Sorry for the tech glitches & exposure shifts. My G9 II sample photo gallery is here (much better quality than this video 😅): www.thephotographyhobbyist.com/CAMERAGEAR/Panasonic-G9-II-Gallery And if it didn't come across in the video, I do love the G9II and am looking forward to traveling with it making many more photos with it (traveling with it tomorrow, actually).
@@brokernaples That's why I always include a link to my photo gallery for the samples because they are bigger there. I don't enable the main gallery for 100% resolution though due to photo thefts, but there are usually 'some' full res photos in the test gallery linked off the main gallery for the camera. Trying to view photos on UA-cam inside a video (even in 4K) is generally not the best idea, so if there is a gallery of samples to view, I like that best (not many channels on UA-cam offer that). I'm mostly website/gallery based....not mostly UA-cam based. I don't do much here on UA-cam. MAIN G9 II GALLERY: www.thephotographyhobbyist.com/CAMERAGEAR/Panasonic-G9-II-Gallery G9 II TEST GALLERY: www.thephotographyhobbyist.com/Other/Panasonic-G9-II-Test-Photos/n-WqLLcD
Very good review. To clarify, the 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 lens does have optical image stabilization. Hence the Power O.I.S. switch on the lens body. So you get Dual2 image stabilization with it. Anyway, nice review. I subscribed and hope to see more G9II content in the future.
@@brianhoffman3091 thanks. I appreciate it. Regarding the AF point, I’ll test again to confirm, but I think what it does with a press in on the joystick is, go back to the center or back to the previous non-center location I used, not where I left off if I accidentally had pressed in on the joystick. Know what I mean? I’ll try it to confirm but I think that’s what it’s doing. Anyway, that’s minor in the grand scheme of things. It’s a great camera. Best m4/3 body I’ve used. I’d still love a combo of a Panasonic and Olympus flagship. Maybe Olympus body with Panasonic menus and functions.
The best camera ever. None of “hobbyist” photographers will be ever capable of using its all features fully. Takes time to learn the camera. For some 6 weeks may not be enough.
@@elwirastadnik I certainly won’t be using it to its full extent. That’s why any ‘review’ I post is just for general photography usage. Not high end video and not advanced flash or advanced continuous AF shooting. Same goes for the Nikon Z8 I own. I appreciate that it has way more functionality than I truly need, but it’s good that it has it in case I want to grow in those areas. All I truly need and want is flexible customization options for control, great AF tracking for easy focus/recompose or actual action photos and great image quality. Oh and great quality, easy video shooting. Both my G9 II and the Z8 has that.
I shoot a lot of boxing and loved the GH5 and always wanted a G9 for the better autofocus. My only concern with MFT has been low light which happens with boxing events. I have moved on to FF with the Canon R6 which is very good but I have always much preferred the form factor of MFT as it’s easier to hold for many hours. Your low light tests have given me hope that this generation of MFT can get there.
I'm sure as technology improves, it will get even better regarding high ISO, but I do always wonder in the back of my mind if m4/3 can hold on that long (have enough sales to sustain the system until we finally do get to the day when high ISO on m4/3 is nearly as good as an average FF camera). Depending on WHICH FF camera we're talking about, the G9 II is already on par with some FF cameras for high ISO and DR and of course you can shoot at a lower ISO with a fast (wide aperture lens) as long as you get the depth of field you need, which you often do since m4/3 has twice the depth of field as a FF camera. It really just depends, at this point. a flagship FF camera sensor will definitely be better than the best m4/3 sensor right now, but I think it's not a 'drastic' difference now.
@ Just my opinion, but I’d say for me, as long as the venue wasn’t UNUSUALLY dark, then as long as I had the proper pro lenses like the f/2.8 zoom and the f/1.2 Olympus primes, I’d feel good doing shooting a wedding with it. People used to shoot weddings with grainy film in the past and old DSLRs that had far less image quality than the G9 II and customers were happy. As long as you don’t need very fast shutter speeds in a darker venue I think you could probably shoot with shutter speeds around 1/60th or less and stay at iso 1600 or less accordingly. The depth of field (if you need more) and shutter speed of course is all that really matters here regarding how high you have to push the ISO. If you can use some wide aperture lenses and keep the shutter speed fast enough, you’re good.
Nice review, just that what you said at 18:36 shouldn't be a problem unless Panasonic changed the joystick settings with the G9ii. On the GH5, G9 (M1) and S5 if you press the center of the joystick again it will take your focus point right back to where you left it, so you can always quickly switch between center focus and the last position you left the focus point.
@@JoesVids Thanks. That’s how it works on the G9 II. The problem is if for example the previous focus point was at the lower right side but I want to move the point to the upper left side, if I accidentally push in the joystick while moving the AF point, it will move the point back to the middle or the previously used position. It’s not a huge issue, but a bit annoying and can make shooting slower sometimes.
18:15 About your joystick issue: on the G9 when you push once on the center of the joystick it centers the AF, but when if you push it restores the AF position where it was. I am a bit suprised the G9 II doesn't do that.
"when you push once on the center of the joystick it centers the AF, but when if you push it restores the AF position where it was" That's actually what it does. Hope I didn't state it incorrectly. The issue is, it can be too easy to accidentally push in on the joystick while I'm trying to reposition it and if I do accidentally push it in so it clicks/activates, then it moves the spot back to the center (or if pressed again, to the previous point you had it). My problem is if I want the focus point pretty far to the left and I'm almost there but accidentally click in, then it moves it back to the center again so I have to start all over again. When I don't have a lot of time to get a shot because the subject is moving, that can be a problem.
@@ThePhotographyHobbyist Ok, got it. Sorry for the post then. Sure it is a minor issue. Joysticks are important but don't always deliver what we expect from them. I think the G9 joystick is good because it doesn't scroll in diagonal. First thing I will do when I get my G9 II is to disable diagonal scrolling. Hoping it will be less sensitive like that.
@ it probably varies with each person, how they’re accustomed to how much pressure to use, hand/finger size, etc. I think the one that worked best for me was the one on the Fiji X-H2. Anyway, I can use the one on the G9 II but I have to pay more attention and be careful.
good review, I agree with a lot of your points. I like seeing what other folks have their buttons set to. I have the two front buttons set to AF Near/AF Far. I saw it in someone elses setup and thought it was a great idea. Update your firmware to 2.2 if you haven't yet, they added support for the Lumix Lab (custom Luts and editing jpegs to and from camera). I actually haven't noticed the long overnight startup. but I guess I always take out my batteries, once I get back home, so that's probably why. I upgraded from a GX80, mainly for the PDAF and I love it. Like you said, a really wonderful camera, I'm really happy with mine too.
@@mattevanst4967 Thanks. I’m not sure I’ll use the LUTS unless I can use them in video and find one I like. Otherwise, I’m always using raw for photos and edit each one in Lightroom. I’m away right now on a trip making more photos for my G9II gallery. :-)
I love my GX85. Wish it had a microphone jac. The DFD is more than adequate for photography. Looking forward to trying Leica monochrome on the G9ii. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Enjoyed your review including pointing out the camera's foibles - as well as other areas where it shines. A few other reviewers have pointed out the same issues that you've experienced & this gives me pause in terms of getting this camera now. I'm hoping Panasonic will remedy these concerns with future firmware updates. The G9 II is a new arrival to the M4 -Thirds neighborhood & I would expect there to be some shortcomings that need to be addressed. I for one wish that Panny had made this a more ' stills ' focused machine a not adorned it with soo many video complexities. If that's what the buyer needs & wants let him or her go for the GH7. Until these flawed areas are addressed & remedied, I'll just keep plugin along with my old G9. I've taken some great photos with it . . . and then the animal moves. Thanks again.
Have you tried recording the sound profile of the camera while going from a low to a high pitch? Another video explained that the G9ii and GH7 have a couple dropouts in the audio at specific frequencies.
Thanks for your review. You said you would prefer to use MFT if it were very close to your z8 in terms of quality. How far off is it in practice? I note the niggles you have mentioned. I have a G9 and 10 lenses: 6 primes, and my favourite is 25mm f1.4; my EDC is 12-40mm f2.8 PRO. The images from the G9II are definitely a step up and seem very close to FF as far I can see. I am tempted to get a S5II for the FF advantage and also because the G9II is still more expensive than the S5II. TBH my preference would be a GX9 Mark II but seems we can’t count on that dream coming true. I’d welcome your thoughts. Cheers.
@@Democratiser Thank you. Unless I need to shoot over 1600 ISO often or need the Z8’s better AF tracking, there’s not much difference between them as far as I’m concerned, for what I shoot most often and what I need. I actually prefer the size and grip of the G9II over the Z8. It’s more comfortable in my hand. I assume the AF system on the S5 II and G9 II are very similar. Depending on what trip I’m going on, I’m leaning towards the G9 as the first choice. If it was what I consider an important trip and want the best image quality I can get and most flexible files for editing, I’d take the Z8.
@ many thanks for your response. Very interesting. Good to hear MFT is competitive in 2024. I really like the G9 MkI. I only found myself buying it as I was tired of waiting for Canon to release an uncrippled hybrid. I still have my 5DIII so can use if I need a FF look and adapt the lenses. Best of both worlds having MFT and FF set up I feel. Cheers.
G9ii has live mos sensor GH7 BSI CMOS sensor both (17.3 x 13.0 mm) sensors are different in each camera despite many reviews not reading Panasonic specifications GH7 has a full stop relative to max iso but in real life the GH7 has a backlit sensor more appropriate to video ..as sensor uses more power hence shorter battery life. Looking at videoes I made on older G9 the quality was excellent I preset my saturation dynamic range contrast and white balance No LUTS used and result out of camera were very good ...for video GH7 and a late lens such as Latest Leica 12 35 f2.. the Leica 12 60 f4 is an older lens good but not designed primarily for video... for normal photographic use an older G9 it produces very good results in photos But needs the best lenses to shine. Out the box the color settings need tweaking and understanding ... If that sounds a chaff a good mobile phone with 10ne inch sensor and |Leica lens is excellent ..
@@noelrajesh sorry. I just spot checked several spots in the video and it’s loud enough and clear enough to me. I wouldn’t call it the most professional/clean audio from my wireless lav, but I can hear it plenty loud enough and clear on my end. I normally only have my computer volume at 20% to listen to UA-cam and that’s where it is when I listen to my video you’re talking about and I can hear it loud enough.
@@ThePhotographyHobbyist Thanks! tried again with full volume n slightly better, could be the placement of your mic. Anyway great work, pls keep posting!
Sorry for the tech glitches & exposure shifts. My G9 II sample photo gallery is here (much better quality than this video 😅): www.thephotographyhobbyist.com/CAMERAGEAR/Panasonic-G9-II-Gallery And if it didn't come across in the video, I do love the G9II and am looking forward to traveling with it making many more photos with it (traveling with it tomorrow, actually).
Sample photos in 1080p don't make any sense. Every photo looks good in this size, even cellphone photos
@@brokernaples That's why I always include a link to my photo gallery for the samples because they are bigger there. I don't enable the main gallery for 100% resolution though due to photo thefts, but there are usually 'some' full res photos in the test gallery linked off the main gallery for the camera. Trying to view photos on UA-cam inside a video (even in 4K) is generally not the best idea, so if there is a gallery of samples to view, I like that best (not many channels on UA-cam offer that). I'm mostly website/gallery based....not mostly UA-cam based. I don't do much here on UA-cam. MAIN G9 II GALLERY: www.thephotographyhobbyist.com/CAMERAGEAR/Panasonic-G9-II-Gallery G9 II TEST GALLERY: www.thephotographyhobbyist.com/Other/Panasonic-G9-II-Test-Photos/n-WqLLcD
Very good review. To clarify, the 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 lens does have optical image stabilization. Hence the Power O.I.S. switch on the lens body. So you get Dual2 image stabilization with it.
Anyway, nice review. I subscribed and hope to see more G9II content in the future.
@@brianhoffman3091 thanks. I appreciate it.
Regarding the AF point, I’ll test again to confirm, but I think what it does with a press in on the joystick is, go back to the center or back to the previous non-center location I used, not where I left off if I accidentally had pressed in on the joystick. Know what I mean? I’ll try it to confirm but I think that’s what it’s doing.
Anyway, that’s minor in the grand scheme of things. It’s a great camera. Best m4/3 body I’ve used. I’d still love a combo of a Panasonic and Olympus flagship. Maybe Olympus body with Panasonic menus and functions.
The best camera ever. None of “hobbyist” photographers will be ever capable of using its all features fully. Takes time to learn the camera. For some 6 weeks may not be enough.
@@elwirastadnik I certainly won’t be using it to its full extent. That’s why any ‘review’ I post is just for general photography usage. Not high end video and not advanced flash or advanced continuous AF shooting. Same goes for the Nikon Z8 I own. I appreciate that it has way more functionality than I truly need, but it’s good that it has it in case I want to grow in those areas. All I truly need and want is flexible customization options for control, great AF tracking for easy focus/recompose or actual action photos and great image quality. Oh and great quality, easy video shooting. Both my G9 II and the Z8 has that.
I’m still learning the original G9! Should be there in another few years! 😂
I shoot a lot of boxing and loved the GH5 and always wanted a G9 for the better autofocus. My only concern with MFT has been low light which happens with boxing events. I have moved on to FF with the Canon R6 which is very good but I have always much preferred the form factor of MFT as it’s easier to hold for many hours. Your low light tests have given me hope that this generation of MFT can get there.
I'm sure as technology improves, it will get even better regarding high ISO, but I do always wonder in the back of my mind if m4/3 can hold on that long (have enough sales to sustain the system until we finally do get to the day when high ISO on m4/3 is nearly as good as an average FF camera). Depending on WHICH FF camera we're talking about, the G9 II is already on par with some FF cameras for high ISO and DR and of course you can shoot at a lower ISO with a fast (wide aperture lens) as long as you get the depth of field you need, which you often do since m4/3 has twice the depth of field as a FF camera. It really just depends, at this point. a flagship FF camera sensor will definitely be better than the best m4/3 sensor right now, but I think it's not a 'drastic' difference now.
@@ThePhotographyHobbyist thanks again for the video. If you were to shoot say a wedding would you feel comfortable using this camera?
@ Just my opinion, but I’d say for me, as long as the venue wasn’t UNUSUALLY dark, then as long as I had the proper pro lenses like the f/2.8 zoom and the f/1.2 Olympus primes, I’d feel good doing shooting a wedding with it. People used to shoot weddings with grainy film in the past and old DSLRs that had far less image quality than the G9 II and customers were happy. As long as you don’t need very fast shutter speeds in a darker venue I think you could probably shoot with shutter speeds around 1/60th or less and stay at iso 1600 or less accordingly. The depth of field (if you need more) and shutter speed of course is all that really matters here regarding how high you have to push the ISO. If you can use some wide aperture lenses and keep the shutter speed fast enough, you’re good.
@ thank you 👍
I have the G9ii with the kit 12-60 (24-120) and the 100-400ii (200-800) lense. This is a great Dual IS combo for wildlife photography.
I have the same set up, a Christmas present to me.
Nice review, just that what you said at 18:36 shouldn't be a problem unless Panasonic changed the joystick settings with the G9ii. On the GH5, G9 (M1) and S5 if you press the center of the joystick again it will take your focus point right back to where you left it, so you can always quickly switch between center focus and the last position you left the focus point.
@@JoesVids Thanks. That’s how it works on the G9 II. The problem is if for example the previous focus point was at the lower right side but I want to move the point to the upper left side, if I accidentally push in the joystick while moving the AF point, it will move the point back to the middle or the previously used position. It’s not a huge issue, but a bit annoying and can make shooting slower sometimes.
18:15 About your joystick issue: on the G9 when you push once on the center of the joystick it centers the AF, but when if you push it restores the AF position where it was. I am a bit suprised the G9 II doesn't do that.
"when you push once on the center of the joystick it centers the AF, but when if you push it restores the AF position where it was" That's actually what it does. Hope I didn't state it incorrectly. The issue is, it can be too easy to accidentally push in on the joystick while I'm trying to reposition it and if I do accidentally push it in so it clicks/activates, then it moves the spot back to the center (or if pressed again, to the previous point you had it). My problem is if I want the focus point pretty far to the left and I'm almost there but accidentally click in, then it moves it back to the center again so I have to start all over again. When I don't have a lot of time to get a shot because the subject is moving, that can be a problem.
@@ThePhotographyHobbyist Ok, got it. Sorry for the post then. Sure it is a minor issue.
Joysticks are important but don't always deliver what we expect from them.
I think the G9 joystick is good because it doesn't scroll in diagonal. First thing I will do when I get my G9 II is to disable diagonal scrolling. Hoping it will be less sensitive like that.
@ it probably varies with each person, how they’re accustomed to how much pressure to use, hand/finger size, etc. I think the one that worked best for me was the one on the Fiji X-H2. Anyway, I can use the one on the G9 II but I have to pay more attention and be careful.
good review, I agree with a lot of your points. I like seeing what other folks have their buttons set to. I have the two front buttons set to AF Near/AF Far. I saw it in someone elses setup and thought it was a great idea. Update your firmware to 2.2 if you haven't yet, they added support for the Lumix Lab (custom Luts and editing jpegs to and from camera). I actually haven't noticed the long overnight startup. but I guess I always take out my batteries, once I get back home, so that's probably why. I upgraded from a GX80, mainly for the PDAF and I love it. Like you said, a really wonderful camera, I'm really happy with mine too.
@@mattevanst4967 Thanks. I’m not sure I’ll use the LUTS unless I can use them in video and find one I like. Otherwise, I’m always using raw for photos and edit each one in Lightroom. I’m away right now on a trip making more photos for my G9II gallery. :-)
I love my GX85. Wish it had a microphone jac. The DFD is more than adequate for photography. Looking forward to trying Leica monochrome on the G9ii.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Enjoyed your review including pointing out the camera's foibles - as well as other areas where it shines. A few other reviewers have pointed out the same issues that you've experienced & this gives me pause in terms of getting this camera now. I'm hoping Panasonic will remedy these concerns with future firmware updates. The G9 II is a new arrival to the M4 -Thirds neighborhood & I would expect there to be some shortcomings that need to be addressed. I for one wish that Panny had made this a more ' stills ' focused machine a not adorned it with soo many video complexities. If that's what the buyer needs & wants let him or her go for the GH7. Until these flawed areas are addressed & remedied, I'll just keep plugin along with my old G9. I've taken some great photos with it . . . and then the animal moves. Thanks again.
@@rayjenkins2754 thank you
Have you tried recording the sound profile of the camera while going from a low to a high pitch? Another video explained that the G9ii and GH7 have a couple dropouts in the audio at specific frequencies.
I haven't tried that myself...and honestly, I wouldn't be the best person to test it because I normally don't shoot much video.
Thanks for your review. You said you would prefer to use MFT if it were very close to your z8 in terms of quality. How far off is it in practice? I note the niggles you have mentioned.
I have a G9 and 10 lenses: 6 primes, and my favourite is 25mm f1.4; my EDC is 12-40mm f2.8 PRO. The images from the G9II are definitely a step up and seem very close to FF as far I can see.
I am tempted to get a S5II for the FF advantage and also because the G9II is still more expensive than the S5II. TBH my preference would be a GX9 Mark II but seems we can’t count on that dream coming true.
I’d welcome your thoughts.
Cheers.
@@Democratiser Thank you. Unless I need to shoot over 1600 ISO often or need the Z8’s better AF tracking, there’s not much difference between them as far as I’m concerned, for what I shoot most often and what I need. I actually prefer the size and grip of the G9II over the Z8. It’s more comfortable in my hand.
I assume the AF system on the S5 II and G9 II are very similar.
Depending on what trip I’m going on, I’m leaning towards the G9 as the first choice. If it was what I consider an important trip and want the best image quality I can get and most flexible files for editing, I’d take the Z8.
@ many thanks for your response. Very interesting. Good to hear MFT is competitive in 2024. I really like the G9 MkI. I only found myself buying it as I was tired of waiting for Canon to release an uncrippled hybrid. I still have my 5DIII so can use if I need a FF look and adapt the lenses. Best of both worlds having MFT and FF set up I feel. Cheers.
G9ii has live mos sensor GH7 BSI CMOS sensor both (17.3 x 13.0 mm) sensors are different in each camera despite many reviews not reading Panasonic specifications GH7 has a full stop relative to max iso but in real life the GH7 has a backlit sensor more appropriate to video ..as sensor uses more power hence shorter battery life. Looking at videoes I made on older G9 the quality was excellent I preset my saturation dynamic range contrast and white balance No LUTS used and result out of camera were very good ...for video GH7 and a late lens such as Latest Leica 12 35 f2.. the Leica 12 60 f4 is an older lens good but not designed primarily for video... for normal photographic use an older G9 it produces very good results in photos But needs the best lenses to shine.
Out the box the color settings need tweaking and understanding ... If that sounds a chaff a good mobile phone with 10ne inch sensor and |Leica lens is excellent ..
Does the G9ii have the same touchy shutter half press as the mark 1?
@@vermontmike9800 No. It’s not really touchy like that. Much easier to be more deliberate about when you actually fire the shutter.
There is the half press shutter option which I really enjoy. Other than that it feels comparable to any other camera Ive used.
Great review 💯
@@orange-you-later thank you
Terrible audio, can barely make it what you're saying. Gave up after 1 min. Can you make it a little easier for us viewers?
@@noelrajesh sorry. I just spot checked several spots in the video and it’s loud enough and clear enough to me. I wouldn’t call it the most professional/clean audio from my wireless lav, but I can hear it plenty loud enough and clear on my end. I normally only have my computer volume at 20% to listen to UA-cam and that’s where it is when I listen to my video you’re talking about and I can hear it loud enough.
@@ThePhotographyHobbyist Thanks! tried again with full volume n slightly better, could be the placement of your mic. Anyway great work, pls keep posting!
It sounded perfectly fine to me.
What are you talking about? Sound is completely good.