I had the Mk I for a couple of years and have had a G9 now for 8 months. As a casual user, I never got comfortable with the E-M1's menu system or with changing settings using the back screen. Because I didn't use it all the time, I had to re-learn how to change basic things from that back screen every time I picked it up. I absolutely love the G9 - not that it's a better camera per se, but for me, it is much easier to use. The menus are easier. Changing things that were on the back screen of the E-M1 are simple - nothing to be re-learned. I shoot more with the G9 than I did with the E-M1 because I can do the "complex" things and quick changes MUCH more easily with the G9. All of this from a stills shooter.
Olympus also has dual image stabilization. It is called Sinc IS, but it only works with Olympus stabilized lenses (as Lumix camera only has dual IS when using Lumix stabilized lenses). At the moment there's only about 2 or 3 Olympus lenses with IS that will work with the OM-D Sinc IS.
I own both cameras and concur with most of what you're saying. What you didn't touch on much is the autofocus systems DFD vs Phase detect. When I come to birds in flight which is what I do a lot, and other mammals in motion, the Olympus is the hands down winner. I rarely get a bird in flight in focus using the Panasonic. If Panasonic could implement phase detect in their next version they'd have a real winner.
Martin Haagmans I too own both. I agree with your statement. I shoot mainly sports with mine. The Olympus wins in this category. I do shoot video mainly with G9, which auto focus much better with Panasonic lenses, especially in lower light
I agree, I do enjoy the animal AF, this works great an fairly static animals, but not so great on moving subjects. I really enjoy the Olympus, great camera and buying used you can pick one up for a great price.
@@Yuri-vk9wn The video autofocus on Olympus is much better then the G9. I think with the last firmware update it's next to Sony and Canon. I test it with 17 f1.2, 25 f1.2 (both from Oly) and 42.5 f1.2 (Pana). I have both cameras, also the gh5s, and I wish the Pana cameras to have the same video autofocus...
Both superb cameras. I would happily buy either. Oops, I have. While they are different, they are both top notch cameras. I’ve been using the E-MI tonight for some street photography in the dark, showing off the Christmas lights on the high street. The OM System 20mm f1.4 is a great match. If the same lens was on the Lumix, I would not mind one bit and would expect equal performance. They have some different features that makes them very interesting to use. I like the challenge of using different cameras and don’t care what brand they are, only caring about performance and the user experience. What they can do for me, which is why I have several different brands and sensor sizes.
thank you for the effort and the sharing. i am interested in both of these bodies as, for me, m43 is still a viable alternative to larger bodies. i am VERY interested in the video AF functions of these two. i have seen your previous G9 video AF test and that DFD shutter/hunting seemed ever present. i have read that with the newest firmware the Oly video AF is superior. i look forward to your blogging test which could be a nice showcase. i am an appreciative subscriber. stay well. thumbs up.
I have the best of both worlds owning both the OM-D EM1 mark ii and DC-G9 !!! The G9 is good for wildlife because it is generally much quicker to access various functions through buttons. This is extremely useful when I only have a split second to switch from say single shot to pre-burst shot. But the Olympus is great for fast focus stacking with an immediate final jpg image to give a good idea of the actual photo. And you can of course switch lenses between each camera - up to a point - some functions do not operate like focus stacking on Olympus does not work with Panasonic lenses and the camera / lens software communication - dual / sync is not the same. I take both out with me with various lenses. For me the overall micro 4/3rds system is suitable and gives me far more choices than say Canon or Nikon.
Thx for honest and straight forward review. Fan of both Oly’s and Pany’s. Working on using the older GH-2 for video work. Maybe use the “hacks” for beading up IQ.? Any thoughts on this topic?
Great video! I think I’ve watched it twice 😆. I have a question where some help would be greatly appreciated. I’m transitioning from DSLR to mirrorless for video purposes. My main videos will be shooting trainers and teachers in closed spaces (rooms, training studios etc) and was wondering if the micro4/3 would be able to give me that “cinematic look” AND if that crop factor would be troublesome for that purpose. (My current DSLR is APSC)
Your so right, I hadn't thought of Canon. I've always struggled with Olympus, I think there cameras are great, I got the em5 mark 3 coming tomorrow, looking forward to using that camera.
Great video! I think I’ve watched it twice 😆. I have a question where some help would be ideal. I’m transitioning from DSLR to mirrorless for video purposes. My main videos will be shooting trainers and teachers in closed spaces (rooms, training studios etc) and was wondering if the micro4/3 would be able to give me that “cinematic look” AND if that crop factor would be troublesome for that purpose. (My current DSLR is APSC)
Interesting comparison thanks for sharing. Both are very good cameras. Was surprised you didn't mention the menu layout on both. The Olympus menus and symbols used are just plain horrible.
I forgot this, sorry. You are so right though, the Olympus menu is awefull, the Panasonic is great! You have inspired me to do a video comparing various menu systems from Panasonic, Olympus Canon and Nikon, thanks.
I wouldn't expect good results from either camera when handheld, but the Oly would do better. On a tripod though, the G9 wins out. The Oly E-M10 Mk III, on the other hand, really does look to be capable of handheld high res.
@@RMD2U funnily enough, just yesterday I watched Chris Nicholls of DPReview do a G9 vs Oly E-M1 MKIII shootout, and when it came to hi res, the Oly won by virtue of being the only one that could do it hand held.
Great review but of two dissimilar camera systems. Choose the Olympus if you are into photography and the Panasonic for videos. Overall though the Sony a7iii is a better package for a few hundred more especially when paired with their GM lenses. I use the Olympus for travel and the Sony for studio and street work although my ideal camera would be a Olympus with a higher megapixel sensor, Sony evf, Olympus weather sealing and Sony auto tacking
HaHa, I always dream of my best camera,: Nikon ergonomics, Panasonic menu, Sony AF, Olympus build and overall handling, Canon EF mount for great lens availability, wow, what a combination this would be!
Olympus has better optics especially when paired with with same camera period…same eco system is always better surely. Robustness wether sealing unsurpassed for Olympus
You are right, it is silly but I said it as a joke, its pretty much the only gripe I have with the camera. There are several niggling and annoying gripes with regard to video but I do not use it for video. Its a great camera and has the best grip I have ever used, I do hope JIP do keep up with the Olympus reputation and development, only time will tell
If you didn't know, G9 is vulgar copy of the Olympus E-M1 mk2. Panasonic sucks! Wants to copy its closest partner, then stabs that partner to go FF... has lens lineup from another brand. Nothing from that company is original.
I had the Mk I for a couple of years and have had a G9 now for 8 months. As a casual user, I never got comfortable with the E-M1's menu system or with changing settings using the back screen. Because I didn't use it all the time, I had to re-learn how to change basic things from that back screen every time I picked it up. I absolutely love the G9 - not that it's a better camera per se, but for me, it is much easier to use. The menus are easier. Changing things that were on the back screen of the E-M1 are simple - nothing to be re-learned. I shoot more with the G9 than I did with the E-M1 because I can do the "complex" things and quick changes MUCH more easily with the G9. All of this from a stills shooter.
Olympus also has dual image stabilization. It is called Sinc IS, but it only works with Olympus stabilized lenses (as Lumix camera only has dual IS when using Lumix stabilized lenses). At the moment there's only about 2 or 3 Olympus lenses with IS that will work with the OM-D Sinc IS.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these two cameras. It helps us out a lot :)
I own both cameras and concur with most of what you're saying. What you didn't touch on much is the autofocus systems DFD vs Phase detect. When I come to birds in flight which is what I do a lot, and other mammals in motion, the Olympus is the hands down winner. I rarely get a bird in flight in focus using the Panasonic. If Panasonic could implement phase detect in their next version they'd have a real winner.
Martin Haagmans I too own both. I agree with your statement. I shoot mainly sports with mine. The Olympus wins in this category. I do shoot video mainly with G9, which auto focus much better with Panasonic lenses, especially in lower light
I agree, I do enjoy the animal AF, this works great an fairly static animals, but not so great on moving subjects. I really enjoy the Olympus, great camera and buying used you can pick one up for a great price.
@@Yuri-vk9wn The video autofocus on Olympus is much better then the G9. I think with the last firmware update it's next to Sony and Canon. I test it with 17 f1.2, 25 f1.2 (both from Oly) and 42.5 f1.2 (Pana). I have both cameras, also the gh5s, and I wish the Pana cameras to have the same video autofocus...
Both superb cameras. I would happily buy either. Oops, I have. While they are different, they are both top notch cameras. I’ve been using the E-MI tonight for some street photography in the dark, showing off the Christmas lights on the high street. The OM System 20mm f1.4 is a great match. If the same lens was on the Lumix, I would not mind one bit and would expect equal performance. They have some different features that makes them very interesting to use. I like the challenge of using different cameras and don’t care what brand they are, only caring about performance and the user experience. What they can do for me, which is why I have several different brands and sensor sizes.
Finally someone who's comparing these two brands!
A lot of what I have seen much of olympus stuff is very clear and sharp
thank you for the effort and the sharing. i am interested in both of these bodies as, for me, m43 is still a viable alternative to larger bodies. i am VERY interested in the video AF functions of these two. i have seen your previous G9 video AF test and that DFD shutter/hunting seemed ever present. i have read that with the newest firmware the Oly video AF is superior. i look forward to your blogging test which could be a nice showcase. i am an appreciative subscriber. stay well. thumbs up.
I have the best of both worlds owning both the OM-D EM1 mark ii and DC-G9 !!! The G9 is good for wildlife because it is generally much quicker to access various functions through buttons. This is extremely useful when I only have a split second to switch from say single shot to pre-burst shot. But the Olympus is great for fast focus stacking with an immediate final jpg image to give a good idea of the actual photo. And you can of course switch lenses between each camera - up to a point - some functions do not operate like focus stacking on Olympus does not work with Panasonic lenses and the camera / lens software communication - dual / sync is not the same. I take both out with me with various lenses. For me the overall micro 4/3rds system is suitable and gives me far more choices than say Canon or Nikon.
Nature with Music in (
Nice video, thanks for sharing however the OMD EM1 Mk3 has a lot of the features and more than the G9 now. Thanks for sharing :)
Thx for honest and straight forward review. Fan of both Oly’s and Pany’s. Working on using the older GH-2 for video work. Maybe use the “hacks” for beading up IQ.? Any thoughts on this topic?
Thanks for unique comparison!
Great video! I think I’ve watched it twice 😆. I have a question where some help would be greatly appreciated. I’m transitioning from DSLR to mirrorless for video purposes. My main videos will be shooting trainers and teachers in closed spaces (rooms, training studios etc) and was wondering if the micro4/3 would be able to give me that “cinematic look” AND if that crop factor would be troublesome for that purpose. (My current DSLR is APSC)
I don't see people complaining about Canon camera names, and they are a mouthful as well: EOS 1DX MARK III. E-O-S 1-D-X MARKIII 😁
Your so right, I hadn't thought of Canon. I've always struggled with Olympus, I think there cameras are great, I got the em5 mark 3 coming tomorrow, looking forward to using that camera.
Great video! I think I’ve watched it twice 😆. I have a question where some help would be ideal. I’m transitioning from DSLR to mirrorless for video purposes. My main videos will be shooting trainers and teachers in closed spaces (rooms, training studios etc) and was wondering if the micro4/3 would be able to give me that “cinematic look” AND if that crop factor would be troublesome for that purpose. (My current DSLR is APSC)
Interesting comparison thanks for sharing. Both are very good cameras. Was surprised you didn't mention the menu layout on both. The Olympus menus and symbols used are just plain horrible.
I forgot this, sorry. You are so right though, the Olympus menu is awefull, the Panasonic is great! You have inspired me to do a video comparing various menu systems from Panasonic, Olympus Canon and Nikon, thanks.
You guys must be incompetent, I pick it up just fine.
I might choose the Olympus omd e1 Mark ii over the g9. Because it can do C4k video with 237 mbps.
The video codecs in the G9 are better and the quality of the video is better with the G9 since the firmware update.
Auto focus wise which one is better, because that's the only complaint I'm seeing with the m9
Haw do you compare using evf in these two camera using it wearing glasses?
Personally I prefer the Olympus, the text displayed in the viewfinder is bigger and brighter, perfect for my bad eyesight.
Can you use Olympus Zuiko lenses on the G9?
Yes but panasonic image stabilized lenses only work on panasonic
Yes but the AF reverts to standard contrast detection so you lose the DFD aspect. Not sure if that would affect AF speed/accuracy.
@@garybrown9719 thanks for the info.
@@koolkutz7 thanks for the info.
Thanks very much. Useful info. Liked.
Also. What do you think of the HDR mode on OMD? Gimmick?
I have never used HDR on any camera so I cannot comment.
Good stuff just picked up the olympus body for £600 in mint condition on ebay. A steal.
Are you happy with your camera?
I have the 12-35mm and the 35-100mm been thing of selling these 2 and get the 12-100mm
Nice but I was hoping to see if the Panasonic has Handheld High Res Shot. Big plus for Olympus if not!
I wouldn't expect good results from either camera when handheld, but the Oly would do better. On a tripod though, the G9 wins out.
The Oly E-M10 Mk III, on the other hand, really does look to be capable of handheld high res.
I don't know about that, as an owner of the EM1Mark3 and coming from the EM1Mark2 I can verify HHHRS is amazing and even better on a tripod!
@@RMD2U funnily enough, just yesterday I watched Chris Nicholls of DPReview do a G9 vs Oly E-M1 MKIII shootout, and when it came to hi res, the Oly won by virtue of being the only one that could do it hand held.
Thanks for sharing this
Good video.
Any thoughts on the GX9?
Sorry, I have not used that camer.
G9 is better than the em1 mark ii except for the auto focus
Great review but of two dissimilar camera systems. Choose the Olympus if you are into photography and the Panasonic for videos. Overall though the Sony a7iii is a better package for a few hundred more especially when paired with their GM lenses.
I use the Olympus for travel and the Sony for studio and street work although my ideal camera would be a Olympus with a higher megapixel sensor, Sony evf, Olympus weather sealing and Sony auto tacking
HaHa, I always dream of my best camera,: Nikon ergonomics, Panasonic menu, Sony AF, Olympus build and overall handling, Canon EF mount for great lens availability, wow, what a combination this would be!
Add the price of the GM lenses to your equation and suddenly the a7iii system is not only a few 100 quid extra ...
You can set the front and rear dials to move focus point as a secondary function and it makes it much faster than the joystick or d-pad
You can also use your finger on both the G9 and EM1 2 for focus points
Sony sucks, they are only good for Video.
Olympus has better optics especially when paired with with same camera period…same eco system is always better surely. Robustness wether sealing unsurpassed for Olympus
Panasonic "gnoin"
WHAT The HECK IS ANIMAL ""Y"" DECTECT? ITS Nowhere in the Panasonic Menu??
I See ""EYE"" But I Clearly hear You Saying Animal """Y"" Detect ??
Its my accent, I will try harder next time.
@@AvpStudios Ohhhhh LOL Silly Me, Great Video My Friend Thank You :-)
Yidiot.
The camera name..................what silly gripe, indeed
You are right, it is silly but I said it as a joke, its pretty much the only gripe I have with the camera. There are several niggling and annoying gripes with regard to video but I do not use it for video. Its a great camera and has the best grip I have ever used, I do hope JIP do keep up with the Olympus reputation and development, only time will tell
If you didn't know, G9 is vulgar copy of the Olympus E-M1 mk2. Panasonic sucks! Wants to copy its closest partner, then stabs that partner to go FF... has lens lineup from another brand. Nothing from that company is original.