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A Look At The Panasonic G90 Micro Four Thirds Camera
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2019
- The Panasonic G90/95 sits between the smaller and cheaper GX9 and their top range G9 and GH5 models. Its predecessor, the (still available) 16Mp G80 met with many accolades. Does the 20Mp G90/95 render obsolete the G80? Or should you skip this one and wait for a G10?
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I was just going on a "David Thorpe" binge, today! Awesome timing for a new video!
I knew you were waiting, Skyler 😀
Been a long wait. I love you reviews, the best on you tube. Sweet, informative , and straight to the point with all the necessary info. Wish you did other gear.
I'd love to do more but the occasional bike video and the Micro Four Thirds ones take my time. Nice to know they're appreciated, though, Tony, thank you.
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know a trick to get back into an instagram account?
I was dumb lost my account password. I love any assistance you can offer me.
@Brayan Bridger Instablaster ;)
@Elisha Edison thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Elisha Edison it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my account!
Thank you David for your comprehensive review, which confirmed my idea to stay with my G80 and GX80 for the time being.
Yes, no great reason to change.
I have had a G85 for two years now. I also procured an Oly EM10 mk3 last year, which has turned into the camera I take with me when a cell phone (Note 9) won't do. I kept the G85 for video, theoretically, but don't do nearly enough of that. Therefore it sits. The G90/95 was a disappointment to me. It seems to me that Panasonic just crammed the 20mp sensor and processing engine into the same body, added a couple of hundred dollars to the price and called it a day. Not good enough considering the competition, including the G80/85. Great review, take care of yourself and thanks a bunch.
Thanks! If you have the G85 there are no compelling reasons to upgrade. Panasonic seem to have an upgrade schedule which doesn't always merit a new model. In general, whatever model you have, miss the next upgrade if not two.
My favorite TH-cam channel because of your calm and sensible presentation. Thank You!
Its just the right size. It’s perfect in my hands. The controls and menu system are tops and I can’t wait to upgrade from my FZ300.
Thanks, Joe. It's an excellent all rounder and fits my hands well too.
Another excellent review David, you continue to set a very high review benchmark which we all appreciate.
Thanks, very glad you enjoy them.
It is very stylish to make this post as a silent movie. Kudos to an artist.
Wow! Thank you!
I upgraded from the em5 mk1 to this camera as soon as it came out, I'd waited for eternity for Olympus to release the em5 mk3.
I got 15% off the day it left pre-order.
That was neat timing to get that price, Rick. I have no idea when a Mark II E-M5 will appear.
1:33 Oh my lord, I actually thought for too long that this camera scanned the object with a build in laser...
Damn it! You've just let the cat out of the bag about the G100. How did you find out about the built in laser they planned? :-)
Your experience of publishing selfies does not surprise me. Those of us who are no longer in the first flush of youth find that maturity brings its own advantages.
My wife always brings a stick with her when we are out together. Some assume it is an aid to walking - it's actually for threatening, if not beating off, predatory females. I often wonder if I should wear a full, non-grey, wig and modern clothing to dissuade admirers. On the other hand...
Cracking review, btw.
Thanks, Chris! Great idea with the modern apparel and wig. I must try that. Men without this babe-magnet problem must be wondering what we are complaining about but sometimes I'd like to just sit at a bar and have a drink without some beautiful young female propositioning me.
This is really nice. I hadn't yet considered this one as a possible upgrade while I fantasize about S1 system. Btw love that little light painting on your telecaster! 🤩
btw, the cropped 4k is kind of a bummer, even though it looks to have decent 120fps slowmo
I was pleased with the light painting. I used a laser spirit level from my tool box. I do love messing about. It's a really nice camera but you just need to be aware of the crop on 4K video.
@@DavidThorpeMFT ah, that's what it was. Turned out really well.
thank you for your honest review. always a pleasure to watch an MFT camera review from you
Thanks, Jon.
Thanks for a great overview of this camera David. I owned the G80 & 7 MFT lenses but I would not have upgraded to the G90 anyway; too expensive when you now compare it to the competition; Fuji X-T3 or X-T3, Sony A6400 or A6100, or even a Nikon or Canon DSLR with an aps-c sensor would really be better value. Panasonic keep putting out expensive 'Leica' branded lenses now too, so really not too keen anymore. And given that Panasonic are sticking with their DFD AF system I will not be investing in the MFT cameras or bodies unless this changes (Olympus does have a hybrid phase detection system on their top 2 models though).
The spiralling costs are definitely a concern. A commenter was telling me that there was anew Olympus E-M5 on the way that would have PDAF. Might just be a rumour, though.
5:04-5:11 I see what you did there! Anyone else?! As always great review!
Robert J nice spot! I missed it on my first view
I'm full of tricks!
Thanks David. Always top notch quality reviews and this was no exception. I had the G80 for while and and in many ways regret letting it go. I have a GH3 on the way though, so I'm sure that will soften the blow.
It will!
Nice to see you again!
And you!
For me the g9 sensor, which the g90 has now adopted, is significantly better than the old G80 sensor so I would say that this is a significant upgrade.
Yes, I think a lot of people would agree. I personally found no IQ problem with the G80 so wouldn't make the change if I had one but that's purely a personal opinion, of course. And my tendency towards miserliness 😉
i am glad you mention the electronic shutter button of the G80/85 wich was a major improvement for me with IBIS and WR . It did make that model a big step up and subsequent cameras more 'incremental' updates . The north american G95 would be enough to proceed for me if it was cheaper or offer a different bundle than the 12-60 that i like but already have twice (i also have the GX9). The G9 is clearly a better value now but lacks the light composite and is noticebly heavier . So it is still G85 for a while. By the way, at current price , it is the best value M43 if not overall digital camera.
The G9 has the light composition with the latest firmware but it doesn't lower the weight! Because camera technology is improving incrementally now rather than by leaps and bounds, the next to last model in a line differs little from the latest - you need to wait a couple of modes before the difference is worthwhile. As you say, that makes the G80/85 excellent value.
You had me there at 4:50 i thought damn whats this technique in camera letting him zoom in one subject and zoom out of the background :) then it clicked . Great job as always .
I think it is called parallax effect.
Thanks! Good effect, I nicked off a tutorial on TH-cam.
Thanks for that! My teen daughter loves her MFT kit (she shoots wildlife, and would really struggle with APSC or FF long lenses on hikes). She has a G80, and you've confirmed that it's worth saving up a few extra pennies for a G9 rather than a G90 (isn't it odd that they're so similar in price?)
I'm hoping we can afford that relatively soon so that I can get my hands on her G80, to be honest!
You sound a lovely family, Marc. How nice to have a father and daughter sharing a photography gene! I suppose the price of the G90 will come down to make it more proportional to the G9 at some point.
@@DavidThorpeMFT She's the photographer ( instagram.com/kr_wildlife/ ), I've caught the bug from her rather than the other way around. It is a lovely way to spend a day. Really enjoying your videos now that I've stumbled across them, keep up the good work!
Glad to say they are still focusing on their MFT lines. Switched to Olympus after my G3, but may take a look at the G90 rather than updating OMD gear.
Someone told me that a new E-M5 III would feature PDAF and a more compact size. That would be nifty, though I have no idea if it is true. Just a thought to help confuse the issue 😀
as always, thanks you for the effort and the sharing. you stated the BIG thought near the vid's end but i had the same thought at the beginning: g90/g95 or g9? btw, i am a very appreciative subscriber. thumbs up.
Thanks for telling me, it is appreciated!
Yes! (This time with the exclamation mark)
Stone me, that was quick :-)
I got a G9 for £599 brand new body only so that was my choice...ditched my GX80 and kept my G80. V-log L would be nice but I can live without it considering what the G9 gives over the G90 particularly burst shooting speeds and auto focus points which for birds in flight I have found is a million times better than the G80.
That's a steal for a G9, Joe. That beats anything else in the Micro Four Thirds range for value - where was the lorry parked and is the back still open? 😂
@@DavidThorpeMFT The Lorry was Amazon price matching Argos by mistake and then me getting Curry's to price match Amazon so I ended up with a camera and everyone else pretty much had their orders cancelled :(
The gain I made from watching the G9 price on Amazon daily since the new year 😂😂😂
@@JoeMaranophotography Did Amazon price match a GX9 Argos were selling?
@@JoeMaranophotography haha, nice work! A real steal, but no crime was committed :)
Got a GX80 myself and want the G9, a UK retailer was offering the G9 with the Leica 12-60 lens for £1200 last week. As well as including an SD card and bag.
Panasonic also is better off not including PAF on sensor; it just increases sensor complexity and can result in significant "banding" issues. Better off with a simpler and neater design.
What panasonic really needs to do is pause lens development for a year (since they already have a lot of lenses) and work on making DFD better on every lens.
@@youknowwho9247 th-cam.com/video/ypUU3lbaH4M/w-d-xo.html
Not for this guy.
More PD-AF, more banding.
DFD just needs more effort.
I don't think Panasonic can ever get DfD to do the job as well as PDAF can, simply by the nature of the technology. On sensor PDAF will never be as good as the dedicated PD of a DSLR but I think the banding difficulties (such as they are) can be overcome. For me, the contrast system is good enough as it is, DfD seems to make little difference under most circumstances, as witnessed by how well Olympus lenses work on the G9, for example. But my main point is that Panasonic will always be regarded as second best for action until it does utilize PDAF in some form or another. Sony shows the way in this.
I just bought the G95 today. It is an excellent camera in every way. The only drawback is that the EVF isn't as good as the Olympus M4/3rds EVF. But I shoot from the back screen most of the time, so its not a big issue for me.
I think it’s better than the EM1.3 EVF which uses an LCD, and bigger than the OLED EM5.3 EVF.
Are you still happy with it one year on?
Still waiting for a GX8 mkii with usb c charging
I don't think it is going to happen, Brian. Panasonic appear to have abandoned the large(r) rangefinder format.
Great review again David. Thanks.
Glad you found it worthwhile - thanks, Reginald.
I agree with you on Panasonic's ' intransigents ' with their AF system being contrast / D F D only. If they would develop a hybrid / phase & contrast system that was fast & accurate - they would be nudging the likes of Sony off of the podium. I plan on getting the G9 & am now reading your menu book on it. Since I own Panasonic's Fz2500, much of the details that reside in your book are already familiar. Enjoy your video & the book.
Thanks, Ray. Yes, Panasonic do have a strong family relationship across all their products. I'm with you on the PDAF, as I said especially with the heavyweight R&D that Panasonic could put into it.
@@DavidThorpeMFTIt's not that big of a deal, especially when one focuses on the detailed & helpful content found in your books, but you might try & find a retied school teacher with a red marker to ' proof read ' them before publication. Cheers
@@rayjenkins2754 The books make so little money that before every one, I find myself debating whether to bother. I'd love a proof reader of any sort but I'd have to pay something and that'd just make the whole enterprise even less worthwhile. Also, any proof reader would have to be au fait with photo terminology and usage. Camera menus are written in American English which is another problem for an UK prood reader. I go over and over the books and use every online checker can. Yet still mistakes get in there. It's very frustrating and I correct things when they are pointed out. Since quite a bit of content can transfer from one book to another, in theory they should get better over time. Cheers, Ray
@@DavidThorpeMFT Well then - I'm American - Just about every book I read I tend to automatically ' highlight ' any grammar mistakes I see by noting a correction in the margin. Habit. - By having owned / run a motorcycle repair shop for 38 years, I came at photography by focusing on the technical aspects of a cameras workings 1st. Did not like the Sony menu system & after a year moved to a Panasonic camera. Much better ! So I'm offering to go through your book on the G9 menu system. Note & apply a correction ( just the glaring ones ) I see on a separate piece of paper. I'll then place those in the related pages of your book & when I'm done mail it to you. I'm retired, so I have some spare time. And besides, by the time I'm done I will certainly know about the G9's workings. No charge to you. Let me know. Ray
@@rayjenkins2754 That'd be much appreciated, Ray. I think I put a books email address in the book. I write the books in Sigil, using raw HTML coding. Sigil has a spell check/ grammar check, then I run it through an online one. Still errors creep in through! Amazon itself flags up errors when processing my .ebook files to .mobi and I don't let the books through until Kindle has processed them. But still there are errors :-(
Another great review. Love the pull back of the cyclist.
Thanks Anthony - I've been watching a Ken Burns documentary on the Vietnam war and nicked how to do it from a TH-cam tutorial.
Hm. I might point out as a OMD EM5II owner that the ability to shoot 4k might well be worth the hefty price of an upgrade. Having said that, I would also contribute that perhaps the G90 also offers a somewhat simplified set of ergonomics. The EM5II has a dizzying array of dials and buttons but honestly, I still love the camera. It's a dream to handle, and images are spot on.
I'm hoping the EM5 mkIII announcement makes it a no-brainer to upgrade to.
I take your ppint, Brad but I approach Micro Four Thirds as a stills photographer since that is my background. I shoot in 4K most of the time for my videos but that's only because I like to have maximum freedom in editing. I never fully got along with the E-M5 II because I found it too crowded and the menu system simply awful. The rumours I have been told for a new one sound good - especially if it was the size of the E-M10 series,
@@DavidThorpeMFT Yes I agree with you. Thanks for the reply. Sometimes less is more!
I have a GH5 which I use mostly for still photography plus a range of prime lens and the marvellous little 12-32mm pancake. I'm still a happy bunny but should I flog the GH5 and buy this or maybe the G9?
Decisions, decisions!
Mootpoint Jones I'm thinking that the GH5 is still the "hybrid king" (video & still photography). I use a GX8 as a smaller second with a rangefinder feel. (Thanks, David!)
Thanks you, Brian! - to answer the question, no I'd stay with the GH5. It has no disadvantages compared to the alternatives when used as a stills camera and is second to none as a hybrid. The G9 is more tilted to stills but the money you'd lose doing the swap doesn't buy anything that would improve your results.
2:00 so odd that they would downgrade an otherwise excellent line of cameras so popular with amateur videographers with a 4k crop.
Yes. The G80 / G85 is still the better camera for video. At at about half the price, so much better value.
The G90/ G95 video crop is a terrible backslide for Panasonic.
Yes, to do with the processing power required for down-sampling from the whole sensor like the G9 and GH5, I am told. But Id on't think the G80 crops as much, so I'm not sure about that.
Ridiculous price considering the G9 is on the market and far superior.
@@youknowwho9247 That's actually not true. A local company to me was offering the G9 with the Leica 12-60 lens plus extras brand new for £1200. That's about $1000.
The G9 has a lot going for it, as does M43 in general. Larger sensor cameras do have advantages but they also have disadvantages.
It depends what you want. If you want the smallest possible package, M43 shits all over larger sensor cameras. The size, weight etc, lenses. No comparison. Also, best in class IBIS and video features.
The G9 is a hell of a camera.
You're making sweeping statements and sound like a bit of a chump.
@@youknowwho9247 Have you used and owned any M43 cameras and the lenses are absolutely smaller and lighter. I'm a M43 owner and user who is looking to move on to Sony full frame but image quality is fantastic on M43. Very few people could tell the difference between a G9 and Sony apsc if at all. Unless it's low light.
I'm going full frame but I'm keeping my M43 as different roles.
The price of the G90 will come down in due course and then any price comparison will be on firmer ground.
Excellent as usual!!!
Thank you, Brian!
This looks like a great camera. I’m still hanging on to my G85 - it’s a wonderful camera. Agreed - phase detection on Panasonic bodies would be great. I too really liked the em5ii bit agree that is has poor menus and poor ergonomics. It was decent with the grip but then you couldn’t get at the battery and you had a ridiculous 2 side-by-side shutter button setup. If the em5ii had a proper grip I still might have that camera. .
Yes, the grip is neat but too much of an afterthought. I needed the grip to make the camera comfortable for me to use. We're obviously the same in that badly designed or thought out things annoy us. That double shutter button setup was a constant irritant.
Hi. How did you get the dolly-zoom effect of the bicyclist and the blurred background at about 4:50 ?
Is that all software?
Hi - yes, in Photoshop. It's a normal jpg image, cut out the foreground cyclist, fill in the hole left and then use Photoshop's very good video facilities to gently transform the background. No point really, other than adding a bit of interest and....tell you the truth I just love learning all this stuff.
@@DavidThorpeMFT: Nice. Thanks!
hi, is the G90 a good camera to record 3 hour videos continuously?
Hello David!
Do you think the GH4 is still a better choice for a hybrid than a G90?
MUSTDOS great question! (I have a GH5 & GX8 that I use as hybrids.)
Hello MUSTDOS! I personally wouldn't see any reason to make the swap. I suppose the biggest reason would be the extra 4Mb pixel count but that doesn't make much difference for most stills purposes and none at all for video. The GH4 is still much more comprehensive in its high end video facilities.
I am more than happy with my I G80 ! However the features on the G90 do tempt me, I used the original G1 I bought in 2009 until I bought my G80 in early 2018. Maybe I should wait for the G10 or else when the price of the G90 drops ! (Or save up to buy the G9 !!)
I got my G9 for about £300 less than the G90 up here this summer, with a combined store discount and panasonic cash-back, so it could be worth following whatever campaigns going on.
I'll second that, JensMHA.
I've got a G80, but have my eye on E M5-III, because of it's phase detect AF I expect it to have.
It'll be interesting to see. The other possibility is that Olympus keep it for their E-M1s to maintain their exclusivity.
It's priced too close to a G9 to interest me, doesn't look like a bad camera though.
@@youknowwho9247 What price do you think a G9 is worth then? The A6500 and A6600 are more expensive.
I know you don't like cameras with smaller sensors, but the G9 is a well built camera.
The G90 price will come down after a bit and then the comparison will be fairer. But there are often deals that muddy the waters and some real bargains to be had with either camera.
DFD really stops people jumping on the Panasonic bandwagon. While people used to argue that “real” videographers don’t use AF, the truth is that AF never used to be an option. But now fantastic AF is offered by all major manufacturers. As someone who owns four Lumix cameras, I’m starting to become disenchanted with Panasonic....
The difference isn't enough to put me off the Panasonics and the CAF is good enough for my needs but I do think Panasonic will have to address it at some point. If they did take on board PDAF it would be hard for Olympus to compete with them.
@@DavidThorpeMFT My video style doesn't really require me to shoot moving subjects, but if it did I'd be using my Sony a7III instead. For the moment, I use the Sony for my paid stills gigs, and the GH5 for my video and personal/fun stills shoots
As Always, an excellent review. I am thinking of getting this camera, but I need to have good AF-C in video. Is this a Good choice if you want to film airshows etc?
Thanks! I'd definitely be looking for PDAF for airshows. A an aircraft against a plain sky is less than ideal for Panasonic focusing, DfD or not. An Olympus E-M5 Mark III would do a better job, Or an E-M1 Mark II or III.
Hey David, thanks for another very informative video.
Wouldmyou know if other panasonic cameras are getting the new live comp feature as an update?
Glad you find it helpful, Vassilis. I don't have any communication with Panasonic but I'd be surprised if they released new firmware to include live comp. Olympus often include new features in their firmware upgrades but with Panasonic it is mainly performance tweaks.
@@DavidThorpeMFT It would be a shame not to see this feature on the G9, well let's keep our fingers crossed.
Thanks david! Iv got 2 questions... 1 what is the olimpus lens that was attached to the camera at the end of the video? 2- if I'm new to this sistem should I go for this camera or the em5 mk3? Or wait for a new em1 mk3... 🤷♂️
That's my trusty little 17mm f/1.8. I've had it years. The E_M1 or 5, I just don't know. I have a feeling, judging by Olympus's present pricing policy that the E-M1 will be much more expensive than the E-M5. Might be an idea to wait until the 1 comes out and then buy the 5, which will drop in price. Or, get an E-M1 Mark II?
Hi David, I am not sure if you covered. But I take it that in terms of image quality between this and GX9 there is not a massive difference? Thank you.
No, identical sensors I would think. Certainly I can't tell any difference.
I'm sticking with G7, mainly because I don't like the weight and size increase.
I think you won't be alone in that. There's a tendency for the cameras to get slowly bigger and heavier (not to say more expensive!) with each new model. It'll finish up like the car industry where what was a city small car grows into a family car and they have to introduce a new small car eventually.
Having seen the price I think I ll stay with my G3..:(
The prices are getting higher and higher. It must affect sales, especially when cameras like the G3 are still so capable of turning out such good results.
With all this said I keep my Gh4’s
I got a G85 to replace my aging G3. I have a question on the accessory that you have on your cameras where the camera strap goes on the camera. What is that why do you use that ? The triangular one on mine make a lot of metallic noise
Hi Satya - the item you refer to is a Peak Design strap/ strap fitting. They enable you to change from wrist to neck strap or change a strap from one camera to another in an instant. Or remove the strap completely for a while of you prefer. You can see them here - amzn.to/2LdIRkR
I agree. Phase detection needs to be in MFT other than the EM1 line. What have you seen with the DFD system? With only Contrast detection with my Olympus, the camera struggles with a very brightly lit backgrounds. Like stage lights behind musician, if I don't manually focus, many times the camera will not automatically focus correctly. I'm interested in the G95 for the extra ergonomics than the E-M5 but I'm waiting for the Mark III in hopes they will use phase detection. Your reviews have been excellent for showing how capable DFD is and I was surprised how much Jared Polen seem to like the S1R for the DFD auto focus. Will DFD act just as bad in those light condition as any other contrast based detection? Maybe I need to rent one. If I had to go with phase detection and the next E-M5 doesn't have it, for the price range of the EM1, I could keep my mind open to other brands outside MFT line up.
I do live stuff fairly regularly and find no problem with focusing at all in the situation you describe. The Panasonic contrast detection, both single and continuous is rather better than Olympus's which is why the E-M1 mark II was so pleasing since it caught up and (for fast moving action) bettered it. You'd notice quite a big difference between the E-M5 11 and the G90 in favour of the Panasonic. The DfD, I mainly find it means a quicker lock-on to the subject than if you use an Olympus lens but once it has locked on the tracking/ continuous AF is pretty much the same with both makes of lens. On my Panasonics I use either make of lens without a thought.
The E-M5 mark iii is apparently sporting the same image sensor that is in the E-M1 mark ii and E-M1 X have in their bodies including its 121 cross type phase detector array ("unofficial source" but I herd this from an Olympus rep during this summers Olympus sale). It will also supposedly be sporting their next generation processor, this could mean even better SAF and CAF compared to the E-M1 mark ii. Interestingly, it will be in a slightly smaller, lighter, weather sealed body than the E-M5 mark ii and use a smaller battery (same one as the E-M10 mark iii). The focus on reducing its size is probably to differentiate it from the E-M1 mark ii. I just hope they can find a way to make a good grip for it, or at least a great grip / battery grip attachment. I guess we will find out soon enough if the Olympus rep new what he was talking about.
@@Jay19876 That's fascinating - thanks for that information of which I had no inkling. If it's true - and it does have a ring of truth about it - it sounds like a winner. The only sticking point might be the price - I hope they can keep it down.
@@Jay19876 I've heard some similar things. Thanks for sharing.
@@DavidThorpeMFT I remember you saying that Olympus lens seem to perform well. Great videos. Always very informative!
Damn I hope the E-M5 MkIII kicks this thing's ass.
Me too - Olympus have taken (are taking ) their time so a MkIII should be good. Wish they'd drop the stupid Mk business, though. It causes a lot of confusion among potential new Micro Four Thirds users.
The extreme 4k video crop is unacceptable. In this regard the G80 is better and also the G9 (no crop at all), So a great camera for photo's , but certainly not for videographers.
Yes, that's a very often heard criticism. I don't know why Panasonic implemneted that crop but it puts a lot of photographers off.
Just buy a damn wide angle lens and problem solved!
@@thewalkingvloggingman7152 Thanks, but I like a zoom.
Then a crop shouldn't bother you then.
@@thewalkingvloggingman7152 The G80 has a small crop that is acceptable. The crop in the G90 is bigger.
I would like to get a new camera to vlogging and make travel videos but I am between G95 and GH5 ! I am afraid by the GH5's size for my needs. But AF seems better than G95.. What are you thinking about that ?
I'm happy with the G90/95 focusing. The more expensive models are a bit better because they have more computing power probably but for most users they'd see no difference. It's really under the most extreme conditions where you are really pushing the camera's capabilities that the differences show. Most of us don't really do that. I personally would prefer the G90/95 for the kind of photography that you mention for portability reasons. No temptation to leave it behind because of the size.
@@DavidThorpeMFT thank you very much for your help !!
@@youknowwho9247 thank you ! But with the last firmware on GH5 I wish and I heard that it is better now ? I was interested by A6500 but IBIS is bad in comparison with Panasonic. I would like to have AF AND good stabilisation, this is a choice sooo difficult ! My next trip is the next month and I really need a new camera ☹️🤔
@@ManonEtCompagnie what did you decide to go with?
@@NE_Pigeons Neither of the two! Finally I took a Canon M50, it's perfect for my use 😉
HI David, I already have a GH5 but have started to look at 2-camera recording of interviews. Would the G90 or Gx9 or even older GH4 be an option? I was looking at the GX8 as well since I was hoping to get an articulation LCD so I can see what the camera can see even at a distance and without using those external monitors. Thank you.
Any of those would do the trick, though not the GX9 if you want the articulated screen.I'd be tempted by the GH4 most since it is so very similar to the GH5 and could be set up to to work very smoothly, almost as a second GH5.
Great review as usual, David. This might sound like a silly question but how did you find the smoothness of the off/on button? The reason I ask is because I once bought a G80 but I found the off/on switch to be a bit too stiff for my liking and as daft as it sounds it was a dealbreaker for me lol. Having said that, this camera looks really good and not too worried about its video capability as I know it will be solid enough and would use it more for stills.
The on/off button is in a more convenient position quite different from the one on the GX80 a. I don't think you'd have any bother with it. The problem with the GX switch is its cramped site as much as anything else, so you can't get a proper grip on it, I find. I don't find your reason daft at all. One of my main reasons for using my E-M1 Mark III over my G9 is that it has a USB-C plug rather than the great big clumsy one on the G9. Little things mean a lot!
The on-off switch snapped off on my G80 - luckily in the on position! I hadn't mistreated it anyway, and it didn't feel stiff, but clearly it wasn't quite as smooth as it needed to be!
@@DelOfTheShire Obviously not - did Panasonic repair it?
@@DavidThorpeMFT I bought it used, David. So I've just set the sleep setting to one minute, turned the screen off, and have carried on using it. Battery life is a little shortened, but it remains eminently usable. Great camera. Keep up the good work with the videos and blog!
@@DelOfTheShire I'll keep on with videos as long as I can! I'm impressed with your lateral thinking for solving the broken button problem. I forget to turn the things off half the time anyway.
Gx9, g90 or g9. Which one would you recommend.
Definitely the G9 if the size suits. There are some great bargains about with it at the moment too. My main reason is that it is capable of pretty much anything you can chuck at it!
Dear David, good morning. What camera would you pick between a gx9, e-m5 II and a g90? With max £200 price difference among body only version. Image quality wise I’ve heard that many still prefer Olympus 16mp vs pana 20mp sensor.
Hi - some people do prefer Olympus image rendering to Panasonic's but the actual quality of their sensors is pretty much the same. Often the same sensor, I believe. Of those cameras, I'd likely go for the G90. It has a much better EVF than the GX9 and is more up to date with video than the E-M5 Mark II.
David Thorpe many thanks David.
Agree the cam is a bit overpriced. However, it provides image quality 1-to-1 as G9. Hope price will be lower after G100 announcement :D
The will by then - they are usually discounted after a about 6 months, I think.
Dear david. I have omd em5mk2, and few m zuiko lens. Is it a good move if i add another body of this g95 to make use of my olympus lens and make it for videography? Or u have better suggestion.
The Olympus lenses work well on Panasonic cameras and the G90 has good video facilities, so it sounds like a good idea. The G9 is very cheap right now so look at that too.
@@DavidThorpeMFT
It may have been cheaper then, but it's not now.
This camera makes no sense to me. The improvement doesnt justify the higher price compared to a new G80/70 or a used GH5. I think the best deal would be a Fujifilm X-H1 if you want to video shoot and the camera has to be new.
The important thing is that we can all find something that suits us. I think that makers take the opportunity to recover escalating costs when they bring out a new model.
it sucks that the g9 doesnt have unlimited recording unlike the g90
I never know whether its's the law (in which case why isn't the G90 limited?) or overheating reasons.
No joystick though, any thoughts from users as to how easy/difficult it is to choose an AF point?
It's pretty easy. You can either touch a point on the monitor or turn on Direct Focus Area and move it around with the cursor keys. For normal use I just put the AF Area box over where I want to focus and then hold the shutter button halfway while re framing as I want. Joystick is nicer, though.
I owned the G80 and it was easy to operate AF, either using touch AF on monitor or touchpad AF when using the EVF.
Thanks David, it looks like a great camera, but I'd have preferred it the size of the E-M5 mark II. I'm not enjoying this fattening of MFT higher-end models, hopefully the E-M5 mark III won't grow in size and the next GX camera will have all these features and regain weather-sealing...
I think Panasonic cameras are nearly always bigger than their competitors. The G90 doesn't appear to be much bigger than a G7 from what I've seen.
It's a bit bigger than both that and the GX80, not greatly so but increasing size is not a trend that I'm in favour of. Perhaps it'll be like the car industry where the city car grows in size gradually to what was a family car. So they have to introduce a new model to fill the gap for a small car.
Better question, would you upgrade from the GX8? Though that is a different camera.
I wouldn't, really, Leo. Most who bought the GX8 were wanting the rangefinder body format and while the G90 is a bit more up to date technically, being newer, there's nothing in particular that would merit the change.
I don't have the GX8 but i had the G6 prior to the G85 and for me the main improvement is the new mechanical shutter wich is almost silent and vibration free . If you don't experience shutter shock or are ok with the electronic shutter, the GX8 is still among the best .
@@bdfrankmeow Yes, I agree. I use the electronic shutter as standard on all my cameras with the mechanical one brought into play only when necessary for flash or fast moving subjects.
Hey David, what are those things hanging from the neck loop brackets? The red things?
Those are the fittings for the Peak design quick release neck and wrist straps that I use. Very versatile and easy to use system, even with your own straps. They are at amzn.to/3hfXB0t (UK)/ amzn.to/32aBm5N (USA)
@@DavidThorpeMFT Hey thank you for that, appreciate it, have a wonderful day!
Dear David - I’ve currently got a GX80 but am looking to upgrade (probably second hand) and wanting weather sealing, a better EVF (spectacles) and 20 megapixel sensor. I’ve been looking at the G90 but there are rumours that it’s being discontinued leaving the G9 (rather large) or Olympus M1 Mk ii as the likely options. Given that I’ve only got Panasonic lenses and like the stabilisation, this reduces my options even further. I’d welcome your thoughts ... still pondering the G90. Best wishes, Sally
The G95 is currently going for $799 with the 12-60 lens, which is an incredible deal. I couldn’t resist.😉
@@joeltunnah I went for the G9. Very pleased
@@sallyb7101 glad you’re happy! It’s a very capable camera.
Yep, anybody who passes up this deal is crazy, I got mine brand new for 797.99 on Amazon.
David I enjoy your video even if I'm trying follow you as a not ative english speaking person. Could you try for a more clear records or voice.
I do my best, Peris and my sound has improved. Unfortunately I have a south London accent and there's not much I can do about that. I will take care to keep things as clear as I can though.
Great review as always. So do I get this or the S1? Decisions, decisions.
It's ultimately IQ versus portability. All I would say is that the IQ gain is not noticeable under normal viewing conditions where the portability definitely is felt, especially if you are lugging an outfit around. There's a big price difference, too, of course. Non of that alters the fact that many will prize the FF image quality above all else and thus see the equation differently from me. Which helps you not a jot!
@@youknowwho9247 Point and shoots don't have interchangeable lenses which is the prerequisite for serious photography in my view. I have a point and shoot, three Micro Four Thirds cameras and an S1 on my desk. On none of my viewing devices is there any difference whatsoever in IQ between the S1 and the Micro Four Thirds. How could there be when the viewing medium is the limiting factor? So many of these comparisons are from people who have no hands on side by side experience of what they talk about. Image quality isn't a goal in itself after all, it's what you fall back on if your picture is no good. For a professional printer's point of view, take a look a this th-cam.com/video/OGn3yPl59ZM/w-d-xo.html
@@youknowwho9247 So what you're saying is that MFT is pointless?
@@DavidThorpeMFT that's brilliant and a great quote.
@@youknowwho9247 Presumably your requirements IQ requirements are much higher than Magnum photographer Ian Berry? You don't talk someone who has day to day working experience of the cameras you are talking about. Do you have an agent or some channel where I can see what kind of professional work you do?
The problem i have with the G85 is a tendency to focus in the background when it is contrasty like trees . I ear it is solved on the G95 . Do you confirm that ?
I can't say I have noticed any difference but I don't use the full screen focusing very often. The more restricted focus modes like Custom Multi and One Area are much more reliable in placing focus.
@@DavidThorpeMFT the problem i have is mostly for birds in flight and i can't restrict the focus area for that since it is already challenging to keep the target in the frame . I have done it also with my Nikon D610 in tracking mode but the af zone is not large enough with this camera .
Back to the G85 : i often switch to precise point for still subjects with plenty of time to shoot but i have not tried something in between like the 2 you mention . I guess it would be best for slow, big or predictable moving targets like street shots or sports.
@@bdfrankmeow Given the unpredictability of movement of birds in flight, their speed of movement and the often contrasty and detailed backgrounds I'm not sure there['s any technology that will ever be more give reliable results. I think the only answer(?) is to restrict the focus area as much as possible, switch off stabilization and any image processing overheads you can (try manual exposure for example,) to free up as many processor cycles as possible and then keep shooting. It's the difficulty of it that makes it so rewarding, thought, isn't it :-)
The stubborn choice of not implementing PD will remain a mystery. They should have introduced mirroring system to smartphones to attract new young adepts
Btw, nice to see you again
They claim it's because in certain light conditions and higher ISO ranges you get banding caused by the PD elements on the sensor. Which has been confirmed with cameras with PD from other makes. Nikon in particular.
Though pretty much everyone agrees that rare situation is worth taking for the huge benefits.
@@thegeneral123 yes general, it seems there are more untold reasons because the technical answer from Panasonic (that you reminded us) is certainly not good enough. Fact is, there's a negative af reputation building up on the brand (most of the times unfair) and the gap with the best af systems is increasing (most of the times true). Thanks
@@thegeneral123 I don't! Nikon z6 ans z7 hold no interest for me because of their af implementation.
Thanks, Andrea. Panasonic do change their mind - in body stabilization for example - even when they seemed committed to OIS. We'll see!
EM5 Mark II is the direct competitor to this G90? I would think it would be the EM1 Mark II or III................
It's always difficult to decide the basis for comparisons, specs or price. Sometimes you get such bargain offers on the top line cameras that compete with much less capable models.
Currently the EM1 II is considerably more expensive. So I'd agree that the EM5 is the competitor.
The EM5 III is also more expensive, but its also newer I believe.
Hi David. Great review as ever. Additionally, I think the colour science is improved in the g9, gx9 and g90 and I am happy with DFD as I am only interested Im acquisition speed and accuracy and Panasonic easily wins that battle.
Yes, the Panasonic lock on speed is phenomenal, even in absurdly low light. Probably has something to do with the smaller, lighter lens components required by Micro Four Thirds as well as the processing power..
this would be a tough choice,between this and other models...
In theory the more choice the better but sometimes I wonder!
@@DavidThorpeMFT .
...............the fact is.MOST of us do not NEED anything close to even a GH5S or Fuji GFX50R.We are exposed to marketing,'reviews',and opinions,which are all designed to lead us to buy more,spend more,and only use one camera ecosystem.I work in the public,live in NYC,and I shoot street photography,and most of the time,it's Canon,some Nikon,some Sony,and then some of everything else.It's more DSLRs and the smaller cameras than anything else,and a LOT of older camera bodies.
People who make a living shooting,who shoot at the NBA/NFL/WBC,etc,etc,are using the old trusty and reliable DSLRs.Why?They get the job done,and no one is changing batteries,changing lenses,and all that other BS during work.I shot 4/3 when i went to digital,and I still have my film cameras,even though i am using full frame now.It doesnt matter,it matters if you have skills,common sense,timing,creativity,and can nail the shot in camera.
If someone asks me to shoot them outside,they want to see the result NOW,not me telling them i will 'fix it in post'.I love my 4/3 camera and it's sitting around somewhere,because It gave me some great images,and yes,with the kit lens.
We really need to stop letting people lie about them knowing cameras they havent bought,who bash certain brands,and who LIE to us,telling us we cannot use multiple formats/brands.Besides,like I said,i am outside shooting,and more often than not,people are not going to nitpick,because they do not know nor care about the differences between 1080P/4k/6k,CLog/Vlog/10bit/8bit,blah blah blah....
@@michaels8597 My first chief photographer told me that he took me on to train because I had an eye for a picture. I had never picked up a camera before. He could train a monkey to work a camera, he said. Steely Dan had a view of musicians - there were those who could work an instrument and those who could play it. If you can make a picture, it doesn't matter what camera you use. It is captivating technology, though!
@@DavidThorpeMFT exactly..skills rule and hype is a distraction..
Istambuuul!
🙂
Hi David, Thank you for excelent review as always. I am now deciding between gx9/12-32 and G90/12-60. The price difference is only 200 in case of more expensive G90. I don’t care about portability, I prefer better image quality, handling and AF. Which one would you choose? Also which lens has better image quality? 12-32 or 12-60? Thank you for your help
Hi Michal - the IQ is the same for both cameras - they have the same sensor - so that's not a criterion. AF of both is very similar, if not the same. And the image quality of the two zooms is very similar, both are very good. Given that you are not looking for ultimate portability, as a straight choice between the two cameras, I'd prefer the G90 because it has a much better EVF, an articulated monitor and the bigger (biggER - it isn't big!) body allows for refinements like the dedicated ISO, WB and Exposure Compensation buttons. I'd go for the 12-60mm lens on the basis that the range it covers makes it good for photography from landscape to portrait and for many photographers will be the only lens they'd ever need.
Thank you David for the quick reply and detailed answer! I will go with G90 then
Is the g90 a good update for my Gx8?
If you are happy with the DSLR rather than rangefinder body style, then yes. You'll get better stabilization but image quality will be much the same and the EVF of the G90 is not as good as the GX8's. There's also the shock free shutter on the G90. Really, unless the G90 has features that you really need, the GX8 is just as good. The G9 would be a definitely worthwhile upgrade and is selling for similar prices to the G90 in some cases.
mostly yes . You get the new mechanical shutter that is more silent and not prone to shutter shock . You also get better IBIS , so even if the sensor is very similar, stability is much improve and it often shows in sharpness.
What you loose is the unique design of the Gx8 with the nice tilting evf on the left . You get it on the 20mp Gx9 but it is much smaller and poorer sequencial kind ; the screen is only tilting and the body is not wr .
This is why some won't let go their Gx8 . I personnaly enjoy my G85 (16mp prior to G95) as my swiss knife and my Gx9 with great small primes as compact kit since i would not go back to the old shutter again (i had G1 and G6) .
@@bdfrankmeow Thanks a lot
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@@movistbrunssum2285 you are welcome . Here is some more .
About shutter shock : it also depends on wich lenses you use and what subjects . I have found that it was a problem only with tele and that stabilisation did not help . The cure should be to dramaticaly increase the speed even if it means high iso . Less quality but at least no blurr.
About models : the G80/85 is the best value overall since it is about half the price of the G95 here in Canada . The problem for you would be a downgrade to a 16mp sensor . Since i have both, i can tell you that the 20mp is better in rendition and i find it usable up to 3200 iso instead of 1600 . On the other end, the improvement will really show only on a handfull of the best lenses like the 15mm f1.7 , will be ok on many like the 12-60 kit zoom but some will feel left behind .
The G90/95 is a worthy upgrade as it is the only Pany that has a light composite mode like most Olympus and could be less prone to focus in the background (i could not verify this but it would be important to me) . I find its main problem is simply the price , way above the G85 and about the same (with lens) that the higher end but heavier G9 (without lens)
About the 12-60 f3.5-5.6 kit lens : a keeper . It has dual is 2 and wr , so a nice match with G80 and 90 . Iq is quite good ; more at wide end but also at long end if you the close it at at least F8 . Personnally , with the G85, this is my main wide in the 12 to 20mm zone and i switch to primes above that unless the weather makes me leave the zoom on . I also got nice macro with it .
Istanbul was Constantinople
Well spotted! 😀
I really appreciated that bit in the video, great song.
Thanks for your content, very high quality, you’re voice would suit voice over work :)
Were does it stand against competition APC/FF camera?
@@youknowwho9247 Much noisier, well that depends on what you compare it to. Much less sharp? Hum, no.
@@youknowwho9247 sharpness is not determined by the number of pixels. Resolution is. And compared to a recent aps camera, you lose about one stop of iso noise, and basically no dynamic range. But you gain a much much more effective stabilization, that more than makes up for the stop or light gathering ( at least on a static object). Compared to modern full frame, you lose two stops which is significant. But you get into a whole different world regarding price and size.
The tracking AF is poor compared to when using my Nikon DSLR for wildlife. The image quality is a bit noisier at higher ISO settings particularly but MFT system is good value for money since Olympus & Panasonic lenses and bodies can be interchanged.
All of the formats have pros and cons so there's no absolute positioning in the lexicon for any particular format. In other words, it stands on being a Micro Four Thirds system camera. Where that system stands compared to devices from mobile phones to Hasselblad is for the potential buyer to determine. You want small? The Hasselblad's IQ won't compensate for the size. You want to shoot posters? It will. And so on.
As an action photographer for indoor events with fill flash, I am still trying to find a mirrorless camera to replace my heavy Nikon D3s. The search is still on-going. The main problem is EVF lag. Sony A7/A9 series is better than MFT but still cannot provide the "What I see is what I get" experience I get through the OVF in term of fast movement capture. I do have a few MFT cameras and lenses and love shooting with them for not so fast subjects because of their light weight benefit. I would love to hear your view on MFT's EVF lag and the latest development in this area. Are we there yet?
Indoor sport, a fast moving subject in low or lowish light really is on the outer reaches of camera focusing performance. If you then add in fast sequence shooting, the camera is being asked to write a mass of data to storage, all the while tracking focus and updating the EVF in real time. Those outer edges of performance are areas that few photographers approach and are truly specialist requirements. The professional DSLR with its multi-thousand pound price tag meets those specialist requirements with its simple optical finder and dedicated phase detection chip. The mirrorless camera with its computing power and detailed view no matter what the light and on chip phase detection or contrast plus DfD is far more sophisticated and more easily usable under a wider range of conditions - especially with its silent shutter. It's a better choice for 99% of photographers.
But, in direct answer to our question, for your particular use, no we're not there yet. and there's nothing I know of on the horizon that will change that.
@@DavidThorpeMFT Thank You David for your speedy and frank reply. Guess I still have to carry my 2 trusted Nikon D3s blocks with me for the gig. A sturdy mono-pod helps! Guess horses for courses still applies in the camera world. Do you think a hybrid ovf like that on a Fuji X-Pro rangefinder body might help the situation while the clever ones are developing a VIRTUALLY lag-free EVF?
@@cfagil A hybrid might help but I don't think there would be the mass demand to justify the considerable extra cost of it from a makers perspective on what would ultimately be a consumer camera. You are still faced with the fact that the phase detection would be from the sensor, which cannot be as fast as the dedicated chip on a DSLR, even apart from the fact that the PD sites can't operate while the sensor is being read. A dedicated chip with light going to it and being read 100% of the time will always be the best solution.
A hybrid would work for short lenses but fails for your purposes for the same reason a Leica rangefinder does, it's no good for lenses over 90mm (not great for them, actually) since you find yourself framing the action in a tiny box in the centre of the VF.
Yes, horses for courses. Quantum computing will solve these problems in the future, I guess. But then photographers will want cameras that not only predict where the fast moving subject will be but make the shot before it has arrived there using AI :-)
@@DavidThorpeMFT Many Thanks for your kind reply. I am still searching for the holy grail; THE EVF lag free mirrorless camera. So far in my travel, one brand ambassador and youtube camera gear influencer mentioned the Olympus E-M1X. Do you think this is the one? By the way, I ride a Brompton as well.
@@cfagil Ultimately, an optical system will always be better in terms of lag because light travels at..well, the speed of light from the subject to your eye. With the EVF the route from hitting the sensor to your eye is anything but direct, subject to a long and tortuous path through the circuits and being processed an manipulated before making its way to your eyes. The E-M1x has its EVF optimised for speed, at the expense of resolution and, in dim light, noise. It is still an EVF, though and while better than some for refresh speed, cannot come close to the delay free finder of your DSLR. For some, it will do the trick but there's no new technology involved, just a different balance of priorities. It might be worth trying an E- M1x but given your priorities, I think you will be best off with a DSLR for the next few years.
The Bromptons, brilliant, aren't they? Very misunderstood in that so many people see them as simply folding bikes which makes them look rather overpriced. But looked at as specialised urban transport, that fold makes them unique and worth every penny.
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If this is between the GX9 and G9, what's between the GX9 and GM5? :-D
Panasonic's model nomenclature is a bit odd, isn't it? I put forward a theory in one of my videos that had a random number generator and used that for their naming.
@@DavidThorpeMFT It certainly is :-) And yes, I've seen that one, I think twice :-D
@Bender & Xing - Abel Adventures I can't disagree with any of that! I am looking forward to the successor to the GX9 which will be the B54s in Europe, the L876P in the USA and the Y32X in Japan. It will have DSLR layout but with a tilting EVF and be the size of a Nikon D4. 😛
😂
The main difference better the G90 and the G95 is the video recording time.... Check this out.
Thanks for the heads-up!