Handling Panasonic GX9 - not too sure

After reading up on it extensively and weighing the pros and cons of upgrading, I traded in my GX7 for a GX9. The GX7 was a great little camera but I wasn't using it much - it was a backup to my Olympus EM5Mk2, and I got the GX7 used as part of a package deal several years ago. However, I did find it felt great in hand.

To be honest, I'm having a surprisingly slow and hard time warming to the GX9's handling. It seems close enough to the GX7 that I figured I'd find it very comparable.

But my initial impressions are:

• The redesigned thumb notch/rest on the back seems to interfere with my ability to access and use the rear control dial quickly.
• When I move my thumb to turn the rear control dial, I sometimes end up turning the exposure compensation dial instead because it's quite prominent.
• The body seems less grippy in hand: I think the GX7's body hump was more prominent and less slippery.
• I can't quite get the EVF just right. It seems like when the bottom part is in focus, the top part isn't quite.

I still have my older Olympus EM5Mk2, and I almost prefer it over the GX9... which surprised me.

Anybody else finding the GX9 harder to adapt to than expected? None of the online reviews mentioned any of the above, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

Ozonation wrote:

After reading up on it extensively and weighing the pros and cons of upgrading, I traded in my GX7 for a GX9. The GX7 was a great little camera but I wasn't using it much - it was a backup to my Olympus EM5Mk2, and I got the GX7 used as part of a package deal several years ago. However, I did find it felt great in hand.

To be honest, I'm having a surprisingly slow and hard time warming to the GX9's handling. It seems close enough to the GX7 that I figured I'd find it very comparable.

But my initial impressions are:

• The redesigned thumb notch/rest on the back seems to interfere with my ability to access and use the rear control dial quickly.

I know a common complaint on the GX85 is that the rear buttons are easy to press by accident and also that people buy additional thumb grips to help with griping the camera. Perhaps the thumb grip was redesigned to address this.

• When I move my thumb to turn the rear control dial, I sometimes end up turning the exposure compensation dial instead because it's quite prominent.

The GX7 didn't have an EC dial. If you don't use it in the GX9, I believe it's possible to disable it in the menu.

• The body seems less grippy in hand: I think the GX7's body hump was more prominent and less slippery.

I'm guessing perhaps most of the GX9 reviews were comparing to the GX8 that it was missed, but I know that when I researched my GX85 (which is quite similar to GX9), it was pretty clear the grip was significantly smaller than the GX7. There is at least now an optional grip for the GX9 (also compatible with GX85) to address this.

• I can't quite get the EVF just right. It seems like when the bottom part is in focus, the top part isn't quite.

This is a bit unusual. Most of the time the problem with the EVF is the edges are not sharp, not top/bottom. Is it perhaps related to the tilting (is EVF slightly tilted)? My GX85 does not have a tilt EVF, so I wouldn't be able to test.

I still have my older Olympus EM5Mk2, and I almost prefer it over the GX9... which surprised me.

Anybody else finding the GX9 harder to adapt to than expected? None of the online reviews mentioned any of the above, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

Thanks... never saw or handled a GX85, so I suppose if there were complaints, that could explain the body choices for the GX9.

Thanks for the review. 15 months with the EM5 and I'm already suffering GAS. I checked it out in store and saw not much size difference between these bodies (I was hoping for smaller).

I am itching to upgrade from EM5II to GX9 for these reasons:

- EM5II focus is flaky and tends to rear focus. GX9 seems faster and more accurate with P12-60, but not sure how it performs w/ Oly 12-40. What do you think?

- Tilt screen. I can't stand the "fully fiddly" screen

How do you feel about the IBIS having used Oly and Pana lenses on the GX9?

When I tried a GX9 the EVF seemed pretty much the same as the one on my GX7, but other than that I'd agree with what you've said.

For me the GX7 definitely has considerably better ergonomics. I'll probably still get a GX9 when the price drops, but handling one certainly made me less enthusiastic about the camera.

LittleWeHo wrote:

Thanks for the review. 15 months with the EM5 and I'm already suffering GAS. I checked it out in store and saw not much size difference between these bodies (I was hoping for smaller).

I am itching to upgrade from EM5II to GX9 for these reasons:

- EM5II focus is flaky and tends to rear focus. GX9 seems faster and more accurate with P12-60, but not sure how it performs w/ Oly 12-40. What do you think?

- Tilt screen. I can't stand the "fully fiddly" screen

How do you feel about the IBIS having used Oly and Pana lenses on the GX9?

GAS is pretty common among us photographers!

EM5Mk2 focus is good, but not the best I agree. Of course, I also shoot Nikon FX for sports so I'm used to some heavy hitting focus specs so I'm a bit biased... still, I think the Panasonic would probably have more hits. I'll know more as I keep trying it out.

I'm with you on the fully articulating screen. I find it takes too long to flip out, and then it's hanging out, so I keep worrying I'm going to hit it and snap it off!

Haven't had a chance to try the IBIS fully yet. Again, coming from Nikon and Fuji where half the time there isn't any stabilization if there's none on a particular lens or in body, I've just gotten used to holding really still or stabilizing the body against something solid.

One trick I use if I'm shooting slow shutter with no stabilization is I'll draw my elbows in slightly into almost a guard position (borrowed from my martial arts background - ha!), exhale slightly, and take two photos in quick succession. The second photo is usually okay. Maybe.

I've been using a GF1 prior to my purchase of the GX9. Which, btw, I'm very happy with.

I do notice that my handling required some adjustments but mainly with the touchscreen. I sometimes have that switched off.

The EVF requires your eye to line up perfectly and alas the edges remain fuzzy. Moving towards an edge brings it in focus blurring the opposite edge even more. This has hindered me way less than I thought it would because I use it for composition and not to read the settings.

After visiting some camera stores to check the feel of various Lumix cameras my concerns on that front were quickly abated. I was actually thinking of getting the DC-G9, stunning camera but too big for me.

After a month I must say that I like the dial arrangement on the GX9. Also, the EC dial gets used a lot which is the only one I use with my thumb.

So I quickly realized that adjustments and compromise are necessary and after a month I really love this camera a lot. Just purchased a PL15mm and now I can't put the damn thing down.

dutchcelt wrote:

I've been using a GF1 prior to my purchase of the GX9. Which, btw, I'm very happy with.

I do notice that my handling required some adjustments but mainly with the touchscreen. I sometimes have that switched off.

The EVF requires your eye to line up perfectly and alas the edges remain fuzzy. Moving towards an edge brings it in focus blurring the opposite edge even more. This has hindered me way less than I thought it would because I use it for composition and not to read the settings.

After visiting some camera stores to check the feel of various Lumix cameras my concerns on that front were quickly abated. I was actually thinking of getting the DC-G9, stunning camera but too big for me.

After a month I must say that I like the dial arrangement on the GX9. Also, the EC dial gets used a lot which is the only one I use with my thumb.

So I quickly realized that adjustments and compromise are necessary and after a month I really love this camera a lot. Just purchased a PL15mm and now I can't put the damn thing down.

That's reassuring to hear! I'm considering returning my GX9 but I'm faced with deciding what should I get in its place, if anything, and I admit I'm sort of drawing a blank if the point is to go light and small for travel. (The Fuji bodies are just as small and even lighter, but the lens are much larger.)

I got the hand grip and I love how the camera feels. Coming from Fuji cameras I’m liking the Lumix handling very much. I’m planning to shoot a lot this summer and I’m sure that practice will help to learn the camera well. Give yourself some time and get the grip if you can.

I have just fitted the grip to my GX80 and have to say it has immediately improved the handling. The grip is well made and not only feels good, it looks good too. I must compliment Park Cameras on their service, I ordered it Friday with free delivery and it arrived by DPD the next morning! Regarding the viewfinder, I have no problem with mine even whilst wearing my varifocal specs. Get the grip, it’s well worth it.

1. Ozonation wrote:

After reading up on it extensively and weighing the pros and cons of upgrading, I traded in my GX7 for a GX9. The GX7 was a great little camera but I wasn't using it much - it was a backup to my Olympus EM5Mk2, and I got the GX7 used as part of a package deal several years ago. However, I did find it felt great in hand.

To be honest, I'm having a surprisingly slow and hard time warming to the GX9's handling. It seems close enough to the GX7 that I figured I'd find it very comparable.

But my initial impressions are:

• The redesigned thumb notch/rest on the back seems to interfere with my ability to access and use the rear control dial quickly.
• When I move my thumb to turn the rear control dial, I sometimes end up turning the exposure compensation dial instead because it's quite prominent.
• The body seems less grippy in hand: I think the GX7's body hump was more prominent and less slippery.
• I can't quite get the EVF just right. It seems like when the bottom part is in focus, the top part isn't quite.

I still have my older Olympus EM5Mk2, and I almost prefer it over the GX9... which surprised me.

Anybody else finding the GX9 harder to adapt to than expected? None of the online reviews mentioned any of the above, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

The exposure comp dial is really easy to pudh unintentionally while changing the control dial. And then it's easy not be to notice the change for s time. Very irritating.but apart from this the handling seems very close to that of gx85, which is generally really good.

Deadfisheye wrote:

1. Ozonation wrote:

After reading up on it extensively and weighing the pros and cons of upgrading, I traded in my GX7 for a GX9. The GX7 was a great little camera but I wasn't using it much - it was a backup to my Olympus EM5Mk2, and I got the GX7 used as part of a package deal several years ago. However, I did find it felt great in hand.

To be honest, I'm having a surprisingly slow and hard time warming to the GX9's handling. It seems close enough to the GX7 that I figured I'd find it very comparable.

But my initial impressions are:

• The redesigned thumb notch/rest on the back seems to interfere with my ability to access and use the rear control dial quickly.
• When I move my thumb to turn the rear control dial, I sometimes end up turning the exposure compensation dial instead because it's quite prominent.
• The body seems less grippy in hand: I think the GX7's body hump was more prominent and less slippery.
• I can't quite get the EVF just right. It seems like when the bottom part is in focus, the top part isn't quite.

I still have my older Olympus EM5Mk2, and I almost prefer it over the GX9... which surprised me.

Anybody else finding the GX9 harder to adapt to than expected? None of the online reviews mentioned any of the above, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

The exposure comp dial is really easy to pudh unintentionally while changing the control dial. And then it's easy not be to notice the change for s time. Very irritating.but apart from this the handling seems very close to that of gx85, which is generally really good.

I haven't replied in a long time... but yes, after some more use, I'm more used to it. I've actually come to appreciate how much Panasonic packed into this little camera, which is sort of the point. It's not the best handling camera, but it's good enough. I might even invest in the accessory grip which I've been told adds quite a bit to handling.