Panny G9 vs G9ii

jalywol said:

Hexlord79 said:

jalywol said:

I don't understand...You can get the feature you want by changing the settings, and the JPGs don't take up a heck of a lot of space on the SD card, so why make yourself suffer?

I mean, there are also things Oly cameras do that I really did not like, but in the long run, I just adjusted to them to get the feature I needed. Same thing with just about every other camera out there, also. As long as you CAN get the thing you need....

-J

Click to expand...

Coming from a workflow background where I usually shoot with raw files only, its a bit jarring to take the extra steps to adjust. RAW + Jpeg is suffering indeed lol!

I assume G9ii have the same issue?

Rgds,

Click to expand...

Yup. Every Panasonic has done it this way, since time immemorial

:-D

-J

Click to expand...

OOF.

But yeah apart from that the camera's pretty decent. Currently testing it as my main M43 workhorse.

Hexlord79 said:

jalywol said:

Hexlord79 said:

jalywol said:

I don't understand...You can get the feature you want by changing the settings, and the JPGs don't take up a heck of a lot of space on the SD card, so why make yourself suffer?

I mean, there are also things Oly cameras do that I really did not like, but in the long run, I just adjusted to them to get the feature I needed. Same thing with just about every other camera out there, also. As long as you CAN get the thing you need....

-J

Click to expand...

Coming from a workflow background where I usually shoot with raw files only, its a bit jarring to take the extra steps to adjust. RAW + Jpeg is suffering indeed lol!

I assume G9ii have the same issue?

Rgds,

Click to expand...

Yup. Every Panasonic has done it this way, since time immemorial

:-D

-J

Click to expand...

OOF.

But yeah apart from that the camera's pretty decent. Currently testing it as my main M43 workhorse.

Click to expand...

Here's what I've done on my S5II, which can also be done on the G9II and probably the original G9 too - set the camera to record RAWs to card 1 and JPEGs to card 2. I get my raw images of card 1 and when I put it back in the camera, I format both cards.

Not a difficult workflow at all and gives me a decent JPEG for preview.

Is there currently a micro four thirds camera that has better AF for video than the G9ii?

GuitarMagic said:

Is there currently a micro four thirds camera that has better AF for video than the G9ii?

Click to expand...

I can only go on reviews, but from what I've read the Panasonic is better than the OM-1. Jordan from PetaPixel compared the two and said "the Panasonic G9II mops the floor with the OM-1 if you're shooting video".



Video comparison starts at 9:19.

--
Pete

Pete_W said:

GuitarMagic said:

Is there currently a micro four thirds camera that has better AF for video than the G9ii?

Click to expand...

I can only go on reviews, but from what I've read the Panasonic is better than the OM-1. Jordan from PetaPixel compared the two and said "the Panasonic G9II mops the floor with the OM-1 if you're shooting video".
Video comparison starts at 9:19.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I've just seen another review that compared the G9II with the full frame Sony FX30 which has top notch AF and even there the G9II held his own surprisingly well.

Honestly, if you shoot either 1) video or 2) stills of kids / sports, then get the G9 mk2 otherwise the mk1 is STILL excellent.

I use both the G9 mk1 and the OM-1 mk1 for portraits and they're both excellent. Moving kids however at the G9 mk1 is an exercise in frustration. Don't do it to yourself.

john isaacs said:

Eric Nepean said:

I'm typically (but not always) a trailing edge buyer.

I see that I can get a new G9 for about 40% of the price of a G9mkii.

Is the G9mkii really that much better? What does it bring that makes worth $1000USD more?

Click to expand...

Unless you are buying used, the G9ii is much less than $1000 more than the G9. If you bought one with the $500 trade-in sale (and you don't necessarily need a trade in for it), then it's only $400 or so less.

Click to expand...

I can get a new G9 for $1100 CAD at most Canadian camera retailers. A new G9ii is $2600 CAD, the difference is $1500 CAD or about $1100 USD.

The $500 discount would make a difference, I could probably throw in one of my older Panasonic Models, however if I want a warranty valid in Canada, I need to buy in .Canada and so far I don't see any other retailer offering a trade in sale.

john isaacs said:

I didn't have a G9 (I had two GH5's, which satisfied my video needs for a long time). But the G9ii features and sale price convinced me to get one. I've sold one of my GH5's, and the other one is going up for sale shortly.

The G9ii has 7 years of advances, and it includes V-Log. So it's a deal. Plus, since it has the same body as the S5ii, there is a better market for accessories. It does need an SSD drive for the most advanced video features, but that's a small price to pay. And it has a higher resolution sensor with PDAF. All in all, it's an amazing release.

But it does have it's issues, and it won't be replacing my OM1 for wildlife stills. I plan to use it for wildlife video. The reason? Drive mode and AF mode are controlled by physical dials, so they can't be programmed into custom modes. That's a total deal breaker for me, despite the amazing capabilities of the Panasonic custom modes. I really wish OMDS could add some of those features. But I switch drive mode and af mode between custom modes on my OM1, and I have no interest in giving up on that feature. In fact, pathetic user mode capability is one of the main reasons I don't use Nikon for wildlife, either.

Click to expand...

I too have an OM-1 which I use for wildlife. I am wondering where the G9ii would sit in my lineup. (not asking for advice on this - personal decision)

john isaacs said:

On the plus side, the G9II is much more comfortable to hold than my GH5. The grip is deeper. But it still feels chunky compared to my OM1, which fits my hand perfectly. It's truly a marvel of ergonomics. So the G9ii will mostly sit on a tripod, while I mostly hand hold the OM1.

Click to expand...

I've always liked my Panasonic cameras, feel more comfortable with them than the Olympus cameras (or the Sony). Based on your and other comments I agree it is a significantly better camera than the G9.

Thanks for the useful comments.

john isaacs said:

But it does have it's issues, and it won't be replacing my OM1 for wildlife stills. I plan to use it for wildlife video. The reason? Drive mode and AF mode are controlled by physical dials, so they can't be programmed into custom modes. That's a total deal breaker for me, despite the amazing capabilities of the Panasonic custom modes. I really wish OMDS could add some of those features. But I switch drive mode and af mode between custom modes on my OM1, and I have no interest in giving up on that feature. In fact, pathetic user mode capability is one of the main reasons I don't use Nikon for wildlife, either.

Click to expand...

John, I'm not sure what you mean. I programmed the burst mode settings to a button, eg H, M , L SH1, PreBurst..... I put on right back dial button. I get the menu pop up and can change it, instead of having to use the left side dial where theres I, II which you program. Yes, there are a couple pushes or cursor movements with his method.

Also, the focus modes I have linked to one of the function buttons, so I can switch from All points, zone, single point etc.

In addition I used my front 2 buttons for the subject detection. a bit cumbersome needed 2 buttons, but I have one to select which subject to detect, eg animais, cars etc and the other to just toggle what I selected on and off. No biggie for me since I use birds /animals 90pct but like to toggle it off at times.

Another improvement compared to the g9 is that you can reprogram the WB, ISO and exposure comp buttons on the top left. I always use the dials for ISO and EC so I can directly dial them in. on the g9 those top buttons were wasted.

Overall, I've programmed the G9II almost to mirror (no pun intended) my OM-1...of course certain functions such as focus point zone/selection setup work totally differently. I find the OM01 joystick to be much more useful because the center button lets you toggle from one point selection method to another. Not so on the G9II

You might get your wish! It seems like a very reasonable thing for Panasonic to do.

mrxak said:

The G9II isn't just an upgrade to the G9. I'd argue it's more like a minor-to-moderate upgrade over the GH6 (depending on your use case).

Click to expand...

Agree. Bought the GH6 a year ago, as I waited for a G9 successor. After using the GH6 - I'm now selling it, having just bought the original G9. Always wanted that cam - but rationalzed waiting for a succesor. As much as I'd love to have the GH6 sensor and hand held high res modes, the original G9 is SO much nicer camera to shoot photography

I've been tempting by getting the original. I found some used for about 500€ in good condition. I believe the newer version is 3-4 times that. I don't do video and am not a professional. So, I'm thinking that this would be the way to go. I figure that if I were to splash out 2k€, I'd look into FF. But, that's just me.

the G9 original is superb for portraits, architecture, slow-ish wildlife and street.

For moving things it's a PITA, otherwise get it and invest that cash in lovely glass

LondonLeftie said:

the G9 original is superb for portraits, architecture, slow-ish wildlife and street.

For moving things it's a PITA, otherwise get it and invest that cash in lovely glass

Click to expand...

I agree. I'm now retired, and my retiremeent is not poor but fixed.

Whatever I'm spending on a G9 or G9ii, I'm not spending on something rlse.

That said, while I was still working I got a really good selection of glass, to the point where someone remarked about my DPR gear list "Holy overstocked camera store, Batman!!"

I understand, I'm semi retired. My list of gear is not as prolific as yours, yet;-)

jalywol said:

I don't understand...You can get the feature you want by changing the settings, and the JPGs don't take up a heck of a lot of space on the SD card, so why make yourself suffer?

Click to expand...

You don't understand, the suffering builds character.

jalywol said:

Since I shoot a lot of subjects with subtle color shading and shifts, I am particularly sensitive to how well a camera captures these things, and the G9II is a huge advance in that area vs the older sensor.

Of course, not everyone shoots what I do, and not everyone is going to notice this, but it just jumped right out at me immediately, even on the first set of shots I took with it. I have not had a chance to really put it through its paces as it's been super cold here this week, but what I have gotten out with it with has been very impressive.

Click to expand...

What do you shoot??

All the comments aside, which all make sense, I just bought the G9II from BH, the $600 trade in promo put me over the edge. I did not want to spend a ton, but i've been eyeing the leica 12-60 for a long time, so i got the kit with the $600 trade in rebate (you can fill out any camera (like a $30 canon ps from 2003) in the trade in form, you get the discount code immediately, bringing it down to 1700 usd + tx with the lens.

the body alone with the trade in is only 1100 (1700-600) so this actually the better deal (600 off 1700 = -32% vs 600 off 2300 = -26% for the kit) if you don't need the lens and its cheap to say the least compared to any other retailer on the planet.

I plan to sell my mint g9 + 12-60 standard kit lens and maybe 1 or 2 other lenses, will probably generate 900-1000. so hopefully a net upgrade cost of about 1000 for a new g9ii + new pl 12-60.

You got a great deal!

I first replied 9 months ago to this thread. Since then I've added a second S5iiX but still use my G9ii on an Oly 150-400 lens as often as possible. It is a fine camera.

Joe L

BobKo said:

the G9ii does not have the GH6's fan and heat-dissipation system

Click to expand...

"heat kills"; that's not just a saying it is a definite fact in electronics, critically important in high res video. The fact that Panasonic applied a cooler to one system and not so much the other tells me everything I need to know if I shot video...which I do not, I shoot stills and this extra caution has no relevance. When it comes to spending $2000 I prefer over built every time. Point is the GH6 is prepared to do video and the g9ii not so much obviously? Means the G9II lacks because there is better heat control in the GH6. I know the G9 updated fw, heats up on video so I only shoot stills 99% and short vid clips 1%. To me the whole intent and purpose of the G9 series was to be a still photographers delight from the inception, and vid wasn't it's primary attraction, although it was capable of well beyond mediocre if necessary. That's how I viewed the G9, primarily stills with high level vid capability suspect to overheating. If the primary use is vid why even look here at the G9II in the first place.... I don't think it would value anyone over the long haul to have less cooling if all you primarily do is video, or mainly do video and a few stills, cooling is worth the extra cost, size, and weight in that respect towards video (electronic bench tech since 1985, now retired)

Herbert Tipples said:

BobKo said:

the G9ii does not have the GH6's fan and heat-dissipation system

Click to expand...

Point is the GH6 is prepared to do video and the g9ii not so much obviously?

Click to expand...

FWIW, since I commented about this 9 months ago, I've had a chance to test the G9m2 for its video capabilities. It is impressive, and it will shoot high-quality video for long times. I made a video where the G9m2 recorded for more than an hour at a very high quality setting onto a 256GB USB-C thumb drive. Then I re-did the test to shoot good-quality video for even longer. There were no glitches, and I show everything in the video. The upshot is that the G9m2 can do just about everything the GH6 does video-wise, with a couple of modest exceptions. (The GH6 can shoot HD at 300 fps, but the G9m2 will do only 240 fps, for example.)

Here's my video: