Lumix G9ii is the best yet — long-term review
I’ve used the Lumix G9ii for many months now. I’ve taken it on Safari, shot two wedding films, taken it to California, and filmed a dozen YouTube videos and more. The Lumix G9ii is almost perfect, and certainly the best micro four thirds camera ever made. Those are big words. But. it’s true! Let me tell you why…
Just how excited should you be?
You can watch my full video review on YouTube here or read along and see some photo examples.
This camera, really, is like if a GH6 and an S5iiX had a baby. We have almost ALL the brilliant video features of the GH6, and the fantastic IBIS, Phase-Detect Auto-focus, and physical design of the S5iiX, all with a brand new 25 megapixel micro four thirds sensor.
Also… The IBIS is actually quite a bit BETTER than the S5ii and the S5iiX. And the Auto focus is actually better too. Let that sink in: The G9ii is better than some of the very best cameras Lumix have ever put out.
so yes, you should be very excited. EEEEK!
You can check out the Lumix G9ii on Amazon here.
And check out MPB here for buying, selling, or trading your camera equipment:-
Video Features
The Lumix G9ii is feature packed. It’s definitely more of a hybrid camera than the original G9. I’ll go into my favourites in a moment, but just for a quick-fire round of joy:-
Phase-detect auto focus with subject tracking
V-log profile built in at no extra cost
Internal ProRes recording
Unlimited recording times
120p and 60p slow motion in 4K without any crop (just like the GH6)
5.8k Open Gate recording up to 30p and 4.4k open gate at 60p
Record to SSD if you fancy!
Dual SD card slots
Audio jack and headphone monitoring
On top of that, we have some brand new IBIS hardware.
The IBIS is the very best I’ve ever used in ANY camera, of any brand. Even OM System, and even the S5ii. And this isn’t me bashing the other cameras — they’re great — it’s just that this is simply better.
The IBIS is rock-solid and ridiculously impressive. You can get handheld shots easily with a little attention to walking or moving steadily.
I think it’s safe to say that the G9 line is no longer photo-centric with a few video bells and whistles; this g9ii is a properly impressive video camera in its own right.
… but the photo features have had a massive upgrade too.
Lumix G9ii vs OM System OM1 for SAFARI
I was so lucky to be able to take both cameras to Kenya with me. I’ve made a full comparison video here, and it’s really in-depth if you are torn between these two cameras.
In a nutshell? They’re both fantastic, but you get way more features for your money with the G9ii, and a much more versatile lens line-up that’s compatible with all the new features.
Photography Features
There are so many things to shout about! But here are some of my favourites:-
Live Composite Mode is included! YAY!
New 25 megapixel sensor with low light enhancements
100 megapixel high resolution hand held mode
Lumix G9ii Burst Modes
Here is where things get really interesting…
The Lumix G9ii can shoot up to 60 frames per second, using CONTINUOUS auto focus?! And 20 or 60 frames per second of PRE-burst shooting, for up to 1.5 seconds.
Pre-shooting is absolutely worth its weight in gold, particularly for animals, and particularly for birds. I have wasted terabytes of files spraying and praying over the years. With the Pre-burst mode, it leaves the photos recording in a loop from when you hold the shutter down. Then when you release the shutter — When the action is OVER, rather than chasing the action — it saves the previous 1.5 seconds’ worth of images.
Taken on the Lumix G9ii using the 20 frames per second pre-burst mode
Auto-Focus Lumix G9ii
The Auto Focus is just an absolute beast, for both photo and video. This is the easiest camera I’ve ever used to track subjects and it’s just so reliable.
We now specifically EYE auto focus as well as general human or animal detect. This will make sure the important moments are completely pin-sharp.
I’ve been a micro four thirds enthusiast for many years, as you probably know, and I’ve long been a defender of contrast based auto focus. For most day-to-day stuff, contrast based is enough… but honestly…. once you’ve tried phase-detect AF, it’s so hard to go back!
For precision, fast moving moments, and professional work in particular, I think phase-detect is a must-have for me. And coupling that with the new subject detection… it’s absolute joy to use.
with the new IBIS technology in the Lumix G9ii, you can achieve incredibly long exposure times, even handheld.
Real Time LUT Lumix G9ii
Rejoice! A micro four thirds camera that has Real Time LUT! If you don’t know, you can add any LUTs (or custom photo-presets from some of your favourite YouTubers — wink wink) into the camera and bake them instantly into your JPEG files!
I love love love this feature. It makes shooting and sharing so quick and creative. This camera is perfect for street photography with this feature. And while it is a little bit larger, if you pair the G9ii with a smaller lens, it’s hardly bulky.
That is one critisim, I think: the size. Micro four thirds is traditionally small and lightweight, and the G9ii looks almost identical in size to Lumix’s larger counterparts. But if you can overlook that, you’re in for a treat.
You can add up to ten different LUTs into the camera’s LUT library, so switching between your favourite styles is really easy. If this feature gets as much attention as it deserves, I think it blows any of the Fujifilm recipes out of the water. This is so much more customisable.
If you shoot Raw and Jpeg when shooting Real Time LUT, then you really have nothing to lose. You have a nice pre-edited Jpeg, and the flexibility of the un-edited raw file.
You can also use this feature for video, but personally I think it’s much more exciting for photography.
You can check out the Lumix G9ii on Amazon here.
And check out MPB here for buying, selling, or trading your camera equipment:-
One flaw of the Lumix G9ii
Aside from the size, in order to make space for that lovely new IBIS technology, the G9ii doesn’t have a fan. This means that while you can shoot all the fancy high bit-rate video formats, you need to keep an eye on your thermal management.
I have shot weddings with this camera just fine, but I am in the UK and it is quite cold. This isn’t the camera I’d choose for recording ceremonies in the baking sun. The Lumix GH6 or the S5ii is much better suited to that, so keep that in mind.
The Lumix G9ii is an incredibly capable video camera, but thermal management might be something to keep in mind depending on your use case.
Lumix G9ii and the Lumix 35-100mm f2.8. Not shabby in low light!
So is the Lumix G9ii for you?
If you want the very best of what micro four thirds offers (currently, anyway!) then this is a no-brainer.
If you shoot fast paced subjects regularly like pets, sports, wildlife, or even your children, the G9ii has all the tech you need to keep up with the demand.
If you’re not too fussed about the faster burst modes or the fancy video specs, then perhaps a smaller, more portable, micro four thirds camera might be right for you.
If you want a camera that can do pretty much everything photo and video wise, without compromise, you really can’t get much better currently than the Lumix G9ii.
You can check out the Lumix G9ii on Amazon here.
And check out MPB here for buying, selling, or trading your camera equipment:-