When Form Meets Function! The Reason why the Lumix G9 has Matured and not Aged since it's release! 

With COVID19 and Isolation, most of my videos will be from inside the house for the coming weeks/months! In this video, I talk about the Ergonomics of the G9. I touch briefly on the menus system but there really is another video there to talk about how impressively designed they are from a UI & UX perspective. Thanks for watching :)

Have been dreaming of the g9 ever since it was released a few years back. Had to settle for a g7 while I waited and finally bought it last week, and boy did it not disappoint. It was familiar enough that everything made sense when I picked it up but yet it improves on so much. I’ve worked with cannon, Sony, And Nikon cameras and I’ve never felt a more ergonomically perfect camera. Loving it so far

💯 agreed. I own a Fuji X-H1 and I love the ergonomics. A friend lent me the G9 and it’s is hands down the most ergo mic camera I have picked up. The customization of buttons and custom settings makes it incredible. Well done on this.

What a great video, I really like your blending of graphics with the footage to illustrate the points you make. And yes, the G9 is one of the most perfectly ergonomic cameras I've ever used (I probably have to go back to a Canon T90 for a similar feel, but rather plastic build quality). The G9 is such a hugely capable, pro' spec & quality camera, hard to see how it's design could be improved. Keep safe and well.

You explained exactly why I changed my A7RIII for a G9. Few people believe me when I say that my pictures are better with my G9 than with my Sony or my Leica M because photographers often confuse sharpness and good picture. But it's the truth thanks to its ergonomics, handling and embedded technology (IBIS, shutter speed etc...) , without speaking of the lenses. G9 is undoubtedly the best camera I ever had in 35 years.

At 62 years old I wanted a new camera system. So glad I went with the G9. Just bought a 2nd body. Rotator Cuff issues also played a part in the decision. Zero regrets. I have had days where I took over 1000 shots with my Leica 100-400 zoom and no physical issues. I feel all those "real photographers" that complain about the Micro 4/3 perceived negatives have never used one. Shot some college basketball games this week and sat beside a Nikon Pro. He spoke very highly of the Lumix G9 and comparing shots there was little to no difference. I will not change systems.

Your storytelling is top notch. Plus your blend of psychology and technology is fresh and relatable. Excellent video!

I love that you're coming to the same conclusions as me! I had options when I was shopping. The G9 was just released, the Sony A7iii was also just and the Fujifilm xt2 was out. I weighed the options for a very long time, over and over, finally just writing a pros and cons list and forcing my wife to listen to my thoughts. The G9 ticks off so many more boxes, for me, and it just out listed the others for pros. Sure, I sometimes have thought about a bigger sensor, but then the G9 grabs a shot that I may not have managed with the others, be it for stabilization or some other option. Didn't hurt that I already had a Panasonic GX7 and obviously a lens selection. Anyway, beauty vid, my man. I am 💯 the audience for this 😂😂😂

This has got to be one of the most underrated cameras out there. I own a Canon 5D mk4, a 6D, a sigma Fp and of course the G9 and it is the G9 that is my go to camera. The Sigma Fp is for my Astro work. The Canons are there collecting dust. I’ve taken the G9 on so many trips and it has survived it all.

Just rewatching this after circling back to getting this as a complimentary camera to the BMPCC4K and you’ve sold me. What a great camera. Great video as well.

How I wish I’d seen this video back in 2018. I spent months researching which camera to get having been with Canon for ages. This video just sums up everything about the G9 for me. With the grip it feels like it was designed specifically for me and amalgamates the best of the Canons and Nikons I’ve used in the past. I only posted on a Lumix group yesterday that I’ve had the camera for four years now and it doesn’t feel dated at all - far from it, I’m still discovering things about it. Now I’ve subscribed I’m probably going to find out you’ve switched to Sony now! Anyway, great video - very different.

During birth some of my left arm's nerves were injured, which now limits the functionality of both my arm & hand. In my case some of your comments are quite poignant. I now have a Panasonic Fz 2500 bridge camera which fits well in my right hand & with the camera's capacity to personalize itself through the assigning of it's function buttons & soft ones on the monitor screen, adds to it's ease of use. When I get ' my ' G9 one of the 1st things I do will be to re-assign the playback to the right side for my good hands use. I've modified a strap, which - in conjunction with the neck strap - attaches to the camera's right side metal grommet. I've made this into a 2 in loop which my right hand's 2 middle fingers slip through. The back of these fingers now give added support to the weight of the camera, while leaving the finger tips free to operate the camera's top wheels & buttons. I've also designed a short telescoping mono-pole that screws into the camera's bottom threads. I have a neck / chest strap with it's pouch that the pole's ' foot ' sets in. My left hand can grip this pole which adds stability when I shoot. I'm looking forward to having a M4/3 sensor which is over twice the size of my Fz's 1 inch one. Enjoyed your presentation.

Brilliant cameras and panasonic really know how to make a camera to fit perfectly in the hand with buttons in the right places. I use the g80 have done for a few years and do a mixture of photo and video, this works perfectly for this. I'm no professional but this camera helps me achieve nice timelapse, reasonable astro shots ( especially for a small sensor) and puts up with some harsh weather up in the hills. Anyways brilliant video keep them coming as it's looking like I'm in isolation for 12 weeks in the uk and will be needing entertainment 👍. Thanks and take care. Steve

Ive shot weddings for 35 years with everything from 35mm, 6x6, 645 and have permanent shoulder and neck damage. G9 and GH5 has meant i can still shoot a full wedding day, Love the ergos of this system. 100% agree with you on this video. Been 2 years on this system now both shooting photo and video.

The best hybrid camera! Especially when the 2.0 firmware came

19 programmable buttons and 5 custom dial settings plus a Quick Menu button which you can populate from 42 settings and, if that’s not enough, a My Menu option (which always opens first) to add anything else. I literally have to go through all my settings once a week to try and memorise them. Once you have built up some ‘muscle memory’ or button memory it’s very easy to change settings without moving the camera away from your eye!

Im seriously in love with this camera. I have sony, fuji and they are great, but this thing is really something else.

Great video I am a Canadian Health and Safety Professional and also a G9 owner...you make some very valid points regarding ergonomics....well done!

I'd been using Olympus bodies and wanted a small and light travel camera. Decided to try a GX9 and overall liked it very much as a small, light, discrete camera for travel, street, etc. But it makes compromises. I resisted trying a G9 because it just seemed too big. But I eventually succumbed. It does all of the things the GX9 was neither capable nor designed to do. I've certainly not used a huge range of cameras to make valid comparisons. But I do find the ergonomics and handling of the G9 to be outstanding.

It's worth noting that the larger body with a smaller MFT sensor allows for two other advantages compared to cameras with either smaller bodies or full-frame counterparts... 1) outstanding in-body stabilization and 2) better heat dissipation. Outstanding design.

Such a superb video explanation of this model.

I got my G9 late last year, and I have to agree with you completely. I am so in love with mine, best ergonomics and handling of any camera I’ve every used. I’ve been a fan of Panasonic MFT cameras for quite some time and had a GX9 already with a reasonable selection of lenses (upgraded from older Panasonic MFT kit) but I missed having an SLR style body with a long lens for wildlife... so when I was lucky enough to be in the position to be able to get a G9 and the 100-400 Panasonic zoom, I jumped at the chance. Absolutely do not regret it one bit. It is hands down the nicest camera I’ve ever used, and I even find myself using it when perhaps the GX9 might have been a more sensible choice due to being more compact, simply because I enjoy using it so much. Thank you for such a well produced and informative video! 👍🏻

M4/3 is a joy in the hand. Panasonic from the G7 onwards have felt amazing, as have all the E-M1 line from Oly. The G9 and the EM-1X are the two best cameras I've ever felt in terms of ergonomics. The right balance of size, heft, controls and durability.

Great video Connor! Couldn't agree more with all your points. Have been using the G9 for almost 2 years now. I bought it alongside my GH5S to serve as a 2nd camera for my videography business, but over time it has become my main camera body and specially with the new firmware and optional V-Log upgrade, it's possibly one of the best cameras Panasonic ever built. I have no plans of upgrading any time soon at all.

Thank you for this video. Almost every camera review glosses over ergonomics. I perked up a little when the g9 was announced, but was really gobsmacked upon the release of the s1. I don't know what has been going on in panasonic's camera design team, but they are killing it. I wish this same level of consideration could be applied to smaller cameras. With every iteration, from gx7 to gx85 to gx9, the grip has gotten worse. The majority of the buttons are under the ball of the thumb, no buttons on the front, the back dial is tough to feel and is now malfunctioning, and the fn3 button is too low and far to the left. To add insult to injury, the af-on button is in a good place, but af lock doesn't work properly, making it useless. I'm not a sony shooter, but I'm sure a6xxx users are seething, as the a7 line gets needed redesigns, when the aps-c cameras are almost deliberately neglected.

I am very agree with you...so that's why I am still used G9 and GH5 until now. Not everyone understand why you said,but you already have honest for this review. Keep safe Brow...

Thank you for a great video! I totally agree with you! The G9 just get the job done and for that it makes me a better photographer (even though I own both Sony A7rii and Fuji X-H1 I seldom use these - I always bring the G9!)

This is not the video I was expecting but definitely what I needed, thank you Connor.

I'm just sitting here in homeoffice listening to your video like a podcast to have the feeling of someone around :D You would make a great podcast speaker man! cheers

That is why my wife and I still own a 2003 BMW E39 - It just feels right. Like a broken-in pair of sneakers. I am married to the glass now, so just waiting for a G9+. I Will Never Sell My G9

Few days left to get 2.4 update. Using for two years as video camera. Bought in the UK with Rokinon cine lenses. Cheap and best camera.

I Love the G9 so much. Perfect Body. And my favorite lenses makes it a light and not so expensive "always with me"-Set. (G9/14-2.5/25-1.7/42,5-1.7) It is so perfect that i dont like it no more use other stuff, so i decided to sell the rest of my other stuff from C. and N. and S.

I have watched all of your extremely entertaining and informative video's Connor. Especially on the G9. We are all so lucky to have RU-vid as a resource watching & listening to the opinions of professional photographers and videographers. I have decided to go with the G9 !! Keep up the Sterling work👍

Not much to add here except that I love it as well. I have been back and forth between this camera and some Sony cameras and I keep coming back to the G9 because I miss it so. It is just so easy to use, feels great in the hand and allows me to quickly make adjustments and get the shot - often a necessity with an impatient family in tow...haha! Anyway, hope all is good with you Connor. Really enjoying your videos.

Having both Olympus and Lumix cameras, the menus on the Lumix still baffle me.....Oly. second nature for me...😘📸

Great Video. Well done! We own a G9 ourselves and are really happy with it. We just bought some of the native Sigma f.1.4 MFT Lenses (16, 30, 56mm) and they are a bliss for lowlight & bokeh. Keep up the great work 🙌🏼

THANKS for this video! I love this camera! Simply a joy to work with and there is nothing I would change!

Nicely done as usual and nice to see some thought given to an often over looked aspect of camera use.The only problem with having something with good ergonomics is that people can't boast about it on social media like they can with full frame sensors,video rigs that weigh more than a Cadillac,8K video recording and Canon L lenses. I'd never thought about my recently acquired G9 in this way,sure it felt 'nice' to hold and was a worthwhile upgrade to my old G80.So I had to go and have a loving fondle of it after watching this video.The combination of ergonmics,fantastic kit lens,image quality better than my eyes and weight saving over any other type of camera system I'd owned made it a no brainer.The free three year extended warranty and £150 off for it being an open box sale were a nice bonus,but definitely not the deciding vote.

I love this camera 😍😍😍😍

It’s been a wonderful camera for me also and yes it makes photography a joy and it’s improved my photos more since I got it last August than in many, many years! Me I’m planning on getting out even more I’m healthy and unless you have health issues there is nothing to fear except the media hyping it up and scaring people across the globe!

I've been a M43 user since 2010 with my GF1. I bought a G9 this year (2020) and I'm awestruck from it. I'm coming from a GX8. Panasonic gets so many little things right with usability. It's the little things like menu system, ergonomics, and customizability that most users minimize while focusing on other blatant spec's like sensor size. I'm having a really hard time fathoming what Panasonic can do to improve on the G9

Well said, but apart from your enthusiastic reaction to G9 I'd add one flaw that goes in a way of the photographer who is using this camera - the shutter button is way too sensitive, I am constantly ending up with big number of unwanted accidental shots, and that is something very frustrating. This also makes difficult to use AF with manual adjustments because you have to keep shutter button half pressed and with larger lenses it is very difficult to do. But you are right in everythng you've said - yesterday I took G9 with 100-400mm on long trip, and carrying it in one hand all the time for several hours causes no pain or any harm or fatigue to my body. And that was quite a big setup. Deep grip helps with it as well as very good weight distribution even with such a big lens.

Regarding the position of the preview button I have configured the left position rotary dial to do this. The original button can be configured for a less used function.

DUDE wonderful review! Good job!

Great vid about a little talked about yet important topic Connor! I do not have a G9 but share very similar sentiments about my G80/85.

I've been using a G9 for about a year now, and it's a superb camera. The ergonomics are second to none. Unfortunately, recently I tried a A7III and I was blown away with the sensor and the autofocus. However, the body in general does not come close to the G9... Hmm, now I need a Panasonic G9 with a FF sensor. Don't tell me Panasonic S1, that thing is HUGE!!

That's how I feel about the gh5

As a G7 user, and I consider to upgrade to G9 or GH5. I feel mft more comfortable in hand, small but powerful. Cons is the limitation with lowlight but proper lighting can handle this, so why not? And I liked your opinion about the ergonomics. Subs!

As a Anthropologist (no really) I can verify everything you said... It should be in the Museum of Modern Art!!! Wow 🤩 I haven’t used my degree in like forever, I have one in Archeology too! Let me know if you find any ancient ruins... So well done 👍🏻

I agree with you G9 is a pleasure to use, but it has one big problem: auto focus, if only that camera would have phase detection would be a dream

Thoroughly enjoyed this video. So interesting. I'm researching buying my first quality camera and my instincts are screaming at me to buy this one. My only cause for hesitation is the obsession with full frame and the thought I'll be missing out, but your comparisons with the A7iii don't appear to show any stark differences in quality.

My next camera! Going to switch from oly to pani

Beauiful work Connor. :)

well done video! Thank you!! Loving my G9 ! :D

For a budget version get the g85. It is fantastic for the price too.

Iam 55 I've got a knackered back and hips from Carry's photocopiers up and down stairs for 17 year's. And I have to say the g9 is great . I loved my Nikon D300 with 24-120 lens but it was to heavy.

I just stumbled across this video and I wanted to tell you that you are the only person it seems on the planet that truly cares about camera ergonomics. How the camera feels in your hands, control placement, ease of use etc. How much the system weighs with the lens you need. Can you hold and use said camera ALL DAY LONG? Most cameras made today put these concerns at the last or not at all. Specs are everything to the marketing groups and so what if it takes 5 days of fiddling to get the camera set up to take a rather simple photograph. But don't bump said camera because the setup will have disappeared. I have owned everything from Hasselblads, Nikons, Canon, Panasonic, to Olympus. I will probably never own Sony because they are the absolute worst at physical ergonomics. Canons are ok ergonomically but not for mirrorless. The rest are just terrible in some factor or another. Bloated menus and features, cramped finger placement, random button and dial placement and usage, on and on. Updated cameras in a product line usually move the buttons around for no good reason. ALL of these factors take away from what you own a camera for in the first place, namely to take a photograph that no other physical device can take, and do it all day long for days at a time. I gave up a year ago on dedicated cameras. My Samsung Galaxy Note 9 takes better photos, completely automatically, in any light, than all of my previous cameras have tried to do with virtually NO stress, or frustration. I just can't use it for anything special like telephoto or extreme macro. Otherwise, I pull the smartphone out of my pocket and in two button pushes, take a perfectly exposed photo that in another two button pushes share with anyone on the planet. There is no dedicated camera on this planet that can do that. Keep up the good work. Regards.

How do you feel about a corner vs center mounted viewfinder? Outside of bracing against long lenses, I think the rangefinder style should be the standard (nose off screen, left eye less obstructed). Maybe it's different for left-eye shooters?

Great videos and reviews mate. I’m getting this camera with the Leica 12-60 off the back of your reviews. 👍🏼 thankyou. Subbed on here and Insta.

The G9 has nice ergonomics , but so does my Z6 that has an astonishing sensor and 1.8 glass which is pretty light . The S1 series also have great ergonomics despite their size which I don’t mind at all .

Instant subscribe. You knocked the ball out of the park with this vid. I can watch you review a toothbrush!

An excellent representation of this camera, everything you say is true in my mind. For me the design team, technologists and the leadership at Lumix Panasonic deserve much more recognition than they are given. I won’t bore people with the long list of positives about this camera, they are simply too many which I guess says it all. Maybe it’s ahead of its time and yet, if so, that’s not only testament to the design teams forward thinking but also to their broad depth knowledge and understanding of customer needs and satisfaction. 👌Panasonic 👏Connor.

Any negatives? I'm planning to buy this camera in the next 30-60 days. My only concerns at this point are the video 10/30 minute limit, but I don't think I'll ever shoot a clip that long.

Very well done video!!!

I really look forward to having this as a second camera. The only problem is that the bundle is not available anymore, and at 1100 Euros body only this is not that of a great deal anymore.

I like mine! Only wish it had a Sony bsi sensor in it!

love the video bro ! very inspiring and the drawing concept its awesome, gives the video another taste, how do you feel the G9 with the grip ? i sadly don't have it still, i will order it as soon as i can because here in my country Honduras, everyone is lockdown mode, so even if i make the order i wont be able to receive the package :( however i will order the third party neewer battery grip, and also the only thing that it's a little uncomfortable for me is where to put your right hand while shooting a picture because the lenses are so small that it's kind of weird (don't know if you have this issue) i use a smallrig L-bracket btw! take care bro !

I’m loving the G9 videos I’m considering if I should go with the a6400 or the G9. I’m coming from a G7 what’s the autofocus and low light performance like???

Amazing video, Connor! 👍 IM 😎

Nice ! Make a 4k 10 bit video test with firmware 2.0 please . I hope I'd get this cam this year

Thanks for sharing those thoughts ! Could you tell us which video settings you use ?

I would like to invest in a G9 as I currently have a GH2, but there is a big BUT. What I cannot stand with the GH2 is the extremely looooong time it takes to start recording a video after power-on. Can someone confirm that this is VERY QUICK in a G9?

And they've done the same with the S1 series. It has EXCELLENT ergonomics, other than its weight. But even with that ridiculous 50mm f1.4 lens, its outstanding.

Yes, but the S5 at about the $2k in L mount changes everything for stills photography. Combine it with the L mount Lumix 85mm f 1.8 and it's probably all you need for fashion and portraits, even for a pro. Only a Leica lens would be better but that costs $5k. If you are serious about videos then the GH6 is a better choice, as is a proper video camera with a cine lens like the Lumix BG-H1. Hybrid cameras just make too many compromises.

Favourite glass for it?

Nice video thanks.

I love my G9, but you keep showing it with the battery grip. I have the grip, but almost never use it. It's terrible if you use tripod, gimbals, or other supports. You show a mini tripod screwed to the battery grip, which underscores a real weakness of the grip in that it doesn't have an Arca dovetail build in. Add a quick release plate, and it messes up the grip. I use a Smallrig Arca bracket with the L part removed except for studio shooting. That makes the pinky happy and you have a much better system for support mounts. And since you show a super zoom, I hate the ergonomics of the Lumix-Zeiss lenses, where the switches for manual focus and OIS are way too easy to change via camera bag friction. My 100-400 requires me to frequently check the switch settings and to rotate the collar so they're at the top of the lens. Using the tripod foot as a grip on that lens strikes me as quite un-ergonomic.

Very well done video! I got a lot out of it, and being a G9 owner echo all that you say. There's one beef I personally have with this camera though. I am calling it what it is - an ergonomics-design mistake! This design error is that the image preview button's placement is a la Nikon, to the top left of the screen. Accessing it forces you to regrip/rebalance the camera in your hand with your left thumb, switching the hold-grip to the right hand and doubly difficult to swing your left hand move past when it is popped out to the left. That, or you reposition your right hand to reach and punch said button. Awkward at best, infuriating if you have to do a lot of chimping and zooming focus checking post shot. It should be instead placed somewhere at the top right of the screen so you can hit it w your right thumb which is already used to punching all the other right-side buttons. And yes, I know I can program another button to do this but that particular button being SO important and SO often used, if they had just done a hand motion study they surely would have realized it's very awkward and if the photographer is shooting hundreds or thousands of shots in a day... you get it, or get carpal from it... however there is a fix Panasonic could do - and in fact they could actually implement this fix in ALL Lumix cameras - and that would be to add a graphic icon/button within the top level of the menu, always accessible from every pt in the menu and that LIGHTLY tapping this icon (vs the finger force of pushing a spring loaded button) allows you you ergonomically switch to image preview - that vs, the repetitive strain injury of CONSTANTLY hittin' that preview. Panasonic could easily program this functionality in via firmware. With this addition you could make the ergonomics of this great camera even more perfect, and with this programming change not just in the G9 but in ALL current Lumix models. I am not trolling Panasonic btw, for I have the same prob with my Nikon... not sure if Canon's have the same left side preview button placement but I think pretty much this has become a standard in DSLR camera design. Let's change it!

Man I’m still at a loss between the g9 and the gh5! I’m into video and weddings but I want to be able to take great photos and still do great video. I know since the update the g9 got more capable in video but is it up to par with the gh5? Im intrigued by its photo capabilities but I’m worried about the time limits with the recording and such, argh I’m still confused 🤷‍♂️

How does the S1 body compare? I loved my ergos on my GH5 - moved to fuji but i had to get a battery grip to make it feel right.

what kind of mini tripod did you have there?

Ey man, does the 180fps have audio?

Once you've felt a camera that's a true ergonomic pleasure to hold, you won't want to ever have a camera without that feeling again. Good ergonomics will have you wanting to use the camera more often. No other feature has that effect and yet so many cameras have a grip as if it's designed for a different species' hands! Ha

AMEN.

I love Micro 4/3 but I really dislike my G9. Way too big, too heavy and bad AF in low light. Also don’t like the placement of some important buttons. It’s great for video but as a still camera I would never choose this over the Olympus EM1 MKII/MKIII. I sold my G9 last week to get the Olympus EM5 MKIII. Except for video, I like it more in every way. Small, light and super fast AF even in low light. I don’t understand the size of the G9. The full frame Panasonic S5 is smaller..

.. yep... GX9... Thanks, and look after yourself...

Come on man, you and I know well that photography is not only the ergonomicis of a device, talk about better features of that camera that others cameras don´t have, etc.

What do you mean ergonomically perfect? The camera is massive for such a little sensor! I agree, it’s an awesome camera, but when there are full frame cameras half the size, it doesn’t make sense to use a camera this big for the sensor size. For this reason I am getting rid of my g9

how is the video quality in night street?

I have to say the play button and focus joystick are the worst places for my own hands!

I don't think it's better than the fujifilm x-t4 that's coming out

In first minute I was thinking about my Fujifilm xpro's and realize how 99% of the cameras including G9 coming too short in ergonomics. Beside the fact that G9 has to be operated with two hands I have no other complains using G9 along Fujifilm xpro's.

1st ...To me the G9 is a great camera in many ways...2nd ... i have some sand i would like sold to the Arabs

Not the best mirrorless by far - I tried this - and others - before going down the GFX route - GFX has far bettor balance and ergonomics and theres the pic quality on top - also cheaper than the current Lumix

Sadly too big for the size of the sensor

The G9 has nice ergonomics , but so does my Z6 that has an astonishing sensor and 1.8 glass which is pretty light . The S1 series also have great ergonomics despite their size which I don’t mind at all .