Panasonic LUMIX GX9 + 12-32mm Lens Panasonic - Review 🏆

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 is an entry-level mirrorless camera that was announced in early 2018. Part of Panasonic's mid-range GX series, it's marketed as a versatile everyday camera for photography enthusiasts and those looking to step up from a point-and-shoot or smartphone camera.

Some of the GX9's key features include a 20MP Four Thirds sensor with no optical low-pass filter, 5-axis in-body image stabilization, 4K video recording, and a tilting electronic viewfinder. It retains a sleek rangefinder-style body like previous GX models but adds a tilting touchscreen LCD. The GX9 aims to balance portability and performance for travel and daily shooting.

Overall, the GX9 provides an attractive option for those seeking better image quality than a compact camera in a highly portable form factor. Its combination of 4K video, stabilization, and tilting EVF make it a versatile choice for both stills and video. As an entry-level model it does lack some advanced features but provides ample room to grow for budding photographers.

Design & Build Quality

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 features a sleek and stylish retro design that feels great in the hand. Despite its compact size, the GX9 still packs a good amount of physical controls while remaining lightweight at just under 1 pound.

The body is constructed from a combination of high-grade plastic and metal, giving it a premium feel. The front and top plates feature a textured coating that provides a secure grip. The buttons and dials are also made of metal, adding to the overall quality.

In terms of ergonomics, the GX9 is very comfortable to hold and operate. The right hand grip is just deep enough, allowing you to get a firm grasp. The buttons and dials are intelligently laid out, making the camera easy to control. There is ample space between controls so you don't accidentally press the wrong ones.

The compact body paired with the excellent ergonomic design makes the GX9 a great choice for travel and everyday shooting. It can easily slip into a jacket pocket or small bag when you need to travel light without compromising on image quality and handling.

Another impressive option from Panasonic is the Lumix TZ95, which offers a great blend of portability and powerful features. This compact camera is designed with travel enthusiasts in mind, providing excellent zoom capabilities and a user-friendly interface. With its 20.3MP sensor and 4K video recording, the TZ95 captures stunning images and videos effortlessly. For more details, check out the Panasonic Lumix TZ95.

Image Sensor & Processor

The Lumix GX9 features a 20.3 megapixel Micro Four Thirds Live MOS sensor and Venus Engine image processor. This combination enables the camera to capture high-resolution images with excellent low-light performance up to ISO 25600.

The Four Thirds sensor is smaller than APS-C and full-frame sensors, but still large enough to produce high quality images with beautiful background blur when using fast aperture lenses. The resolution allows for large prints up to poster sizes.

The Venus Engine provides fast processing speeds and intelligently applies noise reduction to balance detail and noise. This enables clean, sharp images even when shooting in dim lighting conditions. The engine also helps provide fast autofocus and burst shooting capabilities.

Overall, the sensor and processor in the GX9 deliver excellent image quality across a wide range of shooting situations from daylight to nighttime scenes. The smaller Four Thirds sensor can struggle more in extreme low light compared to larger sensors, but the low noise performance remains impressive for its class.

In addition to these features, the Panasonic hc-vxf1 Camcorder offers remarkable video recording capabilities with its 4K Ultra HD resolution. Equipped with a high-quality sensor, it excels in capturing detailed, vibrant video content, making it an ideal companion for those looking to document life's moments. The camcorder also boasts advanced stabilization features, allowing for smooth footage even during dynamic shooting environments.

Autofocus & Video

The Lumix GX9 has a contrast detection autofocus system with 49 focus points that cover most of the image frame. It includes Face/Eye Detection AF which automatically focuses on people's faces and eyes for sharp portraits.

For focusing, the GX9 offers modes like AFS (single), AFF (flexible), AFC (continuous), MF (manual focus), as well as a Custom Multi mode that allows you to store specific focus settings. The autofocus is generally fast and accurate in good lighting conditions. However, it may struggle and hunt in very low light situations.

On the video front, the GX9 can record 4K video at 30fps with no crop, and Full HD video at up to 60fps. The 5-axis hybrid O.I.S stabilization provides steady handheld footage. Useful video features include 4K Live Cropping which pans and zooms within the 4K frame for FHD output, as well as in-camera FHD time-lapse. Mic and headphone ports allow you to capture better audio.

LCD & Viewfinder

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 features a 3.0" LCD touchscreen with 1,240K dots of resolution. The screen is tiltable up to 80 degrees upwards and 45 degrees downwards for flexibility when shooting from high or low angles. It provides 100% field of view during image composition and playback. The touchscreen allows intuitive control over camera settings as well as touch focus and shutter capabilities.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) has 2,760K dots of resolution with nearly 100% field of view, providing a clear and detailed view. It features 0.7x magnification (35mm camera equivalent) for a better view of the scene. The EVF can be tilted up around 90 degrees for low angle shooting. It also has an eye sensor that automatically switches between the LCD and EVF when you bring the camera to your eye. Overall, the high resolution LCD and EVF offer excellent versatility when composing shots.

Connectivity & Battery

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 offers a good range of connectivity options. For ports, it has both microphone and headphone jacks as well as a micro HDMI port. This allows you to connect external microphones for improved audio quality during video recording. The micro HDMI lets you output video to an external monitor or recorder.

For wireless connectivity, the GX9 has both Bluetooth and WiFi built in. The Bluetooth allows for easy pairing with smartphones, while the WiFi facilitates remote camera control and image transfer. The camera can be controlled via the Panasonic Image App on your smartphone or tablet. You can also use the WiFi to send images to smartphones, computers, or compatible printers.

In terms of battery life, the GX9 is powered by the DMW-BLG10 lithium-ion battery pack. Panasonic claims you can achieve around 260 shots per charge when using the rear LCD, or 250 shots when using the electronic viewfinder. This is decent but not outstanding battery performance. Serious photographers may want to invest in a spare battery for all-day shooting. The battery can be charged either via the USB port or an optional dedicated charger.

Overall, the connectivity options are good for a mirrorless camera in this class. The ports, wireless, and battery life allow you to easily transfer and share images as well as control the camera remotely. Just be aware that you may need a spare battery for extended outings.

Features & Modes

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 comes equipped with an impressive array of features and shooting modes to satisfy both photo and video needs.

Some of the key features include:

• 4K Video Recording - Shoot ultra high-def 4K 30p/25p/24p video with flexible framerates at 100Mbps.

• 4K PHOTO - Extract high resolution stills from 4K video footage.

• Post Focus - Select your desired focus point after taking the photo.

• Focus Stacking - Automatically blend multiple images taken at different focus distances.

• Live View Boost - See your composition clearly even in low light.

• Tilting Live View Finder - Tilt the LVF up by approx.80° and down by approx.45° for flexibility.

For still photos, the GX9 provides various shooting modes:

• Intelligent Auto - The camera identifies the scene and automatically optimizes settings.

• Program AE - Manually adjust most settings while the camera handles shutter speed and aperture.

• Aperture Priority - Manually select aperture while the camera selects optimal shutter speed.

• Shutter Priority - Manually select shutter speed while camera handles aperture.

• Manual Exposure - Full control over shutter speed and aperture.

• Custom - Save custom exposure configurations.

• Panorama - Automatically stitch together panoramic photos.

• Creative Control - Apply creative filter effects like monochrome, toy effect, etc.

The abundance of features and modes makes the GX9 a versatile hybrid camera for both photo and video needs. Its intuitive controls provide a great balance between automation and manual control.

Accessories

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 has a wide range of compatible accessories to enhance your photography experience. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Lenses - The GX9 uses the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, so it's compatible with a huge selection of MFT lenses. Some popular choices include the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens for an all-purpose zoom, the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 lens for portraits, and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens for landscapes and low light photography.

External Flash - Add an external flash like the Panasonic DMW-FL200L or the Olympus FL-900R for more creative lighting options. This allows you to bounce flash or use it off-camera.

Grip - The Panasonic DMW-HGR2 grip gives you a more substantial hold on the camera for long shoots. It also makes vertical shooting more comfortable.

Remote Shutter Release - A remote like the Panasonic DMW-RSL1 lets you trigger the shutter without touching the camera. This helps reduce camera shake for sharper shots.

External Mic - Improve your audio recording with a directional mic such as the Rode VideoMic Pro. This mounts to the hot shoe for better sound during video capture.

Extra Batteries - It's a good idea to carry spare batteries like the Panasonic DMW-BLG10E to extend shooting time when away from power sources.

Camera Bag - Protect your GX9 with a padded camera bag like the Lowepro Flipside 400 AW II, which provides easy access to gear while keeping it secure.

Cleaning Kit - Maintain your lenses and sensor with a cleaning kit. The VSGO Camera Cleaning Kit contains essentials like a blower brush, microfiber cloth, cleaning solution, and swabs.

Pros & Cons

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 offers a lot of great features and performance for a mid-range mirrorless camera, but it's not without some tradeoffs.

Pros

• Compact, stylish rangefinder design that's easy to carry around
• Good image quality with 20MP sensor and no anti-aliasing filter
• Fast autofocus with Depth from Defocus technology
• 5-axis in-body image stabilization up to 4 stops
• Tilting touchscreen LCD
• High resolution EVF with large 0.7x magnification
• 4K video capture at 30fps, 1080p up to 60fps
• Numerous shooting modes like Panorama, Multiple Exposure, etc
• Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity
• Decent battery life at around 260-270 shots per charge

Cons

• No weather sealing on body
• Single SD card slot
• No headphone jack
• No mic input for higher quality audio
• Limited native lens selection from Panasonic
• No phase detect AF points on sensor
• Smaller EVF than some competitors
• No built-in flash

Overall the GX9 provides excellent image quality and performance for travel, street, and everyday shooting. The lack of weather sealing, single card slot, and limited video features may make it less suitable for dedicated video or pro use. But at its price point, the GX9 is a very capable and compact mirrorless camera.

Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 is an excellent mid-range mirrorless camera that offers great value for money. It's packed with features, has fast autofocus, and delivers outstanding image quality. The sleek and stylish design makes it a great travel companion, while the variety of manual controls provide plenty of options for enthusiasts.

The GX9 is well-suited for photographers looking to step up from a basic entry-level camera. It provides enough controls to learn manual photography, while retaining useful auto and scene modes when needed. The wide range of lenses available for Micro Four Thirds cameras mean you can build an ideal kit for your needs.

For video, the GX9 provides 4K video recording and Panasonic's popular 4K Photo modes. The 5-axis image stabilization works well for handheld shooting. While not ideal for professional videography, the GX9 provides good video capabilities for travel and everyday use.

The excellent electronic viewfinder and tilting touchscreen LCD make composing shots a pleasure. Connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allow sharing images on the go. Battery life is also quite good at around 260-340 shots per charge.

Overall, the Panasonic GX9 hits a sweet spot between price, features and image quality. For enthusiasts wanting to upgrade from entry-level or bridge cameras, it's easy to recommend the GX9 as a versatile and portable camera that can grow with your skills.