In summary
Panasonic has targeted the G9 at serious photographers who enjoy fast action photography, particularly in the wildlife and sports genres. It’s roughly 60 grams lighter than the GH5 and marginally smaller.
It has a diecast magnesium alloy front and rear frame plus sealing around every joint, dial and button to make it weather-proof and able to tolerate temperatures as low as -10 °C. Potential purchasers will welcome the 5-axis IBIS (in-body image stabilisation) system, which claims up to 6.5 stops of stabilisation with a stabilised lens.
Other winning features include a huge buffer memory to accommodate bursts shot with the mechanical shutter, which can support up to 12 fps with the mechanical shutter, or 60 frames/sec. with the electronic shutter with focus and exposure locked on the first frame. The new EVF has no blackout, allowing users to keep track of subjects as they shoot.
By including many of the features of the flagship GH5 in the G9, Panasonic has developed a camera that will do most of the things a keep photographer requires while offering high resolution for shooting still photos and movie clips. What’s not to like?
Full review
The Lumix DC-G9 is the latest model in Panasonic’s popular G-series interchangeable-lens cameras that offer a useful combination of stills and video recording capabilities. Borrowing many of the features introduced in the flagship GH5 model, the G9 presents them in a lighter, more compact body that is also weather-resistant. It also boasts fast burst shooting and a high-capacity buffer memory as well as support for 4K movie recording.
Angled view of the new Lumix DC-G9 camera with the Leica DGVario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. lens. (Source: Panasonic.)
But where the GH5 has been designed primarily for shooting video, the G9 is mainly for stills. That’s not to say users can’t record movies with it; the G9 supports 4K recording at 3840 x 2160 pixels. But it lacks the professional video capabilities of the flagship camera.
The G9 is scheduled to go on sale in Australia in January 2018. It will be offered in three formats: the body alone and two single-lens kits. The body has an RRP of AU$2499. The Leica kit includes the Leica-branded 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. lens (H-ES12060E), while the Pro kit comes with the 12-35mm f/2.8 lens (H-HSA12035E). Each kit has an RRP of AU $3499.
Who’s it For?
Panasonic has targeted the G9 at serious photographers who enjoy fast action photography, particularly in the wildlife and sports genres. It’s roughly 60 grams lighter than the GH5 and marginally smaller.
It has a diecast magnesium alloy front and rear frame plus sealing around every joint, dial and button to make it weather-proof and able to tolerate temperatures as low as -10 °C. Potential purchasers will welcome the 5-axis IBIS (in-body image stabilisation) system, which claims up to 6.5 stops of stabilisation with a stabilised lens.
The G9 shown with the new 200mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens, which is also splash- and dust-proof. (Source: Panasonic.)
Other winning features include a huge buffer memory to accommodate bursts shot with the mechanical shutter, which can support up to 12 fps with the mechanical shutter, or 60 frames/sec. with the electronic shutter with focus and exposure locked on the first frame. The new EVF has no blackout, allowing users to keep track of subjects as they shoot. Panasonic has also introduced before the shutter releases, including when shooting raw files.
On the whole, the G9 makes a lot of sense. It’s been two-and-a-half years since the G7 was released and Panasonic has done a lot to improve its camera and lens technologies in the interim. There was no G8, although the GX8 (announced in the same year), GF8, GX85, GX850 and G85 have kept the number alive.
By including many of the features of the flagship GH5 in the G9, Panasonic has developed a camera that will do most of the things a keep photographer requires while offering high resolution for shooting still photos and movie clips. What’s not to like?
Build and Ergonomics
Physically, the G9 bears some similarities with the models that preceded it. However, it’s the first G-series camera with a data LCD panel on its top panel. This means dispensing with the drive dial and moving the mode dial to the left of the EVF housing, as shown below.
Top view of the Lumix DC-G9 with no lens fitted. (Source: Panasonic.)
This has also enlarged the grip slightly to provide space for the WB, ISO and exposure compensation buttons just behind the main control dial and the shutter button. The power on/off switch surrounds the shutter button as it does on the GX850 ““ as well as the Sony α9. Pushing the lever forward turns on backlight illumination for the data LCD.
A second control dial is located in the rear right hand corner of the top panel, the same position as on the G85. It’s used in conjunction with the front control dial to change camera settings. Between the dials is the movie recording button in easy reach of the user’s index finger.
The mode dial has the same settings as the GH5’s and includes three Custom settings where you can save frequently-used combinations for quick access when required. It also has a central lock button to prevent accidental re-setting.
Front view of the Lumix DC-G9 with no lens fitted. (Source: Panasonic.)
The front panel of the G9 is similar to other G-series models, save for a new Fn lever in the lower left hand side corner which allows users to assign a function and then quickly flick the switch to activate it when needed. Above is, just below the mode dial is a socket for connecting a flash cable to support optional accessory flashguns.
Rear view of the Lumix DC-G9. (Source: Panasonic.)
Three more Fn buttons are located on the rear panel, one of the doubling as a Quick Menu button, while the others default to LVF switch and focus area selection. The arrow pad is a standard tilting wheel with a central Menu/Set button. Display and Playback buttons are also provided, along with a selector for the AFS/AFF, AFC and MF modes, which has a central AF/AE lock button.
A joystick control just below this switch provides an easy way to select the focus area while viewing the subject through the EVF. The monitor is smaller than the GH5’s and the 3-inch screen has a resolution of 1,040,000 dots. But it sports a touch panel and uses a pixel structure designed for high visibility in bright sunlight. It can be tilted through 270 degrees.
The OLED EVF has the same 3,680,00-dot resolution as the finder in the GH5. With a class-leading refresh rate that delivers a smooth 120 fps display the screen boasts a minimum lag time of less than 0.005 second and no blackout, even during high speed burst shooting. Its contrast ratio is 10,000:1.
The magnification ratio of 0.83x also be switched to 0.7x and 0.77x to assist users who wear glasses to see the full frame. New Night Mode and AF Point Scope settings provide both comfort and excellent results in the field.
Night Mode can be selected to put a red cast over the viewfinder and/or the LCD display when the camera is being used for shooting night scenes and astrophotography. It keeps the screens visible without disturbing wildlife, making it easier to capture shots at night.
AF Point Scope is a new feature on the G9, which is also designed to help photographers shooting wildlife subjects. It enables the user to zoom in on the LVF or LCD screen and check the desired focus point in detail when shooting with a long telephoto lens with a shallow depth of field.
Sensor and Image Processing
The G9 is equipped with the same Digital Live MOS sensor as the flagship GH5 camera, which has an effective resolution of 20.33 megapixels. There is no low pass filter overlay on the chip to ensure maximum image sharpness.
The sensor is coupled to the latest Venus Engine processor, which supports several new technologies that were introduced in the GH5 (INSERT LINK). These include Multipixel Luminance Generation, a refinement to the demosaicing algorithm which ensures that even the pixels on the edges of images are recorded without false colours.
Three-dimensional Colour Control balances hue, saturation and brightness and the values are interpolated to ensure rich colour reproduction across the tonal gamut. The High Precision Multi Process Noise Reduction identifies noise and preserves detail, enabling low-light shooting at up to ISO 25600.
The new camera has the same buffer depth as the GH5, with a claimed capacity of more than 600 frames for JPEGs or 60 frames when there are raw files in the mix. It also offers both mechanical and electronic shutter options, with the former maxing out at 12 fps (up from 9fps in the GH5) and the latter supporting up to 60 fps.
Still image sizes are essentially the same as those offered in the GH5, with the same four aspect ratios, which are obtained by cropping the 4:3 frame. The G9 adds a High Resolution Mode, which is available for all aspect ratios and works by recording and automatically combining eight frames in the camera. It delivers 8-megapixel images with a resolution of 10368 x 7776 pixels for the default 4:3 aspect ratio setting.
Designed for tripod shooting, this mode is ideal for landscape photography, when high-resolution images are required for recording detailed scenes and/or making large prints. It is supported for both JPEG and raw files.
Video
Panasonic has pruned back the GH5’s video capabilities to differentiate the G9 from its more movie-orientated sibling. The G9 can still record 4K movie clips, but with a consumer-level resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, though video enthusiasts will be pleased to hear its maximum frame rate if 60 fps for NTSC or 50 fps for PAL format.
Unlike the GH5, the G9 only supports 8-bit recording and its maximum bit rate is 150Mbps, compared with 400Mbps in the GH5. ALL-Intra recording is not available in the G9, nor are some of the GH5’s professional recording facilities.
However, the G9 includes a high-speed video recording mode, with the option to select 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30p with a bit-rate of 100Mbps and sensor output at 60fps, 50fps or 48fps, depending on the standard you’re recording for. Alternatively you can opt for Full HD (1920×1080) at 30p and 20 Mbps for an output of 180 fps or 150 fps.
As in the GH5, three recording formats are supported: MOV, MP4 and AVCHD. The first two can support 4K recording but AVCHD is restricted to 1920 x 1080 pixel Full HD, although it allows for longer recording times.
Other features
Panasonic’s 4K Photo, 6K Photo and Post Focus modes are much the same as they are in the GH5. The 6K Photo mode can capture a burst of 18-megapixel still images continuously at 30 fps with no buffer limit, while the 4K Photo can record at 60 fps in 8-megapixel resolution.
The autofocusing system benefits from further advances to the Contrast AF with DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology. Panasonic claims the G9 can lock onto subjects with an industry-leading 0.04 second (approx.). A new Deep Learning technology (in addition to the conventional Face/Eye Recognition) is able to detect the human body and provide faster, more accurate focus for action and sports photography.
Dual I.S. 2 technology, which combines 5-axis internal stabilisation with the optical image stabilisation in selected lenses, has been enhanced in the G9 with a new algorithm that claims up to 6.5 stops of shake correction. It is designed to allow photographers to hand-hold ultra-telephoto lenses when photographing wildlife.
Accessories
The G9 can accept a number of optional accessories, including the DMW-BGG9 weather sealed battery grip (RRP$399), which takes a second battery and also replicates the main camera controls when the camera is rotated for portrait shooting convenience, including the joystick. An Eyecup (DMW-EC4, RRP$29.95) is available to block light falling on the viewfinder and provide greater comfort.
The G9 shown with the DMW-BGG9 battery grip and Leica DG Elmarit 200mm f/2.8 POWER OIS (H-ES200) lens, which has the external tripod mount attached. (Source: Panasonic.)
The G9 is also compatible with Panasonic’s DMW-FL200L, DMW-FL360L and DMW-FL580L flashguns and DMW-MS1E and DMW-MS2E auxiliary microphones.
Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain any hands-on time with the new camera so we have no sample images to show. We look forward to reviewing the camera when units become available in the New Year.
SPECS
Image sensor: 17.3 x 13.0 mm Live MOS sensor with 21.77 million photosites (20.33 megapixels effective) with primary colour filter
Image processor: Venus Engine
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Focal length crop factor: 2x
Aspect ratio settings: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF, Exif Ver.2.31), RW2.RAW, MP4 H.265/HEVC (for 6K Photo & 4K Photo); Movies: MP4: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, MOV: H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, AVCHD Progressive, AVCHD (Audio format: Dolby Audio 2ch)
Still Image Sizes: 4:3 aspect: 5184 x 3888, 3712 x 2784, 2624 x 1968, 4992 x 3744 (6K Photo) / 3328 x 2496 (4K Photo); 3:2 aspect: 5184 x 3456, 3712 x 2480, 2624 x 1752, 5184 x 3456 (6K Photo) / 3504 x 2336 (4K Photo); 16:9 aspect: 5184 x 2920, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080, 3840 x 2160 (4K Photo); 1:1 aspect: 3888 x 3888, 2784 x 2784, 1968 x 1968, 2880 x 2880 (4K Photo); High Resolution Mode: 4:3 aspect- 10368 x 7776 (XL), 7296 x 5472 (LL); 3:2 aspect- 10368 x 6912 (XL), 7296 x 4864 (LL); 16:9 aspect- 10368 x 5832 (XL), 7296 x 4104 (LL); 1:1 aspect- 7776 x 7776 (XL), 5472 x 5472 (LL)
Movie sizes: MP4: [4K] 3840 x 2160 at 50p at 150Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP) (LPCM), 29.97p, 25.00p, 23.98p at 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP) (AAC); : 59.94, 50p at 28Mbps, 29.97p, 25p at 20Mbps; AVCHD: [Full HD] 1920 x 1080: 50p at 28Mbps (LongGOP) (Dolby), 50i 24Mbps, 50i 17 Mbps (LongGOP) (Dolby); High-speed video MP4: [4K] 3840 x 2160 at 30p 100Mbps (Sensor output is 60fps / 50fps / 48fps), [Full HD] 1920 x 1080 at 30p 20Mbps, (Sensor output is 180fps / 150fps)
Image Stabilisation: Image sensor shift type (5-axis / 6.5-stop), Dual I.S. 2 compatible; digital stabilisation available for movies
Dust removal: Supersonic wave filter
Shutter (speed range): Focal-plane shutter (1/8,000 – 60 seconds plus Bulb); Electronic first curtain shutter (1/2,000 – 60 seconds plus Bulb); Electronic shutter (1/32,000 – 1 second); Bulb max. 30 minutes; Movies: 1/25 to 1/16,000 sec.; Shutter life approx. 200,000 cycles
Exposure Compensation: +/-5EV in 1/3EV steps (+/-3EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing: 3, 5, 7 images in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV step, max. +/-3 EV, single/burs
Other bracketing options: Aperture, Focus, White Balance
Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay plus 10 sec delay, 3 images
Intervalometer: Time-lapse and stop-motion animation supported
Focus system: Contrast AF system with DFD technology, Post Focus & Focus Stacking
Focus modes: AFS (Single), AFF (Flexible), AFC (Continuous), MF; Face/Eye Detection, Tracking, 225-Area, Custom Multi / 1-Area / Pinpoint
Exposure metering: 1,728-zone multi-pattern sensing system with Multiple, Centre-weighted and Spot metering patterns
Shooting modes: Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Photo Style modes: Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, L. Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait, Custom 1, 2, 3, 4; Movie options: Cinelike D / Cinelike V / Like709 / V-LogL (optional Upgrade Software Key DMW-SFU1 is required)
Creative Control modes: Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome*, Silky Monochrome*, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop, Bleach Bypass, Miniature Effect**, Soft Focus*, Fantasy, Star Filter*, One Point Colour , Sunshine* (*For photos only. **Not available in 4:2:2 10-bit video or 4K video recording)
Colour space options: Adobe RGB, sRGB
ISO range: Auto, Intelligent ISO, 100 (Extended), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600 (Changeable to 1/3 EV step)
White balance: Auto, AWBc, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1, 2, 3, 4, Colour temperature setting 1, 2, 3, 4 (2500-10000K in 100K steps); Blue/Amber, Magenta/Green bias adjustments
Flash: optional TTL external flash
Flash modes: Auto*, Auto/Red-eye Reduction*, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off (*For iA, iA+ only); 1st/2nd curtain synch available
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 3EV in 1/3EV steps
Sequence shooting: AFS/MF 12 fps with mechanical shutter, Max. 60 frames/sec. with electronic shutter
Buffer capacity: 600 JPEG, 60 raw, depending on memory card size, battery power, picture size and compression
Storage Media: Dual slots for SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (Compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II UHS Speed Class 3 standards)
Viewfinder: OLED Live View Finder with 3,680,000 dots, 100% coverage, approx. 1.66x magnification, 21 mm eyepoint, -4.0 – +3.0 dpt dioptre adjustment, eye sensor
LCD monitor: Free-angle 3.0-inch, 3:2 aspect TFT LCD monitor with static touch control, approx 1,040,000 dots, 100% coverage; Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Red-Green, Blue-Yellow adjustments
Live View modes: 2x, 4x digital zoom, Extra Tele Conversion: max. 2x for stills, 1.6x for 4K Photo, 2.7x for movies (FHD); Level Gauge, Real-time Histogram, Guide Lines (3 patterns), Centre Marker, Highlight display (Still image / motion picture), Zebra pattern (Still image / motion picture)
Playback functions: 30-thumbnail display, 12-thumbnail display, Calendar display, Zoomed playback (Max. 16x), Slideshow (All / Picture Only / Video Only, duration & effect is selectable), Playback Mode (Normal / Picture Only / Video Only), Protect, Rating, Title Edit, Face Recognition Edit, RAW Processing, 6K/4K PHOTO Bulk Saving, 6K/4K PHOTO Noise Reduction, Light Composition, Clear Retouch, Text Stamp, Copy, Resize, Cropping, Rotate, Video Divide, Time Lapse Video, Stop Motion Video, Rotation Display, Picture Sort, Delete Confirmation, Creating Still Pictures from a Motion Picture
Interface terminals: Super Speed USB3.0 GEN1, HDMI (TypeA / VIERA Link, Audio: Stereo), 2.5mm jack for remote controller, 3.5mm jacks for headphones and external microphone
Wi-Fi function: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz (STA/AP) (IEEE802.11b/g/n); Wi-Fi 5GHz (STA) (IEEE 802.11a/n/ac), Bluetooth v4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), QR Code Connection
Power supply:7.2V, 1860mAh, 14Wh rechargeable Li-ion battery pack; CIPA rated for approx. 400 shots/charge (rear monitor), 380 shots/charge EVF (920 shots/charge with Power Save LVF mode)
Dimensions (wxhxd): 136.9 x 97.3 x 91.6 mm (body only)
Weight: Approx. 586 grams (body only); 658 grams with battery and one SD card
RRP: AU$2499 (body only); AU$3499 with H-ES12060E or H-HSA12035E lens
Distributor: Panasonic Australia, Ph. 132 600; www.panasonic.com.au
