Panasonic G9ii Questions

I have an E-M1 Mark II, an S5ii and a G9ii. (and an E-M10 Mark II, E3, E1, X-T10, 5D)

The G9ii is a camera that I enjoy for a variety of reasons. I have no particular complaints with it. I don't want to get rid of it. I. Like. It.

But honestly- just shoot the E-M1 Mark III. It is a great camera with great features and you presumably own it free and clear. There is nothing major that you are missing with that camera. Buy a nice lens instead or pay future you to retire a month earlier.

If you insist:

The G9ii probably has cleaner shadows in some situations. I don't think it is massive. I think the noise levels are similar to the EM1.2 but I do find that the G9ii noise cleans up a little bit better with basic non-AI tools. Maybe.

My EM1.2 can get a color casting in ACR if I have to push exposure more than about two stops. I don't see it in OM Workspace so I think it is an ACR issue (which can be helped with Shadow Tint) but I don't have to do that with the G9ii. I think the G9ii is generally more forgiving in terms of pushing underexposed shots. You should be nailing exposure in camera but I sometimes have to push or pull. I can underexpose the G9ii by a lot and still get a usable image out of it. The Oly is maybe a little less forgiving- maybe.

I haven't figured out if the Olympus or the Panasonic has more latitude in the highlights. Both store more than blown JPEGs would suggest but it isn't hard to blow either of them. Bright reflections are the worst.

The G9ii is much more like the E-M1 than the S5ii in its output. Some folks report seeing improved color gradation. I don't see it but I may not know what to look for. I like the output from it. I shoot raw but the JPEG previews look great so I'm sure SOOC JPEG is nice if that's how you shoot.

Battery life on the E-M1 Mark II is forever. I don't have a problem with the G9ii because I turn it off when I'm not shooting but I don't think it lasts forever. I have some Wasabi batteries that are inexpensive and work fine. I don't and wouldn't charge any battery in the camera if I could help it.

I generally like the ergonomics on the S5ii- that is the biggest reason I got the G9ii. It is like a m43 lens adapter for my S5ii in a way. I prefer the power switch on the right, though you can make the other switch be power on the E-M1 body if you want. I hate the AF joystick on the G9ii and the S5ii. It is just fiddly and I think they all may be that way.

Be advised that four thirds lenses are largely not usable on for autofocus on the G9ii. I found the 14-54ii works pretty well (SAF only) but my 12-60 SWD does not. The focus throw is too short for it to be great in manual focus. My Olympus 14-150mm works fine on the G9ii but most of my other lenses are Panasonic anyway.

The g9ii is large but the 12-32 of 14mm prime is tiny so the result is small.

I love the G9ii viewfinder. I love the handling of it. The E-M1 Mark II is still an awesome camera as is your Mark III. You're not missing anything major, even on the S5ii honestly. It is all nonsense. Shoot what you own or buy something cheap.