Should I upgrade my GX8 to G9?

Those of you that have both is it worth it? The G9 is bigger and heavier so it might be an issue when travelling or is it when you are used to GX8? I have about 10 M43 lenses so I'd like to stick to the system and I also like small size and weight compared to most DSRL's.

I have had DSRLs and earlier GX7. What I specially like is the big EVF that you can use with glasses. I shoot mostly stills. My interest varies; landscapes, night shots, macro. Little bit of this and that.

Pete2 wrote:

Those of you that have both is it worth it? The G9 is bigger and heavier so it might be an issue when travelling or is it when you are used to GX8? I have about 10 M43 lenses so I'd like to stick to the system and I also like small size and weight compared to most DSRL's.

I have had DSRLs and earlier GX7. What I specially like is the big EVF that you can use with glasses. I shoot mostly stills. My interest varies; landscapes, night shots, macro. Little bit of this and that.

I have a GX8, G85 and G9. Lets just say the GX8 doesn't get used unless I need a 3rd body.

The G9 is a beast in every way. Since you're coming from the GX8 and GX7 the first thing u'll notice is the IBIS. Its eerily good. The GX8's IBIS doesn't show in the EVF so you don't see it in action most of the time. The G9 is a whole other ball game. I've taken 5sec exposures handheld with the G9.

The only things the GX8 has over the G9 is a smaller size and the tilting EVF. The G9 is better in everything else.

• Ergonomics
• Speed
• Focus reliability and options
• Customizability - Once you've configured the myriad of buttons to exactly your liking , operating the G9 feels like playing a piano and it just "gets out of the way"
• Software features (my menu, min shtr speed, etc) of the latest firmware
• dual card slots
• Rendering
• High ISO (my comfortable max on the GX8 was 1600, I have no problems with 3200 on G9)
• video options esp since the last update
• 6K Photo (18MP pics instead of 8MP from 4K Photo)+ Pre-Capture
• The G9 EVF is fantastic but so was the GX8's

The G9 is technically the spiritual successor to the GX8, ie its Panasonic's best flagship MFT photo-centric body and so they've loaded it up with every blessed thing they've learned in the past couple years.

So , yes its worth it especially at the price its been going at recently. As long as you're ok with the bigger size I have no reservations in recommending it.

I did, and have been pretty happy. Though my primary reason for the G9 was to shoot more action/wildlife and to pick up a PL100-400. If it weren't for those reasons I'd probably still get along fine with the GX8. Things that made a big difference to me:

• IBIS is way better than the GX8. hand holding 2+ second night shots that are sharp is a miracle
• Image quality- I do notice much better colors with JPEG and raw and helps cut down on processing time. maybe placebo but I find the lack of AA to be sharper. Also, l.monochrome D is a lot of fun.
• higher ISO image quality
• handling- I love the GX8 form factor but it had quite a few ergonomic quirks. The G9 solved all the issues I had. And all the FN buttons/dials are in precisely the right place.
• Speed- just a faster camera all around.
• Optional battery grip. I bought my G9 used and this came with it. I like this a lot.
• It takes advantage and owns up to the size. I felt like I really liked the GX8 but wasn't big enough for "serious shooting" (due to ergonomics/features) especially with larger lenses; yet wasn't small enough for "take everywhere" casual shooting or backpacking ultralight missions.
• edit: also USB charging and dual card slots that let me copy and backup raws to a different card. both of these are great for travel. 

Things I miss from the GX8:

• Articulating Viewfinder. I always used this on the GX8 not just for low shots, but also from an ergonomic point of view just tilting it up a few degrees really reduces the strain because you hold the camera lower. I noticed this in contrast to the G9. It's not the really the extra weight- it's just that having to hold the camera up completely to your face does fatigue you. I know this is contrary to my last point above.
• The EVF, technically the G9 is better, but the execution is still better in the GX8. The G9 it feels too 'deep' in the prism and you kind of have to work to see it and because the viewfinder doesn't articulate and is centered you have to turn your face sideways (whether left or right eye dominant) which makes it feel unnatural.
• Which leads to my next point, I really really really love touch AF while looking through the viewfinder of the GX8. I can use my left eye, I can tilt up the EVF so my nose doesn't make contact with the screen. And as much as I try to use use the joystick on the G9 I am a firm believer that touching the screen is still faster than a joystick. On the G9 I shoot differently (I turn off touch AF completely and use a lot more AFC which the G9 creams the GX8 in speed) and kind of adapted. But I think the GX8 form factor really lent itself to touch AF. I was anti touch screen for a long time and the GX8/GM5 change my mind.

I did end up selling the GX8 to my buddy. will probably replace it with a GX9. For me I want something a tad bigger than my GM5, and a tad smaller than the GX8. Also I'd love L.Monochrome D on a smaller/portable casual shooter. I'll take the compromised EVF.

G9 doesn't have Panorama Shot Mode which I use sometimes. Do you think it is because it is not "pro" enough or is there some other reason it is excluded?

If size and weight of G9 will worry you, why not consider the G95?

alcelc wrote:

If size and weight of G9 will worry you, why not consider the G95?

That is one possibility. G9 has better EVF (I have read) but I should test both somewhere to get the feeling.

G9 Image Stabilizer. Some of my lenses have the stabilizer some don't. Is that enough info or is there a special requirement for the lens stabilizer to get the best out of the camera?

The manual is telling about Dual I.S or Dual I.S.2. I understand that the Dual I.S. means that there is a stabilizer both in the lens and in the camera but what is Dual I.S.2?

Gnine wrote:

Pete2 wrote:

The manual is telling about Dual I.S or Dual I.S.2. I understand that the Dual I.S. means that there is a stabilizer both in the lens and in the camera but what is Dual I.S.2?

Just a newer, better version. The difference is in the build of the lens. I think. My older PZ 45-175 has dual IS, my PL 50-200 has dual IS 2, & is definitely better.

This is little difficult for me. Does my "Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS" has Dual I.S.2 ? There is a newer model with " II " in the name does this mean the IS2?

Just like to get to the bottom of this. I don't like to end up in the situation that I buy a new camera and find out that my lenses need all upgrading to get the best out of the package.  For example that 12-35 lens. Do I loose a lot with that in G9 if that is not IS2?

The G9 is a better camera than the GX8 for many reasons that others have listed.  It is the best camera I have ever owned. I'm so glad I bought mine (when it first came out) that I bought a second one last November when there was a sale too good to resist.

But I still like my GX8 and still use it sometimes.  I recommend that you keep yours, too, along with your GX7 (I still have my GX7).

rashid7 wrote:

Pete2 wrote:

Gnine wrote:

Pete2 wrote:

The manual is telling about Dual I.S or Dual I.S.2. I understand that the Dual I.S. means that there is a stabilizer both in the lens and in the camera but what is Dual I.S.2?

Just a newer, better version. The difference is in the build of the lens. I think. My older PZ 45-175 has dual IS, my PL 50-200 has dual IS 2, & is definitely better.

This is little difficult for me. Does my "Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS" has Dual I.S.2 ? There is a newer model with " II " in the name does this mean the IS2?

Just like to get to the bottom of this. I don't like to end up in the situation that I buy a new camera and find out that my lenses need all upgrading to get the best out of the package. For example that 12-35 lens. Do I loose a lot with that in G9 if that is not IS2?

No, absolutely not. Stabilization is a highly variable thing, dependent upon many criteria such as focal length of lens and user hold and trigger techniques. But the differences between ‘naked’ IBIS and dual IS are minimal except with long tele? Even less significant would be dif between dual IS one vs two! I did some comp of 100-300i and version ii on G9. Supposedly the older lens doesn’t even support dual IS. I noticed no difference

You must be correct. G9 is sold as a kit with "Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S." The lens is not Dual I.S.2. (if I understand it correctly) and it would be strange if you would loose an important part of the stabilization of the G9 with that lens.

I sold one of my Gx8's and got a G9 for my PL100-400. It is an amazing camera, but I kept my Gx8  because it's the first camera in a long time that felt like a real camera. If you don't need the money I'd keep the Gx8 as its something special IMHO.

Gnine wrote:

Pete2 wrote:

The manual is telling about Dual I.S or Dual I.S.2. I understand that the Dual I.S. means that there is a stabilizer both in the lens and in the camera but what is Dual I.S.2?

Just a newer, better version. The difference is in the build of the lens. I think. My older PZ 45-175 has dual IS, my PL 50-200 has dual IS 2, & is definitely better.

Actually, Dual IS and Dual IS2 both require compatible lenses and compatible bodies. The GX8 was the first body to offer Dual IS. The GX8, GX85, and GX9 all support Dual IS, but NOT Dual IS2. The G9, GH5, and G85 all support Dual IS2.

Then you ALSO have to look at whether the lens supports Dual IS, or Dual IS2. You may have to upgrade the firmware. You need to pay close attention to the model numbers. For example, the original versions of the 12-35 and 35-100 f/2.8 lenses support Dual IS, but only the updated Mark II versions of those lenses (which have an "A" in the model number) support Dual IS2.

Pete2 wrote:

You must be correct. G9 is sold as a kit with "Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S." The lens is not Dual I.S.2. (if I understand it correctly) and it would be strange if you would loose an important part of the stabilization of the G9 with that lens.

That is incorrect. Both of the 12-60 lenses support Dual IS2. The 12-60 f/3.5-5.6 model number is H-FS12060, and it must be updated to firmware v. 1.1 to support Dual IS2.  Check this table to see which lenses support Dual IS or Dual IS2, and what firmware version is needed to do so: https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/connect/dual_is.html

I wouldn't get too worked up over Dual IS or Dual IS2.  Each is an incremental improvement in stabilization, but lens OIS is pretty good, and the G9's IBIS is very good if a lens does not have any stabilization.

Pete2 wrote:

Gnine wrote:

Pete2 wrote:

The manual is telling about Dual I.S or Dual I.S.2. I understand that the Dual I.S. means that there is a stabilizer both in the lens and in the camera but what is Dual I.S.2?

Just a newer, better version. The difference is in the build of the lens. I think. My older PZ 45-175 has dual IS, my PL 50-200 has dual IS 2, & is definitely better.

This is little difficult for me. Does my "Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH Power OIS" has Dual I.S.2 ? There is a newer model with " II " in the name does this mean the IS2?

Just like to get to the bottom of this. I don't like to end up in the situation that I buy a new camera and find out that my lenses need all upgrading to get the best out of the package. For example that 12-35 lens. Do I loose a lot with that in G9 if that is not IS2?

As per 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 mk-I which is DUAL IS 2 compatible on G85, vs 12-35 f/2.8 mk-I which is DUAL IS only, there should be around <1 stop more effective stabilization on DUAL IS 2 combo vs DUAL IS combo.