The most effective Micro 4 Thirds digital camera ever made

Folks have been speculating that the Micro 4 Thirds system is on its manner out for years, and with Panasonic’s latest concentrate on full-frame our bodies, that was beginning to really feel extra like a actuality. Then, out of nowhere, the G9ii arrived on the scene, and the system is extra alive than ever.

The G9ii introduces phase-detect autofocus for the primary time on a Lumix Micro 4 Thirds physique, together with a few new lenses to bolster the already expansive ecosystem. All of the sudden, it is a good time to be a fan of smaller snappers.

I’ve spent some high quality time taking pictures with this pint-sized powerhouse, and here is how I acquired on.

Specs, value and availability

The Lumix G9ii is priced at $1899 / £1699 / €1899 and can start delivery later in November 2023. Contemplating that the Lumix GH6 carries a better MSRP, and remains to be typically offered at round this value, I can think about the G9ii being extraordinarily widespread with anybody who has already invested in MFT glass.

Design

The Lumix G9ii adopts a brand new design that is rather less G9, and somewhat extra S5II. Gone are the sloping angles on the highest panel, changed by a flat prime that appears a contact extra trendy, in my eyes. Additionally gone is the LCD settings panel, which some customers are certain to overlook. Instead, you get a way more distinguished document button, which hints at this digital camera’s hybrid chops, and a drive choose wheel, in addition to the same old PASM dial.

Across the again, issues are somewhat extra acquainted, with a lot of the identical buttons current, even when they’ve shifted positions very barely. What’s new, although, is the AF-selection joystick, which now helps 8-direction enter, fairly than 4-directions on the unique G9. The situation of the attention sensor has moved, too. It is now on the prime of the EVF eyecup which ought to lead to fewer unintentional activations, and in my testing thus far, it appears to work as marketed.

The EVF is in any other case unchanged, however the flip-out touchscreen LCD display screen has been given a bump in decision. It is now 1840k dots in comparison with 1040k on its predecessor. In follow, it really works properly, it is not more likely to blow your thoughts, however I am unable to think about anybody complaining about it, both.

In the case of connectivity, the G9ii is extraordinarily well-equipped. You get two SD card slots, a full-size HDMI output and separate headphone and microphone sockets. There is a USB-C port, changing the archaic micro-B port of the G9, and it is full-featured. You should utilize it to cost the digital camera, energy it in use with USB-PD and even document on to a portable SSD.

Photographic efficiency

The G9ii is able to capturing 25.2MP photos, up from 20.33MP on the G9, however that is not the thrilling half. As a substitute, the large draw is the transfer to a section detection autofocus system, identical to we noticed on the S5ii / S5iiX. For years that is one thing that Micro 4 Thirds shooters have been begging for, and it has lastly arrived.

The opposite huge distinction is the improved in-body picture stabilisation system, which now compensates for as much as 8 stops of motion, in comparison with 6.5 stops on the older mannequin. In follow, it really works brilliantly, it is extra secure than the S5II, and presumably a contact higher than the GH6, too. You probably have comparatively regular palms, you possibly can seize tack sharp pictures with a 1-second publicity time, most likely longer if you have not had too many coffees.

One other benefit of this improved IBIS is that it allows the seize of 100MP stills by shifting the sensor – and it could actually do it handheld, identical to the GH6. With most different digital camera manufacturers, this system requires the digital camera to be positioned on a tripod, after which have the photographs merged utilizing desktop software program. However on the G9ii, it is seamless, all the things is completed in digital camera and it is a lot simpler. Truthfully, it is not the sort of factor I can see myself utilizing fairly often, however the outcomes are good, as long as you may have a principally static topic.

Additionally new to this mannequin, is the inclusion of 19 built-in photograph types, which work loads like Fujifilm’s movie simulation modes. Crucially, the record consists of Leica Monochrome, a preferred profile with those that shoot on Leica’s expensive digital our bodies – and it is nice to see it seem on this comparatively inexpensive Lumix possibility. If moody black-and-white avenue snaps are your factor, you are certain to get pleasure from it.

My preliminary hands-on session came about at a safari park, and I shot virtually completely with the Lumix 100-400mm f4-6.3 ASPH to rise up shut and private with the animals. The digital camera was put into animal eye-detect autofocus mode, and it did a sterling job with even probably the most unusual-looking creatures. The one actual hiccups occurred when an animal was behind a wire fence, however that is typical of nearly each autofocus system on the market.

Once I acquired the digital camera in for a full assessment, I shot with my very own lenses, together with the Lumix 25mm f/1.7, Laowa 7.5mm f/2.8 and the Leica 12-60mm. I used to be impressed with the pictures I used to be in a position to seize in a wide range of lighting situations.

I usually shoot on a GH6, and the picture high quality could be very comparable, in truth, it could be the identical sensor. There’s a key distinction to the photographs, although, and that is the truth that there’s much less noise within the shadowy areas at ISOs underneath 800. I am unsure precisely what has been modified, doubtless one thing on the processing aspect, however it’s a particular enchancment.

In fact, it goes with out saying that the autofocus is on a complete new degree, which implies the share of usable pictures captured was manner larger than I am accustomed to when taking pictures with the GH6.

Video efficiency

Though the G9 was initially pitched as a photography-first digital camera, the traces are really blurred with the G9ii, this digital camera is simply as spectacular for video, if no more spectacular. Panasonic has included all the things you can need and extra, together with exterior SSD recording, high-framerate video, 10-bit 4:2:2 color in most modes and V Log put in proper out of the field.

In comparison with the present MFT video favorite, the GH6, it appears the one main distinction is the dearth of a fan to maintain issues cool underneath prolonged taking pictures. For what it is price, although, I by no means noticed any overheating warnings taking pictures 4K120 in direct daylight with G9ii, however this was with admittedly quick clips.

Taking pictures video with the G9ii feels virtually precisely like taking pictures video with my GH6, and the ensuing picture high quality could be very related, too. It has all of my favorite slow-motion modes, together with 4K 120fps, 1080p 300 fps together with ProRes choices and 6 customized presets to fill with your whole most-used settings. You lose out on quad-channel audio, a CFexpress slot and a tally mild, which could possibly be essential to some, however I hardly ever use them anyway.

The important thing distinction is, you guessed it, the sensible new autofocus system. I would not say it is fairly nearly as good as Sony’s video autofocus, however it’s definitely not far behind, and I discovered I might fortunately depend on it to trace topics with out looking. It is worlds aside from the finicky contrast-based system of the GH6.

Verdict

For my part, the Panasonic Lumix G9ii is the most effective Micro 4 Thirds digital camera so far. The arrival of phase-detect autofocus is a game-changer, and the IBIS system simply could be the most effective you may discover in any digital camera. To not point out the value, which could be very aggressive, particularly with specs comparable to these.

On condition that the G9ii is meant to be a photography-first digital camera, Panasonic might have simply held again some video options or applied a recording restrict, however there’s none of that. The G9ii can do mainly all the things that the GH6 can do, however with distinctive autofocus, and that makes it a really interesting possibility for video shooters.

For those who like the thought of carrying smaller, lighter and extra inexpensive lenses, with out sacrificing usability or picture high quality, then that is the digital camera to purchase. Now, when you’ll excuse me, I am most likely going to exit and get one.