Revolutionize Your Photography Skills with the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Camera

In this blog post, we will explore the features and capabilities of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 camera and how it can help you take your photography skills to the next level. We will cover everything from its fast autofocus system to its high-resolution image quality, making it a top contender for both professionals and hobbyists alike.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 article cover photo

Key Features

Nov 08 2017

Announced

20 megapixels

Resolution

BrandPanasonic
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight658g
MSRP$1699USD

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Overview of the Lumix DC-G9

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 camera has been making waves in the photography community, with its impressive specifications and capabilities. Whether you're an experienced photographer looking to upgrade your gear or a beginner wanting to delve into the world of high-quality photography, the G9 is worth considering. Some of its key features include a fast and accurate autofocus system, 20.3-megapixel resolution, 4K video capability, and much more. Join us as we take a closer look at what makes the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 stand out from the crowded camera market and how it can help you take fantastic photos and videos.

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution (20.3 megapixels)
4K video recording capability
Large electronic viewfinder
Fast autofocus (DFD technology)
Rugged weather-sealed body
Dual SD card slots
Low light performance (ISO up to 25,600)
Good battery life (up to 400 shots per charge)
In-body image stabilization
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity

Cons

Expensive compared to competitors
Smaller sensor size compared to full-frame cameras
Bulky and heavy body
Limited lens selection for the Micro Four Thirds mount
No phase detection autofocus
Video autofocus can be inconsistent
No headphone jack for audio monitoring during video recording
No built-in flash
Not ideal for portrait photography due to smaller sensor size
Limited native ISO range compared to some competitors.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

Weather sealed
Dimensions137 x 97 x 92mm
Weight658g
Thickness92mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Lumix DC-G9 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Lumix DC-G9 includes a electronic viewfinder with 3,680k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.83x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 has a 20MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 20 pixels. Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 has a native ISO range of 200 - 25600 which can be boosted to 100 - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Nov 08 2017

Announced

200 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISO100 - null
Max resolution5184 x 3888 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Lumix DC-G9 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

2x

Full frame equivalent

48mm

This camera: Four Thirds

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageDual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Battery Life400 shots
Battery ModelDMW-BLF19
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 supports Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 uses the DMW-BLF19 model of battery pack. This is rated for 400 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 225 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9?

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 weather sealed?

Yes the Lumix DC-G9 does have weather sealing.

When was the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 announced?

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 was announced on Nov 08 2017

Does the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Lumix DC-G9 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9?

The Lumix DC-G9 has a native ISO range of 200-25600, which can be expanded to ISO 100-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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