The unique Lumix G9 mirrorless digital camera was launched manner again in 2017, and we completely cherished it, awarding it our highest 5-star Essential ranking and commenting that “the Lumix G9 is probably the most effectively-specified, effectively-constructed and effectively-rounded Panasonic mirrorless digital camera so far”.
Six years is an awfully very long time on this planet of pictures, although, so Panasonic have lastly up to date it for 2023 with the launch of the Lumix G9 II. But what precisely has modified, is it actually value upgrading and finally which one do you have to purchase?
We’re bringing you this Panasonic Lumix G9 II vs Panasonic Lumix G9 head-to-head comparability that can assist you select between the 2 cameras.
You may also learn our detailed Panasonic Lumix G9 evaluation to seek out out precisely what we consider the unique mannequin in rather more depth.
Sensor
The picture sensor is one of many primary variations between the brand new Lumix G9 II and the older Lumix G9.
Both cameras have a Micro Four Thirds moderately than an APS-C or 35mm full-body sensor.
The unique Lumix G9 has a 20.3 megapixel sensor CMOS MFT sensor.
The 2023 Lumix G9 Mark II has a better-decision 25.2 megapixel CMOS MFT sensor.
This sensor provides the brand new model the sting in decision over the earlier Lumix G9, permitting you to use extra aggressive crops or extend prints.
Even extra importantly, the Mark II mannequin is constructed round a newly developed sensor that for the primary time on any Lumix MFT digital camera helps Hybrid Phase Detection Auto-Focus.
All earlier Lumix MFT cameras, together with the unique Panasonic G9, have used a distinction-primarily based AF system.
We’ll discuss extra about this beneath, however suffice to say this is a giant deal that can be greater than sufficient purpose alone to purchase the G9II moderately than the G9.
Processor
The new Lumix G9 II makes use of the very newest Venus Engine processor with L² expertise, which Panasonic declare is 2x quicker than the earlier era processor used within the G9.
This gives increased decision, increased bit charges and minimises rolling shutter.
ISO Speed
The Lumix G9 presents a local ISO vary of 200-25,600 ,which might be expanded all the way down to ISO 100.
The ISO vary on the Mark II model is barely broader, operating from ISO 100-25,600 and able to being dropped all the way down to ISO 50 if required.
High Resolution Mode
The G9II is the most recent Lumix digital camera to supply the particular High Resolution mode, which delivers 100 megapixel photographs for the last word high quality when element actually issues.
In the High Resolution mode the digital camera quickly takes 8 separate photographs and combines them into one JPEG or Raw file.
The unique G9 additionally supplied this characteristic, so that you need not improve to the most recent mannequin to reap the benefits of it, nevertheless it solely supplied 80 megapixel decision.
In addition the brand new G9II advantages from having the identical hand-held excessive-res mode because the GH6, whereas it’s important to mount the G9 on a tripod for the most effective outcomes.
Video
The new G9II fully out-performs the 6-12 months-previous G9 by way of video, as you’d maybe count on, and is positively the digital camera to go for for those who’re a hybrid photograph/video shooter.
The unique G9 can document 4K motion pictures at 60fps, and there is additionally a 180fps full HD sluggish-movement mode. It can solely document in 4:2:0 8-bit, although, which can or will not be a deal-breaker for the devoted videographers on the market.
The G9II helps as much as 5.7K 60p and 4K/C4K 120p 10-bit 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 recording, relying on the particular mode – 5.7K (17:9) 30p/25p and C4K/4K 120p/100p are 4:2:0 10-bit.
ProRes 422 HQ and ProRes 422 might be recorded to an exterior SSD recorder with one caveat – for those who’re recording greater than 60fps to the SSD it requires a further exterior energy supply.
5.8K 30p/25p/24p 4:2:0 10-bit anamorphic 4:3 modes are recorded utilising the complete space of the sensor and there are additionally 4.4K 60p/50p/48p modes.
The Lumix G9 II has V-Log/V-Gamut constructed-wherein gives 13+ stops of broad dynamic vary, and the Dynamic Range Boost mode expands it to 14+ stops.
The G9II makes use of the complete space of the sensor to document then downsamples it in-digital camera, which implies that your framing will not be cropped when composing.
Autofocus
The new G9II is the primary ever Lumix Micro Four Thirds digital camera to make use of a hybrid distinction and part-detection auto-focus system.
Fast and reliable and offering 779-space metering, the brand new PDAF system is in a position to detect goal topics in troublesome circumstances resembling low gentle and backlighting and, as soon as locked on, will stay monitoring them even with different shifting objects within the body.
The earlier G9 employs a 225-level distinction-primarily based auto-focusing system which utilises Panasonic’s intelligent DFD (Depth from Defocus) expertise.
We discovered the G9 to be quick and responsive within the single AF-S mode for each stills and video, however rather less so within the steady AF-C mode, and it was liable to the attribute “pulsing” impact because the DFD system because it scans backwards and forwards.
If steady auto-focusing is prime of your necessities record, then it is positively value selecting the newer G9 II mannequin with its superior part-detection AF system.
Subject recognition on the G9II has been additional improved in order that it now recognises automobiles and bikes and it might probably differentiate between the physique and eye of an animal – the unique G9 could not do both of these items.
Burst Shooting
The Panasonic G9 has a fairly wonderful Burst mode which allows you to take 60 frames per second utilizing the digital shutter with the main target and publicity locked on the first body, or much more impressively 20 frames per second with full-time AF monitoring.
The buffer in each of those modes is for as much as 50 JPEG photographs or 50 RAW information on the highest out there picture high quality.
The new 2023 G9 II ups the ante significantly by providing 60fps burst capturing with steady auto-focusing and
75fps with the main target and publicity locked on the first body.
There is additionally a
a lot bigger 200 shot buffer for each JPEG and RAW information which gives round 3 seconds of capturing time.
If you favor to make use of the mechanical shutter, the burst charges have additionally been improved barely from 12/9fps (AFS/AFC) on the G9 to 14/10fps on the G9 II.
Body
The new G9II is just about an identical to a different just lately launched digital camera, the complete-body S5II, moderately than following within the footsteps of its 6-12 months-previous predecessor.
Indeed, other than the distinction in sensor measurement that turns into obvious once you take away the lens, you would be laborious-pressed to inform the G9 II and S5 II aside.
The G9 II advantages from inheriting the identical 8-manner joystick, expanded drive dial, 3.0-inch free-angle contact-management monitor and enormous, 3,680K-dot OLED Live View Finder because the S5 II.
The standing LCD on the highest-panel of the unique G9 has been eliminated to make manner for the brand new separate drive and capturing mode dials which are positioned on both aspect of the viewfinder, and the G9’s slanted prime-panel has made manner for the a lot squarer design of the G9 II.
Measuring 134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1 mm / 5.29 x 4.03 x 3.55 inch, the brand new G9 II is truly precisely the identical measurement because the S5 II, which can disappoint those that worth the compactness of a Micro Four Thirds digital camera. It is fairly a bit lighter although, weighing in at 658g / 1.45 lb with a battery and reminiscence card fitted versus the 740g S5II.
The unique G9 measured 136.9 x 97.3 x 91.6 mm and weighed 579g physique solely, so it was a bit extra compact and 79g lighter than the brand new Mark II model.
Current G9 homeowners will face a studying curve after they improve to the G9 II, while S5 homeowners will really feel immediately at house, such is the similarity between them and the G9 II.
Viewfinder
The Lumix G9 has an OLED digital viewfinder that provides 100% discipline of view, 10000:1 distinction ratio, 21mm eye-level and three,680K-dot decision,
It has a magnification ratio of approx.1.66x / 0.83x, making it a veritable pleasure to look via, and operates at a local price of 120fps with a minimal lag of lower than 0.005 sec, which helps make it fully flicker-free.
The new G9 II has a just about an identical EVF to the earlier G9, though unusually the magnification is ever so barely decrease at 0.80x.
LCD Screen
Both fashions have a completely articulating 3-inch, 3:2 ratio, free-angle design LCD contact-display which implies that you may flip it out to the aspect, rotate it forwards for simpler operation when pointing the digital camera at your self, and fold it flat in opposition to the again of the digital camera to cease it from getting scratched.
The Lumix G9 II has a a lot increased-decision LCD display than the Lumix G9 although, with 1.84 million dots versus 1.04 million dots on the unique mannequin.
IBIS
Back in 2017 Panasonic considerably upgraded the twin picture stabilisation system on the G9, making it attainable to make use of a powerful 6.5 stops slower shutter velocity than with it turned off.
Fast ahead to 2023 and the G9 II takes issues to a different degree by offering 8-stops of in-physique picture compensation (IBIS) and seven.5 stops of 5-axis twin picture stabilisation when used with appropriate lenses.
The stabilisation system in each cameras works for each stills and video recording.
Memory Cards
Both of those cameras solely twin reminiscence card slots, each help the quicker SD UHS-II reminiscence card commonplace, and each have a devoted reminiscence card port that is hidden behind a lockable door on the left-hand aspect of the digital camera.
Battery Life
The Panasonic Lumix G9 II now makes use of precisely the identical giant capability DMW-BLK22 battery because the Lumix GH5 II, S5, S5 II and S5 IIX fashions.
The earlier Lumix G9 makes use of the DMW-BLF19 battery, so you possibly can’t use G9 batteries within the G9II and vice-versa.
Battery life is truly very comparable at round 380 photographs on the G9 when utilizing the Live Viewfinder and 400 utilizing the LCD display, and 390 photographs on the G9 II utilizing both the EVF or LCD.
Both cameras will also be powered and charged by way of a USB connection, which is helpful for those who’re out and about and have a appropriate powerbank to plug the digital camera into, however the G9 II makes use of the newer USB-C 3.2 variant.
Price
A worth-tag of £1,699 / €1,899 physique solely makes the brand new Panasonic Lumix G9 II dearer at launch than the Lumix G9, however that is no shock given each the 6-12 months interval and up to date world occasions.
It’s additionally out there in two totally different kits, with the Lumix G Vario 12-60mm F3/5-5.6 lens for £1,899 / €2,099 and with the Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 lens for £2,249 / €2,499.
In comparability, the Lumix G9 was priced at £1499 / €1,729 / $1699 physique solely, £1,699 / €1,929 with the Panasonic 12-60mm package lens and £2,019 / €2,329 with the Leica 12-60mm lens when it first went on sale in January 2018.
Conclusion
Choosing between the brand new Panasonic Lumix G9 II and the earlier Lumix G9 (which continues within the vary in the interim) is one thing of a no-brainer – for those who can afford the newer mannequin, then go for it, because the Mark II model out-performs its now a lot older sibling in virtually each manner.
So what do you assume? Would you select the Panasonic Lumix G9 II or the unique, considerably cheaper Lumix G9? Leave a remark beneath!
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