One of the best Micro 4 Thirds digicam ever made

Folks have been speculating that the Micro 4 Thirds system is on its approach out for years, and with Panasonic’s current 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 a 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 this is how I received on.

Specs, worth and availability

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

Design

The Lumix G9ii adopts a brand new design that is rather less G9, and a bit of extra S5II. Gone are the sloping angles on the highest panel, changed by a flat high that appears a contact extra fashionable, in my eyes. Additionally gone is the LCD settings panel, which some customers are positive to overlook. As an alternative, you get a way more distinguished report button, which hints at this digicam’s hybrid chops, and a drive choose wheel, in addition to the standard PASM dial.

Across the again, issues are a bit of 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, slightly than 4-directions on the unique G9. The placement of the attention sensor has moved, too. It is now on the high 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 has been given a bump in decision. It is now 1840k dots in comparison with 1040k on its predecessor. In observe, it really works nicely, it is not more likely to blow your thoughts, however I can not think about anybody complaining about it, both.

In relation to 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 use it to cost the digicam, energy it in use with USB-PD and even report on to a portable SSD.

Photographic efficiency

The G9ii is able to capturing 25.2MP pictures, up from 20.33MP on the G9, however that is not the thrilling half. As an alternative, 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 large 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 observe, it really works brilliantly, it is extra secure than the S5II, and probably a contact higher than the GH6, too. When you’ve got comparatively regular palms, you’ll be able to seize tack sharp photographs with a 1-second publicity time, in all probability 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 will probably do it handheld, identical to the GH6. With most different digicam manufacturers, this system requires the digicam to be positioned on a tripod, after which have the images merged utilizing desktop software program. However on the G9ii, it is seamless, every part is finished in digicam and it is a lot simpler. Truthfully, it is not the type of factor I can see myself utilizing fairly often, however the outcomes are good, as long as you’ve got a largely static topic.

Additionally new to this mannequin, is the inclusion of 19 built-in picture kinds, which work rather a lot like Fujifilm’s movie simulation modes. Crucially, the record contains Leica Monochrome, a well-liked profile with those that shoot on Leica’s expensive digital our bodies – and it is nice to see it seem on this comparatively reasonably priced Lumix choice. If moody black-and-white avenue snaps are your factor, you are positive to take pleasure in it.

My preliminary hands-on session befell 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 digicam was put into animal eye-detect autofocus mode, and it did a sterling job with even essentially 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 received the digicam in for a full overview, 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 photographs I used to be in a position to seize in quite a lot of lighting circumstances.

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

In fact, it goes with out saying that the autofocus is on an entire new stage, which suggests the proportion of usable photographs captured was approach increased than I am accustomed to when taking pictures with the GH6.

Video efficiency

Regardless that the G9 was initially pitched as a photography-first digicam, the strains are actually blurred with the G9ii, this digicam is simply as spectacular for video, if no more spectacular. Panasonic has included every part 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 shortage 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 comparable, 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 all your most-used settings. You lose out on quad-channel audio, a CFexpress slot and a tally mild, which may very well be essential to some, however I hardly ever use them anyway.

The important thing distinction is, you guessed it, the good 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 may fortunately depend on it to trace topics with out searching. It is worlds other than the finicky contrast-based system of the GH6.

Verdict

In my opinion, the Panasonic Lumix G9ii is one of the best Micro 4 Thirds digicam to this point. The arrival of phase-detect autofocus is a game-changer, and the IBIS system simply may be one of the best you will discover in any digicam. To not point out the worth, which could be very aggressive, particularly with specs reminiscent of these.

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

Should you like the concept of carrying smaller, lighter and extra reasonably priced lenses, with out sacrificing usability or picture high quality, then that is the digicam to purchase. Now, in case you’ll excuse me, I am in all probability going to exit and get one.