Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II review: Digital Photography Review – digitalcameras.ie

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II review: Digital Photography Review – digitalcameras.ie

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Product photographs by Brendan Nystedt

Virtually six years after the announcement of the Lumix DC-G9, Panasonic rolled out its successor, the Lumix DC-G9 II. That is the corporate’s high-end mannequin geared toward stills shooters, and it’s the first-ever Lumix Micro 4 Thirds digital camera to incorporate part detection autofocus. Regardless of its goal demographic, the G9 II comes with a surprisingly lengthy listing of video options as nicely. A radical redesign, the G9 II is predicated on the chassis of the full-frame Lumix S5 II and S5 IIX, giving it room for plentiful controls and ports.

Key specs

  • 25MP CMOS sensor with twin output achieve
  • 5-axis in-body picture stabilization (CIPA-rated to eight stops)
  • On-sensor part detection (779 factors)
  • 3″, 1.84M-dot absolutely articulating touchscreen
  • 3.86M-dot OLED digital viewfinder with 0.8x magnification
  • 60 fps burst taking pictures with AF-C and digital shutter (10 fps mechanical)
  • 100MP handheld high-res mode
  • As much as 5.8K Open Gate 4:2:0, C4K 4:2:2 10-bit, with V-Log and HLG
  • ProRes 422 and 422 HQ recording to SSD
  • Uncooked output to Atomos and Blackmagic exterior recorders
  • 390 pictures per cost battery life (utilizing LCD)
  • USB-C energy supply
  • Twin UHS-II card slots

The G9 II is priced at $1899 body-only: a $200 improve from its predecessor.


Purchase now:



  • Sept 12: Preliminary overview printed
  • Mar 25: Picture high quality, Autofocus, Video, Conclusion and extra Pattern gallery printed

What’s new

The Lumix G9 II is a departure from the unique G9 design in a number of key methods.

Moderately than a refresh of the unique DSLR-like Lumix G9 idea, the G9 II goes in a extra fashionable path. Not solely does it take technological developments from the full-frame Lumix S lineup, it has the identical exterior design because the S5 II introduced earlier within the 12 months. It is taller, extra squared off, and has extra controls than its predecessor. It is not only a related design – it is actually the identical outer shell, however with out fan vents and with a special lens mount and sensor inside.

Hybrid autofocus and DR Increase enhancements

The G9 II is predicated round a sensor associated to the one within the GH6, however that Panasonic says has been revised at each the {hardware} and software program ranges. The obvious distinction is that the model within the G9 II has phase-detection parts that make it the primary Micro 4 Thirds Lumix mannequin to supply inherently depth-aware autofocus.

The opposite change that can make a giant distinction is the best way the twin output achieve system works. Panasonic describes it as having two parallel readout paths which can be subjected to differing ranges of achieve, that are then mixed. This manner, you get the spotlight seize advantages of low achieve and the cleaner shadow efficiency of excessive achieve paths, mixed as a 16-bit Uncooked file to make sure room to encode this widened dynamic vary.

The sensor within the G9 II is derived from the one within the GH6 however with some key enhancements, each in {hardware} and software program.

For the G9 II, Panasonic seems to have lowered the bottom step supplied by the high-gain path. Whereas on the GH6, the excessive achieve (shadow) path was solely used at ISO settings three stops above base (ie, ISO 800 in customary shade modes, ISO 2000 in V-Log mode), on the G9 II, Panasonic says it is accessible from base ISO upwards, suggesting the excessive achieve step may be dropped additional, to make it accessible at these decrease ISOs.

Nonetheless, it is price noting that the GH6’s base ISOs have been 100 for traditional shade modes and 250 for V-Log, however for the G9 II, they’re 100 and 500, respectively. The one-stop bounce in base ISO in V-Log mode appears to counsel a high-gain path making use of one cease extra achieve than the low path in its base state (fairly than the 3-stop distinction required for DR Increase on the GH6). This does not clarify how Panasonic can provide a mode that features a high-gain element whereas sustaining the identical ISO 100 ranking for traditional gamma, and it is interesing to notice that once you exceed 60fps (the place the Twin Output mode cannot function) that the minimal ISO in V-Log drops to 250, suggesting this would possibly nonetheless be the true ‘base’ state.

Extra video than you’d anticipate

In contrast to the G9, which gained lots of video options after launch, the G9 II throws in all the things however the kitchen sink proper from Day 1. Panasonic swears this can be a digital camera for nonetheless shooters, however the variety of video resolutions and options accounted for – together with V-Log, open gate 5.8K, and ProRes assist – positive make it really feel virtually as hybrid because the GH6 or S5 IIX. It retains the full-size HDMI port of the S5 II sequence and may even report on to a USB-C SSD.

Though not marketed as a hybrid mannequin, the G9 II has a ton of options that make it attention-grabbing for hybrid shooters and people inquisitive about video.

With its improved autofocus, why would anybody purchase a GH6 over the G9 II? Relaxation assured that CFexpress card assist and the built-in fan let the GH6 retain its hybrid crown for now. Panasonic says that G9 II shooters ought to consider this digital camera extra as a B-cam than a main run-and-gun setup and that the shortage of a fan would possibly turn out to be a problem when taking pictures high-res video in sizzling environments.

Improved IBIS

The smaller 4 Thirds-type sensor is cushioned from jostles by an aggressive 8-stop CIPA-rated in-body picture stabilization system. Panasonic says that the SyncIS system, the place the sensor and lens stabilization techniques work collectively, is simply rated for 7.5 stops and that they are reaching the bodily limits of the lens-based optical stabilization techniques at this level. There’s a profit although: the synchronization between the physique and lens’ IS techniques permits the digital camera to keep 7.5 stops of correction at longer focal lengths the place the in-body system alone couldn’t.

Excessive-resolution mode

The improved IBIS additionally allows the G9 II’s 100MP handheld high-res mode. Though the upper decision of this mode means it is a bit slower to sew its photographs collectively, the extra refined algorithm Panasonic makes use of does an excellent job of lowering topic movement.

There are two movement blur processing modes; mode 1 would not try it in any respect, and mode 2 does.

Handheld 100MP | ISO 100 | 1/250 sec | F5.6 | Leica DG 12-60mm F2.8-4 @ 38mm equiv.

Picture: Jeff Keller

The scene above is bustling, and you may see how nicely the G9 dealt with movement on this 100 Megapixel photograph. A number of individuals have further ft, however in any other case, movement is dealt with very nicely.

Whereas we’re as regards to excessive decision, here is a real-world instance of tripod mode. You may discover an extra instance in our studio scene additional down the web page.

Topic detection enhancements

Panasonic’s older depth-from-defocus AF system lagged behind the competitors considerably, however the G9 II seems to handle that. With the addition of distance-aware phase-detection, the G9 II additionally brings some new topic detection and monitoring algorithms.

There are a variety of topic varieties within the AF menu, together with animals (primarily pets, but additionally can observe birds), one for vehicles (focusing on motorsports pictures), and one other for bikes (which they are saying may match for bicycles, relying on the angle of the topic). Just like the G9 II’s improved human detection, the animal mode has eye detection as an extra choice.

Cropped to style. Shot in full space AF mode with animal monitoring and steady focus.
ISO 125 | 1/400 sec | F4 | Leica DG 50-200mm @ 384mm equiv.

Picture: Jeff Keller

Stay Composite

As soon as a characteristic unique to Olympus cameras, Stay Composite made its technique to Panasonic’s mirrorless lineup in 2020. That is primarily a multi-exposure mode the place objects that don’t change brightness are left alone throughout every shot. All it’s good to do is ready the publicity time you need and the delay earlier than taking pictures begins, then press the shutter launch. The digital camera will silently take photographs till you press the button once more.

Transformed from Uncooked utilizing ACR. Publicity barely brightened. Shot in Stay Composite mode.
ISO 400 | 8 sec per publicity | F3.5 | Leica DG 8-18mm F2.8-4 @ 20mm equiv.

Picture: Jeff Keller


How the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II compares to its friends

The brand new Panasonic Lumix G9 II is available in at a excessive worth, befitting a flagship mannequin (at the least, as Panasonic’s G-series flagship for stills). Sadly, there’s lots of competitors within the ∼$2K high-performance digital camera class. Whereas the newcomer considerably out-specs its predecessor, its stills rival within the Micro 4 Thirds world: the OM System OM-1 Mark II, is lighter, has higher battery life, and a higher-res EVF. It is also fairly a bit costlier.

That is to not point out the slew of unbelievable APS-C cameras on the market, and we have included the Fujifilm X-T5 and Sony a6700 as two of the perfect, each of that are cheaper than the Lumix.

Panasonic Lumix G9 II Panasonic Lumix G9 OM System OM-1 II Sony a6700 Fujifilm X-T5
MSRP $1899 $1699 $2399 $1399 $1699
Pixel rely 25.2MP

20.2MP

20.4MP 26MP 40MP
Sensor measurement 4 Thirds
(225mm²)
4 Thirds
(225mm²)
4 Thirds
(224mm²)
APS-C
(361mm²)
APS-C
(369mm²)
Picture stabilization In-body + in-lens In-body + in-lens In-body + in-lens In-body or in-lens In-body or in-lens
Max burst price 10 fps (mech shutter)
60 fps (elec shutter)

9 fps (mech shutter)
20 fps (elec shutter)

10 fps (mech shutter)
50 fps (elec shutter)

11 fps (mech shutter)
11 fps (elec shutter)

15 fps (mech shutter)
23 fps (elec shutter)

Viewfinder res / magazine 3.68M dots
/ 0.8x
3.68M dots / 0.83x 5.76M dots / 0.83x 2.36M dots / 0.70x 3.69M dots
/ 0.8x
Rear display screen 3.0″, 1.84M dot articulating touchscreen 3.0″ 1.04M dot articulating touchscreen 3.0″, 1.62M dot articulating touchscreen 3.0″, 1.04M dot articulating touchscreen 3.0″, 1.84M dot articulating touchscreen
Video capabilities As much as 5.8K/30p open-gate 4:2:0 10-bit As much as C4K/30p 4:2:2 10-bit As much as DCI 4K/60p 10-bit As much as 4K/60p oversampled As much as 6.2K/30p, 4K/60p sub-sampled
Log video V-Log, HLG $100 V-Log firmware OM-Log400, HLG S-Log3, HLG F-Log, F-Log 2, HLG
Mic/ Headphone sockets Sure / Sure Sure / Sure Sure / Sure Sure / Sure Sure / Sure
Battery life
(LCD)
390 400 520 570 580
Card slot 2x UHS II SD 2x UHS II SD 2x UHS II SD 1x UHS II SD 2x UHS II SD
Weight
(loaded)
658g (23.21oz) 658g (23.21oz) 599g (21.13oz) 493g (17.4oz) 557g (19.6oz)

On the entire, the G9 II is pretty aggressive within the Micro 4 Thirds system. However trying on the APS-C choices on the market (just like the Sony A6700 and Fujifilm X-T5), the G9 II would not seem to carry something spectacular to the desk, even when it’s a noteworthy transfer ahead for Panasonic’s G-series. That mentioned, it is alone right here in having the ability to output video to an exterior SSD, if video is your factor.


Physique and dealing with

it from the again, the Lumix G9 II affords up a brand new 8-way joystick and an improved autofocus selector.

Whereas the unique G9 was removed from compact, it definitely had a special design philosophy than its successor. Seemingly geared toward DSLR photographers, it was a large digital camera with a giant backlit prime plate LCD. That digital camera additionally solely had a single publicity mode dial (on the aspect reverse the grip), entrance and rear command dials, and an influence change that surrounded the shutter button.

The brand new G9 II, by comparability, feels extra fashionable. Because it’s principally the identical design because the Lumix DC-S5 II, this digital camera throws a ton of controls on the person. Make no mistake: this can be a clean-sheet redesign, and for those who have been a giant fan of the unique, you could be disillusioned that nothing has remained the identical. That mentioned, for all the things you lose (like the highest LCD, entrance Fn lever, and flash sync port), you achieve an entire lot extra (extra ergonomic twin dials, a extra outstanding AF selector change, a devoted dial for steady taking pictures, and an upgraded 8-way joystick).

The Lumix G9 II, in contrast to the very related S5 II, lacks fan vents on the backside of the EVF hump.

And though the G9 II is taller and the grip a bit shallower, it nonetheless manages to really feel loads comfy to carry, regardless of a number of the rear controls being a bit clustered collectively. Total, although, though the burden is identical because the outdated mannequin, this Micro 4 Thirds physique appears fairly giant for what it’s.

One thing that some discovered irritating on the unique G9 was the overly delicate shutter launch button. Panasonic has addressed that on the G9 II with a firmer, much less trigger-happy design.

What hasn’t improved an entire lot is the EVF, which is a 3680k dot (1280 x 960px) panel with a slight lower in magnification at 0.8x. In use, it’s very satisfactory, and the magnification positively makes up for the shortage of sheer decision. The rear articulating LCD, however, is a a lot larger decision now at 1840k dots, making for an in depth, shiny taking pictures expertise even in direct daylight.

The addition of a USB-C port and assist for USB PD charging is a giant step up from the unique G9’s USB 3.0 Micro B socket.

Like its cousin, the Lumix S5 II, the G9 II packs the ports we might anticipate for a flagship digital camera in 2023. You get a full-size HDMI, quick USB-C PD charging (with 10Gbps switch speeds and the power to report stills and video to an exterior SSD), in addition to mic and headphone sockets, the previous of which is positioned out of the best way of the display screen hinge.

On the alternative aspect are two UHS-II pace SD card slots, which may be programmed to work in sequence or in parallel, backing up information on each for redundancy or filling the subsequent card after the primary one’s full. One profit that is price mentioning is that since that is bodily nearly an identical to the S5 II, many equipment can be appropriate between the 2 fashions, together with first-party equipment like the brand new DMW-BG1 battery grip and third-party add-ons like cages for video rigging.

Battery

The 2200mAh battery lets the G9 II shoot round 390 pictures on a single cost.

Contained in the G9 II is identical DMW-BLK22 16Wh battery as we have seen in different massive Lumix fashions. On the G9 II, nonetheless, you are still solely getting round 390 pictures on a cost in line with the CIPA methodology with both the LCD or EVF. That is decrease than different cameras in its class and definitely in its worth vary, trailing the OM System OM-1 Mark II by 130 pictures and the Fujifilm X-T5 by 190.

That is regardless of Panasonic placing the digital camera in a deep sleep mode when it is switched off, from which the digital camera takes 2-3 second to wake. As soon as awake, subsequent makes an attempt to activate the digital camera are faster, nevertheless it’s price being conscious that you may’t simply seize it out of your bag and shoot.


Picture high quality

Our check scene is designed to simulate quite a lot of textures, colours and element varieties you may encounter in the actual world. It additionally has two illumination modes to see the impact of various lighting circumstances.

The G9 II captures a good quantity of element in its Uncooked information at base ISO, although the OM System OM-1 and Sony a6700 seize a smidge extra. Moiré is well-controlled and aggressive with most of its friends, save for the Sony a6700. At mid-ISOs the G9 II seems loads like its friends, however from ISO 6400 upwards it falls more and more behind.

JPEGs, the G9 II seems to make use of a bit extra noise discount than the opposite cameras on this comparability, which you’ll see in these brushes. Coloration in JPEGs are vibrant with out being oversaturated. There’s little or no noise at ISO 1600 because of Panasonic’s noise discount system. At ISO 6400, the G9 II is more-or-less the identical as its friends.

In conditions the place you should use the tripod-based pixel shift mode, the G9 II is ready to provide decision seize far past its friends. Our check pictures are considerably hampered by what we suspect is vibration in our testing studio, leaveing cross-hatched artifacts in locations. This may not at all times be the case, although it does give an perception into how regular your tripod and topic should be to seize the very highest decision.

Actual-world photograph high quality makes one neglect that the G9 II makes use of a smaller sensor than most of its friends. Whether or not it is engraving in Nineteenth-century buildings or the plumage on a short-ear owl, you may see loads of element in its JPEGs. As common, taking pictures Uncooked and working it via Adobe Digicam Uncooked or DxO PureRAW gives you the power to fine-tune sharpening. It’s also possible to create a customized Picture Type was stronger sharpening.

Out-of-camera JPEG Shadows/highlights adjusted in ACR

The G9 II’s sensor lets you increase shadows with a minimal improve in noise, as proven above, and in a number of photographs within the pattern gallery.

Our DR exams bear this out, and spotlight the advance in contrast with the GH6. Nonetheless Panasonic has been in a position to implement twin parallel achieve at ISO 100, it really works, with a lot cleaner shadows than its (even) extra video-focused sibling. This implies each the Uncooked information and the digital camera as an entire, are extra versatile.


Autofocus

Working and adjusting autofocus is not a lot completely different than on the 7-year-old DC-G9 (or any Panasonic digital camera launched since then). A change allows you to rapidly change between single, steady and guide focus. Urgent the button within the heart of the change opens up the AF space menu, which affords the next choices:

  • Monitoring
  • Full space
  • Zone (Horizontal/Vertical)
  • Zone
  • 1-area+
  • 1-area
  • Pinpoint

Except for pinpoint (which is well-suited for macro pictures), the entire AF choices allow you to flip topic detection on or off.

Adjusting the main focus level may be performed in a number of methods. You need to use the joystick, faucet on the display screen, or through the use of “Touchpad AF.” The latter is accessible when taking pictures via the viewfinder; to regulate the main focus level, you progress your finger on the LCD to regulate the main focus level. There are a variety of choices for what space of the show is used for AF level motion. To change between detected topics, you possibly can faucet on the display screen or use the joystick.

Cropped to style. Shot in full space mode with animal monitoring and steady AF.
Leica DG 50-200 @ 400mm | ISO 100 | 1/640 sec | F4

Picture: Jeff Keller

Panasonic affords 4 choices for topic detection: people, animals, vehicles and bikes. For the primary two choices, you possibly can choose what you need the digital camera to lock onto: eye/face/physique for people and eye/physique for animals.

The G9 II’s animal mode can detect individuals, birds, canines (home and wild) and felines (massive and small). We examined it with all of them, and the digital camera detected them with out challenge. It was spectacular when monitoring owls and harriers within the Skagit Flats conservation space within the full space mode, even once they have been flying away.

Customizing AF conduct

One of many 4 menus for customizing how the digital camera reacts to shifting topics in AF-C

There are 4 units of customizable parameters for steady autofocus. Right here, you possibly can alter AF sensitivity, AF Space switching sensitivity, and shifting topic prediction. Set 1 is for common use, whereas the opposite three are for extra particular conditions. We discovered that selecting probably the most becoming choice was the simplest.

For our check of steady autofocus and its skill to guage distanct, we used Set 2, which is outlined as “[when] the topic strikes at a relentless pace in a single path.” Face detection was disabled.

The G9 II’s AF system did a pleasant job on this instance. It took a number of pictures to lock on after which saved the bike owner in focus for the remainder of the run, accurately anticipating topic distance and driving the lens accordingly.

Then we examined the digital camera’s skill to trace a topic shifting across the scene and approaching the digital camera at a much less predictable pace. Right here we switched to set 4 (“for conditions the place the pace of the topic adjustments considerably”). We then carried out the check each with and with out face detection.

As we frequently see with cameras on this check, the G9 II struggled to maintain the bike owner in focus throughout the turns, the place the speed of method out of the blue adjustments. This was the case each with and with out face detection engaged.

After we used face detection, when it began to lose focus, the digital camera was briefly tricked by the statues of firefighters within the background. Fortunately the G9 II rapidly figured it out and locked again onto the right topic.The G9 II can shoot at 60 fps with steady AF (75 fps is just for single AF) and carried out about the identical as at slower speeds, full with the temporary distraction of the statues. These exams do not signify all circumstances, after all, however counsel the G9 II’s AF, even when tuned to match the anticipated topic motion, is just not as reliable as the perfect of its friends.


Video

For what Panasonic payments primarily as a stills digital camera, the G9 II has a surprisingly full set of video options. And, because it usually does, Panasonic has added extra video options to the G9 II because it was introduced by way of a firmware replace.

The G9 II can seize “open gate” 5.8K video utilizing the whole 4 Thirds sensor utilizing both HEVC. This provides 5760 x 4320 pixel 10-bit 4:2:0 footage at both 30 or 24 frames per second, giving flexibility to crop-in in publish, or to take vertical and panorama crops from the identical footage. At 5.7K the facet ratio ships from 4:3 to 17:9 and the utmost body price jumps to 60p. At decrease resolutions you possibly can shoot 4:2:2 footage, and high-speed 120p seize additionally turns into accessible.

The listing of video recording choices is overwhelming, although you possibly can slim it down by way of filters and save your favorites to a customized menu.

Should you’re utilizing Apple ProRes you get 4:2:2, 17:9 video as much as 30p, or 16:9 Cinema 4K at 60p. If it is Uncooked video output you are after, the G9 II can ship it over HDMI to pick Atomos and Blackmagic exterior recorders.

The G9 II helps V-Log seize or the reasonably flat Cinelike D2 photograph types for those who intend to paint grade throughout the modifying course of. It additionally helps HLG seize in most of its modes for direct use on HDR TVs.

The bit charges of the very best high quality settings are so excessive (approaching 2Gbps in a number of the ProRes 422 modes) that an SD card simply cannot sustain, so you may have to make use of an SSD related by way of USB-C.

Decision Body charges Facet ratio Crop Bit depth/ chroma Codec Media sort
5.8K
(5760 x 4320)
4:3 open gate 10-bit 4:2:0 H.265 SD / SSD
5.7K
(5728 x 3024)
  • 59.94
  • 50
  • 48
  • 47.95
  • 29.97
  • 25
  • 24
  • 23.98
1.89:1 10-bit 4:2:0 H.265 SD / SSD
10-bit 4:2:2 ProRes SSD
4.4K
(4096 x 2160)
1.89:1 10-bit 4:2:0 H.265 SD / SSD
DCI 4K
(4096 x 2160)
  • 119.88
  • 100
  • 59.94
  • 50
  • 48
  • 47.95
  • 29.97
  • 25
  • 24
  • 23.98
1.89:1 10-bit 4:2:0 H.265 SD / SSD
  • 59.94
  • 50
  • 48
  • 47.95
  • 29.97
  • 25
  • 24
  • 23.98
10-bit 4:2:2 H.264
ProRes SSD
UHD 4K
(3840 x 2160)
  • 119.88
  • 100
  • 59.94
  • 50
  • 48
  • 47.95
  • 29.97
  • 25
  • 24
  • 23.98
16:9 10-bit 4:2:0 H.265 SD / SSD
  • 59.94
  • 50
  • 48
  • 47.95
  • 29.97
  • 25
  • 24
  • 23.98
10-bit 4:2:2 H.264
ProRes SSD

When 5.8K open-gate or UHD 4K is being captured, UHD 4K 4:2:2 is output over HDMI
When 5.7K or DCI 4K is being captured, DCI 4K 4:2:2 is output. 48p and 47.95p seize provides 24p or 23.98p HDMI out.

Scrolling via that listing is overwhelming, however you should use Rec High quality (My Listing) characteristic. Once you’ve discovered the decision, body price, and chew charges that you just lie, simply press the Q button to get it to My Listing. You may then assign a button to entry the listing you have created, guaranteeing you solely use one among your pre-selected modes.

Talking of the Q button, there are separate Q Menus for each stills and video. By default, some settings are shared between nonetheless and video. These embrace publicity, white stability, Picture Type, and metering and AF modes. You may break the hyperlink by way of the CreativeVideo Mixed Set. choice, discovered within the gear > picture high quality 2 part of the menu, to regulate which parameters do and do not carry over.

Picture stabilization

There are two “enhanced IS” digital picture stabilization modes that work on prime of the digital camera’s sensor-shift IS system. This takes a small-to-medium crop of the body and makes use of the encircling space to compensate for digital camera motion. “Customary” enhanced IS provides a small 1.1x crop, whereas “Excessive” provides a extra substantial crop in alternate for its robust shake discount.

Additionally price being conscious of is the “Boosts IS” operate. This tells the digital camera that you just’re attempt to maintain your shot completely nonetheless, and can battle in opposition to any motion you then make, fairly than making an attempt to anticipate which of your actions are intentional. We discovered it extremely efficient at sustaining an virtually tripod-like stability.

Another helpful seize instruments embrace waveforms and vectorscopes, shutter angle, V-Log/HLG view help, anamorphic de-squeeze, preset distances for automated rack focusing, and quite a few audio controls.

At 4K (UHD), the G9 II seems practically the identical because the Sony a6700, which samples video from a 6K space of the body. The a6700 is only a bit sharper, although you are unlikely to note in the actual world. The identical is true at each DCI 4K and 4K/120p settings. The outcomes are related trying on the excessive res 5.7K setting versus Panasonic’s GH6, with the smallest of distinction in sharpness.

Pattern video


Conclusion

By Jeff Keller

What we like What we do not
  • Glorious picture high quality and dynamic vary
  • Stable, weather-sealed physique
  • Open gate and 5.7K video
  • High-notch picture stabilization
  • Responsive AF with spectacular topic recognition
  • Tremendous-fast burst taking pictures
  • Plethora of video seize instruments and output choices
  • Spectacular handheld excessive res mode
  • Twin SD card slots
  • Full-size HDMI port
  • Battery life nicely beneath its friends
  • Very sluggish preliminary begin
  • Greater decision EVF would’ve been good
  • Giant variety of buttons and menu choices may be overwhelming at first
  • High LCD data panel from G9 is gone
  • Exterior battery charger not included

The Panasonic Lumix G9 II is not the digital camera one would’ve anticipated Panasonic to launch primarily based on its predecessor. The unique G9 was an excellent stills-focused digital camera with some video options thrown in for good measure. The G9 II builds on these options, places them within the physique of the full-frame S5, and provides video instruments that get it fairly near the GH6.

Transformed from Uncooked utilizing ACR. White stability adjusted.
ISO 3200 | 1/60 sec | F3.8 | Leica DG 12-60mm F2.8-4 @ 68mm equiv.

Picture: Jeff Keller

The G9 was already a reasonably large digital camera, particularly for Micro 4 Thirds, and the identical is true with its successor. As one would anticipate, the physique is weather-sealed, although Panasonic would not present an IP ranking. Our G9 II did have a detailed encounter with a muddy photographer and saved on going after some cleanup.

Should you’ve simply picked up the G9 II, you would possibly discover the sheer variety of dials and buttons to be imposing. The menu system is overloaded with choices, so placing your favorites into the “My Menu” is a brilliant thought.

One other factor to pay attention to is that the G9 II’s battery life is beneath that of its friends. Should you use Bluetooth to geotag or auto-transfer your photographs, it will drain even quicker. Carrying round a spare battery or an influence brick (with USB PD assist) is a brilliant thought for those who’re planning on a full day of taking pictures.

Cropped to style. ISO 100 | 1/320 sec | F4 | Leica DG 50-200mm F2.8-4 @ 400mm equiv.

Picture: Jeff Keller

The G9 II’s autofocus is usually fairly good and a big step up from the G9, or any Panasonic digital camera that makes use of its Depth-from-Defocus system, for that matter. When trying some chicken pictures, I used to be shocked by how reliably it detected them, locking onto and monitoring them even once they have been flying away from me. In that scenario and a few others we examined, the AF system could lose its topic, nevertheless it often bought it again.

The G9 II’s 25 Megapixel sensor has additional closed the hole between 4 Thirds and APS-C. Noise ranges are considerably larger than on the likes of the Sony a6700 and Fujifilm X-T5 and path a bit behind the OM-1. Whereas it was troublesome to push the shadows on the outdated G9 with out a noticeable improve in noise, you will get away with it on the G9 II.

When the G9 II was launched, Panasonic referred to as it a “launching level for video.” The very fact is that the G9 II is very near Panasonic’s “official” Micro 4 Thirds video digital camera, the GH6. The G9 II can do virtually all the things the GH6 can, bar the longer recording occasions and 5.7K/60p seize that the GH6’s fan-assisted design delivers.

ISO 100 | 1/125 sec | F3.2 | Leica DG 12-35mm F2.8 @ 52mm equiv.

Picture: Jeff Keller

One video characteristic that actually impressed me was Increase IS, which is designed for stationary taking pictures. It does that amazingly nicely, even eliminating the slight tremor in my fingers. For extra action-oriented footage, the extra conventional digital stabilization modes carried out nicely, with a small-to-moderate crop relying on the depth.

In conclusion, as somebody who has shot with the unique G9 for years, Panasonic’s G9 II is a big improve in so some ways, from sensor to topic recognition to burst speeds. And it is good having the ability to carry a digital camera and lenses in a variety of focal lengths in a comparatively small bag. It isn’t good: battery life is just not nice, the menus may be overwhelming, and it may be frustratingly sluggish to begin up at occasions. This and AF monitoring that is solely good, fairly than nice, are the one issues that cease it gaining our Gold award. Total the G9 II has confirmed to be a dependable stills digital camera with robust picture high quality and a few helpful computational modes, and may get you nicely in your technique to being a videographer.


Scoring

Scoring is relative solely to the opposite cameras in the identical class. Click on right here to study what these numbers imply.


In comparison with its friends

The OM System OM-1 Mark II is a superb digital camera conceptually similar to the G9 II. Whereas each cameras have weather-sealed our bodies, the OM-1 II is rated to the IP53 customary and we might don’t have any qualms about utilizing it within the rain. The bigger and higher-res EVF on the OM-1 II is good, and its battery life is considerably higher. The G9 II has extra to supply critical videographers by way of assist instruments, decision, body charges and codecs. And whereas the OM-1 can acknowledge extra topics, we predict the G9 II’s AF monitoring efficiency has a slight edge. Its worth can be $500 beneath that of the Olympus, cash that may very well be spent on lenses.

The Sony a6700’s rangefinder-style design is 180° from the G9 II. It is smaller, with fewer, extra cramped controls and an underwhelming EVF. In contrast to the G9 II it has a single reminiscence card slot and no AF joystick. It has lots of the nonetheless and video specs of the Panasonic although it is to not the extent of capturing uncropped 4K/120p or open gate footage. That mentioned, the a6700’s autofocus monitoring efficiency might be the perfect in the marketplace. Sony additionally has the magic contact in the case of battery life, which is twice that of the G9 II.

Just like the G9 II, the Fujifilm X-T5 seems to be stills-orientated, however with excessive res video capabilities. The reality could be very completely different, with rolling shutter and vital cropping holding again the Fujifilm. The X-T5’s management logic is rather more conventional than the G9 II’s, which some individuals will love, and it is a related story with the two-axis LCD. The X-T5 additionally has a high-res mode nevertheless it requires extra pictures, has no movement correction and must be mixed off-camera. The AF techniques are related with good topic recognition generally held again by failure to foretell distance accurately, resulting in considerably missed pictures.


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