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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses

Panasonic Lumix G9 Review

A great value

By Nicholas Hess 10 Comments
Last Updated On January 24, 2024

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The Panasonic Lumix G9 is a top-notch Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera. It’s hard to think of another Micro Four Thirds camera that compares for still photography at under $1000. Even looking beyond Micro Four Thirds, the Panasonic Lumix G9 has a lot to offer for both enthusiasts and professionals in a compact size and price range. In this review, we will share our thoughts on this trusty camera on this trusty camera after years of use. This review is a joint effort by me (Nicholas Hess) and my fellow Photography Life writer Jason Polak, who also uses the Panasonic G9.

Panasonic_G9_Front
The Panasonic G9 with the Olympus 12-45 f/4 PRO Lens

Overview

Due to the small sensor size, Micro Four Thirds cameras tend to raise a lot of eyebrows. In order to stay relevant, it feels as though the Micro Four Thirds cameras built by Olympus (now OM System) and Panasonic need to do something to make up for that sensor size discrepancy. And in our opinion, they do just that!

Micro Four Thirds cameras compete with larger-sensor cameras and beat them in some major ways. This includes the format’s portable cameras (and lenses), exceptional image stabilization, fast speed, and high video performance. In the case of the Panasonic Lumix G9, it seems to do an especially good job in its price range no matter what cameras you compare it against, including APS-C and full-frame alternatives.

g9_frog_jpolak
Panasonic G9 + Laowa 50mm f/2.8 Macro @ 50mm, ISO 200, 1/125, f/4.0 © Jason Polak

Specifications

Taking a look at the specifications, you can see that the Panasonic G9 looks like a more expensive camera in a lot of ways:

FeaturePanasonic G9
Sensor TypeCMOS
Sensor Resolution20.3 megapixels
Sensor Size17.3 x 13 mm (Four Thirds)
In-Body Image StabilizationYes
Storage MediaTwo SD Cards
Native ISO SensitivityISO 200-25,600
Expanded ISO SensitivityISO 100-25,600
Max Continuous Shooting Speed60 FPS at full-resolution RAW
Blackout-Free ShootingNo
Electronic ShutterYes
Mechanical ShutterYes
Shutter Life200,000
Shutter Speed Range1/32,000 to 1 second (electronic)
1/8000-
60 seconds (mechanical)
Focus System225 Point Depth from Defocus
Focusing Range (f/2, ISO 100, Firmware 3.0)1-4EV to 18EV
Video Maximum Resolution4K 60p
Slow Motion Video180 FPS with VFR (60 FPS with sound)
Video Quality10bit 4:2:2, 150MBPS
Rear LCD3.0″ 1,040,000-dot touchscreen
ViewfinderEVF, 100% coverage, 0.83× magnification, 3.68 million dots
Weight (with Battery and Card)579 g (1.27 lbs)
Dimensions (Includes Viewfinder Protrusion)136.9 x 97.3 x 91.6 mm (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.6″ in)
MSRP, Body Only$1297 (check current price; we’ve seen sales as low as $900)

That’s an impressive assortment of features! The Panasonic G9 is a workhorse capable of capturing up to 60 FPS raw bursts at full resolution, as well as 4K video with 4:2:2 and 10-bit recording.

One thing that Micro Four Thirds has always done well is image stabilization. The Panasonic Lumix G9 sports a five-axis IBIS system, which is capable of up to 6 stops of image stabilization when using compatible lenses. Using the same sensor-shift system, Panasonic has also added a hyper-resolution feature to the G9 that allows it to take 80 megapixel photos if the camera and subject are both stationary.

The G9 manages all this and more while being extensively weather sealed, compact, and lightweight. After shooting extensively with this camera for more than three years – almost exclusively in my case – this is our review. Click to the following pages for information on the G9’s build quality, handling, image quality, and video features.

Table of Contents

  • Overview and Specifications
  • Build Quality and Handling
  • Image Quality and Autofocus
  • Video Features and Quality
  • Summary and Verdict
  • Reader Comments
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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Camera Reviews, Micro Four Thirds, Panasonic, Panasonic Lumix G9

About Nicholas Hess

Hi, my name is Nicholas Hess. I'm a wildlife photographer with a fascination for reptiles, amphibians, and the underwater world. My favorite animals are those that are misunderstood such as sharks and snakes. I am majoring in marine biology and minoring in journalism and Spanish, as I hope to pursue a career in wildlife photography and conservation. I invite you to check out my website if interested in prints, or you can find my latest photographs on Flickr and Instagram.

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