Panasonic Lumix G9 II Mirrorless Camera Body

Panasonic Lumix G9 II Mirrorless Camera Body Summary

The wait is over for the highly anticipated flagship micro four thirds camera, which arrives as the newly updated Panasonic Lumix G9 II Mirrorless Camera Body. Panasonic has pulled out all the stops with a complete redesign, incorporating class-leading features for stills, video and hybrid creators.

The compact body features a new 25.2 megapixel Live MOS Sensor and the latest L2 technology imaging engine, born from the beneficial Leica / Panasonic collaboration. This enables the G9 II to provide significant improvements to autofocus, and introduces Phase detection auto focus (PDAF) for the first time to a MFT G-series Lumix camera, leading to far more advanced subject detection and tracking.

Numerous other advancements benefit solo creators too, such as up to 8-stops of image stabilisation, 100 megapixel handheld high-res shots with a dedicated mode dial position, and blackout-free burst shooting at a scorching 60fps with full continuous AF (AFC).

Despite the higher resolution, rolling shutter is extremely well controlled, and video can be recorded in an extensive range of options, with 5.7K 60p 4:2:0 and 4K/C4K 120p in 10-bit 4:2:2. There are no compromises with the Panasonic Lumix G9 II’s video capabilities, thanks to real time LUTs, USB-SSD recording and 13+ stops dynamic range, while recording in V-Log profile.

Key Panasonic Lumix G9 II Features

• 25.2 megapixel micro four thirds image sensor
• 2x faster engine with L2 technology from Leica collaboration
• Phase detection auto focus (PDAF) for the first time in a Lumix G camera
• Significantly improved subject tracking and 779 AF points
• Improved human tracking, new animal Eye AF and car/motorcycle recognition
• Burst shooting with AFC at up to 60fps completely blackout-free
• Improved pre-burst shooting
• Up to 8-stops of image stabilisation
• 100MP handheld high-resolution mode
• Real time LUT for photo and video
• Live view composite and real time HDR
• New Leica Monochrome style for legendary BW results
• New 8-direction joystick and relocated eye sensor
• Extensive video options including USB-SSD recording
• Video at 5.7K 60p 4:2:0 and 4K/C4K 120p in 4:2:2 10-bit
• S&Q motion, 4-channel audio, Active IS and packed with video assist functions
• 13+ stops dynamic range using V-Log
• Dust and moisture sealed
• Weighs 658g including battery and an SD card

Panasonic Lumix G9 II Mirrorless Camera Body in More Detail

A whole new level of shooting

With the new higher resolution 25.2 megapixel sensor with PDAF, Panasonic introduces phase detection autofocus for the first time in a Lumix micro four thirds G-series camera. The sensor gathers up to 13+ stops of dynamic range with rich detail for stills and video. A native ISO range of 100-25600 (extendable to ISO 50) ensures you can capture compelling content across any lighting conditions.

The sensor is paired with the latest engine with L2 technology, born from a collaboration with Leica. This processor is 2x faster than the previous imaging engine, supports higher resolution, higher bit rates and minimal rolling shutter.

The hybrid AF system not only adds phase detection, but improves subject detection AF and tracking, and features 779 AF points for wider and more accurate coverage.

New Animal Eye AF and Car/Motorcycle recognition

Animals are now separately recognised by the G9 II camera, with Eyes being independently tracked alongside the animal body. Sports and action enthusiasts also benefit from cars and motorbike subject recognition, which opens up more opportunities to gain pin sharp results when capturing motorsports.

Human AF has been improved with more accurate human body recognition, especially in scenes where multiple people are visible. Pinpoint AF also enables you to set an even smaller focus area, right down to a single point for pinpoint accuracy, even in fast-paced situations.

A number of AF assist functions help achieve highly accurate results, and include AF-point scope, which temporarily enlarges the subject for focus confirmation. A 20x enlarged view can also be engaged for more precise focus, even when shooting starry skies at night.

100 megapixel handheld mode

Enjoy exquisite results in-camera with incredibly detailed results, while using the 100MP high resolution mode, which is engaged via its own position on the mode dial. This allows you to handhold the camera and shoot multiple images automatically through sensor-shift technology, using the BIS mechanism. The images are subsequently processed into one shot directly in-camera, with stunning sharp results and high image quality.

Real time LUT

Lumix’s real time LUT feature provide a huge benefit for personalised results and high volume images, by reducing the time spent editing on the computer. It allows you to streamline your workflow, with a Photo LUT application and recording on the camera itself, while using custom LUTs.

Up to 10 custom LUTs can be imported via an SD card, which can be applied to V-Log using Photo Style ‘real time LUTs’. The custom ‘My Photo Style’ allows you to combine styles and LUTs with your own naming conventions, and real time LUTs can also be applied in RAW processing.

Live view composite for astro photography

Astro photographers can easily create high-quality night sky images with beautiful star trails using Panasonic’s intuitive live view composite mode. This automatically composes only the brightened parts of the image, in order to clearly track stars against the dark night sky. Each time the shutter is operated a composite image is displayed, ensuring you know precisely how the final outcome will appear.

Real time HDR in a single exposure

Through a single exposure in stills and video, you can obtain two types of images using the dynamic range boot feature in the Panasonic G9 II camera. This uses cutting-edge technology, by synthesising the results from the sensor, resulting in low noise with high saturation results.

Legendary Leica Monochrome photo style

You can capture stunning black and white images with deep contrast between black and white and legendary Leica image styling, which is made possible by L2 technology. The new Leica Monochrome image style provides highly expressive results, and is joined by a series of newly added image styles, including Classic Neo, HLG, Cinelike D2 and V2 as well as 10 custom styles.

Incredible burst shooting speeds

The micro four thirds system is widely used for high-speed action and the G9 II delivers impressive shooting capabilities with bursts of up to 60fps with AFC. Even while shooting at maximum RAW image quality you can burst shoot without any monitor blackout, which remains blackout-free, and while shooting in electron mode rolling shutter is all but eliminated thanks to the new sensor and processor.

Third party Panasonic fit flashguns can even be operated while bursting in mechanical shutter mode, to provide supplemental lighting for the fastest of moving subjects.

Pre-burst shooting

Never miss a moment with the improved pre-burst shooting feature, which allows you to go back in time and capture up to 1.5 seconds of images before the shutter is pressed. This can be set in increments of 0.5 seconds, ensuring you come away with the decisive moment even when you think you missed it.

8-stop image stabilisation

When handholding the G9 II body you can enjoy up to 8-stops of powerful compensation from Panasonic’s B.I.S. system, for slow shutter speeds and low light prowess. Meanwhile, 5-axis Dual I.S. gives you up to 7.5-stops compensation when shooting with longer telephoto lenses, making this an excellent choice for telephoto subjects such as sports and wildlife.

Improved control and ergonomics

A new 8-direction joystick adds improved control over the camera, while the eye sensor has been relocated from below the EVF to above, which avoids accidentally triggering the automated switch between LCD screen and viewfinder.

A new DMW-BG1E Battery Grip has also been created for the G9 II, which provides extended shooting times through an additional DMW-BLK22E Rechargeable Battery, as well as featuring an 8-directional joystick and button control for vertical shooting.

Versatile power and connectivity options for creators

The camera is compatible with USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, which allows you to shoot while charging the body at high speed. This is especially convenient for studio shoots and anywhere where power is available.

USB PD compatible

While using the optional Lumix DMW-BTC15 Battery Charger, the camera battery can be charging while supplying power to the camera itself.

A highly versatile and durable HDMI Type A (full-sized) terminal is also included in the side door, which is ideal when adding an external video monitor / recorder.

USB-SSD recording

Recording to an external SSD hard drive provides a series of benefits to filmmakers, including:

• Better heat resistance through external recording
• More affordable than using a similar capacity fast SD memory card
• Offers high bitrate recording mode
• High capacity solutions with enhanced efficiency

ProRes recording

Through industry standard ProRes codecs 422 HQ and 422, your footage retains high quality, with excellent compression, reducing the load on your computer during post processing and colour grading. It also allows for non-linear editing without transcoding, helping to streamline your workflow from start to finish.

Video at high-speed and high resolution

A variety of recording formats are available in the flagship G9 II camera, catering to the diverse needs of filmmakers, Youtube vloggers and creators of all kinds.

New Active I.S. and improved E.I.S.

Image stabilisation reduces shake and corrects for perspective distortion when recording movies handheld. The G9 II now includes B.I.S. and Dual I.S. 2 technology with Boost I.S. as well as a new active mode for shake correction while walking, which is ideal for vlogging and handheld video where a gimbal stabiliser isn’t being used.

E.I.S. has also been improved to correct for larger shake, which can occur for example while running, as well as reducing perspective distortion, which can occur while  shooting video from high or low perspectives.

Video assist tools

An extensive array of video assist tools are available to help creators such as:

1. Frame indicator – a selectable ON/OFF red birder surrounds the frame while recording. This is ideal when shooting vlogs or other pieces to camera to ensure you know recording is activated.
2. Frame marker – Whether capturing Anamorphic or vertical videos for social media, a frame marker highlights the active area clearly, which is subsequently cropped in post production.
3. AWB lock – While recording in variable lighting conditions AWB can be locked. This negates the effects of indoor/outdoor shooting, as well as where natural and artificial lighting is mixed, or other situations which require manual settings for colour temperature.

4-channel audio

Capture professional audio by attaching the optional DMW-XLR1 XLR Microphone Adaptor in order to record with an XLR microphone in 4 channel 48kHz or 96kHz. This allows for the use of multiple video microphones in different settings.

For example you could record with a directional shotgun mic, while supplementing audio with a handheld and ambient microphone. Similarly you can record with a wireless lavalier mic system as well as ambient microphones for compelling sound during interviews, narration and as backup.

Huge range of micro four thirds lenses

One of the advantages of the Panasonic G-series is the sheer number of lightweight, portable and increasingly high-quality micro four thirds lens options available. These cover every possible shooting situation with prime fixed focal length models, through ultra wide zoom lenses and many specialist macro and other choices. Alongside the launch of the G9 II camera body, Panasonic has also released two new MFT lenses, further extending the range of choices for enthusiasts and professional users.

The second-generation Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 II ASPH Power OIS Lens weighs under 1kg yet provides an extraordinary reach of 200-800mm (full-frame equivalent). This new lens is also compatible with Lumix teleconverters and delivers high-image quality across the frame. This new lens is compatible with both the Lumix DMW-TC14E 1.4x Teleconverter and Lumix DMW-TC20E 2x Teleconverter for incredible reach up to 1600mm equivalent.

Along with the super telephoto, Panasonic launched the Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 35-100mm f/2.8 Power OIS Lens, which provides a wide maximum aperture and renowned Leica image quality. With a full-frame equivalent zoom range of 70-200mm, this model offers versatility, portability and extremely high image quality for stills and video.

Panasonic Lumix G9 II Mirrorless Camera Sample Images

G9 II camera with Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 II ASPH Power OIS Lens at 400mm. Camera settings: 1/2000 sec. f/8. ISO 3200

G9 II camera with Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 II ASPH Power OIS Lens at 200mm. Camera settings: 1/125 sec. f/5.1. ISO 50

What’s in the box

• Panasonic Lumix G9 II Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Camera Body
• Body Cap
• Hot Shoe Cover
• Cover for the Battery Grip Connector
• Shoulder Strap
• Battery Pack
• AC Adaptor
• USB Connection Cable (A-C)