Why do I need a G9

Dick Barbour wrote:

Went through the same internal debate for months, finally traded my G85 for the G9 right before a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons. I'm so glad I did, even though when you look at the individual advantages it doesn't seem to be enough. But when you put them all together it's just pure delight in a camera. I've also traded my old lenses, including the f2.8 12-35 and 35-100, for an all-Pany Leica lineup: 8-18, 12-60, and 50-200. These lenses are simply terrific performers on the G9. I also like to have 2 cameras, but not necessarily the same, just similar. So I also have the GX9 for a lighter and smaller everyday camera, paired with the 14-140 or 20/1.7. It's a nice backup for the G9 if ever needed, also.

Dick

"But when you put them all together it's just pure delight in a camera."

I have to agree!

(& I am super jealous of u having the 50-200)

Trevor Carpenter wrote:

I've held off for a year but temptation is staring me in the face but I'm still not quite there.

I never thought a G9 was worth double a G80 but with all the deals it is much less of a jump.

One of my reasons for holding back is that I like to own two bodies and I would never have been able to justify £3000. I'll only buy one now, I'm very happy with my G80 but one day the two G9s options will at least be an option.

A lot of my doubts are because I feel that I have never been overwhelmed by posted G9 pictures and have seen little that I think was unachievable with my G80.

A few areas however will swing me:

1) does that 20MP sensor really make a noticeable difference. I thought there was a definite jump up from the G7 when the AA filter was removed. Am I going to feel that level of jump again. Is it a case that it may not be that obvious but will I really notice the difference when cropping.

2) I still find daylight noise on fairly low isos a nuisance on the G80. Cropping or editing very soon shows up the weakness. Throughout my 11 digital cameras this is something where I always felt m4/3s might be lagging behind although I have to say the quality of noise is much better these days, ie much easier to deal with.

3) Focusing esp for BIFs. I have seen much talk of the G9s improved focusing but I have also always felt that the G80s focusing is just about as quick as it can get so I fail to se how it can be much improved. I have said my biggest BIF issue is following through the EVF and I don't see how that will change although people talk about the clarity of the G9 EVF which may be beneficial.

4) I am drawn in by 6K photo and the RAW pre burst but that hasn't exactly taken the internet by storm. What else new will I really appreciate?

Final question is it a case that in competition with the EM1-II it is just a case of functionality of one against the other and what appeals to the individual. I know some people have used both a I feel that the EM1-II is considered to have the advantage.

The ergonomics and evf are superb.

The 20mp sensor is not so different on resolution but changing the aspect ratio to 16x9 and still having around 16mp is how I think of it and that is nice.

The most important aspect of the 20mp sensor in my opinion is how it reacts during post process. The 20mp sensor just processes significantly better than the 16mp one. I would never go back to 16mp. If you are shooting jpg then this won't be an issue for you.

Ian

Trevor Carpenter wrote:

I've held off for a year but temptation is staring me in the face but I'm still not quite there.

I never thought a G9 was worth double a G80 but with all the deals it is much less of a jump.

One of my reasons for holding back is that I like to own two bodies and I would never have been able to justify £3000. I'll only buy one now, I'm very happy with my G80 but one day the two G9s options will at least be an option.

A lot of my doubts are because I feel that I have never been overwhelmed by posted G9 pictures and have seen little that I think was unachievable with my G80.

A few areas however will swing me:

1) does that 20MP sensor really make a noticeable difference. I thought there was a definite jump up from the G7 when the AA filter was removed. Am I going to feel that level of jump again. Is it a case that it may not be that obvious but will I really notice the difference when cropping.

2) I still find daylight noise on fairly low isos a nuisance on the G80. Cropping or editing very soon shows up the weakness. Throughout my 11 digital cameras this is something where I always felt m4/3s might be lagging behind although I have to say the quality of noise is much better these days, ie much easier to deal with.

3) Focusing esp for BIFs. I have seen much talk of the G9s improved focusing but I have also always felt that the G80s focusing is just about as quick as it can get so I fail to se how it can be much improved. I have said my biggest BIF issue is following through the EVF and I don't see how that will change although people talk about the clarity of the G9 EVF which may be beneficial.

4) I am drawn in by 6K photo and the RAW pre burst but that hasn't exactly taken the internet by storm. What else new will I really appreciate?

Final question is it a case that in competition with the EM1-II it is just a case of functionality of one against the other and what appeals to the individual. I know some people have used both a I feel that the EM1-II is considered to have the advantage.

I ended up with the EM1-ii because I compared both at the Birmingham photo show and the G9 was full price and the Oly £1,199. Also I have always wanted Oly having had a OM4Ti

As regard focusing single point af is not as fast or works as well in low light. CAF is reportedly better than G9 but it is not something I use.

Menus are more difficult but doable.

Evf is excellent on the Oly but G9 is in another league

The Oly is a fair bit smaller and the back focus button falls more to thumb for me.

Ian

Trevor,

The G9 is a great camera, actually more than the sum of it's parts.

Three specifics that I really like are:

1. 20MP seems to crop much better than my 16mp G85. I'm a JPEG shooter and find results better than those from my G85 and equal to the results from my Sony DSLR.

2. 6K photo is a really nice feature that I use often. Much better than 4K. With Pre-Burst, you can always get the shot.

3. The top LCD is wonderful and filled with information. It even shows the battery level in my battery grip and body.

Inititally, I didn't like the "hair trigger" shutter button, but I got used to it quickly. There's probably an advantage to it for reducing camera shake.

You will love the camera. A slight downside(?) is that you will want another one! It's that much better and much more fun than the G85.

Jack

IanYorke wrote:

Trevor Carpenter wrote:

I've held off for a year but temptation is staring me in the face but I'm still not quite there.

I never thought a G9 was worth double a G80 but with all the deals it is much less of a jump.

One of my reasons for holding back is that I like to own two bodies and I would never have been able to justify £3000. I'll only buy one now, I'm very happy with my G80 but one day the two G9s options will at least be an option.

A lot of my doubts are because I feel that I have never been overwhelmed by posted G9 pictures and have seen little that I think was unachievable with my G80.

A few areas however will swing me:

1) does that 20MP sensor really make a noticeable difference. I thought there was a definite jump up from the G7 when the AA filter was removed. Am I going to feel that level of jump again. Is it a case that it may not be that obvious but will I really notice the difference when cropping.

2) I still find daylight noise on fairly low isos a nuisance on the G80. Cropping or editing very soon shows up the weakness. Throughout my 11 digital cameras this is something where I always felt m4/3s might be lagging behind although I have to say the quality of noise is much better these days, ie much easier to deal with.

3) Focusing esp for BIFs. I have seen much talk of the G9s improved focusing but I have also always felt that the G80s focusing is just about as quick as it can get so I fail to se how it can be much improved. I have said my biggest BIF issue is following through the EVF and I don't see how that will change although people talk about the clarity of the G9 EVF which may be beneficial.

4) I am drawn in by 6K photo and the RAW pre burst but that hasn't exactly taken the internet by storm. What else new will I really appreciate?

Final question is it a case that in competition with the EM1-II it is just a case of functionality of one against the other and what appeals to the individual. I know some people have used both a I feel that the EM1-II is considered to have the advantage.

The ergonomics and evf are superb.

The 20mp sensor is not so different on resolution but changing the aspect ratio to 16x9 and still having around 16mp is how I think of it and that is nice.

The most important aspect of the 20mp sensor in my opinion is how it reacts during post process. The 20mp sensor just processes significantly better than the 16mp one. I would never go back to 16mp. If you are shooting jpg then this won't be an issue for you.

Ian

I'd second that, having moved from a G85 to a G9.  But the biggest reasons I moved were ergonomics and software.  Specifically, I hated the feel (or lack of feel) of the buttons on the G85, and I really wanted the Min. shutter speed function.

As far as IQ, I agree it's not a quantum leap, but ISO is about 1/3 stop better, resolution is higher, and dynamic range is improved.

What about renting one for a week? I think only then you can tell whether you like the handling and extra features, and you'll have plenty of images to play with to see how they hold up in PP.

Can only respond from the E-M1ii viewpoint. 20MP IQ is better than any 16MP model. There, I said it--fight me! Specifically, images are...smoother(?), require less work in post and--duh--more croppable. Not dramatic but welcome. Better highlight/shadow capture, better low-light response. I'mvery happy with the new sensor.

Consensus appears to be E-M1ii > G9 for BIF and other erratic subjects. I have to believe the lines get blurred with cross-brand tele lens combinations but in sum it would seem DfD is behind PDAF and the M1ii's processing power and A.I.

Hard to endorse the M1ii for its small size but adjacent to the G9 is certainly is, while for my mitts has the best camera ergonomics I've had. It's well matched to the 300 Pro, with and without the grip, and yet small lenses handle fine.

For your pursuits I should think the keeper rate will jump with either camera. If there's any way to field-test then by all means, do that. I hit "buy" having never handled an E-M1ii and from first frame was won over. Can't recommend it highly enough.

My $0.02.

Cheers,

Rick

Right then Trevor.

I've just come back from 4 days up at Chanonry Point (again!) photographing the dolphins, this time using the 30 fps Raw pre burst a lot of the time. It's superb, I've a shot at the start of a burst with calm water before the dolphin erupted vertically, yet I only had time to press the shutter when it was half way out, plus many burst shots of plain water as I pan round to a fully airborne dolphin before pressing the shutter. The only proviso is that the buffer fills rapidly, so you do need a fast card (going to look for the fastest I can afford) if you take a lot of bursts in quick succession.

As well as that, I agree with everything everyone else has said, with the addition that it's performed  excellently with the Oly 40-150 PRO as well as the Pany 100-400, including bifs from a moving boat.

Hi Trevor

Don't know how to post the direct link, but here

PART 4** This Week Through your m4/3 2018.06.30  and I think the week before or after I have two G9 shots (not pre focus), but I'll post a few using pre focus as soon as I've downloaded several thousand images!

What ever you do, don't handle the G9. Regardless if you think you want it, do not touch one. If you ever get your hands on it, the G9 will haunt you especially if you are a LUMIX user. It's one of those cameras that may have what you're seeking in performance and features, but can live without. Once you G9, the G80 may not see much use even as a second camera unless you shoot video.

Badwater wrote:

What ever you do, don't handle the G9. Regardless if you think you want it, do not touch one. If you ever get your hands on it, the G9 will haunt you especially if you are a LUMIX user. It's one of those cameras that may have what you're seeking in performance and features, but can live without. Once you G9, the G80 may not see much use even as a second camera unless you shoot video.

I agree with Badwater!

Another feature I enjoy is the joystick, especially for moving the focus point.

Trevor mentions that he crops most everything. This is one place where the 20mp of the G9 shines. I crop a lot and immediately noticed the G9 handled crops better than my G85.

I rarely use my G85 any longer,.....I "NEED" another G9!

Jack

Trevor Carpenter wrote:

I've held off for a year but temptation is staring me in the face but I'm still not quite there.

I never thought a G9 was worth double a G80 but with all the deals it is much less of a jump.

One of my reasons for holding back is that I like to own two bodies and I would never have been able to justify £3000. I'll only buy one now, I'm very happy with my G80 but one day the two G9s options will at least be an option.

A lot of my doubts are because I feel that I have never been overwhelmed by posted G9 pictures and have seen little that I think was unachievable with my G80.

TBH, on casual inspection I haven't seen many images taken with a G9, that are better than the same subjects I've taken with the E-P1.  I don't think you can blame the G9 for that.

I think in terms of IQ we are facing diminishing returns on expenditure - probably not so when considering features and ergonomics.

You think a G9 might help you win photo challenges or something?