working for video - it will be interesting to see if this G9 is improved over the GH5. I just have a huge wish, which is unlikely to be fulfilled - Panasonic, please make a reasonably priced full frame version of these wondercams!

[MichaelGerrard]

I really like this no-nonsense first look at the G9. Excellent video. The camera too, it feels like something truly new rather than the usual ste by step updates.

[richardrivera]

Wow! Astounding array of features on the G9. Thanks for an outstanding quick review.

[alkevinzmedia]

Hi Gordon! Awesome preview. I think your the only one that shows the viewfinder on your videos, which is highly appreciated. Very nice! :)

[Cathandroo]

Glad I found you via the Camera store video and have subscribed. I was noticing your hands shake and wondered what that is? Always appreciate your knowledge and reviews. Great work.

[buyingonabudget]

Nice video! I am enjoying my g9 as well. All the features in this little camera are really making me happy. This is indeed a good year as there are so many nice new cameras to choose.

[markanderson]

Thanks Gordon. Good video.

I'm just trying to decide whether to buy a G9 to augment my Olympus OMD EM 1 Mk II now that the prices on the G9 have come down. Seems like a very worthwhile purchase at current prices,

[TheShanahg]

Always enjoyed your videos Gordon, for years ;)

[johndonaldson]

The camera seems to have a lot of desirable features. But I have an APS-C now and am constantly aware of the increased bokeh and low light capability of a full frame sensor. I'm aware that a micro 4:3 sensor can produce good photos, but there is no way I'd be taking a step down in sensor size. Those that currently work with a four-thirds will find this an exciting entry.

[tractorboy]

It's a monster. I look forward to you and Doug dissecting it.

[Photomeike]

Oh wow. You got a hold of this pretty early!

[Luigiz]

This looks like a badass camera! And If the performance lives up to the specs, this might be the upgrade to my Em10 Mark I. Great job Panasonic.

[jimmydomunih]

sony a9 m43 version...wew nice job panasonic..

[johnhaynes]

As ever a good and precise overview. I picked up a G7 and couple of years ago for very little money because of discounts, it was fun as an addition to my DSLRs. A year ago I upgraded that to a G80 and the price was considerably more, I see the trend has continued with this model ! Though to be fair, you are getting quite a lot for your money however there are two things that I never settled with on either I owned, the autofocus isn't that good and the lack of availability of fast lenses. I look forward to your full review on Camera Labs.

[techmaester]

Just wanted to clear up things to consider, especially for a GH4 user wanting to upgrade to the GH5, or the G9.

First, the GH5 is a few hundred dollars more, but the G9 would appeal better only if the video functions are less important. The concept (marketing) of the G9 is to skimp on the video features, but leave the photo capabilities the same, except for a few things that most people probably would overlook.

G9 compared to GH5 (- GH5 only or better/caveat feature on G9, + G9 only or better, ~ same or neutral/lacking feature).

- 4, 096 X 2, 160 (True 4K) max video recording
+ 3, 840 X 2, 160 (UHD Pseudo 4K) max video recording
- 10-bit video recording internal, external, supported
~ 20 MP
~ High ISO quality up to 10, 000 (RAW in particular, JPEG 8, 000 comparable)
~ No internal flash (bane to photography, especially in low-light for portraits)
~ No clip-on flash (bane to photography, especially in low-light for portraits)
~ Due to the above two factors, purchasing an external flash may be quite expensive; n/a to GH4 with internal pop-up flash
- Extra feature: 40 and 80 Megapixels resolution for multiple image combination (lossy with artifacts, as in Sony's ClearZoom), which this looks better on paper than in real-world use, as any resolution above the effective megapixels uses digital zoom!
+ Few more fps photo shooting (good for sports in good lighting conditions)
- Effectiveness of image stabilization and/or in-body
+ 20% less expensive (body only) per average MSRP (street price may fluctuate)
+ Smaller and lighter (depth; about the same for height and width from viewing front or back of camera)
+ Top of camera LCD display on right (borrowed from Canon G and Sony RX10 lines--considered P&S as lenses are permanent)

That said, do I recommend the G9 over the GH5? If you want to spend $300 less and want the non-True 4K as found in new Sony cameras (because they algorithms and engineering may be related, perhaps somewhat changed with TowerJazz involvement, the Israeli company). If video and stills are of equal importance, the G9 won't fare that well. If you are serious about 40 and 80 MP resolution, you are not going to get decent results on a M43 sensor with digital zoom incorporated into optical zoom. It is no different from taking a 20 MP photo into Adobe Photoshop, going to Image Size, setting the enlargement to 200%, pressing enter, and saving the photo. Instead of taking a 40 or 80 MP still, consider purchasing a fractal-based program, and using that to enlarge the photo to the desired enlargement. Who would want to use 40 or 80 MP for billboard-size prints? Who even has a printer to do such size prints? If you are serious about extremely high-resolution photos, the new Fujifilm GFX-50s is quadruple the price of the G9, yet will yield results that someone coming from a Hasselblad, Mayima, or other Medium Format camera background would have the real-world need for. It makes no sense to put a M43 sensor in a Hasselblad, so the 40 and 80 MP option is a gimmick that obviously won't give great results, but it is just 'there' to make the budget-minded find appeal, which is probably alright, as you probably won't even print murals to cover the vast amount of wall space in your living room mansion.

[maxfactor]

better than anything that canon ever made

[williammobbs]

Thank you for a fantastic discussion and overview of the new Panasonic G9 photographers camera. I was totally unaware of this camera, but I'm super impressed with what you have presented today. Having purchased the GH5 and updated it with the 2.1 firmware I am still blown away with this camera. In your humble option Hugh, will it be easily justifiable to own the GH5 and the G9. I have an insatiable appetite for good photographic and video graphic equipment and I have a real passion for both photography and videography. Your last comment to me was "You like your glass, don't you" so guess what lens I will be buying next. Many thanks Hugh for another great presentation.

[Drrippa]

1:23 finally usb 3.0 now we are onto something! 2:00 duel SD slots finally! Battery life??? Is it more than 700 shots?

[crucialclick]

Panasonic does so much right. Would love to see them have a Full Frame line.

[MyNorthAmetican]

Great video, now how does one decide between the XT2, OMDEM1.2 and the G9?