Panasonic GX9 IBIS - real world experiences

Hey all,

Just wondering what your experiences are of the IBIS of the GX9 for stills?

I've been using it with my Olympus 12-40 and have noticed that the IBIS makes the LCD preview smoother but I still end up with blurry shots where I'd expect sharp results for a camera with IBIS. I tested it at 25mm and 15th of a second and no keepers. 30th of a second and faster was fine. I have steady hands and was hoping for better performance. Even with my 14-140 ii lens with firmware update I was dissapointed with the stabilisation. It wasn't dissimilar to my GX7.

I know you still need to have good technique but thought I'd just see what other people's experiences were before going back to the shop to compare it with a demo model.

Thanks!

What a gift it is to be able to take photos of wonderful things.

It's very, very good however... the G9 smokes it... that thing is other worldly good.

I notice the GX9 seems to struggle with my longer lenses so the 100-300 II when zoomed right out is always a little hit and miss handheld. With the G9 I find it's more hit.

I was lucky to get my G9 on the recent trade deal FYI. The GX9 I bought at launch and have been very please with it but until DX0 release the module I haven't' seen it at it's best with my workflow.

I mainly use Panasonic lenses where I think the dual IS kicks in pretty well it might just be playing nice with the 12-40?

Not owned GX9, but GX85 and I trust that both of their Dual IS stabilisation should have similar power.

14 f/2.5, which is the only IBIS reliance lens I have, my home testing (sitting tight in a chair, embraced the camera firm using evf, took 7 or more out of 10 consecutive shots of each shot a second apart, be sharp at 1:1 view be my final result) suggested that I can safely say to have about 2.5 stops of effective stabilisation vs the 1/focal length rule. It is 1~1.5 stop more effective than the primitive IBIS of GX7.

On 14~140 M2 and 12~35 f/2.8, both are Dual IS support, I had a result of 4~5 stops. the larger size and heavier in weight of these 2 lenses have marginally to 1 stop better than 12~32, which is also DUAL IS but smaller in size.

They all are better then 14~45, the OIS only of 3~3.5 stops.

So, I expect the 12~40, taking into account of its size and weight, at 40 should expect not more than 3 stops from IBIS. Not bad, but should not be impressive. I don't own Oly lens and so is just a wild guess.

For some experts I know they can squeeze much more from the gear. I can't and might have to discount a stop or so while standing, or shoot under extreme weather condition or have just ran etc that can compromise my handling ability.

For Pany bodies, I always recommend user to get Dual IS lenses or at least an OIS lens for the max benefit of the combo.