Again in 2017, I obtained the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 for overview. My experiences with this mirrorless MFT digital camera had been optimistic. Now, six years later, Panasonic despatched me the second model: the Lumix DC-G9 II. I used it below excessive climate circumstances on the Opal Coast in France.
Our canine hates fireworks. The poor animal turns into frightened with each explosion and is reluctant to exit. That’s why we keep on the Opal Coast in France from the top of December till January, the place fireworks aren’t allowed.
This yr, I took the brand new Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II with me, supplied by Panasonic Netherlands. I bought the chance to make use of it for a few weeks, and I had a variety of cool plans to check it totally. Nevertheless it turned out fairly in a different way as a consequence of a heavy winter storm that hit the shoreline, with a variety of rain showers.
Some Specs
Though the identify suggests a digital camera that solely differs in delicate methods, the Lumix DC-G9 II is a very totally different digital camera in comparison with its sibling. The design has modified extensively, and its built-in capabilities have matured. Earlier than we dive into the main points, let’s check out among the specs.
- 25.2 MP Reside MOS sensor (Micro 4-thirds)
- 3.68 MP OLED EVF with 60 and 120 fps refresh price
- 3-inch TFT LCD touchscreen with 1.84 MP
- Section detection AF system (-4 EV with f/2 and ISO 100)
- Topic recognition for people (physique, face, eye), animals (physique, eye), automobiles, and bikes
- ISO ranges from 50 as much as 25,600
- As much as 8 stops built-in Picture Stabilization system
- Mechanical shutter ranges from 1/8,000 – 60 seconds, digital shutter begins at 1/32,000 seconds
- 14 frames per second (single focus) and 10 frames per second with steady autofocus
- RAW burst modes with 75 frames per second (single focus) and a most of 60 frames per second with steady autofocus
- Pre-recording with RAW burst for a most of 1.5 seconds
- H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC, Apple ProRes video format
- 5.8K 30p, 4.4K 60p, 4K 60/120p, C4K 60/120p, FHD 60/240p recording codecs
- Can file video onto an exterior USB-SSD drive
- 4:2:2 10-bit V-log 709 HLG
- Anamorphic desqueeze choice, starting from 1.33x as much as 2.0x
- Vector scope, coloration bars, and time code choices
- Timelapse, interval, reside composite, and focus stacking choices
- 100 MP tremendous decision, handheld with movement compensation
- WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
- Mud and moisture resistant
- Measures 102.3 x 134.3 x 90.1 mm
- Weight 658 grams, together with battery and reminiscence playing cards
- Battery capability permits for 370 photographs or 1300 with energy save settings (CIPA)
The Appears
The design of the Lumix G9 II is quite classical. The big LCD display has made means for a PSAM dial. The opposite dial gives steady taking pictures choices, together with tremendous decision and timelapse. There’s a devoted change for the autofocus settings behind the digital camera, with a button inside for the autofocus choices.
The well-defined joystick now works in horizontal, vertical, and diagonal instructions. The digital camera has an AF-ON button and three dials which might be customizable, similar to almost each button on the digital camera.
There are two UHS-II-SD card slots out there. The connections on the digital camera embrace a headphone jack, a microphone jack, a PD-USB-C, and a full-size HDMI slot. The connections are positioned behind easy hinged doorways. The button format and dial placement are well-designed, and each button is completely accessible. In comparison with the earlier mannequin, the Lumix G9 II seems like a extra mature digital camera.
Picture High quality
The Micro 4-Thirds sensor gives a 25.2-megapixel decision. It has a 2x crop, which gives a profit for the usage of longer focal lengths. A 400mm lens will translate into an 800mm area of view in comparison with a full body. The profit extends towards wide-angle lenses as nicely. The crop permits for smaller and compact lenses, which are perfect for touring. The compact measurement additionally provided a variety of advantages through the winter storms on the Opal Coast.
The draw back of a small MFT sensor, in comparison with full-frame sensors, is the chance of elevated noise ranges at excessive ISO values. Nonetheless, the digital camera gives a 13-stop dynamic vary, based on the producer.
Nonetheless, the noise is nicely below management. It’s noticeable at ISO 3,200, and it turns into obvious at ISO 6,400. Happily, there are sufficient noise cancellation software program choices out there to handle the problem if it arises.
Extra essential is the power to get better particulars in underexposed areas of the picture. Lifting shadows will introduce noise, however I used to be in a position to get better as much as 4 or 5 stops, ending up with the same noise stage in comparison with a corresponding ISO worth.
Autofocus and Steady Capturing
The velocity of the Lumix G9 II makes the digital camera good for motion images. The crop issue comes into play as nicely, because it permits for smaller lenses. This makes utilizing the digital camera throughout quick motion maneuverable.
Though the speeds prime at 14 frames per second, or 75 frames per second in uncooked burst, that is with out steady autofocus. With steady autofocus enabled, the digital camera permits for 10 frames per second in regular taking pictures mode, or 60 frames per second with uncooked burst modes.
With uncooked burst, it’s attainable to decide on between a 0.5- and 1.5-second pre-recording. This manner, the digital camera begins recording when urgent the shutter midway. The buffer gives greater than 170 uncooked frames and nicely over 200 frames in JPEG format. The uncooked burst mode tops at 200 frames, which is roughly 3 seconds of taking pictures with pre-recording enabled.
This recording velocity requires a quick and correct autofocus. The Lumix G9 II retains up with this velocity, and the topic recognition does an exquisite job. The Lumix G9 II gives a variety of customization for the autofocus space. This flexibility makes it a lot simpler to search out and monitor shifting topics.
The readout of the sensor is quick sufficient to maintain the dreaded rolling shutter impact to a minimal. It doesn’t matter if you happen to’re taking pictures on the regular steady velocity or with the uncooked burst. The quantity of rolling shutter additionally interprets to video recordings.
Sensible Use
The dimensions of the Lumix G9 II permits for good ergonomics. The digital camera will not be too small and never too giant. It feels nicely balanced with a well-designed grip. The buttons and dials are positioned on the most handy location and can be utilized and not using a drawback, even with gloves.
There are a couple of minor points, although. I seen how straightforward it’s to press the crimson button for film recording. Maybe too straightforward. Additionally, the three buttons for white stability, ISO, and publicity correction are positioned in such a means that it turns into much less straightforward to tell apart between the three. I discovered it tough to search out the ISO button with out wanting, although it has a few notches.
Sadly, Panasonic positioned the film setting within the PSAM dial. If you wish to change the publicity from guide to aperture precedence or shutter precedence, that you must change it within the menu. A devoted change would have been a more sensible choice.
The LCD display is totally articulating and is readable from a variety of angles. The touchscreen performance works nicely. I like the power to swipe the histogram, making it attainable to put it at any location. It’s one of many many customizable choices, which gives a variety of private settings.
The built-in picture stabilization system is rated as much as 7.5 to eight stops. That is about 1.5 stops extra in comparison with the earlier mannequin. I used to be in a position to shoot handheld with 0.8 seconds at a 16 mm focal size (32 mm full-frame equal), whereas holding the digital camera with one hand.
Though most of the particular capabilities that had been current within the first Lumix G9 at the moment are additionally out there in lots of different cameras, the Lumix G9 II nonetheless gives a set of distinctive options. Some are modified in comparison with the earlier mannequin and even made higher to some extent.
The digital camera gives focus stacking in RAW file format, however it doesn’t stack the pictures collectively contained in the digital camera. There’s evening viewing, making the LCD and EVF display crimson to stop the lack of evening sight. There’s additionally the choice for live-composite imaging, making it attainable to set an publicity whereas solely recording the modifications in brightness.
When you want extra decision, a 100-megapixel picture is achievable by activating tremendous decision. This may be performed handheld, however on prime of that, the system can compensate for shifting topics. It does a tremendous job, making it attainable to make use of this selection in a variety of conditions.
In comparison with the earlier mannequin, the uncooked burst modes now file uncooked recordsdata as an alternative of JPEG photos. The time-lapse perform additionally permits for interval taking pictures, which was not attainable earlier than. However the post-focus choice and in-camera focus stack aren’t out there anymore, which is a pity. However, the main focus stacking now information awr recordsdata as an alternative.
Video Capabilities
I haven’t performed a variety of video recordings, although the Lumix G9 II gives lots on this regard. The climate scenario on the Opal Coast didn’t enable a variety of testing. Nonetheless, I wish to point out among the choices which might be out there.
The digital camera gives Apple ProRes recording, subsequent to another extra customary film codecs. It might file on to a USB SSD drive. There are real-time LUT overlays, and for individuals who like to make use of anamorphic lenses, the digital camera is able to desqueezing the picture for a greater viewing expertise.
The S&Q setting gives a variety from 1 body per second as much as 120 frames per second. It’s attainable to vary the shutter velocity info into shutter angle, and there are various overlays like totally different zebra patterns, a vector scope, and coloration bars. If fascinating, a big crimson body might be activated to indicate a recording in progress.
These are only a few of the various video choices, which make the Lumix G9 II an ideal digital camera for each stills and video.
Conclusion
I appreciated the primary Lumix G9, however this second model has improved in a variety of methods. It feels just like the digital camera has matured lots, with many particular capabilities which might be even higher applied.
The climate scenario made it difficult for images, however I might depend on the mud and water resistance of the digital camera. I’m assured the stabilization system saved some photographs whereas I used to be struggling in opposition to the robust winds. It carried out below each scenario with out issues, even when the storm hit forces 8 and 9.
I needed to depend on the dynamic vary lots, which resulted in some additional noise within the recovered areas. Nevertheless it turned out to be nicely inside acceptable limits. The one situation I had was discovering the ISO button blindly, particularly whereas carrying gloves. In addition to this minor situation, utilizing the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II a variety of enjoyable. I can suggest this digital camera with out hesitation.
What I Like
- Measurement and ergonomics
- Absolutely articulating LCD display with good touchscreen performance
- EVF has good decision and gives a superb viewing expertise
- Button format and devoted AF-ON button
- Joystick now works diagonally as nicely
- Picture stabilization works successfully, as much as 8 stops
- Quick and responsive autofocus
- Uncooked burst with steady autofocus as much as 60 frames per second
- Pre-recording as much as 1.5 seconds
- No noticeable rolling shutter impact, each for picture and video
- Tremendous decision usable handheld and for shifting topics
- Timelapse perform additionally permits for interval taking pictures
- Extremely customizable
- Night time view
- Reside composite
- Mud and water resistance
- Quite a lot of video choices and full-size HDMI
- Battery capability is enough in real-life use
What Might Be Improved
- Separate change for activating the video perform
- Submit-focus means like within the earlier mannequin
- The three buttons on prime (white stability, ISO, and publicity compensation) are nearly indistinguishable from one another
- Lock button for the dials on prime of the digital camera
- Higher suggestions from urgent the AF-ON button
- No separate battery charger
- Crimson video button is pressed too simply on accident
- ISO efficiency could possibly be improved (though it’s not too dangerous in any respect)
I wish to thank Panasonic Netherlands for offering the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II for this overview.
