Panasonic G9 II Announcement: A Worthy Upgrade? – digitalcameras.ie

Panasonic has simply launched the DC-G9 II, a highly-anticipated replace to the beloved Panasonic G9 that Nicholas and I reviewed a couple of months in the past. 5 years for the reason that unique, the Panasonic G9 II brings some superb updates to an already nice digicam. As a person of the unique Panasonic G9, will I get one? Ought to micro four-thirds shooters be excited?

What’s New within the G9 II?

The Pansonic G9 II just isn’t a small improve. In actual fact, it’s a totally totally different digicam, each in and out. The digicam physique is totally totally different than the unique and is principally a Panasonic Lumix S5 II with a micro four-thirds sensor.

Talking of the sensor, gone are the times of the ol’ traditional 20MP micro four-thirds sensor. Within the G9 II, you’ll discover a 25 MP sensor just like the one within the Panasonic GH6, with a refined dual-gain system to supply extra dynamic vary in a singular sort of 16-bit Uncooked file. Additionally slightly neat characteristic is the lower within the base ISO from 200 to 100. I already am fairly proud of the sensor in my Panasonic G9, however these modifications within the G9 II will make it much more interesting.

Persevering with with a few of the G9 II’s design modifications, the mixture mode dial on the left of the G9 has been changed by two dials, with the usual PASM-style dial on the fitting and a separate mode selector on the left. What’s most unusual about this new design is that there is no such thing as a extra prime LCD show, a characteristic that I’ve gotten so used to on my different cameras. It’s the one characteristic I’d miss upon upgrading.

The largest modifications by far, although, are contained in the digicam. And on this regard, Panasonic answered the largest want amongst Panasonic customers: the inclusion of a brand new hybrid phase-detect autofocus system! Though the unique G9’s contrast-detect autofocus is fairly good for many topics, it generally struggles with steady autofocus and monitoring. The newer phase-detect system together with the improve to 779 autofocus factors will definitely lead to severe enhancements for these taking pictures quick motion.

The introduction of the phase-detect autofocus system (together with the up to date Panasonic Leica 100-400 f/4-6.3 II lens) makes the G9 II a extra engaging digicam for wildlife than the unique G9, which generally is a irritating digicam for taking pictures motion – and belief me, I like my G9. Nevertheless, the G9 II nonetheless doesn’t look pretty much as good because the OM System OM-1 in that division. Not like the G9 II, the OM-1 has a stacked sensor with extra topic detection modes that ought to make it quicker and extra suited to erratic motion like birds in flight.

Except for the brand new autofocus system, the opposite principal severe improve is video. The unique Panasonic G9 is a fairly good video digicam with its newest firmware replace, however the G9 II takes it to a complete new stage. The video bitrates have been vastly upgraded to as much as 600Mb/s at 4K versus the 150Mb/s for the unique G9. On the the unique G9, I observed severely degraded efficiency in some instances when taking pictures 4K, particularly on the larger body charges.

You’ve additionally acquired much more video decision choices to select from, together with as much as 5760×4320 (a 6K anamorphic possibility with a 4×3 facet ratio). ProRes 4:2:2 is now an possibility for 1080P, V-Log is included (this was a paid improve with the G9), and the recording time is now limitless. Though I by no means discovered the 30-minute restrict on the unique an issue, the limitless recording time will likely be helpful for long-form interviews, lecture recordings, and occasion videographers who don’t wish to fear about restarting the recording.

You possibly can see the principle variations between the 2 cameras at a look with this chart:

Conclusion and Ideas

The Panasonic G9 II is a tremendous improve to the unique G9, to the purpose that it’s hardly the identical class of digicam. Therefore the massive distinction in value.

So, who ought to get the G9 II? Let’s give it some thought. With all these new options, the G9 II is certainly not a finances digicam, however slightly, targets the OM System OM-1 in each options and value. (The OM-1 retails for $2200, however is on sale in the intervening time for $2000, so the 2 cameras are fairly comparable.)

On one hand, for photographing quick motion, the OM System OM-1 with its stacked sensor might be nonetheless the most effective micro four-thirds digicam. Nevertheless, for videography, the G9 II surpasses the OM-1 because of the newer instruments and higher most video high quality. Briefly, the G9 II occupies the same area of interest as its predecessor because the strongest hybrid micro four-thirds digicam.

In comparison with the earlier era G9, the G9 II is clearly extra superior – a lot extra superior that the roughly $1000 distinction of their present costs isn’t a shock. For the cash, you’ll get dramatically higher autofocus, higher-end video options, and different miscellaneous options just like the decrease base ISO, greater buffer, and higher-resolution sensor. In the meantime, the G9 nonetheless is sensible in case you’re searching for a hybrid stills/video digicam on a finances and don’t thoughts the extra primary autofocus system.

Will I get this digicam? It’s certainly tempting, and since I shoot lots of video, the G9 II will certainly be my first alternative if I determine to improve my micro four-thirds gear. However, since my present G9 continues to be going robust and I’m a bit extra invested within the Nikon system, I’ll most likely focus my efforts there for now.

What do you assume? Is the G9 II your dream digicam? Let me know within the feedback! And if you’re pondering of shopping for this digicam, think about using this B&H hyperlink to help Pictures Life!