Panasonic Lumix G9 review - first looks

Can you record 1080p 180 fps?

better than anything that canon ever made

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.

Camera looks ugly

I. just bought a g7.

Uh, $1700? You can get a GH5 for $1999. Why in the world would anyone get this instead? Before you go off on me - I am not doubting the camera, but the pricing. It makes no sense.

Also, seems like there are a lot stipulations on what lenses with which the stabilization will work.

Only 8 bit.

So 1080p 180fps is confirmed?! Thats amazing if so

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.

should have increased the MP

Gordon Laing, do you know if this camera can do tethered /or wireless live-view onto Windows 7 and 10?
#2 which wireless radio TTL battery operated strobe will be compatible with G9?
#3 will Olympus software that has wireless live-view work on G9?

I saw his hands shaking he was proably like "holy shit its the G9!"

What is the range of Diopter adjustment?

I am sure it is a fantastic beast but for a M4/3 mirrorless it feels rather bulky to me. In this range I 'd rather go with a APS-C or FF DSLR.

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

you can also power the Fuji X series with the usb port while operating.

What about 4k video in low light , could you make some test pls, Thanks

oh...man...
Grabby Hands

Please test the G9's Continuous AF performance, this is where most believe DFD will fall short and the fact no one is showing off good results with it is very concerning.

If the G9 married the GH5 we would have a perfect camera

The topp screen is of the early years of 1990s...Display...O my god...Are we realy in the year 2018 soon.... :(------> emperor new clothes

Took my new GH5 to the real test vs my old Oly Epl 5.....that was very interesting....i do not see something really of quality difference when it come just down to a picture quality in Raw/Jpeg, possibly a fraction better to GH5. But the old Oly is still very good when it comes to night pictures,maby a bite better than the new Pany ;)

Nice review, thanks for your introduction!

Oh no its got a Canon style 1980"s lcd top screen - don't let Tony ( Sony are soooo good) jpeg boy know .Then again it's not Canon so he'll probably give this fabulous new Pana a clear pass.

Is there timelapse built in?

Always enjoyed your videos Gordon, for years ;)

My first impression when looking at this camera was: Man, it's huge! I mean, the main advantage of mirrorless cameras was the smaller size and less weight, compared to DSLR's. The G9 body is heavier than some Nikons and Canons! But hey, if you already put heavy metal in your photo bag why would you stick to Micro 4/3 quality instead of going full frame (or APS-C)? I can't see Panasonic following this path for too long.

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

I just bought a G85... Fuck!!!!

So the G9 has 6.5 stops of in body stabilisation while the Olympus omd 1 II only has 5.5? So the ibis on the G9 is better (when lens ibis not taken into account) ?

WOWWWWWwwwww... Great..

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.

So is the recording limited to the 30mins

Thats rather a big upgrade compared with my g3. Thats right g3.

Thanks, do you know what is the cool down time between videos? As the g9 is limited to 10 min 4k60 and 30min 4k30 what happens after the camera stops the recording at that limit, can you start the recording right away or do you have to wait (how long)?

Whats the camera’s limitation if only a uhs I card is used instead of ush II? Speed? Buffer?

)

GX9 Yes tilting electronic viewfinder, while G9 No tilting electronic viewfinder

Hey which lens were you using in the video on gh9

Which one will you recommend for street shooting and film making? I can offord only one system.
Confused b/w Fuji x systems/Panasonic gx8 or gx9

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.

Very good first review..

Bonsoir
Do I find Used
Panasonic G9
Merci

Hy Gordon, Do you know if G9 model got HDMI LIVE mode and keep sending video signal trough the HDMI out put during filming ? ( My DMC-FZ300 LUMIX shutdown the monitor and give me a nice black window !!! ) PS : Same limitation on GH7 !!

Does it support external mic??? Pls reply?

Hi Gordon.
As you tested a lot of cameras and i'm still looking for my next camera (actually nikon d90) maybe you could help me.
I hesitate between g9, Sony a7II, a6500,...Fuji x-t 2/3...my budget IS around 1500€. I take pictures mainly of my daughter (portrait, mouvements,) but street or landscape too. I need good autofocus to not miss pictures of my princess, and do sharp pictures...wich cameras would you advice?

hi Gordon, do you think panasonic will release another 4/3 camera, the successor of G9? thank you.

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,