Panasonic LUMIX GX9: It's finally here, but...

For the Lumix G crowd, the GX9 was long overdue as a replacement to the stellar GX8. In many ways the GX9 takes big steps forward over the GX8, but some little steps backward in other areas. Being a GX7 user myself, I held back on upgrading to the GX8 but feel a bit let down by some of the "left out" features. of the GX9. Three of my biggest gripes in the lack of weather-sealing avaialable in the GX8, the lack of a microphone-in option and lower battery life. Some of these omissions seem to contribute to some of the plusses of this camera like its smaller form factor and lower weight similar to the GX7 (In Japan it is called the GX7 MK III). Interestingly, these design features are more reminiscent of the more recent GX85. Panasonic has built a very good camera, an update of their very popular GX85. But for some reason that only they comprehend, they failed to name it the GX90, but opted instead to label it the GX9 as if it was an improved version of their GX8 which it clearly isn't.

SOME NEW AND NOT SO NEW FEATURES The GX9 comes with the same 20.3-megapixel Digital Live MOS Sensor in the GX8 but without a low-pass filter and Venus Engine which drive maximum lens performance while rendering natural, high-precision images. The removal of the low-pass filter will make for sharper images similar to the one in the pro-level GH5. Panasonic says this improvement came about by introducing newer algorithms in the current-generation Venus engine used by the GX9. There is a new L.Monochrome D mode added to Photo Style, making it easy to shoot detailed dynamic monochrome photos with emphasized highlights and shadows. Plus, Grain Effect can also be adjusted in all monochrome modes with Photo Style. A 5-axis Dual I.S. (Image Stabilizer) in the LUMIX GX9 effectively suppresses blur. Combining an O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer, 2-axis) and a B.I.S. (Body Image Stabiliser, 5-axis), the Dual I.S. compensates for a wider range of movement to enable blur-free photo/video shooting from wide to tele, even in low-light conditions. A new wide screen LVF (Live View Finder) in the LUMIX GX9 tilts up approx. 90 degrees. With its high, approx. 2760k-dot equivalent, resolution and 100% color reproduction, this 16:9 LVF provides approx. 1.39x / 0.7x (35mm camera equivalent.) magnification and 100% field of view. Plus, the camera's large 3.0-in., approx. 1240k-dot high resolution static-type touch monitor provides nearly 100% of field of view tilts upapprox. 80 degrees and down 45-degrees to enable shooting in high or low angle even easier. The Contrast AF System in the LUMIX GX9 features DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology and excels in both speed and accuracy by exchanging digital signals between the camera and the lens at max. 240 fps, for ultra-fast auto focusing in approx. 0.07 sec. A range of extensive AF functions include Face/Eye Detection AF, Pinpoint AF, One-shot AF and advanced Low Light AF to enhance usability to comply with various shooting situations. Live View Boost makes it possible to check composition even in total darkness by boosting sensitivity just for live view

Form factor comparison: The GX9 (Left) is smaller and lighter compared to the GX8

Ultra HD 4K video and 4K PHOTO With a high-speed sensor signal readout and engine processor, the LUMIX GX9 records smooth, high-resolution 4K videos in 3840x2160 resolution at 30p or 24p in addition to the Full-HD 1,920x1,080 60p videos with practical full-time AF. With this technology, LUMIX 4K PHOTO lets users capture perfect moments by extracting single frames from 4K burst files shot at 30 fps to save as 8-megapixel equivalent photos.Choosing the best shots out of hundreds of 4K video frames is now easier with a newly added Auto Marking function. Auto Marking identifies the frame most different from others in the file to help minimise the time it takes to choose the best individual shot. A Sequence Composition function creates a stromotion image in-camera by synthesizing multiple images shot at fixed frame to produce a unique image of a subject’s motion without special retouching. The LUMIX GX9 also includes Post Focus, a function selects an in-focus area even after shooting. Post Focus is helpful in situations such as macro shooting where strict focusing is required or for changing expressions by changing the focused subject. This capability combines high-speed, high-precision DFD (Depth From Defocus) auto focus technology and 4K technology. A Focus Stacking function adjusts depth of field after shooting by combining multiple images shot with Post Focus in the camera. Now users don't need to focus strictly while shooting because they can create images with the defocus level they want or pan-focus simply by selecting the focus area after shooting — beneficial when shooting macro images of insects, small accessories and so on.LUMIX GX9 also incorporates a Light Composition function, a new 4K PHOTO option. The camera synthesises images by choosing and saving a brighter pixel to easily produce more dramatic images of fireworks or night scenery in-camera. What's more, the LUMIX GX9 also enables 4K Live Cropping in video recording to realize stable panning or zooming. In panning shots, users just set the viewing angle to begin and end with for smooth panning imagery without using special equipment like a slider. And in zooming, users can set the after-zoomed viewing angle firs to ensure the subject is perfectly in the frame. The imagery of zooming is smooth because it does not move the zoom lens physically. Connectivity The LUMIX GX9 includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi® connectivity for a more flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing with easy operation. Compatibility with Bluetooth 4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy) enables consistent connection with a smartphone or tablet with minimum power consumption. GX9 Accessories: DMW-EC5 eyecup (US$19.99) and the DMW-HGR2 hand grip (US$59.99), the latter also being compatible with the GX85. PRICING: