Panasonic will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its G-Series mirrorless cameras with the release of the DC-GX9 in April.
Angled view of the new Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9, silver and black version, with the bundled 12-32mm lens. (Source: Panasonic.)
New camera features a classic rangefinder-style design and comes with a high-resolution tilting viewfinder, the latest 20-megapixel MOS sensor and 5-axis Dual IS stabilisation. It is well suited to photographers involved in mobile, candid street and travel shooting. The Digital Live MOS sensor has no Low Pass Filter to maximise resolution potential. It is coupled with the latest high-precision Venus Engine processor. Panasonic’s 5-axis Dual I.S.technology combines 5-axis internal stabilisation with the optical image stabilisation in selected lenses to provide class-leading stabilisation. The electromagnetically-driven shutter system ensures quiet, steady shooting.
The contrast-based autofocusing system uses Depth from Defocus technology offering high speed AF at approx. 0.07 second, along with high-speed burst shooting at 9 fps (AFS) / 6 fps (AFC). AF features include 49-point focus detect, Custom Multi AF, Face/Eye Detection AF, Pinpoint AF and Starlight AF. Exposure, White Balance, Focus and Aperture Bracketing are supported and the new camera provides creative control via P/A/S/M modes and a range of selectable Photo Styles that include three monochrome settings. Raw file support is available, with in-camera raw development. Multiple exposures are also supported.
The GX9’s tilting Live View Finder (LVF) offers 2,760,000-dot equivalent resolution for excellent clarity and sharpness when shooting. With a 16:9 aspect ratio, the LVF tilts up through roughly 80 degrees and has a high magnification of 1.39x/0.7x (35mm equivalent). A Power Saving LVF feature extends battery life to up to 900 images/charge. A new exposure dial allows quick changing of exposure settings, while a focus lever is available for quick adjustment between AFS (AFF)/AFC and manual focus. The camera also includes versatile 4K Photo and Video modes, along with Bluetooth Low Energy connection to smartphones.
Overall, the GX9 delivers the excellent image quality with the same sensor as Panasonic’s flagship G9 camera. However, its compact, unobtrusive size is better suited to natural, spontaneous photography of people and places. The DC-GX9 will be available in Australia in April 2018 in two colours: black or two-tone silver and black. It will be bundled with a 12-32mm lens at an RRP of AU$1399. For more information, visit www.panasonic.com.au or phone 132 600.
