G9 vs G90

judyb wrote:

Hello all & would like your thoughts re:the 2 cameras.

I want to "consolidate" my camera gear (reduce GAS) & have looked at these 2 that would allow me to use current lenses:14-140 & 12-60

I like taking photos of local lake wildlife & landscape & anything else that catches my eyes.

They share similar features such as?20mp, IBIS, no anti-alias.

The 9 does have 2 SD slots, 225 focus pts vs 49, is 6K 20 fps vs 9fps.

So I ask myself, for my use, do I really need what the G9 has & it's heavier?

Both have comfortable ergonomic grips for me.

I have the following for sale to support this upgrade:

GX85 (w JBDesigns palm grip)

G7

12-32 (w JJC open close lens cap)(OIS, 3.5-5.6(

35-100-4.0-5.6, OIS

Opinions welcomed-just be kind

Thank you, Judy

Some years ago, when I started doing some pro work, I decided to stop investing in non-top-of-the-line cameras. There are several features that manufacturers remove from the lower levels to avoid cannibalizing sales of the higher end cameras that I simply couldn't take it anymore.

In the case of the G90, is very similar as the G9, although I say this not from experience, but from what I read before making my switch from Olympus to Panasonic. And I'm so happy that I got the G9.

In my particular case, having 2 card slots was a must. I almost lost a customer because my older camera decided not to write to the SD card for some minutes. Thankfully my son was covering the same event with my other body, and I was able to use his images. Very scary stuff. So when someone is paying for your work, you better have backup.

Having said all that, my needs might be different than yours, and in fact the G90 might be a better fit. In fact, I'm considering one as my backup body, but I'm also considering the GX9 to be able to travel lighter.

Good luck with your decision.

The Panorama  feature of the G90 I thought I would miss but in fact the I.C.E program is very good and imho does a better job . So I just take 2 3 4 shots with my G9 and I.C.E stitches them together perfectly. It's very quick and easy to use.

In my own case, I would buy the G9. Especially if the price was close. While both are very nice cameras the G9 just packs a whole lot more features and delivers more value.

In your own case, the G90/95 might make more sense if you want a smaller and lighter camera. But it still isn't a small camera by any means, and is only slightly smaller and 122 grams lighter than the flagship quality G9.

I might be biased in this regard, but I consider my GM1 a "small camera" and my GX85 a "medium sized" one. I would consider both the G90/95 and G9 as "large" cameras.

On paper at least you will get a lot more for your money with the G9. The real question for you is if you need those extra things, and if you are willing to have a somewhat larger camera to get them.

There is a website called CameraDecision.com that simply compares specs, and they have identified fourteen reasons to select the G9 over the G90/95. Look over this list and see if any of these things are important for you:

In my own case, the battery life, more focus points, much better EVF, and dual storage slots count a lot, but your own needs might be different.

In fairness, they also identified four reasons to select the G90/95 over the G9:

Of course, you really should try to handle both before buying, because ergonomics counts a lot. And it is different for everyone. If you find a camera more comfortable and convenient to use, then you will want to use it more. And that is more important than some feature you may rarely or never need.

Good luck!

jalywol wrote:

If weight is not important, and both grips fit your hand equally well, get the G9.

If you want to go a bit lighter or the G9 grip is too deep, get the G90.

I found the G9 grip uncomfortably deep, but have not tried the G90. I have a GX8, which I find very comfortable, and bought a GX9 as my second 20MP body this summer. It does not have the best grip (and you already find the GX85 too shallow), but I vastly prefer the lighter weight body, even with larger lenses.

So, just decide if the G9 is over your comfort limit in terms of weight or grip size, and if not, get that one.

-J

I also have a GX8 and got a G9 when the prices hit super cheap for a couple of months. However, I never really could adjust to the grip/weight combo, finding it too long/heavy. I have the 12-35 and 35-100 F/2.8 lenses, plus 20 and 25PL primes. I replaced the G9 with a G90 and couldn't be happier. 'Didn't really notice/miss the higher specs with the move. My niece has the GX8 on permanent loan ATM and I do miss this as a stealth/street combo with the 20 pancake!

Judy, one clarification. That 225 isn't frames per second, it is AF focus points. And that is a big increase over the 49 that the G95 has.

As far as frames per second goes, the G9 is quite a bit faster, but the G95 is faster than I would ever need.

So.... it still becomes a tough decision.

judyb wrote:

Il appreciate clarification Marty

the G9 has 20fps vs 9 for the 95.

I ask myself the same question-in that the need.

I believe either camera is a good upgrade from the G7 I have.

I do wish there would be some sort of larger viewfinder that can attach to the flash.

I've seen it for other cameras

Thank you for your response

judy

Well you should be able to attach a HDMI monitor to either camera. I suspect that is what you are seeing. Mostly these are sold for people doing video.

I haven't used one myself, but Lilliput is a name I've heard people using.

• B&H on camera monitor list, priced low to high
• Lilliput 5" monitor
• Lilliput 7" monitor

Now, the higher end of these monitors include video recording that is often faster than what the camera can manage to SD cards. I've read that touchscreen monitors work with some cameras, but I don't know whether the G90 and/or G9 support using the touch screen like can use on the rear screen monitor.

Another way to get a different monitor is to use an Android or Apple smart phone and connect via the Panasonic app to your camera. You can probably find some attachment to allow holding the phone off of the camera's hotshoe.

If you want a true viewfinder that you put up to your eye, there are various attachments to use the rear screen of your camera. Hoodman is the most prominent name, but there are others as well:

• Hoodman mirrorless live view kit

G9 all the way, use one for a while and the extra weight becomes no problem. I have never owned such an all round camera in 50 years of shooting.

Dave

A couple of points, if you bolt on viewfinder add ons the weight advantage of the G90 starts to evaporate. No 2 if you want a wider lens why not consider the FZ1000 mk2 it is a real 3x2 format insread of the Gs 4x3 and just about does everything. I know it a 1 inch sensor but it's a great camera. Selling your current gear would finance it. I know the Gs do a 3x2 crop but it's not native so is just a crop..

Hi Judyb

You did mention in your first post that you are interested in shooting wildlife

The biggest difference in size between the two cameras is the depth because of the bigger grip. You seem to have tried both which is always better

The lenses you currently own are relatively small but if you ever decide to get more "serious" glass for your wildlife shoot like the PL 100-400 or the outstanding PL 50/200 the deeper grip of the G9 is going to feel better

Also considering the now small difference in price , imo there is no reason not to go to the g9 / Even if you do not use all the features, there are going to be some that you are going to really appreciate

I am also not sure if the ibis on the G90 is as good as on the G9

Harold

jalywol wrote:

judyb wrote:

I was hoping to find something that went into the flash mount

That way when I was out in the sun, I'd have a larger field of view rather than the smaller viewfinder.'

The lcd screen in sunlight is almost impossible to see

The G9's EVF is huge and works great, IMO. With that EVF andthe joystick for moving AF, I often shoot with the LCD closed, works fine for me.

Just get the larger accessory eyecup. They make ones for the G9, and the GX9, but I am not sure if they make one for the G90.

I have ones for all of my Panasonic bodies and they make a huge difference in EVF functionality, esp in bright sunlight.

I have the accessory eyecups for my GX7 and GX8 and like them a lot. The G9's eyecup is a different matter, though. Too wide, too curved. Photos and details here: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4261593

Thanks for that link. Yes, that extended eyecup looks massive. I’d like an extended eye up for my GM5 but the standard G9 is plenty big enough for me with glasses on.

judyb wrote:

I was hoping to find something that went into the flash mount

That way when I was out in the sun, I'd have a larger field of view rather than the smaller viewfinder.'

The lcd screen in sunlight is almost impossible to see

ty judy

There are sun hoods that help shade the screen when you are out in bright sun. I've used this on my G85, and it helped (at least when I remembered to pack it):

• Smallrig.com sun hood

The external monitors have attachments so they fit in the flash hotshoe (or on the cage if you use one of those).

Since I posted about external monitors, I've decided to dig a little deeper. Most of the 5-5.7" monitors have a brightness of 400-500 nits, and come with a sunshade.

However a few of the 7" monitors have a brightness of 2200 nits. The one I've been looking at is the Andycine C7 monitor. Here is the manufacturer's page for it (look at the 3rd picture to see the contrast between the C7 at 2200 nits and another monitor at 450 nits:

• Andycine 7" C7 monitor

In reading the reviews on Amazon, there is one big take away about the brightness. At full brightness, it can run through batteries, and it does run hot.

It does have an auto-dimming feature so if you move back and forth between inside and outside, you can presumably save power.

And of course another issue is it does add to the weight and bulk of the gear.  For video this is part of the way of doing business, but for stills, it might make it harder to shoot.