Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Review

News

About five and half years after the introduction of Lumix DC-G9, Panasonic released the upgraded model Lumix DC-G9 II. This is this maker’s professional model for still photographers, and, once again, it is the firm’s first Micro Four Thirds camera to incorporate PD-AF. However, like it is with most of Panasonic’s G series camera, it is specifically designed with the young generation in mind; yet, it has a long list of video features in it as well. Built from the ground, as a true G9 hacker, the G9 II is based on the Linux S5 II and S5 IIX full frames, and thus offers ample space for plentiful controls, and ports.

 Introduction

Panasonic has unveiled the Lumix DC-G9 II, which is the successor of G9 and comes with enhanced features that are desirable for photographers as well as videographers. This is a new model that has come to the market chock full of improvements and new features and the hope of establishing new standards in the Micro Four Thirds system. However, does it fulfill what is promised? Okay, let us find out that now.

 Key Specifications

The Lumix DC-G9 II has many components aimed at making the tool as versatile as possible for shooting different scenes. Here are the key specifications that stand out:

  •  25MP CMOS sensor with dual output gain: This new sensor is said to provide improved image resolution and better system contrast.
  •  5-axis in-body image stabilization: This feature has a CIPA rating of up to 8 stops that assists in the shooting of proper images in darkness.
  •  On-sensor phase detection (779 points): A first with the Lumix Micro Four Thirds cameras, to improve the speed and accuracy of the autofocus system.
  •  3″, 1. 84M-dot fully articulating touchscreen: It is appreciated when one is doing vlogging, and many other shots from complicated positions.
  •  3. 86M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 0. 8x magnification: Gives you a clear and enlarged picture of the scene where you are pointing at.
  •  60 fps burst shooting with AF-C and electronic shutter (10 fps mechanical): Essentially for action and sport related photography.
  •  100MP handheld high-res mode: Is possible to use it for very detailed pictures without using tripod.
  • Up to 5. 8K Open Gate 4:2:0, C4K 4:2:2 10-bit, with V-Log and HLG: Superb video capturing features developed for the devices.
  •  ProRes 422 and 422 HQ recording to SSD: Professional quality video recording for Official use.
  •  Raw output to Atomos and Blackmagic external recorders: Multitude of uses for post production processes post shoot.
  •  390 shots per charge battery life (using LCD): Sufficient battery life to perhaps get through a full day of shooting.
  •  USB-C power delivery: Easy to use while charging such as when using other accessories or gadgets.
  •  Dual UHS-II card slots: To have larger capacities and have a faster data transfer rate in writing data.

 Design and Build Quality

The DSLR Inspired Body of the G9 II Inheres From Lumix S5 II And S5 IIX But feels very solid and has total weather sealing. This camera projects an ergonomically sound design; the grip is firm, and control buttons and dials are conveniently located for operation. The general mode of construction is robust so as to withstand different shooting situations.

 Ergonomics and Handling

One of the questions emerging when taking G9 II in your hand for the first time is how pleasant it is to hold the camera. The grip is extend and has a rubberized surface that assures a very good grip during the firing session. This holds true especially for photographers who especially working in diverse setting for instance, sports and wildlife.

The position of buttons and dials have been well thought out to facilitate ease of control. For example, the mode dial and customizable buttons are within grab on the front of the camera and keep your eye on the viewfinder. This reasonably made design clearly contributes to the pleasurable shooting experience by allowing easy and convenient changes to be made.

 Weather-Sealing and Durability

Another thing to like about the G9 II’s build is that it is also very weather-sealed. This camera is made for the over-harsh situations and I bet one cannot go wrong using this camera when it is raining, snowing or in dust environments. The incorporation of weather-sealed body makes the camera to be very resistant to moisture and dust and this makes it suitable to be used by photographers who practice their photography skills outside most of the time.

Image Quality

The G9 II’s new 25MP sensor with the dual output gain creates exceptional image quality with agreeably saturated colors and sharp details. It leads to improved dynamic range and makes it possible to capture more details both in raws and bright areas and in the dark areas. In each of those shooting scenarios, landscapes, portraits, or action, the G9 II is perfect in capturing brilliant shots.

Dynamic Range and Color Reproduction

Dispersed at nine point six eighty-four million total points, the G9 II’s sensor provides a dynamic range to capture a scene with varying light intensity. This implies that one is able to maintain detail in the highlights and in the shadows at the same time, being very useful in high contrast situations like in sunsets or moving to the other extreme, taking back-lit portraits.

Another area is the ability to reproduce colors, which also delighted me in the G9 II. The built-in camera also gets bright and correct colors that will give your pictures the feel of real life. Whether shooting a greener grass of a field or a strong red of a street market, the pictures produced by G9 II are vibrant without being overly processed.

 Low-Light Performance

Photographic image quality is one of the principal factors in a camera, and in terms of low light performance, the G9 II delivers splendid results. It has an ability of dual output gain sensor which kills the noise and helps in retaining more details in low light. This means that for indoor events, or any shootings at night, should you intend to carry out, you can carry out the same with ASShooting without having to worry again about the images quality produced.

 Autofocus System

There are some points that can be described as truly outstanding, and the autofocus system based on phase detection is one of them; it was implemented on the sensor and includes 779 points. This state of the art AF system provides even prompter and accurate focusing in low light and moving objects. In either of the two, the autofocus that you get is highly effective and will not consume so much time.

 Speed and Accuracy

The phase detection AF system also in the G9 II is further enhanced with features that allows it to lock on to the subjects and track their movement. This is very useful especially for the action and sports photographers who require to capture moments within a blink of an eye. The 779 AF Points cover a wide frame so that you can focus on the subject area as well as in the corner of the frame too more effectively.

Low-Light Autofocus

Low light autofocus is a familiar issue that many cameras struggle with, fortunately, the G9 II is not one of them. The phase detection system is highly functional and works well even in low light which is quite beneficial in capturing good quality and focused pictures in low light.

 Face and Eye Detection

The G9 II also has improved face and eye detection on top of that. This is especially effective for a portrait photographers because the camera can easily, and with precision, focus on the eyes of the subject such that the most critical point of the image is well focused at all times. The face and eye detection system or extremely effective even in situations where the subject is in-motion or where there are multiple faces in the frame.

 Video Capabilities

That said, the G9 II is targeted majorly at stills photographers, the camera has a lot of video capabilities to offer. As a video camera, the possibility to shoot up to 5. 8K Open Gate 4:2:0 and C4K 4:2:2 10-bit video, with V-Log and HLG gives this camera a strong power within the arsenal of a videographer. The ProRes 422 and 422 HQ when recording to SSD gives say, high quality footage which can be used for professional films and shoots. Also, the camera provides raw recording in the Atomos and Blackmagic recorders for added post-processing options.

 High-Resolution Video Recording

For videographers, the camera’s capacity to record 5. 8K Open Gate video is definitely one of the G9 II’s strengths. This format has high resolution and better for post-processing since some operations like cropping or resizing don’t reduce the image’s quality. The camera also has an option to record in 4K and at different frame rates, this could be at sixty frames per second among others.

 Color Profiles and Grading

Many videographers will also value V-Log and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) color profiles. V-Log, for its part, offers a flatter and much wider color gamut than other cameras making the processing of the clips easier afterward. This is especially useful in the creation of HDR content, creating a more real immerse-viewing which has an improved contrast and, thus, precise colour reproduction.

ProRes and Raw Recording

For those who need the absolute best video performance, the G9 II is capable of recording ProRes 422 and 422 HQ to SSD. Also, this format provides high quality and at the same time has good compression which makes suitable for professional use. Also, the camera can record RAW video to an outward accessory recorder-such as Atomos or Blackmagic-allowing maximum room for post-production work.

 User Interface and Controls

The first thing that the user will note about this camera is that it has a user-friendly interface which allows the handling of this menu intensive camera to be seamless. The fully articulating touchscreen assists the convenience and helps to adjust and frame the shot from any angle. The buttons and dials – the camera’s controls – are properly placed and allow easy access to commonly adjusted parameters, which ultimately boosts the shooting process.

 Menu System

When it comes to using the menu system of the G9 II, it is not difficult to get around, the options have been neatly arranged. It is therefore sub-grouped into various categories in order to enable you locate the specific settings you are in need of. For instance, you can discover shooting settings, AF approach, and video settings with no going through long lists of options.

 Customizable Buttons

Notably, when it comes to the organization and appearance of buttons the G9 II’s user interface received enhancements: This enables you to set preferences in the camera with ease and this habits the camera to your shooting style hence you can easily access the frequently used settings. If for instance, the ISO adjustments/modes, white balance settings/ modes, auto focus modes among other settings are frequently used then they are placed on easily accessible buttons.

 Touchscreen Interface

Another feature that is interesting for lovers of continuous photography is the fully articulating touchscreen. Studio allows you to shoot from almost any angle and hence shooting from awkward positions is much easier to accomplish. It is operated by a touchscreen where you can easily shift between the options or just swipe images as well as focus by just touching the screen.

Battery Life and Storage

For as long as you shoot with the LCD, the G9 II delivers reasonable battery life in terms of a full day of shooting, 390 shots per charge. USB-C power delivery is also present which is highly useful for charging on the go the device is highly portable. The two UHS-II card slots backup each other and give you a fast write speed to capture all the moments worthy of being captured.

 Battery Performance

We compared the G9 II with its peers regarding battery life and the camera secures a decent score compared to its rivals, offering enough charge to conduct most shootings. Yet, for the photographers, who are going to be photographing throughout the day, perhaps, acquiring a backup battery or two is a good idea. One of the widely beneficial features of the USB-C is in providing power delivery whereby it is very useful for charging the camera while in the field or for traveling.

 Dual Card Slots

Dual UHS-II card slots are great for photographers who require reliable and fast storage for their work samples. These two slots enable the following options; backup recording, another recording or differentiating between photo and video files. This flexibility guarantees one has enough storage space and also ensures that you documents are secure all the time.

 Connectivity Options

Connecting to the G9 II is possible through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or through the USB-C port available on the device. Some of these are suitable for transferring of files, controlling the camera from a distance, charging of battery, etc. It also has HDMI and microphone ports which are important to the video/audio users who need the best output.

 Wireless Connectivity

There is the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support to share the content with the G9 II to your smartphone or tablet immediately. This is most helpful if you want to share files on your social accounts or to copy a file without using a computer. The options for wireless connectivity also enable the camera to be operated remotely with respect to the positioning of the camera as well as its setting for time-lapse shooting.

USB-C and HDMI Ports

USB-C port is also another feature of this camera to charge the camera and transfer files as well as connect it to other devices. Given its functions, the HDMI port is more pertinent to videographers who require outputting high-quality video signals to other displays or recording devices. Besides, the microphone and headphone ports perfectly allow recording and monitoring good-quality sound, which is important for video shootings.

 Price and Value

Available in body only, the G9 II costs $1899; it is $200 more expensive than the previous model. This might appear to be on the higher side, although the numerous enhancements and new features that comes with this version makes the rise in price justified. In particular, for photographers and videographers who need a universal and effective tool – the G9 II is worth the money.

 Investment Worthiness

More to that, any price that is being associated with the G9 II should be compared to the value it brings. The enhanced options, better output, and tough construction make it a worthy investment for the professional users of photography and videography. There are cheaper models currently in the market, but the features that are incorporated in the G9 II make it deserve the price it is being sold at.

 Comparison with Competitors

Generally, differentating it from similar cameras, the G9 II can’t be considered lagging behind in terms of the characteristics and capabilities offered. This model is characterized by hi-res still shooting and powerful video features, which makes it suitable for various scenarios. As for the enthusiasts having the need for a device that performs well in both photo and video shooting, G9 II is worthy of attention.

 Pros and Cons

 Pros

  •  High-resolution 25MP sensor with dual output gain: Gives rather bright colors and high definition to the produced image quality.
  •  Advanced phase detection autofocus system: It is fast and accurate in focusing, and can provides efficient focusing even in difficult environment.
  •  Impressive video capabilities: Also supports recording to 5. 8K Open Gate, ProRes 422 and raw output formats.
  •  Robust and weather-sealed body: It makes them sturdy and reliable in all the shooting conditions.
  •  Dual UHS-II card slots: Sufficient storage and gains equally fast writing speed.
  •  USB-C power delivery: Portable for charging on the mobile and more connectivity options.

Cons

  •  Slightly increased price compared to its predecessor: Possibly might be affordable to the buyer if he or she is concern with the cost.
  •  Battery life could be better: It is, perhaps, necessary to have several batteries for the case when one shooting session will take more time than expected.

 Comparison with Predecessor

As compared to the Lumix DC-G9 released previously, the G9 II has the following enhanced features. The new features such as the 25MP sensor, the new autofocus system, and improved video features make it a more capable and useful camera. The design and the build quality have been kept sturdy and what is new is that there are more controls and ports to avert interference. Although the price has gone up, the enhancements and improved stock make the G9 II a worthy successor.

 Sensor and Image Quality

To sum up, the G9 II has a brand new 25MP sensor with dual output gain which gives more light sensitivity, better image quality and dynamic range than the G9. This means brightness and sharpness in low light, precise images and enhanced versatility in image manipulation. This bestows more versatility in managing photographs where the dynamic range has been boosted for better preservation of both high and low tones.

 Autofocus System

The Hybrid Phase Detection AF system in the G9 II is much better than in the previous model, the G9. The G9 II can focus on the subject quickly and accurately with 779 AF points than the G9, and ideal for shooting moving subjects. This is especially helpful for action and sports photographers.

 Video Capabilities

The future G9 II has become even more focused on video as well. The capacity to captured up to with an Open Gate video of up to 5. 8K and the capability of recording in ProRes 422 and raw are some features that make this camera very useful and ideal for videographers. The use of V-Log and HLG color profiles is also an advantage to the buyers as it augments the professional video shooting.

Who Should Buy the G9 II?

Over all the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II is a great choice for photography lovers and professionals who want the best out of there cameras. Owing to its innovative autofocus system and high pixel density sensor it is suitable for wildlife, sport and portrait photography. Video enthusiasts will equally find it rather appealing in terms of its video features and port alternatives. If your aim is to get a camera for photography as well as videography the G9 II is one of the best devices to consider.

Photographers

Just like photographers’ needs vary according to their preference of the type of shoot that they are involved in, G9 II has provided photographers with a number of features that can suit them. Due to its light sensitivity and ultra-sharp AF system, this camera is perfect for capturing those incredible wildlife and sport events. Portrait photographers will note the precise face and eyes’ detection, which will ensure that important details of subjects are very well focused.

 Videographers

The G9 II’s video specifications would be a deciding factor for videographers although its video features support high resolution, Prores 422 and raw output. The V-Log and HLG are color profiles that give more room in editing for better videos which enhances professional work. Operation of the body is a question of confidence and the lumix dx lens system’s sheer build quality and weather-sealing ensures it is a tough camera for any conditions.

 Hybrid Shooters

Huawei G9 II can be recommended for those who need a camera with good performance in both photography and filming. It is more suitable in a wide variety of shooting situations thanks to its capability to take very sharp picture as well as record high quality video. Hassle free shooting operations are enabled, owing to the shock proof, ergonomic design and flexibility of the four control buttons.

 Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II is a very considerable step up from the original G9 with many new features and enhancements that are aimed at satisfying photographers and videographers alike. Due to the complex autofocus system, a recipient of an oversized 20. 3-megapixel sensor, and exceptional video capabilities, the G9 II is one of the most powerful devices within the range. The price is slightly higher, but given the value that is delivered, it is worth every cent , for the serious shooter.

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