Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless

“Why We Selected It

The Lumix G9 II stands out as the premier Micro Four Thirds camera in our evaluations. Boasting a sensor that rivals larger-format counterparts in picture quality, coupled with an extensive lens library, it provides creators with remarkable flexibility.

Equipped with a stabilized sensor, 10-bit 5.7K60 video capture, and a robust all-weather construction, the G9 II emerges as an excellent choice for video production, on-location shoots, and outdoor photography. The upgraded autofocus system, incorporating phase detection pixels for high-speed capture with subject tracking, further enhances its appeal.

Who Will Benefit

The Micro Four Thirds system proves advantageous for photographers seeking a lighter kit overall. Despite being built around a full-frame chassis, the G9 II maintains a lightweight profile at 1.4 pounds and pairs seamlessly with compact lenses from Panasonic, OM System, and other manufacturers. Its suitability for hybrid creators is underscored by its outstanding video toolkit.”

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9

Specification:

Dimensions: 4.0 by 5.3 by

Driver size: 1.4 lp

Weight : Mirrorless

Pros

Crisp 25MP photos with 100MP multi-sampling

Fast phase detect focus system

Large, 120fps electronic viewfinder

Fantastic control scheme

Stabilized 10-bit video

Works with Micro Four Thirds lens library

Cons

Oversized body for Micro Four Thirds

Omits UVC/UAC webcam support

Middling battery life

A Sensor Optimized for Photography

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless is the second Micro Four Thirds camera to feature a 5-axis stabilized 25MP CMOS sensor, following the GH6. While the sensor architecture is similar, Panasonic has fine-tuned the G9 II to enhance photographic performance, incorporating on-sensor phase detection pixels for improved autofocus.

Though it utilizes a traditional CMOS design, its electronic shutter readout is fast enough to capture sharp images of fast-moving subjects. During testing, it successfully froze hummingbirds in flight, whereas cameras with rolling shutter issues would have distorted their wings.

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Exceptional Video Capabilities in a Stills-Focused Camera

Although the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless is primarily designed for photography, it continues Panasonic’s strong legacy in video performance. It holds its own against many competitors in its class, thanks to its stabilized sensor and extensive support for various video bit rates and formats.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless records 4K60 in both UHD (16:9) and DCI (17:9), with 10-bit 4:2:2 color sampling for enhanced color depth and accuracy. For slow-motion recording, it offers 4K120, while 4K48 is available for seamless integration into a 24fps cinema timeline, making it a versatile choice for hybrid shooters.

Micro Four Thirds in a Full-Frame Design

Rather than basing the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II Best Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless on its predecessor, Panasonic has adopted the full-frame S5 II’s body. While the S5 II is compact for a full-frame camera, Micro Four Thirds models are typically designed around a sensor that covers about a quarter of the surface area of a full-frame sensor. This smaller sensor allows for lighter, more compact lenses, making the camera highly portable. Despite its downsized sensor, the G9 II maintains image quality comparable to slightly larger APS-C cameras, ensuring a strong balance between performance and convenience.

Premium Display and Viewfinder

The G9 II features both a swing-out touch LCD and an eye-level viewfinder for enhanced usability. The 3-inch LCD boasts a resolution of 1.8 million dots, providing a sharp, detailed image. It performs well under bright daylight conditions, with an adjustable backlight to combat glare. Off-angle viewing is excellent, ensuring clear visibility from various positions. The touchscreen response is highly responsive, allowing you to tap to set focus or easily navigate through menus with ease.

Phase Detection Autofocus

The G9 II is just the third Lumix camera to feature a phase detection autofocus system, joining the S5 II and S5 IIx in this new development. This shift to phase detection is a significant upgrade for Lumix cameras, which have traditionally relied solely on the contrast-based Depth From Defocus (DFD) system. While DFD has been accurate, it lacks the tracking speed needed for action shots and doesn’t perform as reliably in video compared to some competitors. Many other manufacturers adopted phase detection sensors in their mirrorless cameras years ago, making this update a notable step forward for Panasonic.

GoPro Hero12 Black Review

GoPro Hero12 Black Review

GoPro Hero12 Black Review

GoPro Hero12 Black Review

“Why We Chose It
The GoPro Hero12 Black stands out as the top choice for video-centric creators looking to capture outdoor escapades, underwater exploits, and high-energy sports, while also catering to vlogging enthusiasts. With support for 5.3K60 and 4K120 capture, this camera delivers remarkably stable footage sans the need for a gimbal, offering the flexibility to be mounted virtually anywhere.

The 8:7 format sensor adds versatility by allowing the extraction of 16:9 and 9:16 video from the same clip. Enhanced versatility comes from optional accessories like the Media Mod cage and microphone, along with the ultra-wide Max Lens 2.0 mod. Notably, the Hero12 is waterproof up to 33 feet.

A Well-Known Set of Professional Controls

For experienced users, switching to the Pro Controls interface provides access to the camera’s full range of features. To activate this mode, just swipe down to bring up the menu, then swipe left to navigate to the second page where all the advanced settings are unlocked.

Streamlined Multi-Camera Syncing and Wireless Audio Integration

Syncing settings across multiple cameras is now easier, especially with the GoPro Hero12 Black Review, which introduces timecode sync functionality. The free-running timecode simplifies the editing process for multi-camera projects by removing the need to manually align clips on a multi-track timeline. Matching up cameras is straightforward; simply point each Hero12 at a QR code displayed in the Quik app.

Another new feature is wireless audio support. The GoPro Hero12 Black Review is compatible with true wireless earbuds that support the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) v1.8 and Headset Profile (HSP) v1.2 Bluetooth protocols. Once paired, the earbuds record audio to a separate track, enable voice commands for camera control, and allow you to listen to audio while reviewing clips on the camera.

GoPro Hero12 Black Review has provided a list of compatible earbuds, including Apple AirPods, Google Pixel Buds, Samsung Galaxy Buds, Jabra Elite, Bose QuietComfort, Beats by Dre Studio Buds, and Cardo Packtalk Black. However, some recommendations, like those for the Jabra Elite series, may be too general, so it’s advised to confirm Bluetooth profile compatibility with the manufacturer. Additionally, the Sabinitek SmartMike+ is the only wireless mic officially supported.

Hero12 Black: Accessories and Battery Performance

Similar to the Hero11 Black, the Hero12 uses GoPro’s Enduro battery. In my tests, the battery lasts a bit longer than its predecessor, providing just over an hour of 5.3K60 recording and around 80 minutes for 4K60. This is an improvement of about 10 minutes for both formats compared to the Hero11, but it may still fall short for a full day of filming. Extra Enduro batteries are available for $24.99.

The GoPro Hero12 Black Review also performs better in terms of heat management. I was able to record for about 30 minutes at 5.3K60 and 40 minutes at 4K60 in a room at 70°F. In both instances, the camera’s temperature reached 115°F before shutting down. This is an improvement over the Hero11’s quicker overheating issues.

GoPro’s approach to presets isn’t without its flaws. For instance, it’s not possible to transfer settings between different GoPro cameras, nor can users create personalized labels for presets. The list of available presets is fairly extensive, including options like Air, Bike, Epic, Custom, Indoor, Looping, Motor, Mounted, Outdoor, POV, Selfie, Skate, Snow, Trail, Travel, and Water. However, more intuitive labels such as “Vlogging” and “Slow-Motion” are noticeably absent. When I inquired with a GoPro representative about the potential for these features, the response was positive, though somewhat non-committal.

Pros

Class-leading video stabilization

10-bit HDR, GP-Log, and SDR video profiles

More useful Easy Controls than on Hero11

Front and rear displays

Up to 5.3K60, 4K120, or 2.7K240 recording

Small enough to mount in tight spots

Pro controls and timecode sync

Cons

Drops long-running GPS feature

Only a few headphones support wireless audio feature

One battery won’t last all day

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