Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9: What you need to know
Nominally at least, the new Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 is the successor to the GX8. But while it has a lot in common with the earlier model, the new camera comes with some serious updates, and a couple of caveats. In some ways in fact, the GX9 can be thought of as a step-up model from the GX85, rather than as a direct successor to the more expensive GX8.
We’ve had access to a pre-production GX9 for a few days, and we’ve been digging into its feature set. Here’s what you need to know.
No low-pass filter
The GX9 incorporates the same 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor as its predecessor, but omits the low-pass filter found on previous models. JPEG shooters might not see much of a difference, but this should allow you to eke out a little more detail in low-ISO Raw files.
Redesigned shutter – no more ‘shutter shock’
The GX8 was a very likable camera, but at certain shutter speeds, we encountered issues with so-called ‘shutter shock’ when the vibration caused by the shutter movement blurred fine detail. We reported this issue to Panasonic at the time, and apparently they took it seriously. The GX9 features a redesigned shutter, which should result in a 90% reduction in shutter shock, compared to its predecessor. That’s according to Panasonic – obviously we’ll be testing it for ourselves as soon as possible.
As well as the mechanical shutter, you also have the option of engaging the silent, fully-electronic shutter from 1 – 1/16,000 sec. If you’re taking pictures in a very quiet environment, this is the way to go, but distortion might become an issue when shooting fast moving subjects.
Tilting EVF (but not the same viewfinder)
One of our favorite features of the GX7 and GX8 were their tilting viewfinders, and we’re pleased to see that this design has been carried over into the GX9.
The bad news is that it’s not the same finder. The GX9’s EVF is a field-sequential type, featuring 2.7 million dot (equivalent) resolution and an equivalent magnification of 0.7X, compared to the 1.04 million-dot, 0.77X magnification OLED of the GX8. The GX9’s viewfinder image is very nice, but it’s a little smaller, and (being field-sequential) it is also prone to ‘rainbow effect’, if you’re one of the people who are bothered by that.
Touch-sensitive rear LCD – tilting only
As well as a tilting EVF, the GX9 also features a tilting, 1.24 million-dot rear LCD. The 3″ screen is touch-sensitive, allowing for (among other thing) easy AF point placement. By contrast, the GX8’s rear LCD was fully-articulating. Some people prefer tilting screens, some people don’t, which will determine whether or not you see this as an up or downgrade.
Continuous shooting and autofocus
Continuous shooting is possible at up to 9 fps with focus locked (and no live view), or 6fps with live view and/or in continuous AF mode. While the GX9’s sensor is not set up for on-sensor phase detection, Panasonic’s Depth from Defocus autofocus technology does a pretty good job of focus acquisition and tracking. DFD uses the individual (de)focus blur characteristics of modern Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lenses to quickly drive the lens’s focus groups in the right direction, largely avoiding the distracting hunting behavior of conventional contrast-detection AF systems. Face and eye-detection AF modes both work well.
In use, the GX9 isn’t in the same league as its action-focused stablemate the G9, but autofocus is fast and accurate in most shooting situations.
4K video
As well as stills, the GX9 can also capture UHD 4K video, at up to 30p. The maximum bitrate of 100Mbps (4K/30) isn’t competitive against Panasonic’s more pro-oriented GH5 and GH5S, but the GX9 should be more than capable of satisfying the needs of occasional videographers.
Video is initiated via the distinctive red button at the center of the main on/off switch, just behind the shutter release in this image. Note also the integrated exposure mode / compensation dials on the upper right of the GX9’s body.
I/O ports door
We don’t normally get too excited by the door that covers I/O ports but we’ll make an exception for the GX9…
I/O ports door
…because the GX9’s ports door is a little bit special. Rather than flapping around, getting in the way of your USB or HDMI cables whenever they’re plugged into the camera, the door hides itself away inside the body of the camera. Neat.
4K Auto Marking and Sequence Composition
Two new 4K features have been added in the GX9: Auto Marking, which automatically marks faces or motion in your video (full disclosure – try as we might, we cannot get this feature to work in our pre-production camera), and 4K Photo Sequence Composition (shown above).
Sequence Composition allows you to shoot a moving sequence in 4K, and then quickly create a composite JPEG in-camera by dragging and dropping the moving element/s from neighboring frames.
5-axis image stabilization
The GX9 features in-body stabilization, which combines with the optical stabilization systems in many Panasonic M43 lenses to offer 5-axis stabilization for a total benefit of around 4EV.
While not up there with the G9 and Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II’s 6EV+ stabilization systems, 4EV is still very useful, and should mean for example that with a 25mm lens (50mm) equivalent, sharp images can be taken right down to 1/8sec.
New ‘Dynamic’ monochrome mode
A new ‘L Monochrome: Dynamic’ mode has been added to the GX9’s suite of Creative Control effects, along with a random (i.e. non-repeating) monochrome grain effect. Normally we’re pretty indifferent towards modes like this on enthusiast-grade cameras, but the results when shooting in Monochrome D mode + grain actually look really good. Not quite Kodak Tri-X good, but close.
Built-in flash
Also new compared to the GX8 is a small built-in flash. This pop-up flash is available for close-range portraits and fill light, but with a guide number of 4.2 (ISO 100) it won’t replace an external flash for anything more than that.
The GX9 is compatible with Panasonic’s wireless flash control system, when paired with DMW-FL200L / FL360L / FL580L flashguns.
Optional grip and eyecup
The GX9 features a fairly skinny (but perfectly comfortable) handgrip, but if you want a bit more of a handful, an optional grip is available for the pretty reasonable price of $ 59.
Optional grip and eyecup
A wider eyecup is also available as an optional extra, for more comfortable shooting when wearing glasses.
Wi-Fi- and LE Bluetooth
As we’d expect from a modern Panasonic camera, the GX9 features built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer to and remote control from a mobile device, but low-energy Bluetooth (BLE) is a new addition.
BLE allows the camera to maintain a constant connection, allowing for easy wireless remote triggering and avoiding the need to go through lengthy and sometimes frustrating connection steps every time you want to use a wireless feature.
Body, sealing and battery life
The GX9 is about 25g heavier than the GX85, and about 40g lighter than the GX8. It’s slightly smaller than the GX8, too, and lacks the older models’ weather-sealing. Weather-sealing is one of those rather nebulous ‘features’ that means different things to different manufacturers, but if you enjoy shooting in all winds and weathers, take note – you have been warned.
In terms of battery life, the GX9 uses the same DMW-BLG10 battery as the GX85, and as such its CIPA-rated battery life has dropped compared to the GX8, to around 250 images per full charge. It’s not all bad news though – this increases to around 900 shots in Eco Mode, and as always, it’s likely that a stills-focused photographer will be able to get quite a bit more endurance than the CIPA figures suggest. We’d still invest in a spare battery, just in case.
What do you think?
The GX9 is dividing our commenters – some of you like the focus on feature enhancement, and don’t mind the loss of an articulating screen, weather-sealing, and the rest while others are unhappy that Panasonic hasn’t doubled-down on some of the GX8’s unique features.
Some of you, like us, are probably just confused by Panasonic’s ever-changing naming scheme for its entry-level and midrange ILCs. Which camp do you fall into? Let us know in the comments.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
