I agree, something happens with these two when they are back in familiar territory (Yes I know HK is not exactly like Japan) Their UK videos are, I must say, they lack the energy and the characteristic chaotic nature these two have when they did DR in the olden days. Kind of surprised they did not move to Taiwan which is far more familiar to HK, share a lot of the same laws and while does not speak Canton as much its still culturally similar.
My main gripe with this camera is that it’s made with a lot of compromises all for the sake of making it full frame (because RU-vidrs love that), while it could have been a M43 camera with a lot fewer compromises such as a hell of a lot of compact lenses already there for it, a mechanical shutter and even room for an evf. A bit of a missed opportunity to make a really cool M43 camera in my opinion…
@@wakeywarrior I don’t have sales numbers but from an outcome perspective there is nothing wrong with M43, it’s just that RU-vidrs have been harping on about full frame so much that everyone now thinks that you need full frame above everything else, even if it comes at the expense of actually useful shit you want to have in your camera 🤷♂️
@@fadiheterjag I’ve had many cameras, including a G9. But full frame offers many serious advantages - mainly that image quality and low light performance. I think we’ve seen the last of full size M34, now it will be used in cheaper compacts only. APSC is a significant step up over M43 and makes more sense and I think that will remain the ‘budget’ ‘proper camera’ sensor for a while.
Released with an f8 26mm lens to take advantage of its full frame to generate some super dreamy bokeh 😅. Stick something longer and faster on it and discover that full frame lenses are a lot harder to shrink than camera bodies. This is a camera for people who dont know what they want and are willing to pay top dollar for it
"to generate some super dreamy bokeh"--with the f/8 pancake? I assume you had your tongue firmly planted in your cheek here... (complete with an eye roll) 😉
@@SMGJohn Dual iso, full frame, always in my pocket, capable of 4:2:2 recording? For my work it would be fantastic. I often shoot random plate for VFX. Carrying a R5 at all time is not realistic, but having that S9 in my backpack would be lovely
I bought this camera 3 weeks back as a backup camera to my A7R IV, as I was sold to its small and light form factor. People told me that I just wasted my money as I can buy the A7C II instead since I can use the same lens of my A7R IV. But I just want a light FF CAMERA (sorry X100VI) and try another ecosystem. Long story short: it didn't disappoint. The light, small form factor made it really enjoyable to it bring everyday, with a small bag. And during the weekends, I carry both cameras - with the A7R IV and its lens mainstay Tamron 20-40mm, and the S9 with the 90mm 2.8 Sigma. This combination resulted to an unbelievable light load of 1.8kg only, and that's carrying two FF cameras with the best lightweight zoom and prime lenses in the market. The fun side of this is that I don't have to change lenses which I find to be an inconvenient hassle all the time when I shoot exclusively with A7R IV. Gone are the days of carrying a 3.5 kg load of 1 DSLR camera and 2 lenses! I also do think that my combo is much lighter than a Canon R5 and the equivalent lenses that I use for my cameras. It is also worth mentioning that the colors of the S9's SOOC Jpeg shots are much better than the Sony (Standard mode).
This could be a really great camera for landscape astrophotography. Since you basically just need a sensor and a screen, all the rest is useless. If the internal software is not doing too many modifications to the raw files, obviously.
Panasonic has recognized the market that everyone else has missed. The need for a blue, green, red or black FF interchangeable lens mirrorless camera that does not have a viewfinder. Kudos Panasonic, kudos.
ohh and dont forget, vloggers LOVE slow f8 pancake lenses with manual focus capabilities. Panny boi is truly the camera company of all time. love the sarcasm tho lol.
mmmmmm i love a camera with no viewfinder, no ability to use flash and an f8 manual focus lens combo so i can only shoot in bright conditions where I have to heavily squint to get focus using only the screen 😍
The fact that you almost forgot mentioning the open gate, is obviously showing that you don't really get the idea of whom this camera's for. Maybe too focus on being sarcastic about this camera, lack of this and that, and miss the whole point that this camera is meant for social media =)
Too much sarcasm in one video. I get it that this is your style, but for the people like me who tries to get some real life experience, (knowing that you were invited by LUMIX) i was expecting to get at least a descent information, turns out, I was wrong LoL.
@@borderlands6606 That's an SLR lens with a much larger flange distance. I doubt it would be possible to make for mirrorless cameras with decent image quality at least.
@@albert_gyorgy I was under the impression that decreased flange distance of mirrorless cameras made lenses more compact, not less. The Fuji X100 series has an aperture of f2 in aps-c, and m43 has a 1.7 lens. I fail to see why Panasonic cannot make a compact, high quality short focal distance lens with a f3.5 aperture, but it would cost more than the budget f8.
@@KaiManWong Regards. I'll never forget Olympus E-PL 1 on the streets on ... to this day I am not sure if its Hong Kong or Mong Kong! Damn you with your subtle jokes!
Ha, one more memory. I remember when I needed 4k, and GX80 just came out... It was very well priced, but I wasn't really happy about this modern Leica like design... But comparing to this atrocity, GX80 is beautiful!
@TimHunold Is that what he said? I'm a wee bit hard of hearing (long story involving a rifle), bit I could have sworn they said "LUT sluts"... 🙂📷 Note: Camera emoji *without* a flash!!
For the audience its meant to be there for - this looks like a lovely bit of kit. However, add an EVF, and a fixed lens, perhaps even the mechanical shutter - and you have something to compete with the Fuji x100 series, and I would suggest a replacement for the Leica CL/X series.
@@VoltLover00 I see it differently, probably like many, I have used Sony cameras, and have no love them - they are soulless, and yes they give decent results, but so does a Leica, Nikon, Fuji or Canon. They are certainly not trash when you look at award winning images worldwide.
This is bonkers. Set aside the 1-2 stop image quality improvement FF gives you over m43, and a m43 cam would trounce it. It’s utter madness. M43 is smaller, better IBIS, smaller lenses, add in viewfinder (gm5) and flash. It all adds up to a vastly better travel package. And it would be cheaper. GX85? GX9? Why would you choose marginally better image quality with all the drawbacks it adds..🙈. Lord. I sure hope this cameras existence doesn’t prevent the LUT feature coming to m43 cameras.
It’s 2 stops difference, and that’s not exactly marginal. F/2.8 on FF is equivalent to F/1.4 on M43. F/1.4 on FF is equivalent to F/0.7 on M43 which I don’t think even exists.
@@kkobayashi1 If you really need the bokeh of a f/1.4 FF, then m4/3 clearly isn't for you. But with the f/8 pancake, m4/3 can easily trounce the S9 by two stops with an f/2 prime.
@@kkobayashi1 I just kind of assumed that. Because when you say "f/1.4 on FF is equivalent to f/0.7 om m43", people usual mean bokeh ability. That's because, exposure-wise, an f/1.4 on M43 is the same as f/1.4 on FF.
@@Centauri27 That's because the ISO scale is defined that way. But in reality, ISO 100 on M43 is equivalent to ISO 400 on FF in terms of image quality (signal to noise ratio) assuming the same number of pixels and same read noise per pixel.
This looks great for the next generation of photographers who are used to phone shooting without EVF. Anyone who has established their style of shooting already clearly doesn’t need this camera, but it looks like a lot of fun. I have 2 s5ii’s don’t think I’ll “upgrade”
Oo-er, sixteen hundred sheets for a brick-shaped camera that will be a pain to use in bright light and with rubbish flash capability but which does come with a fashionably coloured skin. Can we get one in lemon colour?
@@nAcolz It lacks a mechanical shutter. That's what limits its flash capabilities. This is not a camera designed for stills/ enthusiast photographers. It's for social media content producers as alternative to their iphone (but without the crutch of computational features). It was designed to meet a marketing spec. It had to be full-frame to justify the target price, rather than the other way round
Oh you were in kyoto. I wish I could have bumped into you. I shoot in all those locations you visited. If I look carefully I think I am in one of your scenes. Wow.
Panasonic would be wise to quite franky take this camera back and do a few modifications, hotshoe added, headphone jack added, a better integrated mic like Sony does, I am not sure how much more could be done to fix the limited rec time they would need an entirely different sensor or turn it into a 6 megapixel sensor with pixel binning like A7s3 does. They should also make accessories like a hotshoe mounted EVF, hotshoe mounted mic, maybe they could add the headphone jack via USB-C adapter like Fuji. They definitely should not release this as is, its gonna be a flop. The F8 pancake is also just an insult, there plenty of F2.8 that are like 80 - 100g but are same size as this, so it makes no sense for Panasonic to do an F8.
The rolling shutter is really the Achilles heel of this thing. Compact full frame cameras like this are the dream but there are very few solid options. If this had a global shutter or a mechanical shutter, it would be so much easier to recommend but it seems like there's heavy rolling shutter even on relatively slow movement. Lack of a hotshoe is insane given how bad the internal mic is and they seem to be targeting this to vloggers. Hotshoe mics could've mitigated the poor microphone issue for vlogging but now people have to use external mics.
TBH as with every compact FF camera, I just wonder what's the point? If size isn't an issue, go FF. If size is an issue, don't go FF. There's zero point getting a FF just to put F8 glass in front of it, and similarly there's no benefit to 'compact' FF if you put a whopping great lens on the front. Personally I just don't get trying to blend FF + compact, the trade offs are always high, that's just physics.
@@MPD90Exactly, FF lenses will always be big and that defeats the whole purpose of making a small camera by itself. An APS-C or a Four Thirds sensor would be more than enough for a camera like this, just like how Sony does it. In this case I feel like it being FF is actually a disadvantage rather than an advantage.
I have been watching Kai and Loc since their days way back in Hong Kong when it was Kai, Loc and Alamby @ DigitalRev...Kai and Loc still produce the most informative videos that are completely unbiased. Yes I do agree that Kai is starting to adopt a Chinese dad style of walking.
I can confirm, my pants remain dry. Which is a shame because I packed my wipe clean boxers for the trip in anticipation. Nevermind. At least it was great meeting you guys in Japan 👋🏻
The main reason I went with the Ricoh GR III was simply the compact size, the way the lens has built in cover and folds flat when you turn it off. It fits in your jeans pocket, so it fits in any pocket. The other big reason was image quality. The GRIII might not have the best UI or quality buttons and dials, but it makes up for that by simply being so tiny with a lens. If i ever need a longer lens, then I’ll break out another camera but for 98% of the time, I just want simply snaps of high quality that i can fit in my pocket. As soon as you start putting a zoom lens, microphone and all that, you’ve lost the entire point of the “compact” camera and might as well get something like the LUMIX GH5 which is slightly bigger, but “does it all”
This camera seems just absolutely hobbled , and at $1500, it seems absurd. The biggest issue here is the lack of a mechanical shutter coupled with a slow readout sensor. First, it only shoots 12 bit RAW, so DR is going to be closer to APS-C cameras than most full frame bodies. Second, the camera can’t even shoot with a flash. Third, indoors you will often get severe banding due to artificial lights (even with their flicker matching). Fourth, the rolling shutter is bad enough that you can’t shoot action. So it’s $1500 but just not really usable for any serious photographic work that isn’t outdoors.
Very sad they kind of ruined all the appeal of this camera by not launching it with a real pancake lens. If there was something like a 30mm f2.5 pancake to go along with it, I think it is almost as popular as X100.
omg i remember you guys from digital rev years ago, i bought the fuji xm1 way back after watching your video in HK. I stopped watching the channel after you guys left. Funny i saw your video suddenly on my feed and the two of you are back together again. Really glad you guys kept it going.
Would love it as a secondary camera but the price point is a bit too high. Hopefully this kicks off a huge influx of compact cameras for all lens mounts, not just the l-mount. Competition breeds innovation and lower prices so I’m excited for the future.
In my eyes, this camera is best suited for video camera rigs. You get all the important video things from the S5ii without the extra bulk that is not needed for video. But it falls short as a point and shoot without an EVF and lack of dedicated buttons and dials, and it's not very ergonomic to hand hold in front of yourself due to lack of grip. I wish Panasonic made an update to the smallest m4/3 camera. They still have that, but that one is old. Need a modern one with their new AF and ibis. That also "fixes" the issue of the fact that this requires full frame lenses - which are all biiiigggg
they should have instead put out the S1 II - S1R II - S1H II. the only reason the S5 was a banger over the others was, it had the superior autofocus. they just need to put it into the other cameras.
Hopefully Panasonic release the Lumix S7 or something later on that is actually the camera people want: a similar compact body design, a good proper offset EVF (think the Leica Q2 or CL or Fuji XPro/XE, or even Sony α7C), an actual mechanical shutter, and a full-on hotshoe that takes flashes and digital mics. This camera isn't bad per se but it doesn't quite feel like it belongs anywhere either.
If video is your main focus I'd take this over the A7C for the 6K 10 bit. This camera is mainly being marketed for video and while I'm not a fan of it, its not directly trying to compete with the A7C.
Better IBIS, better LCD, better colors SOOC plus LUTs for both photo / video, better sensor readout speed, better video features, lower price. For hobby it's good enough.
As someone that uses an fp L as a side camera just for stills, most of the "issues" with the S9 aren't really issues for me. I prefer e-shutter and rarely put the EVF module or whatever on the fp, so this is just a better fp for me in most situations (fp, not fp L since I can't use APS-C mode and still have around 25mp). My main cameras are MFT; when I work I'm carrying an OM-5 with a 75mm f1.8 or 45mm f1.2 on for portraits that I focus on and a Pen F with a 15mm f1.7 or 20mm f1.4 for wider shots if I need something quick (those would be FF equiv field of views: 150mm, 90mm, 30mm, and 40mm for the few that don't know). I really wish the S9 would have just been a GX10 with the G9.ii sensor package and processor. I'd even be fine with a G100.ii, G110, or whatever that would have been a GH7/G9.ii Jr that fixed the few design issues with the G100 that took it from a great camera to pointless (lack of IBIS being one of them). Panasonic opting to go with the FF sensor package here kind of shows they're finished with more budget/cheaper MFT offerings. The G9.ii really comes across as their last way to testing the waters to see if it's worth releasing photo centric MFT cameras while just using the same R&D they're already doing for the GH7 put into a modified S5.ii shell. It didn't really sell well for that, people bought it as a better GH6. I might be wrong, they may release another MFT photo camera, but I highly doubt it since the G7 is still being sold. They're doing what OM-Sushi is doing, milking what they have for all it's worth before shutting it down to leave high-end video for MFT with the GH line, and that's about it. Shame, I have a G9 in my bag with a 12-40 f2.8 or 12-100mm f4 after giving away my EM1.iii to my work partner. I was hoping that the stars would align, and I would get a GX8 mark ii to replace it and possibly take over as my main body in general. Design wise, this is just an obese GM1. Imagine if they actually released a GM10 as the replacement for the G100 fiasco that was basically just a GM5 with a flip screen and as much of a G9.ii or GH7 spec wise they could fit in the body, losing the 1/500 mechanical shutter and everything else like the S9 to get the new MFT sensor package with IBIS.
I was gonna say, when the FX3 or the Sigma FP, or other cameras...came out without an EVF, there wasnt this much uproar about it lol. I wonder why lol.
Kai, You've got a great watch collection- so what gear would you recommend to shoot watches? A video on watch photography would be amazing and very much appreciated.
They needed to make a modern day Lumix GM1 successor. Not this. If they aim it for vloggers, m4/3 is much better than full frame. Panasonic! Give us GM1 mkii with modern IBIS and AF from the latest G9 and a small EVF, and if not a grip-bump in the front, at least a grippy material.
You can buy an S5ii with a 20-60 on sale atm for less money then this body only, I don't understand why you'd buy this unless it was so much cheaper then the S5ii and even then you lose so much of the benefits of the S5ii it just doesn't make any sense, only if size is somehow that important to you that you're willing to sacrifice so many QOL things? That 26mm f8 lens is a joke too.
Gerald Undone...made an 'interesting' video with regards this camera....caused a stir and a lot of reflecting on the side of camera reviewers.....@@natureredux1957
For context, on release: - Nov, 2012 USD$2099 Canon 6D - Nov, 2016 USD$1400 Sony a6500 (aps-c) - Feb, 2020 USD $1199 Fuji x100v (aps-c + fixed lens,~10min 4k30 recording limit) Adjust the S9 for inflation in relation to those years^ and it’s a freakin’ steal for the features.
To me the camera is ok ie. a full frame Ricoh etc but with no lenses with only a promise for future compact lenses. Most L Mount lenses will be overwhelming for such a small camera body. This makes it pointless to own if you want a small light full frame camera. Sadly I think it’s a joke camera being sold before it’s been fully designed. My advise is not to buy until the small zoom lens is developed. To me the 26mm fixed aperture f8 lens is a joke that other camera lenses companies sell for £60 not the Panasonic £199, although in the USA are offering it for free. I like Panasonic camera having owned the G7, G80 and the G9 all fine examples of their skills. To me it’s it’s a normal sized spade with an eight foot handle. The video is fine and enjoyable to watch as normal but the camera is disappointing.
The G100D OLED is surprisingly good - if it was built into the S9 then I would have bought the S9 for use with small voigtländer M lenses, but happy for now sticking to m43 with fast compact lenses like 9/1.7, 15/1.7, 20/1.7, 25/1.4.
On first glance It's a full frame interchangeable lens mobile sharing device. However if one has a favorite fixed focal length or an adapted manual lenses, tempers their accessory expectation, and accepts the limitations (or the limitations are irrelevant) it's a boring, sensible set-up.
Panasonic wants to fight against Fuji x100 and Leica Q3 with a similar design. But without viewfinder I do not see this camera marketed towards experienced photographers but more to content newcomers.excellent vidéo as always
I would have preferred a successor to the gx9 so I can use smaller lens. Panasonic seems to have borrowed the Canon cripple hammer to make this S9. This should have been the full frame interchangeable version of the Fuji X100VI. Better off getting a Nikon Zf if you want a cool looking full frame.
I'm generally a pretty big fan of Panasonic cameras but I feel like I'd go with a S5 2 or even an S5 1 if saving money and slap a pancake lens on it long before I'd go this route. The S5 isn't that big/heavy of a camera.
Next time fixed F16 please, we embrace the darkness! And about the compact size, remember the RX1 series :D that was a nice one even though it was a fixed lens system!
Never seen your channel before until now but I love the vibe and really enjoyed this video! New subscriber and also love that you highlighted the playback button issue during shooting!
And againg, is it the best to put the cameras biggest roll to mode-changing? What about the likes of LX100? And I'd like to know are you seeing much on the screen if sun is shining?
If this was sub 1200 with the zoom I would consider it but the fact that the S52 with kit len comes on sale often for around 1500 makes this almost a non starter.
We find ourselves right back to the starting gates. LUMIX makes a groundbreaking Camera…. Everyone looks for things to complain about. Years later Sony / Canon catches up and creates almost the same camera but everyone acts wowed. 😂
that pancake lens is such a deal breaker, imagine if they can make like canon's rf 28mm f2.8 stm pancake lens. this would be a fantastic travel camera.
You would think the minor IQ loss due to lack of mechanical shutter brings this closer to APS, partly negating the FF advantage. The smallest practical lenses would probably be the small sigma primes (which only go to 2.8 or 3.5 I believe) I would think something like an XT50 would ultimately be smaller and lighter with an f2 lens. It’s an interesting choice to go FF here. I think would’ve been better to use this body with MFT sensor so you can put those tiny fast primes on it?
I like the capabilities and features, but it still looks like a rough prototype to me. It also needs an excellent small kit lens to make it compact and shine.
