What happens when a company known for its video-centric hybrid cameras turns its attention to professional stills shooters? The Panasonic G9. Still equipped with high-end video specs like 4K/60p recording, it adds stills-centric features like 20 fps bursts and an 80MP high-resolution mode. Get caught up on everything that’s new in our quick overview video.
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VSCO adds ‘Recipes’ feature that lets you create 10 custom presets
VSCO has launched a new feature for VSCO X subscribers called Recipes. With Recipes, subscribers are able to save their favorite edits, making it possible to apply them as a batch to future images. Up to 10 Recipes can be saved at a time via a new menu item that you tap after the image edits are chosen for the first time.
Non VSCO X subscribers will be able to save only one recipe, so if you want to get into the preset making game, you’ll need to pony up for the VSCO X membership ($ 20/year).
The company explains how to use the new Recipes feature in the video below:
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This is what happens when a ‘weather sealed’ camera takes a dip in salt water
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It shouldn’t need saying, but weather resistant, weather sealed and environmentally sealed do not mean waterproof. A cursory glance at your warranty should make this clear: no matter how good a reputation your brand has, if it isn’t covered by the warranty, you’re in ‘at your own risk’ territory.
Roger Cicala’s latest blog post over at Lens Rentals shows the damage that can occur when a nominally weather sealed camera gets wet—both the damage and the detective work made clearer by the fact that this particular camera took a dip in salt water. Cicala follows the path of the corrosion throughout the camera and explains why an encounter with seawater may render your camera not just non-functioning, but completely irreparable.
As is so often the case with Cicala’s ‘big picture’ blog posts, don’t get too hung up on the specific model he’s dissecting. As he points out in the comments, he’s written off some of every brand from salt-water damage.
Check out some of the pictures from this particularly painful teardown at the top, and then click the big blue button below to see the full post on Lens Rentals.
Teardown of a corroded camera
As an aside, this is the main of reasons we can’t test manufacturer claims in this area. Partly, of course, it’s because we have to return all the cameras to the manufacturers; but another aspect is that, like lens copy variation, camera failure is probabilistic: you’d need to test lots of cameras to know whether the model you’re testing is flawed or if you were just unlucky with your sample.
Cicala gets the kind of insight that the rest of us simply can’t get—he gets to see a much larger data set based on what the company rents and what it then has to repair—but even he doesn’t claim to have a solid answer to which brand is best. Just something to bear in mind the next time you’re thinking of sharing that ‘extreme torture test’ video of your brand’s flagship.
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How to Capture the True Nature of Indigenous Cultures with Sensitivity
This article is definitely going to be a switch from my normal contributions here on dPS, but it’s a topic that is quickly becoming relevant in today’s society. As more people travel and snap photos, it’s becoming increasingly popular to shoot photos of various indigenous cultures. Indeed many different indigenous groups offer travel packages where you can experience their culture and way of life.
Photographing Indigenous Cultures is Important
When you think of photos of indigenous people this image probably doesn’t come to mind but this is “us” too.
The additional attention is certainly not a bad thing. For far too long various indigenous groups throughout the world have suffered from racism and just plain poor treatment. As a member of an indigenous group, I see a lot of positives in the awakening and the growing awareness of the plight of these groups of people.
My mother’s side of the family is Algonquin. My ancestors and other members of the Algonquin nation inhabited a large territory that extended through the Ottawa area of Ontario, Canada into the province of Quebec. Algonquin Provincial Park (the largest Canadian Provincial Park) was established in the early 1900’s and essentially annexed my family’s traditional hunting grounds.
It’s a beautiful park, and many of my relatives were born on our family’s trap lines. After the creation of the park, my family members were considered poachers. (I only mention these facts to establish perspective.) So while the awakening of the public consciousness to the beauty of indigenous culture is definitely a positive occurrence, there are certainly some things to take into consideration.
Originally sewn by my great Aunt Helen. This is the fringe detail on a women’s dress.
We are friendly and welcoming
The first being that 100s of years of bad treatment cannot be erased in the blink of an eye. Hard feelings still exist. Canadian indigenous groups are slowly moving toward reclaiming their heritage and learning about the traditions that governments tried to erase. This holds true for so many other indigenous groups around the world. The indigenous groups of Australia have faced similar struggles to their counterparts here in Canada.
When attempting to make connections with various groups for photography, you may experience some skepticism. Sometimes people are suspicious. We are welcoming and loving people but when you’ve been beaten down as many times as most indigenous groups, you might experience some quiet reticence to requests to photograph various groups.
Photograph by Michelle Glassford Mackenzie
Educate yourself on the culture
My second recommendation would be to educate yourself about the people you wish to photograph before your visit. Become familiar with some of the language. For example, in the Algonquin language, you would say “Kwey” meaning “Hello”.
Knowing some words and showing respect for the culture may allow you to gain a more personal and friendly relationship with the people you wish to photograph. So look up the words. Ask questions of those who speak the language and try to greet people respectfully. Never just jump in and spout words without being sure you know how to use them properly. Generally, “Hello” and “Thank you” are enough.
Used for various ceremonies and during nation gatherings, my aunt also made this drum.
Get permission
Thirdly, and I make this point in very general terms, some ceremonies are very special and you always need to ensure you have permission before you photograph the event. In some cultures, photography is not allowed. There have been incidents where photographers have invaded very sacred events and angered the individuals involved.
Quite honestly, being ignorant and disrespectful just continues to create feelings of hostility and suspicion between indigenous groups and the general public. So please ask questions, be polite, and be respectful. The idea is to move on and repair the divisions created by years of colonial assimilation tactics.
Indigenous perspective
Finally, there’s just one other point I wish to make. I hope it doesn’t ruin your desire to learn about and experience an indigenous culture, but I hate to burst your bubble. We (all indigenous people) are regular people. We are not the romanticized “savages” of a bygone era. We get up in the morning and brush our teeth just like you do. Fellow indigenous photographer Nadya Kwandibens sums it up best in her mission statement.
“We, as Indigenous people, are often portrayed in history books as Nations once great; in museums as Nations frozen stoic; in the media as Nations forever troubled. These images can be despairing; however, my goal seeks to steer the positive course. If our history is a shadow, let this moment serve as a light. We are musicians, lawyers, doctors, mothers, and sons. We are activists, scholars, dreamers, fathers, and daughters. Let us claim ourselves now and see that we are, and will always be great, thriving, balanced civilizations capable of carrying ourselves into that bright new day.”
If you’re going to photograph our culture then, by all means, go ahead snap away, but please capture us as we are. We are living breathing human beings just like you. Don’t look for the past and the romantic notions of characters like Disney’s “Pocahontas”. (By the way, that whole story is so twisted the truth is buried in myth just like stories of King Arthur)
Never take that as the truth about the lives of indigenous people. Meet us, know us as humans and capture our heart and soul in the same way you would any other person you meet. Take the advice of my friend Michelle a fellow indigenous photographer.
Photography by: Michelle Glassford Mackenzie
“While photographing these public yet sacred events one must be both respectful and gracious. Despite being a public event it is best to ask permission to photograph individuals in their regalia, more than often the person will agree. For my photo of the gentleman (above), I asked if he would allow me to photograph him. He replied, only if he could return the favor and photograph me. So after I took this photo, he took my camera and photographed me. Sometimes, it is obvious when a person doesn’t want their photo taken and I will respect their wishes. Other times, you see the joy on their face, as in the female dancer. You don’t necessarily need to capture faces to tell a story, as seen in the photograph of the jingle dress. Also, during these ceremonies, there are Honour Songs and other sacred moments when Photography is not permitted….listen to the MC. Final words….Please be respectful.”
Another shot of the dress. This is a self-portrait.
Resources to help you
For those of you wishing to learn more and to explore photographing indigenous cultures, I’m leaving you with a list of resources. Ones which I hope will help you in your quest to capture amazing images and also help in capturing the true powerful nature of indigenous cultures and groups around the world.
It is my hope that this article helps to continue our journey. Indigenous people are moving towards a brighter future heading down the path towards the revitalization of our pride and our culture. Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions. If I don’t know the answer, I will find those who do and share with you. This is not just about my family history but about the lives of millions of individuals who are moving forward in a modern society. We are still here, and we are amazing.
An indigenous mother and her children.
- The controversial book by Jimmy Nelson – I will let you decide how you feel about the photographs.
- Diego Huerto – Same thing with these images? What do you think?
- Aaron Huey’s Ted Talk – America’s Native Prisoners of War, a heart-wrenching account of the history of Native Americans from their perspective. Please note Aaron Huey is not an indigenous person.
- Matika Wilbur – Compare her photographs of indigenous women to the photographs by Jimmy Nelson and Diego Huerto. I think this difference speaks volumes, especially her Project 562.
- An example of the awakening and continued efforts to promote and reconnect with our culture from Windspeaker.
Photography by: Michelle Glassford Mackenzie
Note from the Editor
I have photographed a couple of Round Dances, which is a ceremony to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on. It is put on by a local charity organization; they provide the venue, food, and safe place. There were a few rules to doing photography such as no use of flash, and that at certain times no photos were to be taken. I was honored to capture this event and easily and happily abided by those rules. High ISO (12,800 in some cases) and a fast lens (f/1.8) did the trick. Respect is so important. Respect each other and gain understanding. I feel richer for having had these experiences and been allowed to photograph such a sacred event. Here are some of the images I captured – Darlene, dPS Managing Editor.
The post How to Capture the True Nature of Indigenous Cultures with Sensitivity by Erin Fitzgibbon appeared first on Digital Photography School.
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Panasonic Lumix G9 sample gallery
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Panasonic pleasantly surprised us last week when they dropped off a near-final version of their new Lumix DC-G9 flagship stills camera. There’s obviously a ton we want to test out, but in the meantime, we were eager to get it out and about for some initial sample shooting. Watch this space in the coming weeks for more images under a variety of situations, including some peak-action sports. For now, take a look at what it can do in low light and a rare sunny afternoon in otherwise wintry Seattle.
See our Panasonic Lumix G9 sample gallery
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Corephotonics sues Apple over dual-camera zoom patents
Israel-based company Corephotonics—which is best known for its smartphone dual-camera systems—has filed a patent infringement case against Apple in federal court. The company claims that has used Corephotonics’ dual-camera zoom technology in the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus without authorization.
According to the complaint, Corephotonics Chief Executive David Mendlovic had attempted to negotiate a partnership with Apple. However, while Corephotonics received positive feedback on their technology from Apple, the iPhone makers refused a licensing deal, suggesting Corephotonics patents could be infringed with little consequence.
From the lawsuit:
As one of its first acts as a company, Corephotonics reached out to Apple in the hopes of establishing a strategic partnership. Corephotonics received many encouraging reports and positive feedback from Apple about its technology, but the parties never concluded a license to the Corephotonics technology.
In fact, after one failed effort to negotiate a license, Apple’s lead negotiator expressed contempt for Corephotonics’ patents, telling Dr. Mendlovic and others that even if Apple infringed, it would take years and millions of dollars in litigation before Apple might have to pay something.
Corephotonics investors include Foxconn and chipmaker MediaTek, which are both suppliers to Apple. In the lawsuit the company is represented by legal firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, which also advised Samsung Electronics on its patent litigation with Apple.
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3 Tips for Experimenting with Shutter Speed Creatively
So what exactly is shutter speed? In its simplest form, shutter speed refers to the length of time that your camera sensor is exposed to light (the shutter stays open) while taking a photo. A faster shutter speed thus lets in less light and a slower shutter speed lets in more light.
You may already be aware that shutter speed is one of the three elements of the Exposure Triangle that work in tandem. Thus changing your shutter speed leads to changing one of the two other elements (aperture and ISO) to compensate for your exposure.
Of the three, shutter speed is the one that allows you the most creative versatility. If you want to use shutter speed to make more artistic choices, let’s start with some basics.
1) Freezing Motion
Freezing action or motion happens at faster shutter speeds and literally captures a moment in time. If the shutter is open for a long time and your subject is moving, it looks blurred. On the converse side, when you have a faster shutter speed, any movement (blur) is less noticeable as it’s more frozen.
Sports photographers especially, take advantage of freezing motion techniques. Capturing that moment a player strikes a ball, crossing a finish line or just as that knockout punch is delivered is important in that genre of photography.
2) Panning
Panning is a technique where your moving object appears in focus, but the background appears to be moving at a higher speed. When using this technique, pick a subject that moves across your field of vision from side to side and not coming toward or moving away from you.
Pre-focusing at the distance where the subject will be when you shoot is a good habit. This is because autofocus can easily switch your camera focus to the background, instead of keeping it on the subject.
Lastly, your follow-through is a very important aspect of panning.
For example, if you are shooting a car, pre-focus on the road or area where the car will be. Then aim your camera in the direction that the car is coming from, and when it is almost in front of you, hold down the shutter button (make sure to set it to high-speed burst mode) and move your camera with the car’s movements.
Note: Pre-focusing helps you minimize shutter lag.
This technique takes some practice but is a lot of fun. If you find that your background is still sharp, use a slower shutter speed and retry. For best results, try and match the speed at which you pan with the speed of the object.
3) Slowing it down
Slow shutter times are when you leave the camera shutter open for much longer than normal. This is a highly creative effect and helps you show motion like movement in a crowd, light trails or fast flowing water. With slower shutter speeds, a tripod is an essential asset to avoid camera shake. You can also invest in a remote trigger or cable release to minimize shake even more.
When your shutter is open for long periods of time, you risk having too much light enter your camera. To help with this, you can use a smaller aperture (higher f-number), shoot at a low ISO, or cut the amount of light using filters.
Neutral Density (ND) filters are a landscape photographer’s best friend when it comes to shooting long exposures during the day. Slower shutter shooting is more widely known as long exposure photography.
An extremely long exposure here has made the water smooth and dreamy.
A faster shutter speed here has partially frozen the crashing wave.
Bonus: light painting with the shutter opened
This technique, also called light painting, is where you make images in a dark place (usually) by moving a hand-held light source (or by moving the camera), while your shutter is open. If you are moving the light source, you need the camera to be steady.
As in the previous tip, a tripod is recommended, but nothing is wrong with embracing blur as part of your creative technique. Once you are ready, dial in a slow shutter speed and set up a timer. Now use any handheld light source (e.g. torch, flashlight, light-stick or cellphone) to “paint” in your scene. It’s a cool approach you can use when storytelling.
Conclusion
Do you have a favorite way to use shutter speed creatively? Are you a fan of freezing motion or do you prefer long exposures? Have you ever tried panning or light painting? Share some of your work with us in the comments below.
The post 3 Tips for Experimenting with Shutter Speed Creatively by Nisha Ramroop appeared first on Digital Photography School.
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Panasonic Lumix G9: What you need to know
Panasonic Lumix G9: What you need to know
The new Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 is a flagship interchangeable lens camera aimed primarily at stills photographers. Sitting alongside the video-centric GH5 in Panasonic’s high-end Micro Four Thirds lineup, the G9 is designed for speed, durability, and versatility. Between using one for a few days and digging into its lengthy spec sheet, here’s what we think you need to know about it.
Same 20.3MP sensor as GH5
The G9 features the same 20.3MP CMOS sensor as the GH5, capable of a maximum output of 5184 x 3888 pixels. As such, baseline performance in stills mode should be very good indeed. Panasonic did a lot of work with the GH5 to improve JPEG image quality over earlier generations and despite being a video-oriented camera, the GH5 compared well with competitive models from the likes of Olympus and Fujifilm.
Revamped JPEG engine
The really good news is that Panasonic’s engineers didn’t stop with the improvements they made in the GH5. As a stills-focused flagship, the G9 has been further tweaked, with improved color and noise reduction in JPEG mode. We were pretty happy with JPEGs from the GH5, but the improvements in the G9 are obvious. Organic textures are rendered more naturally, and images taken at medium / high ISO sensitivities look better, thanks to more intelligent noise reduction.
Large, high-resolution EVF
The G9’s OLED viewfinder is really something. A resolution of 3.86 million dots (equiv) and 120 fps refresh rate means that it’s detailed and contrasty, and with an equivalent maximum magnification of 0.83X (in full-frame camera terms) it’s enormous, too – and very immersive. Looking through the G9’s finder, it’s easy to forget that it uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor. If the viewfinder image is too big for you (for instance if you wear reading / sunglasses) the magnification can be dialed back to 0.77X or 0.7X if/when required.
Obviously, being a mirrorless camera, a full range of shooting information and various shooting aids (like focus peaking, an electronic level etc.) are available in the G9’s viewfinder, just as they are on the rear LCD.
20fps burst shooting with AF-C
The G9’s conventional mechanical shutter tops out at 9 fps with AF-C, but shifting to a fully electronic shutter ups that to an impressive 20 frames per second. If this still isn’t fast enough for you, the G9 can also shoot at a maximum rate of 60 fps using its electronic shutter with focus locked.
For best performance, you’ll want to install a UHS-II Class 3 (U3) SD card. The G9 offers two card slots, both of which support the UHS-II standard.
4k/60p video
The G9 isn’t meant to replace the GH5 and cannot match that model’s professional video features, but despite the focus on still imaging, its video feature set is still pretty solid. The headline feature is 4K/60p video at a maximum bitrate of 150Mbps but other features, like focusing peaking, zebra stripes and flicker reduction are good to see, and should make the G9 useful for multimedia professionals as well as casual or occasional video shooters.
Encouragingly, the G9’s autofocus in video mode seems much improved over previous models and less prone to ‘hunting’. In the words of our very own technical editor Rishi Sanyal, this makes autofocus in video mode ‘usable’. High praise indeed, as anyone who knows him will tell you.
4K / 6K photo
The G9 also offers 4K and 6K photo modes, which essentially capture high-resolution stills images as video frames, at up to 30fps (6K) and 60fps (4K). Effective resolution is 18MP for 6K photo files and 8MP in 4K photo mode. Panasonic claims that the Venus Engine 10 processor enables more effective ‘Post Recording Refinement’ to improve image quality in 4K/6K photo modes, by reducing noise and rolling shutter effect.
80mp high-res shot mode
Among the most interesting features to emerge into the consumer and professional stills camera market in the past few years have been the various sensor-shift modes, offered by the likes of Olympus and Pentax, aimed at increasing resolution (in one way or another). The G9 joins the club with an 80MP high-resolution shot mode (with JPEG and Raw output) which works by shifting the 20MP sensor by half-pixel increments, eight times – and then combining the exposures into a single, high-resolution image.
We haven’t been able to give this feature a proper try-out yet, but we’d expect it to offer the same benefits as the similar mode built into Olympus’s high-end Micro Four Thirds cameras. At the very least, it should offer a very useful resolution boost for still life and product photography. We’re hopeful that capture is fast enough to also make it useful for landscape work, assuming minimal or no movement within the scene.
6.5 stops of image stabilization
No – that’s not a typo. The G9’s 5-axis system is rated to offer image stabilization to the tune of 6.5 stops of correction, with short lenses and/or longer lenses, in combination with optical stabilization. We’ve been very impressed with improvements made to image stabilization in recent Panasonic and Olympus M43 cameras, and the G9 continues this trend.
To put this in perspective, 6.5 stops of correction means that you should be able to hand-hold a 100mm (equiv) lens at shutter speeds of slightly longer than a quarter of a second. Watch this space for some real-world test results.
Improved DFD autofocus
Panasonic’s clever Depth-from-Defocus (DFD) technology delivers impressively fast and accurate autofocus – including tracking – considering that it’s a pure contrast-detection AF system. In the G9, Panasonic claims that this 225-point system has been further improved compared to the GH5. In addition to various automatic AF area modes, an AF joystick is nicely positioned for use by the right thumb, and the G9’s 1.04 million-dot rear LCD can be used as a touch panel for AF point positioning with your eye to the viewfinder, if required.
Professional build quality
The G9 is built to be a flagship stills camera and as such it offers excellent build quality, with dust and moisture-sealing and a cold weather performance rating down to -10°C (14°F). Designed for use outdoors and in tough conditions, the quality of the G9’s die-cast magnesium alloy construction is obvious as soon as you pick it up. Less tangible, but a time-honored shorthand for durability is the G9’s shutter rating, which like many professional DSLRs should withstand (at least) 200,000 cycles.
USB 3.0 and Bluetooth LE / WiFi
Like the GH5, the G9 features a USB 3.0 interface, but via a conventional Micro-B-type connector, rather than USB C. Not quite as versatile, but probably more practical for the stills photographers at whom the G9 is being aimed. The G9 can be charged via USB and powered from it, too – increasing the camera’s versatility when tethered or used remotely. Bluetooth LE 4.2 and Wi-Fi (5GH) is also built-in, for connection to smart devices.
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Panasonic G9 offers pro-level features, 20 fps bursts, huge EVF and class-leading image stabilization
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Panasonic’s new Lumix DC-G9 is the company’s first mirrorless camera aimed specifically at professional stills photographers. Geared for high-speed capture at up to 20fps, the G9 offers the same 20MP Four Thirds sensor as the video-centric GH5, but with tweaked image processing for better JPEG image quality. If 20 Megapixels isn’t enough for you, the G9 is able to shift its sensor (more on that below) eight times to create an 80MP Raw image with ultra-high resolution.
The G9’s image stabilization is as good as you’ll find on any interchangeable lens cameras, capable of reducing shake by up to 6.5 stops. Panasonic claims that this system still offers that level of stabilization at wider focal lengths when using non-stabilized lenses, and maintains it at longer focal lengths with those with built-in IS, where it can use ‘Dual I.S. 2.’
There’s a refined ‘Depth from Defocus’ AF system on the G9, which offers 225 selectable points and improvements in both speed and subject tracking. The camera is capable of shooting bursts at 20 fps with continuous autofocus using its electronic shutter (9 fps with mechanical) and 60 fps with single AF (12 fps with mechanical). The buffer allows for up to 50 Raw images to be captured in a single burst.
The G9 samples the full width of the sensor for all resolutions, which means no crop and higher quality.The G9 has a sturdy metal body that’s sealed against the elements and freezeproof to -10C/+14F. Direct controls include a lockable mode dial with a sub-dial for drive mode, an AF-point selection joystick and function switch for quickly swapping settings, similar to what’s found on some Olympus cameras. The OLED electronic viewfinder is downright enormous, with a maximum magnification of 0.83x equivalent and a resolution of 3.68 million dots. A 3″ fully articulating touchscreen LCD is also available. The camera has two SD memory card slots, both of which support UHS-II media. Ports include HDMI, microphone, headphone, flash sync, USB 3.0 (Micro B) and wired remote.
On the video front, the G9 can capture UHD 4K video at up to 60 fps, with a maximum bitrate of 150Mbps. It samples the full width of the sensor for all resolutions, which means no crop and higher quality. You can shoot slo-mo video at up to 60 fps in 4K and 180 fps at Full HD. The G9 can use its video capabilities to capture both 6K and 4K stills.
The G9 is powered by the same DMW-BLF19 battery as the GH5 with a CIPA rating of up to 400 shots per charge. A ‘power save LVF’ mode puts the camera into sleep mode when the EVF is not in use, and the camera turns on instantly when the shutter release is half-pressed. This mode improves battery life by roughly 2.3x. An optional battery grip holds an additional DMW-BLF19, bringing the CIPA number up to 800 shots. The G9 can be charged over USB.
Lastly, connectivity. While most cameras are still using 802.11b/g/n, the G9 uses the modern 802.11ac standard. Using the Panasonic Image App you can remotely control the camera, automatically transfer photos and copy settings from one G9 to another. Bluetooth 4.2 LE maintains a constant connection between the camera and smartphone and a basic app can be used as a remote shutter release.
The DC-G9 will ship in January 2018 for $ 1699 body only. The DMW-BGG9 grip will arrive at the same time for $ 349.
Press Release
Panasonic LUMIX G9 – The Ultimate Photo Shooting Camera
Featuring High Picture Quality, an 80-megapixel High Resolution Mode and 6.5-stops of compensation with or without Dual I.S. 2.0 compatible LUMIX lenses
November 8, 2017 (Newark, NJ) – Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is proud to introduce a new flagship Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, the LUMIX G9 that boasts outstanding mobility with ultra-high-speed response. Evolving from the GH5’s high performance, the LUMIX G9 achieves the highest-ever image quality in photo shooting by elevating resolution, gradation and color reproduction with its 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor without a low-pass filter. A High Resolution mode is also added that provides 80-megapixel equivalent images in JPEG /RAW formats produced in-camera.
The Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) in the LUMIX G9 is dramatically improved, making it possible to use 6.5 stops of compensation with or without Dual I.S.2.0 compatible Lumix lenses. This is achieved by a more accurate calculation of shake in various shooting conditions, utilizing information of angular velocity and motion vector acquired not only from the gyro sensor but also from the image sensor and accelerometer sensor.
The high-speed, high-precision AF with DFD technology achieves the world’s fastest*1AF speed of 0.04 sec*2. With its high tracking performance to the subject, the LUMIX G9 does not lose the target subject.
The LUMIX G9 also boasts the fastest-in-class*3 20 fps (AFC) / 60 fps (AFS) in 20.3-megapixel full resolution to capture those unmissable moments. Complying with 6K/4K PHOTO, users can choose the most suitable burst shooting mode in addition to the regular consecutive shooting mode and new Pre-burst shooting mode depending on the situation.?
The LUMIX G9 has the largest-in-class*1 LVF (Live View Finder) with a stunningly high magnification ratio of approx.1.66x / 0.83x (35mm camera equivalent). No blackouts occur even in high-speed burst shooting*4. Night mode and an AF Point Scope function is also integrated.To withstand heavy field use, the LUMIX G9 is composed of a magnesium alloy full die-cast front / rear frame and is not only splash proof*5 and dustproof but also freeze proof down to -10 degrees centigrade. The largest-in-class Status LCD on the top of the camera makes shooting even easier and more comfortable. For the rear monitor, a 3.0-inch free-angle LCD in 3:2 aspect ratio with 1,040K-dot high resolution is equipped. The G9 has a double SD Memory Card slot, compatible with the high-speed, high-capacity UHS-II.
The LUMIX G9 includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi® connectivity to offer a more flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation. Compatibility with Bluetooth 4.2 (called BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy) enables constant connection with a smartphone or tablet with minimum power consumption. For Wi-Fi, 5GHz (IEEE802.11ac) can be selected in addition to the conventional 2.4GHz (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) for an even more secure and stable connection.
*1 As a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, as of November 8, 2017
*2 In 1-Area AF, at wide-end with H-ES12060 (CIPA) in LVF120 fps setting.
*3 With H-ES12060, as a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless camera, as of November 8, 2017
*4 In AFC 20 fps/ AFS 60 fps setting
*5 Splash Proof is a term used to describe an extra level of protection this camera offers against exposure to a minimal amount of moisture, water or dust. Splash Proof does not guarantee that damage will not occur if this camera is subjected to direct contact with water.1. Highest picture quality in the history of LUMIX cameras
Evolving even further from the performance of the LUMIX GH5, the LUMIX G9 achieves the highest image quality in the history of all LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless cameras. The 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor without low-pass filter drives the maximum performance of the lens and the Venus Engine 10 rendering high-precision yet natural images with its Multipixel Luminance Generation and Intelligent Detail Processing. An optimum gradation setting according to the characteristics of the sensor provides a wider dynamic range for smoother gradation. Plus, an AR coating on the sensor minimizes ghosts and flaring even in backlighting. A Tuned Three-dimensional Color Control detects not only hue and saturation but also brightness, and applies optimal control according to the value of each factor. This achieves rich color reproduction from dark to bright parts of the image, which especially improves the expression of skies or human skin. A Tuned High Precision Multi Process NR boasts high noise identification accuracy and preserves details even after the noise reduction process, which results in natural textures and precise detail especially in middle to high sensitivity image recording.The new High Resolution mode produces an 80-megapixel equivalent (10368 x 7776) image by synthesizing 8 consecutively shot images while shifting the sensor. Not only JPEG but also RAW can be produced in the camera, without the need for software processing. This magnificently high resolution photo is ideal for landscape and product photography using a tripod.
2. Advanced Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) and Dual I.S.
To achieve stable handheld shooting even in slower shutter speed, the Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) in the LUMIX G9 is further advanced. Panasonic adopted a newly developed algorithm that precisely calculates shake information acquired not only from a gyro sensor, but also from the image sensor and accelerometer sensor. This enables more accurate shake detection and compensation, making it possible to use a 6.5-stop slower shutter speeds*1. Notably, movement with characteristically low-frequency is suppressed more effectively to use slower shutter speeds.. With its high mobility achieved by the compact, lightweight design and powerful Body I.S., this LUMIX G Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera makes previously impossible shooting, such as handheld 800mm (35mm camera equivalent) ultra-telephoto shooting possible.Combining an this B.I.S.(Body Image Stabilizer, 5-axis) and O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer, 2-axis), the 5-axis Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer) 2*2 in the LUMIX G9 compensates for larger movements that were conventionally uncontrollable. Maximizing both O.I.S and B.I.S. is highly beneficial in telephoto shots and in adverse situations, such as at night or with one-handed shooting with a 6.5-stop slower shutter speed*3.
The 5-axis Dual I.S. 2.0 works for both photo and motion picture recording, including 4K video. Panasonic LUMIX G DSLM Cameras offer a wide variety of digital interchangeable lenses and most of them support the 5-axis Dual I.S. in the LUMIX G9. The B.I.S. compensates for camera movement even when a lens without O.I.S. (e.g. a cine lens) is used.
*1 Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=60mm (35mm film camera equivalent f=120mm), when H-ES12060 is used.
*2 5-Axis Dual I.S.2 can be used with the following lenses as of November 8, 2017: H-HSA12035, H-ES12060, H-FS14140, H-HSA35100, H-FSA45200, H-FSA100300, H-RS100400 and H-ES200. Firmware update is required for some lenses.
*3 Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=140mm (35mm camera equivalent f=280mm), when H-FS14140 is used3. Outstanding tracking performance and high-speed, high-precision AF
The DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology*1 calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels while instantly consulting the optical characteristics data of the current lens. Panasonic’s combination of the Contrast AF with DFD technology was further advanced in the LUMIX G9 together with the speed of the sensor drive during auto focusing in photo shooting, which achieves 480 fps. Consequently, the LUMIX G9 realizes an ultra-high-speed AF of approximately 0.04 sec*2 and 60 (AFS) / 20(AFC) fps high-speed burst shooting using an electronic shutter at full resolution.Thanks to the high processing performance of the Venus Engine 10, the LUMIX G9 incorporates Deep Learning technology that detects a human body in addition to the conventional face and eye detection. The AF Point Scope function is also new on the LUMIX G9. It magnifies subjects that are far away to capture them in clear focus.
For more precise focusing, the focus areas are increased from 49 to 225-areas in addition to the conventional Face/Eye Recognition, Tracking AF, 1-area AF and Pinpoint AF. Users can make a group of 225 focus areas and move or change the size of it as they like according to the composition. All focusing operations are easily controlled with the newly adopted joystick located on the thumb position without taking the eyes off of the subject even when using an LVF or releasing the finger from the shutter button. The LUMIX G9 is equipped with AF Custom Settings with which users can set AF Sensitivity, AF Area Switching Sensitivity and Moving Object Prediction Level. Four patterns of presets are also available for frequently used situations.
*1 Contrast AF with DFD Technology works only with Panasonic Micro Four Thirds lenses.
*2 In 1-Area AF, at wide-end with H-ES12060 (CIPA) in LVF120 fps setting.4. High mobility for agile field shooting
The LUMIX G9 boasts outstanding performance to achieve the fastest-in-class*1 20 fps (AFC) / 60 fps (AFS) at 20.3-megapixel full resolution. Taking advantage of its blackout-free LVF (Live View Finder), it is the best mirrorless camera for capturing moving subjects in sharp focus. With its high tracking performance to the subject, the LUMIX G9 doesn’t loses the target subject. Pre-burst shooting is also new on LUMIX G9, which starts shooting 0.4 sec in advance to releasing the shutter.?For more continuous burst shooting, the 6K PHOTO*2 makes it possible to capture the unmissable moments at 30 fps by extracting the frame with the best timing out of a 6K burst file (in 4:3 or 3:2 aspect) to save as an approx.18-megapixel equivalent high resolution photo. The 4K PHOTO is also upgraded to enable 60 fps high-speed capture in approx.8-megapixel equivalent resolution. In 6K PHOTO /4K PHOTO, three exclusive modes can be chosen from depending on the situation; 6K Burst / 4K Burst, 6K Burst (Start/Stop) / 4K Burst (Start/Stop) and 6K Pre-burst / 4K Pre-burst. Users can choose the most suitable burst shooting mode in addition to the regular consecutive shooting mode in full resolution depending on the situation.
The new High Sensitivity MOS Sensor helps to suppress the rolling shutter effect. Plus, the Venus Engine 10 makes it possible to apply Post Recording Refinement over the pictures to correct distortion and reduce noise when playing back or cutting images out of the 6K burst file / 4K burst file by compensating the signal information between the consecutive frames. As a result, the picture quality of 6K PHOTO /4K PHOTO shot at high shutter speed in high sensitivity or those shot when panning are dramatically improved.
*1 ‘As a Digital Single Lens Mirrorless Camera, as of November 8, 2017.
*2 ‘6K PHOTO’ is a high speed burst shooting function that cuts a still image out of a 4:3 or 3:2 video footage with approx.18-megapixel (approx. 6000 x 3000 effective pixel count) that the 6K image manages.5. Innovative LVF (Live View Finder) with high magnification ratio and excellent performance
The LVF (Live View Finder) is the key factor for completing the ultra-high-speed response of the camera. The LUMIX G9 has the largest-in-class LVF with a stunningly high magnification ratio of approx.1.66x / 0.83x (35mm camera equivalent). The magnification ratio can be switched among 0.7x, 0.77x and 0.83x according to the shooting situation. High-precision, high-speed OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display features 3,680K-dot high resolution and 100% field of view. Adoption of OLED for the LVF achieves smooth display at 120 fps and high speed response with minimum time lag of less than 0.005 sec as well as 10,000:1 high contrast for exceptional visibility. No blackout occurs even in high speed burst shooting, so as not to lose sight of the subject. With an eye point of approximately 21 mm, it offers high visibility with comfort for users wearing glasses. It is always sharp and clear from the center all the way to the corners. The LUMIX G9 incorporates Night mode which provides mild backlighting. It lets the user watch the subject comfortably immediately after viewing the monitor while in a dark situation for a long period of time.6. Optimal design for Intuitive control and operation
The LUMIX G9 includes a largest-in-class Status LCD on the top, allowing users to check the settings at a glance.The Fn lever makes it possible to change the setting quickly once frequently-used settings are assigned. The LUMIX G9 also comes with a joystick at the optimal position to achieve intuitive focus area control without taking the eyes off of the viewfinder, together with a focus lever and AF mode button. Dials on the grip and Fn buttons are also located in the best position to operate unseen.
7. High mobility and rugged design for heavy field use
To be tough enough to withstand even heavy field use, the main structure is composed of a magnesium alloy full die-cast front/rear frame. Secure construction and a sealing for every joint, dial, and button make the LUMIX G9 not only splash proof and dustproof but also freeze proof down to 14°F (-10 degrees Celsius).The LUMIX G9 is equipped with a double SD Memory Card slot compatible with high-speed, high capacity UHS-II. Users can flexibly choose the recording method from Relay Recording, Backup Recording or Allocation Recording. In Relay Recording, the data will be written on the SD Memory Card in the second slot when the SD Memory Card in the first slot is full. The content will be written in both SD Memory Cards in the first and second slot simultaneously in Backup Recording. In Allocation Recording, data is automatically allocated to the SD Memory Card in the designated slot by the type of content – RAW, JPEG, 6K PHOTO / 4K PHOTO, or 4K video data. For example, users can store only photos on the SD Memory Card in slot 1 and videos in slot 2. Moreover, both slots are equipped with access lamps so users can tell which SD Memory Card is under writing and which can be ejected at a glance.
The LUMIX G9 enables not only power charging but also power feeding via USB, which enhances extended shooting time.8. Other Features
?3.0″1040k-dot Free-angle Monitor
Adopting a static-type touch control system, the 3.0-inch free-angle rear monitor in 3:2 aspect with 1,040K-dot high resolution features approx.100% field of view. It uses a pixel structure of RGB (Red / Green / Blue) and White to feature even higher visibility in sunny outdoor scenes. It tilts up and down by approx.270-degree which makes shooting at either high or low angles even easier. Night mode can also be applied to the display on the rear monitor.
?Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 5GHz (IEEE802.11ac) / 2.4GHz (IEEE802.11b/g/n)
The LUMIX G9 integrates Bluetooth and Wi-Fi® connectivity to offer a more flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation. Once the camera is connected to a smartphone or tablet installed with Panasonic’s dedicated application software Image App for iOS / Android, users can shoot, browse and share images remotely. Compatibility with Bluetooth 4.2 (called BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy) enables constant connection with a smartphone/tablet with minimum power consumption. This enables the camera to activate by simply using a smartphone/tablet or to add GPS geotag on the photos automatically. Furthermore, the settings of a LUMIX G9 camera can also be copied and transmitted wirelessly to other G9 cameras when using multiple G9 cameras.For the Wi-Fi, 5GHz (IEEE802.11ac) is effective in addition to the conventional 2.4GHz (IEEE802.11b/g/n. This provides even secure and stable connection not only with a smartphone/tablet but also with other devices on location for smooth remote control. Transmission speed of photo/video data is also increased up by using the 5GHz-band*.
* 5 GHz Wi-Fi is not available in some countries.9. Optional Accessories Specially Designed for LUMIX G9
?Battery Grip DMW-BGG9
The LUMIX G9 is compatible with the new Battery Grip DMW-BGG9. By using two batteries, one in the camera and the other in the grip, the DMW-BGG9 extends the battery life for longer shooting time. It also makes handling more comfortable even in vertical angle shooting. The DMW-BGG9 also provides intuitive operation with a joystick. Exclusively designed for the LUMIX G9, the DMW-BGG9 perfectly matches the camera, boasting a rugged, splash proof, dustproof and freeze proof design.
-Eye Cup DMW-EC4
The Eye Cup DMW-EC4 makes it even more comfortable to see the high-performance LVF of the G9.
-Battery Charger DMW-BTC13
The Battery Charger DMW-BTC13 enables quick charging of the Battery Pack DMW-BLF19 from an AC outlet using the bundled AC adopter.
-Shoulder Strap DMW-SSTG9
The Shoulder Strap DMW-SSTG9 is a length-adjustable shoulder strap. The camera can be detached or replaced quickly to prepare for the next photo opportunity in various shooting situations.The new G9 and all accessories will be available in early January 2018. The G9 (body only) MSRP will be $ 1699.99 and the Battery Grip $ 349.99.
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 specifications
Price MSRP $ 1699 (body only) Body type Body type SLR-like (bridge) Body material Magnesium alloy Sensor Max resolution 5184 x 3888 Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 Effective pixels 20 megapixels Sensor photo detectors 22 megapixels Sensor size Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) Sensor type CMOS Color space sRGB, Adobe RGB Color filter array Primary color filter Image ISO Auto, 200-25600 (expands to 100-25600) Boosted ISO (minimum) 100 White balance presets 5 Custom white balance Yes (4 slots) Image stabilization Sensor-shift CIPA image stabilization rating 6.5 stop(s) Uncompressed format RAW JPEG quality levels Fine, standard File format - JPEG (Exif v2.31)
- Raw (Panasonic 12-bit RW2)
Optics & Focus Autofocus - Contrast Detect (sensor)
- Multi-area
- Center
- Selective single-point
- Tracking
- Single
- Continuous
- Touch
- Face Detection
- Live View
Autofocus assist lamp Yes Digital zoom Yes (2x-4x) Manual focus Yes Number of focus points 225 Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Focal length multiplier 2× Screen / viewfinder Articulated LCD Fully articulated Screen size 3″ Screen dots 1,040,000 Touch screen Yes Screen type TFT LCD Live view Yes Viewfinder type Electronic Viewfinder coverage 100% Viewfinder magnification 1.66× (0.83× 35mm equiv.) Viewfinder resolution 3,680,000 Photography features Minimum shutter speed 60 sec Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 sec Maximum shutter speed (electronic) 1/32000 sec Exposure modes - iAuto
- Program
- Aperture priority
- Shutter priority
- Manual
Built-in flash No External flash Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port) Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Flash X sync speed 1/250 sec Drive modes - Single
- Continuous I/II
- 6K Photo
- Post Focus
- Self-timer
- TIme-lapse
Continuous drive 20.0 fps Self-timer Yes Metering modes - Multi
- Center-weighted
- Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) AE Bracketing ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) WB Bracketing Yes Videography features Format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Modes - 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
- 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
- 3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
- 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
- 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
- 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
- 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
- 1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
- 1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital
Microphone Stereo Speaker Mono Storage Storage types Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported) Connectivity USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB charging Yes HDMI Yes Microphone port Yes Headphone port Yes Wireless Built-In Wireless notes 802.11ac + Bluetooth Remote control Yes (wired or via smartphone) Physical Environmentally sealed Yes Battery Battery Pack Battery description DMW-BTC13 lithium-ion battery & USB charger Battery Life (CIPA) 400 Weight (inc. batteries) 658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz) Dimensions 137 x 97 x 92 mm (5.39 x 3.82 x 3.62″) Other features Orientation sensor Yes Timelapse recording Yes GPS None -
iPhone X is the world’s best smartphone for photos, second best overall on DxOMark
The past few months have been a ratings-palooza for DxOMark Mobile, as flagship after flagship has come out raised the bar on smartphone sensor quality. From the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and its 100 photo score, to the iPhone 8 Plus’ week-long stint at the top of the charts, to the Google Pixel 2’s highest ever score of 98, we’ve had plenty to keep an eye on.
But there was one major flagship phone conspicuously absent from the rankings… until now that is. DxOMark has officially released its Apple iPhone X test results.
As always, you can dive into the detailed results and side-by-side comparisons on DxOMark, but the TL;DR version is this: the iPhone X is the best smartphone DxO has ever tested in the photo category (earning a score of 101) and the second best smartphone camera overall, tying the Huawei Mate 10 Pro with a score of 97. You can see the score and category breakdown below:
More impressive than the numbers is DxO’s conclusion, which stresses how well the iPhone X performs in real-world shooting situations:
For portraits, the improved telephoto lens delivers sharp results even indoors, and the bokeh simulation produces a natural and pleasing background blur. Outdoors, exposures are outstanding, with great dynamic range, impressive skies, good fine detail, and punchy color rendering. Add to all that the extra features on the front-facing camera, including a Portrait mode for blurred-background selfies, and the iPhone X delivers one hell of a smartphone camera.
To see the full test results for yourself, head over to the DxOMark website. And keep an eye on DPReview in the next few weeks because we’ll be getting our own iPhone X to test very soon!