Panasonic claims that mirrorless camera market has increased at least 135 % last year. This might be the strong background for the Japanese electronics manufacturer to keep adding its portfolios by releasing new mirrorless camera product. Just like what we saw last February, the manufacturer announced its brand new Panasonic Lumix GX9, company’s rangefinder-style camera with 20.3 MP-resolution Micro Four Thirds sensor.
Famously known for its tilting Electronic View Finder, Lumix GX9 sits on premium class of mirrorless camera which is specified for street photography. And due to the design resemblances it has, many you may think that the new Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 is aimed to replace the previous GX8 and GX80. But, believe me it’s not. Even though all 3 models shares quite resemblances, they do have significantly different features. So, are you curious to this new Panasonic Lumix GX9? here is the review about it.
Panasonic Lumix GX9 Design
As stated before, Panasonic Lumix GX9 has similar body with both GX8 and GX80, even though there are upgrades in some aspects. The camera body stretches to 124 x 72 x 47mm with 450 grams of weight, and packed in rather rectangular kind of shape. This is the shape that represents solidness and simplicity from the camera. But, even though it’s simple, Panasonic still add some contours on the body, just like what we see on Olympus PEN E-PL9.
The body itself is covered in comfortable fake leather. While for the top and bottom plate, they made of metal. Unlike its older brother GX8, the younger GX9’s body is not dustproof, splashproof, or even freezeproof. So, if you hope this camera can be your companion in extreme photography, you wish!
Moving on the top plate, we can see the domination of hotshoe, pop-up flash, and viewfinder. Besides, there are shutter release button which is surrounded by top control dial, exposure compensation dial, and video record button surrounded by on/off switch.
Other interesting thing from the camera is on the right side of it. Over there, we can see Panasonic’s clever retracting door. When we retract this door, there will be two ports appear. They are micro-USB and Micro-HDMI. With this door retracting mechanism, all the ports inside will be protected from dust.
And it’s a good news for buyer, as confirmed by the manufacturer, the new Panasonic Lumix GX9 provides USB charging. So, for those who are too lazy to detach battery and put it in the charging device, you can simply connect the camera to USB charger to keep it powered up all day.
Tilting EVF and Rear Display
On the rear side, we can see the attractively unique viewfinder, several function buttons, and tilting LCD touchscreen. The Electronic Viewfinder is such a thing. It because one attraction of this camera. With its 90-degree tilting mechanism, you can use this viewfinder comfortably even for the most difficult photography angle.
While on paper, the viewfinder has 2.76-million-dot resolution of sequential LCD with 0.7x magnification. This resolution is certainly improved from the previous GX8 which has 1.24-million-dots resolution. So, no wonder if viewing object in Panasonic Lumix GX9 is bright, responsive, and you won’t miss any details.
Moving downward from the EVF, there is 3-inch tilting LCD display with 1.24 million dots of resolution. And, just like the electronic viewfinder, this touch-sensitive display also adopts tilting mechanism. But, the mechanism is a bit different from nowadays mirrorless display that can be tilted 90-degree upward for doing selfie. In this Panasonic Lumix GX9 display, it’s only able to be tilted 80 degrees up and 45 degrees down. Surely, this camera is aimed for professional, and not for beginner who just care about selfie and social media thing.
Panasonic Lumix GX9 Specification
Inside the solid body it has, Panasonic Lumix GX9 has been boosted with 20.3 MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor. Unlike the previous series, the GX9 doesn’t have optical low pass filter. But, it does have 5-axis in-body image stabilization technology. Paired to the image stabilization lens from Panasonic, this combination results on great hybrid dual image stabilization system. Moreover, manufacturer also claims that the resolution and dynamic range have been improved along with redefined 3D Measurement Autofocus system.
On the autofocus system, Panasonic Lumix GX9 applies the popularly recognized DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology. Even though this focusing system is based on the 49 contrast-detection-based AF point instead of contrast and phase detection AF, but it performs really well especially when moving between each focus points. Moving the focus point is also easy, responsive, and can easily be done by touching the considered focus point on screen.
Along with Sony, Panasonic has been known as great in resulting camera with terrific performance in low light photography. It’s proven by the ISO sensitivity which ranges from ISO 200 all the way up to 25,600. This ISO can even be expanded to ISO 100. Therefore, shooting in Low Light wouldn’t be a problem anymore. While on the video capability, the camera can shoot 4K in MP4 format in 30 fps. Besides, FHD format in 60 fps is also available in AVCHD format.
Power supply is also something you can consider to buy this camera. It’s been significantly increased from 260 to 900 shots in one single charge, Thanks to the power save mode on this Panasonic Lumix GX9. While on the connectivity, we can see Bluetooth and WiFi are loaded to bring you easier way of file transferring and controlling the camera via personal device by using Panasonic Image App.
Panasonic Lumix GX9 Price and Release Date
Even though Panasonic has announced this model since February this year, but the camera isn’t ready in store yet. As its planned, the Panasonic Lumix GX9 will start shipping by the middle until end of March 2018. As for the price, you can get this new high end mirrorless camera from Panasonic in £699 for body only. But, if you do preorder, the company bundles it with 25mm f/1.7 lens as promotion. And after that, the price might be increased if you buy it with the kit lens available, which are 12-32mm lens, 12-60mm lens, and Panasonic’s twin 12-32 & 35-100mm lenses.
Prasetyo.E
Have big interest in art, writing, history, movie, and literature. Spend most of the time in reading, watching movie, and writing. In here! Writing about manuals from some well known electronic products. Some kinds of manual such as user manual, owner manual.
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