Panasonic G9 II Review
- Panasonic G9 II: Overview
- Panasonic G9 II: Design & Handling
- Panasonic G9 II: Imaging Capabilities
- Panasonic G9 II: Video Capabilities
- Recommended Lenses for the Panasonic G9 II
- Final Thoughts on the Panasonic G9 II
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 100 - 25,600 (expandable to 50 - 25,600)
- Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Mount
- Speed: 60.0 fps
- Autofocus: 779 focus points
- Video: 5.8K/30p, 4K/120p & 1080p/240p
- Size/Weight: 134 x 102 x 90 mm / 658 grams
- Battery Life: 390 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Panasonic G9 II Price: $1,799 - $1,829
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In this Panasonic G9 II review, we’ll examine everything there is to know about this Panasonic G mirrorless camera. We’ll discuss its build quality, photo/video performance, price, recommend our favorite MFT lenses, and more. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative photography company that offers high-quality used photo and video gear at affordable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by professional product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
What truly separates MPB from other retailers, though, is its state-of-the-art online platform. It’s a one-of-a-kind tool that has helped us save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years, and we believe it can do the same for you. With that in mind, join us to find out if the Panasonic G9 II is a good fit for you!
Check out the video above by Engadget to learn more about the Panasonic G9 Mark II and why it’s Panasonic’s best micro four thirds camera to date.
Table of Contents
Panasonic G9 II: Overview
The Panasonic G9 II is an advanced micro four-thirds mirrorless camera that came out at the end of 2023. It replaced the original Panasonic Lumix G9 as Panasonic’s flagship MFT camera for hybrid content creators. That said, it’s more tailored towards people who primarily shoot photos. If you are a video-first creator, you should opt for the Panasonic Lumix GH6.
The G9 II houses a 25.2-megapixel micro four thirds sensor and an updated imaging processing engine. These two features work together to make the new camera faster and more powerful than its predecessor.
The autofocus system is one area in particular that’s seen a huge uptick in performance. The hybrid autofocus system has 779 phase-detection points and uses depth-aware technology to better detect different types of subjects (humans, animals, & cars) and deliver more accurate results.
Now, here’s a closer look at the Panasonic G9 II specs and key features:
Panasonic G9 II: Design & Handling
If you are familiar with the first Panasonic Lumix G9, you will immediately notice that it looks drastically different than the Panasonic G9 II. While the older camera had a boxier style and more closely resembled a DSLR, the newer model has the look and feel of other modern mirrorless cameras.
One of the biggest perks of its design is that it’s smaller and lighter, making it a better camera for street, landscape, and travel photography. Other design improvements include two top control dials, more customizable buttons, and a more ergonomic 8-way joystick.
All the previously mentioned upgrades make it easier to work with the camera and boost workflow speed. One feature we miss about the old camera is its top LCD. However, it’s not a deal breaker. We are also a bit disappointed with the battery life. Rated at 390 shots, most other cameras in the same price range have longer-lasting batteries.
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Panasonic G9 II: Imaging Capabilities
Thanks to its long list of premium features for still photography, the Panasonic G9 II is an excellent option for professional photographers who prefer shooting with a micro four thirds camera. For starters, its 25MP image sensor outpaces most other MFT cameras in terms of resolution.
Raw photos taken with the G9 II have a wide dynamic range and are ideal for photo editing in post-production. One reason for this is the camera's dual output gain system, which captures highlights and shadows separately before combining them into one 16-bit image. Alternatively, JPEGs are good for people who don’t like editing because they boast vibrant colors as well as solid sharpening and noise reduction straight from the camera.
Other impressive photography features are the camera’s fast burst shooting, high-resolution mode, and live composite mode. The G9 II can shoot continuously at up to 60 fps using its electronic shutter and 10 fps with the mechanical shutter. High-res mode outputs 100MP photos, while live composite mode captures unique multiple-exposure pictures.
Panasonic G9 II: Video Capabilities
Although the Panasonic G9 II is primarily marketed as a stills camera, it performs quite well as a video camera. For professional videographers and filmmakers, it records “Open Gate” 5.8K video at either 24 or 30 fps from the full width of the sensor. It also has 4K and 1080p Full HD video capabilities.
You can film 4K footage at frame rates as high as 120 fps (slow-motion video) and 1080p movies at 240 fps (super-slow-motion video). Moreover, the G9 II has multiple pro-level codecs and gamma curves for video. For example, you can adjust the camera settings to record video in ProRes 422, ProRes 422 HQ, V-log, or Cinelike D2.
Two other video-friendly features are the fully articulating screen and dual memory card slots. The articulating screen is a game-changer for vloggers and YouTubers, as it lets you easily compose and record high-quality selfie videos. At the same time, the two memory card ports allow you to record uninterrupted for longer.
Recommended Lenses for the Panasonic G9 II
Here’s a quick list of some of the best micro four thirds lenses for photos and video that you can use with the Panasonic G9 II.
Final Thoughts on the Panasonic G9 II
As you can see, the Panasonic G9 II has a lot going for it. It’s absolutely loaded with advanced photo and video specs, making it an ideal choice for professional and semi-professional photographers. Without a doubt, it’s our favorite hybrid micro four thirds camera for photography. If you lean more toward video, the Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a good alternative.
Do you want to compare and contrast the Panasonic G9 II with other used Micro Four Thirds cameras? If so, check out the list below of more Panasonic and Olympus mirrorless cameras on sale now at MPB.
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