I also have both of them. Bought the pen 6-7 months ago and the gx9 less than a month ago. LOVE them both!. Both of them give me such pleasure when im going out shooting street photography. Their color reproduction, their style, their retro look, their simple easy access to creativity...they have this mojo...this magic that make you want shooting with them more and more. I had nikon, canon and fuji in the past. But this system ( mft ) and those particular cameras give me more fun than ever before. They are So Underestimated.
I’ve just walked in the door after picking up an immaculate pen-f from some guy on fbook marketplace for £400, boxed with all original accessories, a lot for an ‘older’ camera but so much cheaper than any others, my m.z. 17mm1.8 will probably live on it. Looking forward to hitting the streets!
I had the GX9 for a while and I liked it, but the EVF was horrible. Then I bought the GX85 and I love it. The 16MP sensor images are sooo colorful. It’s smaller and has IBIS. The GX9 paired with the 14mm lens it’s the best casual-document-your-life camera out there, specially because it’s so cheap that you will take it everywhere. The Pen F is the coolest digital camera ever. Just needs weather sealing, better EvF and a 25MP sensor and I will not buy anymore cameras ever…..lies….😂
Sure I would prefer a better EVF but I honestly don't find it to be that of an issue on the GX9. I improved it by purchasing the Panasonic GX9 eyecup (DMW-EC5). This improved the viewing by transforming the EVF into some dark chamber with a clear view of the subject. I definitely recommend that accessory on the GX9.
i have them both cause i love small camera body and lenes. for me and just for me , penf is the winner, it's so well designed makes me feel even leica should learn a thing of two from this camera. and yes, it's small, but was a flagship model, so you can find so many functions that you only can find on the top olympus cameras. the most important thing is it's so fun to use. i now use a leica 35mm lens on it, and carry it everywhere i go. for gx9, is also a good camera, but i trade it off last year cause i found i barely use it, it just cant give me that feeling of using penf.
Great video Grant. I bought my Pen-F not long after you got yours, and use it way more than my GX9. I love the film like shooting experience you describe, especially when shooting EVF only. I also like using the high res mode, and would like to see how well they look when printed.
My GX80 was my first ‘modernish’ m43 camera ( i had the Ep-1 ) and i loved it but for one thing; i just really struggled with the field sequential EVF. Just doesn’t work for my prescription and i much prefer using the viewfinder. I just wish lumix could come out with an updated camera in the same format but with a better EVF. I had the G100 but as we know, that loses any form of IBIS.
Just picked up a GX9 to pair with my G9 .. Making the switch back to m4/3 and so far WOW.... I am enjoying the images (I do sell my images from events such as car show and putting marketing material together for car clubs) ... I still have a crop and FF camera but I use the M4/3 far more !!
I do really like the look of pen-f, gx9 is too sleek and modern looking and doesn't have that beautiful retro silver unless you get the japanese version. But pen-f currently costs like 1.7-2x GX9 in used market from where I live, and it's kinda hard to justify paying that much more for something with slightly worse performance/handling/menus. imo a Pen-f mkii is likely the best direct competitor to Fujifilm stuff, m43 vs. apsc is much closer than apsc vs. ff and all the computational stuff would help to fill the gap in IQ, just like how Fujifilm filled the gap between their lineup and ff alternatives with retro designs and social media advertising. Both give the retro look many people are after rn and both have a good collection of film filters. Fujifilm playing around with supply and aggressive pricing do leave large room for OM system to step in and take a piece of the cake, "cheaper and equally good looking Fujifilm alternative that's readily available and has superior lens system" really sounds like a compelling product. If Olympus/OM system had the courage to take the leap and embrace the whole retro asthetic & social media game Fujifilm had been playing, the company and m43 as a whole would probably be in a much better position than it is today.
Same for me: I have both snd cannot chose. it was the X100V that went on e-bay. the only critics I have is the viewfinder on the Panasonic which is really bad quality and the thumb grip of the PenF which becomes deformed and comes off, so that it cannot be glued back. Fortunately I got 4 spares. I can't understand why they are not made any more!
I am a still photographer...I like both...But the GX9 wins for me...flip down screen...total right hand buttons...but to be honest I love the Sony A7c much better...I have small primes for my Sony so weight wise its a toss....small gear all rocks.
I had both of these and sold both relatively quickly. The gx because of viewfinder problems (diopter never sharp) and the pen because of slow startup time and fiddliness. Regrets? I've had a few! I have considered buying both again. The pen because it has mojo, but the gx i miss more. It was the only camera that checked all the boxes for me. Styling, tilt / touch screen, stabilisation, speed. Maybe I just had a `bad sample! ´🤨
I found it interesting that you comment that the viewfinder isn't sharp. I find that the picture that appears in the viewfinder for review immediately after shooting doesn't look sharp (same with G9). The pictures when viewed on the computer are fine. It took ages for me to have confidence that the pictures were focussed.
yeah, it was weird, the diopter seemed top go right past the sharp point, there was never a point at which it was `just right´. The pictures looked fine, but it just bugged me cause at the time the camera and the 15mm zeiss was more than 1K euros and so it went back. @@uphollandlatic
I prefer Panasonic GX as it color system is based on industrial camera color standard. Once the on-site white color value is reset to zero, every photo would be most perfect in color. On the other hand, Olympus has twisted their color a little bit. As the result, their photo always look too saturated for me. I love true color image.
@@grantrobertdavies Nikon also has standard color system without twisting and can shoot perfect color photo. On the other way, Canon and Sony camera always have fake green leaves color due to their twisting the color standards.
I have owned both cameras. I still have the Pen F, but I sold the GX9 and purchased an LX100 M2. The LX is basically a GX9 with a Leica lens built-in, though it lacks the tilting screen. IMHO, the image quality between the three is basically a wash. The only thing that gives the GX9 an advantage over the Pen F is the 4K video, so it has a slight edge. But if you put them on a table side-by-side, I’m going to pick up the Pen F every time. I don’t mean to offend, but the GX9 is just boring to look at. (I admit that’s probably a dumb reason to choose a camera. 😅)
Ah, the video I was waiting for. I continuously come back to my GX9 for the awesome images SOOC and even some flexibility they have in post. I also LOVE those colors so much! I have never used the Pen. For my street photography which is the intention, sounds like I don't need to buy the Pen. My Fuji X-T30II seems to offer a lot of the pros you mention that the Pen has. They actually seem a lot a like. I also did NOT know the Pen has the flip out screen. That's a big NO for me.Thank you Grant!
Unfortunately thi$ boil$ down to $. The Pen F is beautiful but it's significantly higher in price. I think my 15mm 1.7 will pair nicer with the Lumix! If not, it'll go on my Elp-6... A great review and thank you for it!
Panasonic have long had the best colour authenticity of any camera brand. So you are going to get the best colour reproduction there. Olympus, even with the same sensor, cannot reproduce violet. There are some flowers with a pale violet stripe which Panasonic can nail but Olympus, meh. Except the PEN-F, that can come close to doing the job. The PEN-F though is a jpeg monster, meaning you have to "shoot for the jpeg" and use that colour/mono profile dial to get the most out of it. You do have to think what you're doing before you poke the shutter with the PEN-F (any camera really but particularly this one). The EVF on the PEN-F is good but that eyecup is too small and it can be awkward; it should also have been given a tilt monitor. PEN-F IBIS is (cof) 6.5 stops which is good to about 200mm lens. Handling improved without the weight if a L-plate grip by a leather over aluminium half-case. The PEN-F does have three dials. It's a bit like a grown-up E-PL7, which I've had for so long it's like an old glove. I do not have a GX9 but we do have the GX7, and several other Panasonic and Olympus backs incl G9 (the Dual2 is something else)
I also have both of them. Bought the pen 6-7 months ago and the gx9 less than a month ago. LOVE them both!. Both of them give me such pleasure when im going out shooting street photography. Their color reproduction, their style, their retro look, their simple easy access to creativity...they have this mojo...this magic that make you want shooting with them more and more. I had nikon, canon and fuji in the past. But this system ( mft ) and those particular cameras give me more fun than ever before. They are So Underestimated.
Pen F of course for how it makes you feel using it.
I’ve just walked in the door after picking up an immaculate pen-f from some guy on fbook marketplace for £400, boxed with all original accessories, a lot for an ‘older’ camera but so much cheaper than any others, my m.z. 17mm1.8 will probably live on it. Looking forward to hitting the streets!
I had the GX9 for a while and I liked it, but the EVF was horrible. Then I bought the GX85 and I love it. The 16MP sensor images are sooo colorful. It’s smaller and has IBIS. The GX9 paired with the 14mm lens it’s the best casual-document-your-life camera out there, specially because it’s so cheap that you will take it everywhere. The Pen F is the coolest digital camera ever. Just needs weather sealing, better EvF and a 25MP sensor and I will not buy anymore cameras ever…..lies….😂
Sure I would prefer a better EVF but I honestly don't find it to be that of an issue on the GX9. I improved it by purchasing the Panasonic GX9 eyecup (DMW-EC5). This improved the viewing by transforming the EVF into some dark chamber with a clear view of the subject.
I definitely recommend that accessory on the GX9.
Is the EVF on the GX85 better than the GX9?
@@elzafirnope, I have both and they are basically the same
hi Grant, i just put my back focus button on the Magnifying button (just above the Menu button). Its easier to reach with my thumb.
i have them both cause i love small camera body and lenes. for me and just for me , penf is the winner, it's so well designed makes me feel even leica should learn a thing of two from this camera. and yes, it's small, but was a flagship model, so you can find so many functions that you only can find on the top olympus cameras. the most important thing is it's so fun to use.
i now use a leica 35mm lens on it, and carry it everywhere i go. for gx9, is also a good camera, but i trade it off last year cause i found i barely use it, it just cant give me that feeling of using penf.
Great video Grant. I bought my Pen-F not long after you got yours, and use it way more than my GX9. I love the film like shooting experience you describe, especially when shooting EVF only. I also like using the high res mode, and would like to see how well they look when printed.
My GX80 was my first ‘modernish’ m43 camera ( i had the Ep-1 ) and i loved it but for one thing; i just really struggled with the field sequential EVF. Just doesn’t work for my prescription and i much prefer using the viewfinder.
I just wish lumix could come out with an updated camera in the same format but with a better EVF. I had the G100 but as we know, that loses any form of IBIS.
I have E-P7, it's the best, like Pen F, but 4K video too (uncropped).
I miss evf.
@@IvanAgram As a cinematographer I do not use EVF, but I can understand it may be important to photographers.
Put Ricoh GV-3 finder conbined 20mm f1.4 lens, it`s cool and GR killer.
Just picked up a GX9 to pair with my G9 .. Making the switch back to m4/3 and so far WOW.... I am enjoying the images (I do sell my images from events such as car show and putting marketing material together for car clubs) ... I still have a crop and FF camera but I use the M4/3 far more !!
I love my penf but at the same time i hate it really really hate it because of the articulating screen.
I do really like the look of pen-f, gx9 is too sleek and modern looking and doesn't have that beautiful retro silver unless you get the japanese version. But pen-f currently costs like 1.7-2x GX9 in used market from where I live, and it's kinda hard to justify paying that much more for something with slightly worse performance/handling/menus.
imo a Pen-f mkii is likely the best direct competitor to Fujifilm stuff, m43 vs. apsc is much closer than apsc vs. ff and all the computational stuff would help to fill the gap in IQ, just like how Fujifilm filled the gap between their lineup and ff alternatives with retro designs and social media advertising. Both give the retro look many people are after rn and both have a good collection of film filters. Fujifilm playing around with supply and aggressive pricing do leave large room for OM system to step in and take a piece of the cake, "cheaper and equally good looking Fujifilm alternative that's readily available and has superior lens system" really sounds like a compelling product. If Olympus/OM system had the courage to take the leap and embrace the whole retro asthetic & social media game Fujifilm had been playing, the company and m43 as a whole would probably be in a much better position than it is today.
Same for me: I have both snd cannot chose.
it was the X100V that went on e-bay.
the only critics I have is the viewfinder on the Panasonic which is really bad quality and the thumb grip of the PenF which becomes deformed and comes off, so that it cannot be glued back. Fortunately I got 4 spares. I can't understand why they are not made any more!
I am a still photographer...I like both...But the GX9 wins for me...flip down screen...total right hand buttons...but to be honest I love the Sony A7c much better...I have small primes for my Sony so weight wise its a toss....small gear all rocks.
I had both of these and sold both relatively quickly. The gx because of viewfinder problems (diopter never sharp) and the pen because of slow startup time and fiddliness. Regrets? I've had a few! I have considered buying both again. The pen because it has mojo, but the gx i miss more. It was the only camera that checked all the boxes for me. Styling, tilt / touch screen, stabilisation, speed. Maybe I just had a `bad sample! ´🤨
I found it interesting that you comment that the viewfinder isn't sharp. I find that the picture that appears in the viewfinder for review immediately after shooting doesn't look sharp (same with G9). The pictures when viewed on the computer are fine. It took ages for me to have confidence that the pictures were focussed.
yeah, it was weird, the diopter seemed top go right past the sharp point, there was never a point at which it was `just right´. The pictures looked fine, but it just bugged me cause at the time the camera and the 15mm zeiss was more than 1K euros and so it went back. @@uphollandlatic
Speriamo che ti ascoltino per i mark 2..
I prefer Panasonic GX as it color system is based on industrial camera color standard. Once the on-site white color value is reset to zero, every photo would be most perfect in color. On the other hand, Olympus has twisted their color a little bit. As the result, their photo always look too saturated for me. I love true color image.
Yes - I agree... Love the panasonic colour science :)
@@grantrobertdavies Nikon also has standard color system without twisting and can shoot perfect color photo. On the other way, Canon and Sony camera always have fake green leaves color due to their twisting the color standards.
I have owned both cameras. I still have the Pen F, but I sold the GX9 and purchased an LX100 M2. The LX is basically a GX9 with a Leica lens built-in, though it lacks the tilting screen. IMHO, the image quality between the three is basically a wash. The only thing that gives the GX9 an advantage over the Pen F is the 4K video, so it has a slight edge. But if you put them on a table side-by-side, I’m going to pick up the Pen F every time. I don’t mean to offend, but the GX9 is just boring to look at. (I admit that’s probably a dumb reason to choose a camera. 😅)
Ah, the video I was waiting for. I continuously come back to my GX9 for the awesome images SOOC and even some flexibility they have in post. I also LOVE those colors so much! I have never used the Pen. For my street photography which is the intention, sounds like I don't need to buy the Pen. My Fuji X-T30II seems to offer a lot of the pros you mention that the Pen has. They actually seem a lot a like. I also did NOT know the Pen has the flip out screen. That's a big NO for me.Thank you Grant!
I use Olympus bodies and lumix lenses.I do lave the Olympus 30mm 3.5 macro. Sweet lens.
Love your style.
thanks :)
love the street shots... what city/town?
southport - gold coast :)
Unfortunately thi$ boil$ down to $. The Pen F is beautiful but it's significantly higher in price. I think my 15mm 1.7 will pair nicer with the Lumix! If not, it'll go on my Elp-6... A great review and thank you for it!
If adding on another one Olympus E-P7, what is your honest opinion? which one to choose ?
I’ve never used an EP7 so I can’t really say sorry…
I love the look and the idea of E-P7, but it's not on the same league. It misses the amount of physical buttons/dials of the other two.
Panasonic have long had the best colour authenticity of any camera brand. So you are going to get the best colour reproduction there. Olympus, even with the same sensor, cannot reproduce violet. There are some flowers with a pale violet stripe which Panasonic can nail but Olympus, meh. Except the PEN-F, that can come close to doing the job. The PEN-F though is a jpeg monster, meaning you have to "shoot for the jpeg" and use that colour/mono profile dial to get the most out of it. You do have to think what you're doing before you poke the shutter with the PEN-F (any camera really but particularly this one). The EVF on the PEN-F is good but that eyecup is too small and it can be awkward; it should also have been given a tilt monitor. PEN-F IBIS is (cof) 6.5 stops which is good to about 200mm lens. Handling improved without the weight if a L-plate grip by a leather over aluminium half-case. The PEN-F does have three dials. It's a bit like a grown-up E-PL7, which I've had for so long it's like an old glove.
I do not have a GX9 but we do have the GX7, and several other Panasonic and Olympus backs incl G9 (the Dual2 is something else)
I LOVE my Pen F
Whoa, MFT content in 2024
Nice 👍
Thanks but you speak too fast too furious with that strong accent that I had to play at 0.75x speed 😅 thanks for the review
Best don’t watch my videos then - because that’s how I talk …
E-PL8 in terms of "Fun"
GX7 in terms of Egonomics
GX9 in terms of Features,
I don't have a Pen F, they cost too much.
Cuantas tontadas se pueden llegar a escuchar
what?
One is a Pen F and the other is a whatever.
Case closed. 😁
ok