Actual G9 pros and cons (but NOT price or size!)

There have been extensive pre-announcement threads speculating about features, and there has been a lot of complaining about the price and/or size of the G9 (PLEASE don't clutter this thread with size or price complaints!) I thought it might be helpful to discuss the actual camera as announced, what features appeal to you, where you think it falls short. I'll start with a look at ergonomics/controls.

Here is a comparison of the back right controls of four Panasonic cameras:

I have the GX8, and dislike some aspects of its control layout: too long a reach to the focus mode selector; a poor thumb rest; too easy to inadvertently press the DISP button and WB button.

I've only handled a G85, but it's close to and better than the G7, which I owned. Nicely defined thumb rest with a little more space from any buttons, nice big diameter rear control dial.

GH5 I used for about an hour. I didn't really focus on ergonomics, but thumb rest isn't as good, DISP button is too close (but recessed and the GH5 lets you lock it out). Smaller diameter rear dial.

G9: Panasonic has clearly heard the complaints about inadvertent button presses. I'm impressed with the clear space along the right edge, the room for the thumb rest, and that raised border as you go left, before you bump into any controls. The days of inadvertent button presses are over, methinks. The rear control dial is smaller diameter that the G85 and doesn't have as long a clear swipe at it, it appears. so the G85 might win there.

My preference is for the four-way function buttons as used on the GX8 and G85, because they've been there on my other Panasonic cameras and I'm used to them, and I'm just not sure a selection dial would be all that useful to me. This leads to the WB, ISO, and EV buttons on top of the GH5 and G9:

It looks to me like the G9 is a significant improvement over the GH5. When I used the GH5 I was admittedly not used to the WB, ISO, and EV buttons on top.  A couple times trying to find them by feel I triggered a video shot (I have partial numbness in my index finger, though, so that may be partly to blame).  I think those five function buttons on the GH5 are clustered too closely.

The G9 only has four buttons there, and they added a nice elevation dropoff from the EV button to the video button.  I think a user would be much less likely to accidentally start shooting video.

I'm not really a fan of the placement of the front control dial.  I prefer G85 placement.  But it looks like the G9 is improved over the GH5, with the dial raised up a bit (with bumps on each side in the center), probably allowing easier movement.

Power switch has changed to surrounding the shutter button, like Nikons, IIRC.  At least Panasonic knows that the power switch belongs on the right!

There will be some adjustment to having the exposure mode dial on the left, and to having it stacked on top of the drive mode dial.  But I think this might be a good move, too.  I have inadvertently changed exposure mode, and I think that would be less likely over on the left.

Bottom line, I think Panasonic has done a good job on controls.  Though I would rather have a four-way controller like the GX8 or G85, I might be won over.  Yeah, right now I'm thinking I'm gonna buy a G9.