I have and old Panasonic Lumix DMCG-5 mirrorless micro 4/3, it works fine, but here is my problem. I am planning a trip this spring to Egypt and I am afraid my Lumix might die on me during the trip, which would be devastating. I was thinking of buying a Lumix G9 but it came out in 2017 (I believe) I am not interested in buying and old Lumix I would prefer the latest in the G series, according to the Panasonic site it looks like the G9 has not been updated in a while. I find the GH series to expensive. I am tempted to buy the Fujifilm TX-4 (good review from DPreview). The body only is around $2,300. and then I would have to buy new lenses which would be more than I am willing to pay. I already have 3 Lumix lenses. Should I buy the G-9? For your info, I am an amateur photographer. Thank you for your feedback
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Lumix G9
- Thread starter Jacky60
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brentbrent
Veteran Member
I have two G9s, my favorite camera ever. I also had a G5 a long time back, and the G9 runs circles around that in every respect except size, weight, and cost. Though it started selling at the beginning of 2018 (when I bought my first one), it has had several firmware updates that have substantially improved it over the years. Perhaps there will be a replacement in the next few years, perhaps not. I think it's a great camera and a great value at current price. If I lost all my gear to fire or theft tomorrow, the G9 would be the first camera I'd buy.
I can't compare it to other systems or to the OM-1.
What lenses do you have? If you want smaller and lighter, you could consider a GX9.
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Brent
I can't compare it to other systems or to the OM-1.
What lenses do you have? If you want smaller and lighter, you could consider a GX9.
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Brent
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Trevor Carpenter
Forum Pro
The G9 is a brilliant camera and a real bargain. IF you have $2000 dollars to spend you also have the option of the OM-1 which is a mega camera but bang for buck you will have to go a long way to beat the G9.
Objective points
1- You are happy with your GM5 , so G9 beats GM5 in every way except size (IQ, IBIS, customisability etc) so it is a huge improvement over your existing gear.
Edit I realised it was not GM5 but I guess it is still same
2-You have already mFT lenses, you will definitely need less lenses than a Fuji camera, you will save a lot.
3- G9 will cost you 1/2 of a XT4 , perhaps even less if you buy second hand ( I mean both second hand)
4-MP wise G9 is lacking, crop-ability will be less due to extra MPs on the Fuji, however you can shoot high res with a small tripod like £10 platform for many things and it will blow away Fuji again.
Subjective Points
1- Panasonic has a better build quality, IBIS, ergonomics, PASM, better menu.
2-Panasonic has very similar IQ to Fuji, particularly day time shots will be indistinguishable, low light situations will be worse.
If you are going to invest a new system, buy Panasonic S5. Here in the UK S5 with 20-60 and 50 mm f 1.8 and spare battery is for £1699 which is almost same with the price of XT4 body . You will have 26 MP FF, a very nice 50 mm prime and very useful zoom lens (both weather sealed) with many features (live composite, high res etc)
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A rookie photographer
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WhiteBeard
Senior Member
In my - not so - humble opinion, a new G9 should be more than enough for any amateur work you might contemplate, especially if you already have a few Panasonic lenses you're happy with.
BTW, what makes you think your G5 will die on you soon ? In my engineering career, I have more often been faced with "infancy mortality" of new items with some manufacturing flaw than failures of items that are only in 2/3 their usual life expectancy, especially when used occasionally. You might consider the option of buying a smaller, more recent body as a backup plan and definitely new batteries. Otherwise, the fact that you should by now know your G5 in and out should make for on the whole better photos than if you were using a complex camera you're not completely familiar with.
That said, enjoy your trip !
I would never buy a G9, because of its size. However it must be one of the best camera deals new on the market. You are used to Panasonic and have matched lenses. Going on a trip where you need access to a camera, but with an unfamiliar system sounds like a recipe for missed shots.
The G9 is a big upgrade for you. If it’s too big, the GX9 is an obvious alternative.
If you don’t mind switching to a different interface but want to carry on using your lenses, a used EM1.2 is a bargain and smaller than the G9.
If you have two bodies, you may well need two sets of batteries and two chargers.
Andrew
The G9 is a big upgrade for you. If it’s too big, the GX9 is an obvious alternative.
If you don’t mind switching to a different interface but want to carry on using your lenses, a used EM1.2 is a bargain and smaller than the G9.
If you have two bodies, you may well need two sets of batteries and two chargers.
Andrew
J
JasonTheBirder
Guest
I use a D500 for birding because the 500PF is unsurpassed as a lens, but the G9 is the nicest camera I ever used for non-birding purposes. It's so well-designed and ergonomic and has a great sensor.
pannumon
Senior Member
As others have mentioned, G9 has received several substantial firmware upgrades over the years. GH5 was in many ways inferior to G9, until GH5 mk II was released in 2021. GH5 mk II now has all the goodies G9 got in firmware upgrades, similar what the professional full frame S-series cameras have. Compared to GH5 mk II, G9 is still pretty modern.
Personally I believe a new G-series camera will be released within a month or two, but this is purely my own speculation.
Why do you think your G5 would brake? The electronics of the camera should last decades. In fact, a brand new camera is more prone to break because there may be manufacturing faults. As suggested, I recommend getting a cheap camera as a backup if you need one. On the other hand, you might probably be able to get one from Egypt as well, although you probably don't want to spend half a day to get one during your trip.
I recently got my G9 from a repair shop. The IBIS mechanism had failed due to shock to the body. G5 would not have been broken because of the shock as it does not have an IBIS mechanism to break in the first place.
Personally I believe a new G-series camera will be released within a month or two, but this is purely my own speculation.
Why do you think your G5 would brake? The electronics of the camera should last decades. In fact, a brand new camera is more prone to break because there may be manufacturing faults. As suggested, I recommend getting a cheap camera as a backup if you need one. On the other hand, you might probably be able to get one from Egypt as well, although you probably don't want to spend half a day to get one during your trip.
I recently got my G9 from a repair shop. The IBIS mechanism had failed due to shock to the body. G5 would not have been broken because of the shock as it does not have an IBIS mechanism to break in the first place.
I had g3, G6, GX8 (3 of them and still have 2) , Olympus EM-1 and now 2 G9 (one modified to full spectrum )
hands down is the beast camera on this system that you can buy, no problem with the age...
You can even save big money finding a used one on ebay with low shutter count in very good conditiom (that is how I purchased my second G9 this year for IR dedicated photo)
This way if a new model surfaces some time soon (or not) you will avoid losing money if you want to exchange...
hands down is the beast camera on this system that you can buy, no problem with the age...
You can even save big money finding a used one on ebay with low shutter count in very good conditiom (that is how I purchased my second G9 this year for IR dedicated photo)
This way if a new model surfaces some time soon (or not) you will avoid losing money if you want to exchange...
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NorCal Jim
Senior Member
As others have pointed out, the G9 would be an excellent upgrade and no need to worry about when it was released.
For the best quality images, you should pair this excellent camera with a quality lens. I have read complaints aimed at excellent camera bodies by those concerned that there is not much difference from a previous camera body where the person complaining was using a marginal kit lens. For best results, the lens choices matter a great deal!
Good luck in your choice!
Jim
For the best quality images, you should pair this excellent camera with a quality lens. I have read complaints aimed at excellent camera bodies by those concerned that there is not much difference from a previous camera body where the person complaining was using a marginal kit lens. For best results, the lens choices matter a great deal!
Good luck in your choice!
Jim
JosephScha
Veteran Member
I am always surprised to hear how old the G9 is. Mine is nearly that old (probably half a year to 1 year younger) and I still love it. It has features that I rarely use but when I need them, it has them.
I recently used 80MP high res - raw + JPEG +normal size JPEG. I think it was the first time I had a use for it. It worked spectacularly. Developing the RAW allowed me to sharpen it, so the result looks sharper than the OOC high res JPEG.
I've used the in-camera focus stacking to take a picture of a spider, and that worked.
I've taken at least 2000 pictures with it (I didn't look, just a conservative guess). It has never let me down. I usually shoot raw and develop in light room, mostly because I want the control. But some situations require JPEG shooting and, assuming reasonable light, that works just fine also.
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js
I recently used 80MP high res - raw + JPEG +normal size JPEG. I think it was the first time I had a use for it. It worked spectacularly. Developing the RAW allowed me to sharpen it, so the result looks sharper than the OOC high res JPEG.
I've used the in-camera focus stacking to take a picture of a spider, and that worked.
I've taken at least 2000 pictures with it (I didn't look, just a conservative guess). It has never let me down. I usually shoot raw and develop in light room, mostly because I want the control. But some situations require JPEG shooting and, assuming reasonable light, that works just fine also.
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js
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Pete Berry
Senior Member
My G9 converted me to JPG only shooting except in rare low light situations. I process them in PS using the Camera Raw filter tools.
photoholiko
Senior Member
The G9 is a great camera but I think the G95 is pretty close, only 3 years old, has many features and costs less.
BTW, what makes you think your G5 will die on you soon ? because at one point it has to give out. my trusted DMCG5 has been all over the world.I bought the G5 for it size, I used to have a Nikon, love it but with 3 lenses to carry, it was heavy. and I am a little old lady. I might just keep it. Thank you for answering me.
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