Built with still photographers in mind, Panasonic’s new Lumix G9II features a newly developed 25-megapixel Micro Four Thirds (MFT) sensor and Phase Detection Auto-Focus (PDAF) technology, a first for their MFT Lumix G Series line of cameras.
At the heart of the camera is an all-new 25.2-megapixel Live MOS image sensor that is paired with a new image processing engine offering high resolution and high-speed responsiveness.
The power boost provided by the new processor also allows for burst shooting with continuous autofocus at up to 60fps (frames per second) when in SH60 mode and using the electronic shutter.
When using the mechanical shutter or electronic front curtain shutter, burst shooting tops out at 14fps when set to single area autofocus (AF-S) and 10fps with continuous autofocus (AF-C).
There is also a pre-burst recording feature that continuously cycles through the 1.5 seconds before fully pressing the shutter, recording the previous 1.5 seconds’ worth of images when the shutter is fully pressed.
View LUMIX G9II Pricing and Availability at Vistek
The G9II also features native ISO ranges from 100 to 25,600, (extendable to ISO 50 for stills) and 100-12,800 for video.
As with Panasonic’s newer full-frame cameras, the G9II includes a hybrid phase detection autofocus system with AI powered subject detection that includes the usual human and animal detection modes and adds cars, motorcycles, and animal eyes to the mix.
There are 315 contrast-detect autofocus points and 779 phase-detection AF points that cover nearly all of the image area.
The G9II also includes an improved version of LUMIX’s image stabilization system combining 8-stop B.I.S. (Body Image Stabilizer), 7.5-stop 5-axis Dual I.S.2 (lens), and advanced Active I.S. for greatly improved handheld image stabilization.
Speaking of video, the G9II has some pretty impressive video features including 4:2:0 10-bit 5.8K video capture using the full 4:3 sensor and 5.7K video in 17:9 aspect ratio.
It will also record 4:2:0 10-bit C4K/4K video at up to 120p, as well as Apple ProRes 422 and 422 HQ recording to SSD.
Recording and playback using an external SSD via USB is supported, and Real-time LUT support is also included.
The G9II body is similar in size and weight to the original G9 body, although it is slightly taller and narrower.
On the back of the camera you will find the 1.84 million dots, 3.0-inch type free-angle touchscreen, 3.68-million dot OLED electronic viewfinder with approximately 0.8x magnification and new eight-way joystick.
Connection wise, there is a full-size HDMI (Type A) port, USB-C (compatible with USB power delivery) and dual UHS-II SD card slots as well as wireless 5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 options.