The new Panasonic G9 was announced today and Micro 4/3 expert Gordon Laing got his hands on one to sample. The Panasonic G9 gets the once over with a quick look at it’s new functions and features that make it different than the top level GH5.
Panasonic’s just announced Lumix DC-G9 is their first mirrorless camera targeted specifically at professional stills photographers. Achieving a high-speed capture rate of up to 20fps, the G9 brings the same 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor as the video-oriented GH5 does, but with improved image processing for higher quality JPEG images. Topping the 20 Megapixels, the G9 will allow a shift of its sensor eight times to build an 80MP Raw image with super-high combined resolution.
One big claimed improvement for stills is a refined ‘Depth from Defocus’ AF system on the G9, which offers 225 selectable points and improvements in speed and subject tracking. The G9 is able to shoot bursts at 20 fps with continuous auto focus using the electronic shutter (limited to 9 fps with mechanical) and 60 fps with single AF (Limited to 12 fps with mechanical). The buffer will however only allow 50 Raw images to be captured in a single burst of shots.
The new Panasonic G9 can record UHD 4K video at up to 60 fps, with a maximum bitrate of 150Mbps. It pulls from the full width of the sensor at all resolutions. This will cause no crop and produce higher quality results. You will be able to capture slo-mo video at up to 60 fps in 4K and 180 fps at 1080p. By pulling from its video the G9 can resolve both 6K and 4K stills.
G9 Video recording modes:
Format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Modes
3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
The new Panasonic G9 and it’s accessories will be available in mid January 2018. The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 (body only) MSRP will be $1699.99 and the Battery Grip $349.99.
I can’t wait to get my hands on the Panasonic G9 camera. I have bee waiting to upgrade my GH4 and I think I will go with the G9 instead of the GH5. I just wish it had a pop up flash but with the larger view finder I guess there was no where to put it. Also the bitrate should be higher when shooting 1080p. At least a 50mps option. That seems like an ideal bitrate for 1080p. That new Panasonic 200mm f/2.8 is to pricy at $3000. Looks like the Oly 300mm F4 instead for birding.
I sure hope the focusing is better with the G9. The focus is very spotty with my Panasonic GX85. I have quite a few Leica lenses and I am hoping for a camera body that lives up to Leica standards. I guess we will find out in January.