Panasonic GX9 Long Term Review + Panasonic G95 / G90 Thoughts 

Images were edited in *Luminar 3* - bit.ly/SkylumLuminar2018 $/€ 10 off code: THS10 Also take a look at my *Panasonic LX100 II Review* - bit.ly/LX100IIreview Music by *Epidemic Sound* - share.epidemicsound.com/tFTbW

Thanks for review.. Your channel is better when starting with "Hello My Friends!" BTW, I have used GX9 for a year, with tens of thousand images and some VDOs, and I would agree with your review here.. There are some "hidden" good features inside GX9, which few mentioned, and some of which are not even available in some APSC/FF models, such as minimum shutter speeds (SS), VDO IS Lock (even more stable than IBIS), Exe Tele Convertor (2.7x VDO Zoom), and, of course, an outstanding LCD screen, which has better resolutions than all Sony's and Fuji's APSC cameras out there, even better than Sony A73 and EOS RP.. Once I use this high quality screen, it's hard to go back to use other models' lower resolutions.. Besides limited high ISO performance (up to 1,600 or 3,200 in some situations), one big major downside is VDO AF mode (as many know).. If possible, I recommend you to create separate VDO on "how to overcome VDO AF on Panasonic camera on various scenarios"; this would be highly appreciated for many users..For shooting people, I use AF lock to help me to lock focus, or just use MF.. But thanks to great touchscreen interface, MF lever, and many MF assist features, I can live with MF sometimes, though having better VDO AF would be better but understand than there is no perfect VDO AF, even with Sony's or Canon's.. In some "complex" situations like sports or events, when it's hard to use MF, I have to rely on camera AF focus, which make me less confidence.. But if the focus is nailed, the VDO quality is superb, even at 1080.. So, after a year of GX9, I decided to buy another GX9 as second body when travel (one uses 15/1.7 and another uses 42.5/1.2), and both cameras+lens can easily fit inside on camera bag.. It's the beauty of GX9 and m4/3..

Perfect review of a totally underrated camera. Just a perfect machine for street photography and it even performs under rain and dust very reliable! I shot around 50k pics now and prefer it over the G9 on the streets. Image quality is stunning even in low light! Thanks for your realistic and focused reviews!

Love my GX9, it is the perfect camera for what i want. I did buy extra batteries thought, you are correct about the small battery life. My next purchase is a second lens.

Love your reviews! During the last year you definitely became my favorite camera reviewer and heres why: A) You're always focused on the camera/lens rather than yourself B) Great structure; clean and calm presentation of your videos C) You always take the price, usability and customer segment into consideration D) Instead of complaining much about minor things or sensor sizes you always find something positive (if the product deserves). E) In the end photography should be about fun instead rivalry and believes. And you inspire us to do so. I'm sticking to my G85 w/ 12-60 and 45-200 Lumix for now. I think the combination of the G95 (internal flash and smaller case without the top LCD) and the G9 (autofocus-joystick, highres and no crop-4k60p) would be the perfect camera for me. Until then i will try to get my hands on the Leica 12-60, which is always tempting me thanks to your reviews =)

I loved everything about this camera when I first saw it in a shop. The size to performance ratio, the clean, minimalist rangefinder design, the great feel in the hand despite the small grip... but then I looked through the EVF. The field sequential design just doesn't feel right up to my eye, while OLED panels like the G7 or E-M1ii just feel better to me. Probably for the best since I can't afford to add any more to my gear collection at the moment and everything else about the camera was so ideal I was sorely tempted!

Have GX9 for half year now, for me it was clear upgrade from GX7, even batteries same :) After some reading-viewing got 12-60 and I very impressed by I.S. Thank you for your great reviews!

Wonderful images! I’ve been using the GX85 a lot lately as a walk around camera (usually with the 25 1.4 Pana-Leica lens). This newer sensor seems to really up the colour game with Panasonic. I can still get really good colour out of the GX85 with Lightroom editing, but I would never consider using a GX85 jpeg so I just shoot RAW. These GX9 colours are at a whole different level it seems. I know this video is a year old but that means the price has probably dropped on this very interesting camera.

Nice as ever. Thanks. Just swapped from Nikon D5300/5500 double combination for GX9 and kit plus 17mm Olympus, 25mm Panasonic and 7-14 Panasonic... Wow! What an improvement. Stabilization is a game changer for me...

Best opening on RU-vid is back!

Have a gx7. Great little camera for travel and not bad on landscapes and street photography. I can just imagine how good this upgrade is?

If you have a sharp lens on this camera you will love how sharp and colorful images are. And videos shot at 50/60 fps with sharp lens are really good too.

Hello my friends! Finally back to the origin! Great review as usual. Thank you

A fair review! I own the GX9 and the biggest complain are the subexposed rw2 files, seen in lightroom software, in comparison with the jpg files. After correct the exposure, even at iso 200 shot, i will have a grainy efect wich will not disappear until the noise reduction control hit a half of maximum. Very annoying to edit this panasonic raw files.

Thank You! Very informative as always. Will be upgrading from my FZ300 this year and this is the kind of review that is most helpful. 👍🏻📷

Thanks for the review. I preordered the G95 and hope it is released soon as I am also looking forward to your review of it.

Thanks for all of your videos! Great channel!

Thank you. Your videos are the most honest and genuinely useful that I have come across.

HELLO MY FRIENDS is back !!! Thanks for the great review.

Agree with all points in this excellent review. But the placement of the exposure compensation dial is very annoying. It is much too easy to move it when carrying the camera in a bag, taking it in or out of a bag and particularly moving the mode dial.

Thanks I am looking at GX9 as an every day camera & thought review was fair.

Hello, my friend! Good to have you back. 😁👌

awesome video! the Gx9 is a good solution for almost whatever. I think it's a great package.

Great video! Subscribed.

Really enjoy your videos. I have the Leica 12-60 f2.8-4 & Oly EM5ii and I am seriously considering the GX9 with its 20MP sensor, Flip screen which will suit me more than a articulating screen as a stills photographer and also the ability to use dual IS with the Leica 12-60. The OOC JPEGs looks great including the L Monochrome D profile. NB The Leica 15mm looks great with the GX9 in other videos but I will stick with my Oly 17mm because the Leica 15mm suffers from barrel distortion when not used on a Panasonic body and I will be keeping my EM5ii. Rich

I enjoy your reviews, and the pictures you got are excellent. I am happy with my Panasonic cameras and was thinking about upgrading to something like this. I also like the 20mm lens. I would never consider anything larger than this, I hope Panasonic is not going to discontinue it's smaller cameras. If cameras keep getting larger and heavier I would just use my phone.

Great Review.. without high resolution on G9, which one the best of image quality between G9, G95 and GX9 ? Thank you so much.

Another great review - I would like a GX9 as an upgrade to my GX85

Useful review many thanks.

I have the GX9 too and agree with all you said about it. I do find it a little bit too small, but that is partly because the G9 is so perfect. One correction to your video is that the GX9 uses the same sensor as the GX8, but improved image processing (I bought the camera also thinking it shared a sensor with my G9, but no, and I was told by a Lumix rep').

I have watched many of your reviews and appreciate your information and your video style. I wanted to purchase a rangefinder style camera to use for street photography instead of my Olympus M5 Mark II. I decided against the Fuji X100V because it has a fixed lens. I decided against the Sony Alpha cameras because of their ergonomics, and larger lenses. I decided on the Panasonic GX8, because it has a great electronic viewfinder, 20 MP, in-body image stabilization, a back screen that can flip around and close into the body, and an audio in jack. And it uses lenses I already have some of, but I really looked hard at the Fuji X Pro 2, and would have been willing to purchase lenses if I had gotten that camera, because they're pro-level prime lenses are smaller. I like that the GX8 has a larger grip, a larger battery, a good menu system, and the shutter button out on the grip instead of on top of the body. But those were not deciding factors. Thank you for your help in this very difficult decision. It took a long time to sort out the combination of what was important to me and what things different cameras have.

Great no-nonsense, informative review.👍

I just bought the gx9 and started to use it with the PanaLeica 12-60. A bit front heavy but passable. However, I think that the best lens for such camera is rather the lumix 12-60 or the 14-140 which would make it a perfect travel combo.

GX85 is still a good buy in 2022 for the money. I thought about upgrading mine to a GX9, but I don't do prints with the GX85 so the resolution isn't as important (16mp to 20mp) and I do a ton of B&W shooting which the GX85 is amazing at with the L.Monochrome profile and settings available for it (the color filters are great). I use the PanaLumix 20mm, 25mm, 42.5mm, and the PanaLeica 12-60 on both my GX85 and Olympus EM1.2 and really like the results.

Great video as always! Is the decrease in field of view the only downside to having a crop in 4k? I've heard some people mention increased noise but I'm not aware if that's actually true.

Hello my friends! You're back!

Nice video as always!

Great video! Thank you!

Would you recommend this for street photography over Fujifilm X100T?

Another great one, man. I love the love for the GX9! One thing I disagree with is your criticism of the EVF. I don't understand why so many people dislike it - I think it's great. An OLED VF would be better, sure, but the size and resolution works perfect for me (even though I also use the screen most of the time)

William, my friend, I was thinking about getting Panas 20mm (with the GX80 would be the ultimate combo) but there are a lot of complaints on the web regarding the slow focusing, autofocus noise and general discomfort for using for video. Do you still recommend this lens?

What sd card do you use for 4k video on panasonic cameras?

Still using the GF1 !

Hi, Useful review. Can you set 3x3 grid on the Lvf? Thank you.

Panasonic makes some honest good cameras.

Stealthy Street Photographers Prefer tilty-screens instead of flip out. Nice review, thank you!

Leica 9mm is awesome for this camera and the G95, G100, no more crops!!

I am attracted by GX9 but still thinking about whether I should buy GX9 or Sony a6400. Will you have the comparison of them?

Great video! I’ve been debating whether to get the gx9 or pen f and I think you’ve resolved that for me. Thanks

nice..thanks!

if i have a G7 should i upgrade to the gx9?

Thanks for the support help, Is leica 100-400mm good for lumix Gx9 ?

Do you still recommend this camera in 2020? I do photography just for fun and family, but I want a camera with decent photo and video quality. Now I'm using xt2 paired with xf18-55mm + 35mm f2, but it's a little too big to carry around. I like 35mm f2 more, but i have to swap the lens to xf18-55mm for video (xt2 has no ibis). I'm considering gx9 + DG summilux 15mm f1.7 (one camera + one lens for both stills and videos) . Do you think it's a good idea to replace my xt2? What about the audio quality when recording video (since no external audio port)? Thanks 🙏

nice camera

camera is beautiful just to look at :( lovely shots too

Great review, Your Osmo Pocket and Action reviews were very helpful and detailed, I really enjoyed them. Question: What do you think of the Canon M6 mark2 as an all-around travel camera. I know you have the G7X mark3 but compared to GX9 what do you think of the M6 mark2

Perhaps you have shared the info before, but what video editing do you use, and what settings for your downloads to RU-vid? Your video work is superb, not to mention the quality of the content. Thanks

#Panasonic should pay you commission. We bought the GX9 partially thanks to your reviews : ) Any advice for beginners?

I'm looking for a quality travel and trekking camera that is small and light but has a great lens selection. I'm thinking GX9 with a Panasonic Leica 50-200mm for wildlife and a Panasonic Leica 12mm f/1.4 for landscapes. There are some excellent pre-owned deals. My concern is that whilst the lenses have weatherproofing, the GX9 doesn't - but the GX8 does. Any advice on that or would you recommend something completely different?

I'm liking everything about this camera except for it's lack of Mic Input. It's annoyingly frustrating.

i love the gx9 but there is one big problem for me : i can't use my external microphone!

I really hope panasonic pushes out another firmware update for these cameras with linear focus option. Having used that on the S1, i'm really missing it on my G9.

Amazing DR in your shots. How can this be

gx9 or g85 or em5 mkii??? more on stills and some vids

Hello Hybrid, thanks for a great review! I'm looking to buy either GX80 or GX9, mainly for video. Would you say the gx80 is the better choice, due to the cropping of gx9? I read somewhere that gx9 catches less light as well. I would be happy to hear your input. Diky!

I do own the Gx80..and i am happy with the camera. But to improve the handling try the optional Grip for the Gx9, it will give you a little more feel without to make the camera much bigger.

Thanks for another very informative review. You do such a great job with your videos. Congratulations on your GX9. I have been happily shooting with a G85 and a GX7 as a second camera. I also have the 20mm f1.7 pancake and it's great. I was wondering if you've used the 14-140mm. It's my favorite for it's versatile focal range and size and weight. My kit is compromised of the aforementioned plus a 45mm f1.7 Olympus prime and a Laowa 7.5mm wide angle. I am curious if you know of a MFT range finder body similar in size to the g85/g9 that has a better viewfinder. I do a lot of outdoor wide angle shots with the gx7+7.5mm and the viewfinder lacks the detail, brightness, and a big enough eyecup to assess the quality and focus while shooting with it. From the sounds of things, the gx85 and gx9 may not be a huge improvement for me in that regard. Any suggestions?

Hi , Great video !! May i ask about the Highlight/Shadow Function in the menu ? Does it work for RAW files ? Or it only works in JPEG files (if JPEG is selected as the format in the menu) ? Thanks

Ahoj ! I have a question. I bought a GX9 in the idea of replacing my aging GX80 which I loved, and mostly I like the GX9 better: small ergonomic improvements, much better jpeg color, better dynamic range etc... But there is one thing I noticed: IBIS does not seem consistent. Sometimes, it works just fine, and other times it seems to be incapable of correcting hand movement, even at relatively short shutter speeds. Have you noticed anything similar? Thanks in advance.

Awesome review, m using gh5,g7 and gx85, maybe should sell both g7 and gx85 and get gx9..(gx7mk3 in japan), but does 16mb sensor in gx85 and 20mb sensor in gx9 differ that much?

Quick question: have you used Olympus lenses on the GX9 and if so how is autofocusing? Context: I own a gx7 and am looking into an upgrade. I have Oly and Pana lenses. I am hoping for an AF speed increase to improve hit rate in burst shooting + AFC (kids don't stand still). There is no reliable information about GX9 AF speed when DfD is not applicable (non Pana lenses). Great reviews, particularly I like how you talk about trade-offs and are trying to stay neutral in comparisons. Thanks!

2:42 They may be smaller but the glass is much bigger and heavy so the idea or compact is out the window!

You have a new subscriber for that "Hello my friends"

I have had this camera 2 weeks and like almost everything about it except the small viewfinder. I will have to decide how important the ovf is to me before my return window closes. Is there a special reason you aren't using the 15mm lumix/leica prime? I have it and it is great quality, but find it a bit large for carrying in my small bag- compared to my (perhaps inferior) Oly pancake. Any thoughts?

How long can this cam record video in 4k?

Hello, Thanks for your interesting reviews. I find them very useful for novices like me. Though I have a question: is this still a good camera to buy in 2020? I want to upgrade from smartphone and I want a camera I can take everywhere I go. Small and versatile. Where I live they sell it in a premium kit with 3 lenses: 12 - 32 mm + 25 mm + 35 - 100 mm. Are these lenses ok as the kit does not include the ones you have reviewed. Actually M50 and XT20 and LX100ii are in the same price tag now. Even original 2014 alpha7 with full frame and 28-70 lens is available at this price. Is GX9 still the one to go for?

It's worth the change to this camera having a GX80?

I just purchase one of these beauties! I'm thinking of getting a speedbooster 0.7 (metabones) for it to use my existing Macro lenses -- and using the focus peaking from the camera for manual focus. Anyone has any advise on this ?

Hey, maybe you could test Olympus 12-200? It's look like a nice lens to take on vacations :)

what's your suggestion between g85 vs gx9 for youtube vlogging(mostly musical cover video) and hybrid shooter as hobby?

G95 maybe my next upgrade than going with another Olympus body. Using a grip on E-M10 or E-M5 still doesn't give the usability of a deeper grip that the G9 or G85 has with heavier lenes. Even when the E-M1 is on sale, G9 is still $300 less. If the next version of the E-M5 did come with a deeper grip I would buy it but likely won't. Also I feel Olympus is divide between two different focusing systems of basic contrast of the E-M10, E-M5, Pen and Hybrid focus with the E-M1 and EM1X. Where as Panasonic seems to be well invested with DFD on all their cameras.

G95 or GX9 im bidding on both

10:04 From what I have read the G90 only has 49 focus areas, same as the G80, not the 225 of the G9.

Hi. What flashes work in the hotshoe? Olympus? Canon? Thanks!

Regarding the sensor used being the same as the G9. I have found, and DPreview ISO-invariance test confirm this, that with my G9, I can only lift shadows 2 stops before the magenta cast becomes intolerable. Not so with the GX9. Is this due to different sensor, or same sensor, different processing, (or possibly incompetent photographer )? I've found sunrise and sunsets to be near impossible with the G9 without variable ND or bracketing. What's your experience been?

Hi Hybrid Shooter. I'm a long time photo shooter. Grew up on Nikon FM and tri-x. I bought the Lumix GX7 as I like the small form factor, and the likeness to a rangefinder. I had stopped shooting with the GX7, have been doing all my shooting with my phone. I get good results, I think because of my photo experience. I recently went back to the GX7. I have the 20mm f1.7 and Lumix 14-42 f3.5/5.6. I like the versatility of the zoom, but like the compactness of the "pancake lens". It feels like a rangefinder. I noticed that the GX7 has, I don't know what you would call it, EVF lag? After I shoot, it takes what seems like an eternity, (probably not, but seems so) before the live image is viewable. I shoot mostly on the street, scenes, graphic like images. But at also shoot sports. I shoot sport images that I collage in my paintings. So I am not a sports photographer per se, but rather am looking for interesting body language. I am thinking of getting the GX9 body and Zuiko 40-150 F4,(at f4, it is probably the fastest tele zoom) and the Lumix 14mm F2.5 and to use my other Lumix lenses. My question is do you think the GX9 will be a good fix with the 40-150? As I said, I am not a sports photographer, I am looking freeze interesting body language. Thanks, Leonard

Hello, I'm just a beginner who's looking at getting my first micro 4/3. I'd like to use it mainly for travel stills. I'm quite stuck between gx85 and gx9. In my country, the former is around 780USD and the latter is 999+USD. If you were me, which one would you pick?

Hi, thanks for the great review. I've got the gx80 which I enjoy using. I'm considering the 20mm pancake lens. How do you find the autofocus speed? I'm currently using the Olympic 25mm 1.8 for family photos indoors which includes children

I ended up sending the gx9 back to the seller after comparing the images to my Rx100m3. To me the sony images were more crisp. Pictures of an iris petal with the gx9 and the leica 15mm were smooth and lacked detail. The Sony showed every tiny droplet of nectar on the petals. On the gx9 the drops were virtually invisible. I did the test in the same lighting with bracketed exposures. The rx100 photo was crisp and a little punchier. For a kit price of about 1000 euros the gx9 would have to be a lot better to warrant keeping it over my smaller 400 euro Sony. Has anyone else done a similar comparison?

Hey I want to ask though I have seen your video comparison to this and the Fujifilm xt30 what you do think thing has better photo quality and which would you prefer and why? I'm having a hard time deciding I want a small camera with some small lens options that I can take with me everywhere. I've been looking into fuji and really like the xt30 but when looking at lenses there arent many small ones and the ones with lower apretures are way bigger. I'd like a somewhat small lens as well to have some bokeh and with Panasonic they have a 20mm f.17 pancake lens and its below $300 so its small and inexpensive. The gx9 seems like a great camera and I'm a Pany fan I've owned the g7 for years and love their menus but right now I'm looking for a small camera that will give me the best picture and colors and from what I've heard Fujifilms colors are amazing. Let me know what'd you go for.

Excellent video. I need your advice please: I currently own the Nikon D5600 and I want to upgrade to a good hybrid mirrorless camera. I want IBIS, flippy screen, wonderful video and photo quality with good auto focus. I love the video coming out of the GH5/G9 but I prefer the size of the G90. Furthermore I think I will shoot most video in 1080p as I find 4K files too large and difficult to work with. I have in desperation also considered the Sony A7 III with the 24-105 kit lens(Great deals right now). Drawback with the Sony is heavy camera/lenses, expensive, no touch and flippy screen. But it offers best in class AF, low light performance and picture quality and blurry background. I am also considering the Fuji XT-4 but I find it a bit expensive for what it offers(when available). What are your thoughts? Do you think I will be happy with the G90? Thanks a lot. And a side question as well: why is everyone talking about 4K? Is it really worth the hassle on RU-vid where most people watch in 1080p anyway(yes-downsampled it looks slightly better...but will average joe really be able to tell the difference?) More important is good colors/exposure, great sound, sharp AF, not shaky in my opinion.

hello Ths, which of these would be recommended for stills? gx9, xt3/xt30 or z6? I am a casual photographer who wants to pick a system and learn on it.

Is GX9 better than GX80 in terms of autofocus in low light? (for stills, not video) And how is the autofocus in low light? (well something like shooting concerts/music shows)

What about the AF of the 20mm lens? I mean, is it that bad in the lowlight situations? BTW. great review! I bought myself GX80+12-32mm recently for 7500Kč (290 EUR) (second hand) with almost full warranty and I'm really satisfied! Díky za případnou odpověď!:)

Hi, i love your reviews, i had the gx9 and now i Have g90.. i think gx9 had better sensor then g90, i think gx9 has g9's sensor and g90 not... Have You noticèd gx9's sensor better quality?

Hello! Are you able to use AUTO ISO in VIDEO mode? Pleeeeeassse say yes!!! I have that G85 and you couldnt, sooo annoying.

I have a G6 and a GX80. I'm looking to ungrade to something with more reliable autofocus. Which Panasonic would you recommend? Or should I look elsewhere? Thanks for any advice.

What about the Lumix 14-140 for the GX9?

Disappoint when Panasonic down grade the GX8 to GX9. Really hope it will upgrade GX8 to have G9 photography feature in a small body like EM5 iii. 6.5 stop, weather seal, flip screen. Love G9 but I believe lots of user also like to have a small body with great feature. I understand the size and grip of G9 is better balance to use long lens. But small and great is what I expect with m43 system. GX10 maybe?

Has Panasonic abandoned its GX series cameras? I like everything about this camera except the lack of an external mic input.