G9 Firmware Update Explained pt1: Only a B cam for professional video

[@KimCruz1]

MAJOR UPDATE: Even though all press releases last week only showed 4K 422 10 bit- it seems like Panasonic has gone above and beyond and given us 10 bit 422 in 1080p!! YES the main reason I said this camera wasn't usable as an A Cam is no longer a factor! Will update as I know more, for now check out DPReview's take on the new G9 firmware: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3KTfaV-n8pqbJI

[@capitolbassfishing]

Oh cool, good to know. I still dont think that feature alone defines an A camera. Give phillip bloom a T2i and you use your GH5 1080p 10 bit and go shoot something and see who comes up with the better video. The "pro" is in the person not the camera. Like Casey always said "the best camera you have is the one in your hand" Thanks for the clarification and by the way I am not poking at you and I am no pro for sure...just counter pointing. Thanks for the video.

[@KimCruz1]

Joe Simpson no worries man and I completely agree. It’s also worth mentioning that not a lot of pros would buy a T3i by choice these days either lol

[@capitolbassfishing]

@@KimCruz1 Thats true, but I do have an SL2 though and love it. Its my carry in the truck vlogger and bang around camera. Light as a feather and good for the price especially. Auto focus is silly too. Also when family says "hey do you have a camera I can borrow" they always get the SL2 ;-)

[@KimCruz1]

Joe Simpson you know lots of people ask me what camera they should start with.. and when they mention they want good video af they’re always surprised I say ‘just buy canon’ lol.. I’ve seen it, I work with canons at my other job, it’s crazy and how smooth they make it just makes it soooo good!

[@HunterProduction]

Dude, wait a min, can you please be more precise? Do you know any new updates about this subject? I'm not understanding if the G9 will have an improvement in 1080p skills, or if you have changed your overall thughts about this video.

[@kbasemuzik]

Kim considering the g9 has the best autofocus in the Panasonic m43 lineup it might be a good buy for people who use autofocus

[@KimCruz1]

True!

[@olesheim]

@@KimCruz1 Yes, G9 is their best run and gun gimbal camera, and who shoots 1080 anyway? You shoot 4k and delivers 1080p. 😜

[@KimCruz1]

Ole Åsheim lol I hardly ever shoot 4K- only on some paid projects for clients, for KZbin it’s always 1080p

[@cytwlm]

Shooting 4K is good for editing, especially recompose your framing or cropping, and while output 1080p, quality is better than native 1080p

[@KimCruz1]

Sure and I love using for interviews... for everything else though, the space just isn’t worth it for my clients lol

[@rgvittz7020]

just ordered my G9 to b&h which sells at $1597 with 12-60mm lens and extra battery and bag... i think this is pretty good deal now especially on this update...

[@KimCruz1]

Great buy dude!

[@mikes_perspective6580]

Pretty good deal man! 🙌🏽 I bought mine today on amazon for $,1000 came with 6 slot lens bag two batteries cleaning supplies a memory card 64gb 🙂 a monopod and a usb card reader. Loving the deals right now. 🙌🏽

[@KimCruz1]

Wow that’s a crazy deal!

[@StephenBell_video]

Yes- An awesome vlog on exactly what I was discussing with a friend today- nicely done Kim! 👏 👏

[@KimCruz1]

Thanks guys!

[@carriagel8773]

AND NOW.... I don't know what to do... I have now 2x GH5. I had LX100 and used it like a third body sometimes when I needed. I sold it to buy third GH5, but should I buy G9? Third option is to buy BMPCC4k but I'm affraid of diffrent colours. Or fourth solutions is GH5s.. Ehh... Too many choices.

[@KimCruz1]

I would get a G9 or GH5s depending on the use case

[@justalexhimself]

Great video man. Thanks for clarifying, I was wondering what were the draw backs!

[@KimCruz1]

JustAlex Himself no problem man glad it helped!

[@modiartstudio]

G9 is doing better with ibis and AF than GH5, so what’s the point? After 2.0 firmware G9 is one of the best specs/ price camera.

[@dezcanso1540]

so what do i pair my gh5 with for stills? a sony a73?

[@KimCruz1]

A Leica m10 would be my pick haha! But if you want to stick with m43 either the 17mm 1.8 or 15mm 1.7, or the 12-60mm Panasonic or Leica is quite nice!

[@dezcanso1540]

@@KimCruz1 so those lenses would be good to make gh5 better for landscapre/portrait/still shots? would i need a speedboost to equp those?

[@luiscaminero9145]

Hi Kim, how does the G9 compare with the GH4 after these updates? I always struggle between getting older cameras or new cameras while trying to get the best out of my money.

[@KimCruz1]

Cameras are just always so expensive haha! I think in terms of peak performance the G9 is much better aka 4k 422.. however if you’re looking to shoot anything in 1080p with some professional color grading the gh4 is better- it has higher bit rates in 1080p. If you don’t mind shooting 4k for everything you grade then the g9 is fine!

[@carriagel8773]

@@KimCruz1 Are you sure there will be no upgrade bitrates in 1080p. Because I found only rumors.

[@HokKan]

But the g9 has better continuous autofocus and better ibis

[@KimCruz1]

True! But I still wouldn’t use Panasonic Af for interviews or even KZbin- imagine taking 45 mins to record and then finding it not focusing properly at times, or jittering from time to time.. only AF I trust for video recording is canon and Sony for now...

[@HokKan]

@@KimCruz1 yeah...the random jitters are the worst. I wonder if it got better with the new update 🤔

[@HokKan]

@@KimCruz1 I ended up keeping my GH5 and got a G9 as a B cam. I haven't done side by side comparisons but the autofocus performance seems pretty similar. I think I actually prefer the GH5 because you can custom set the sensitivity and focusing speed for AF.

[@KimCruz1]

@@HokKan yeah good choice i think if you're a full time filmmaker or are serious about video! For me it was all about the recording options on the GH5, regardless of whether I'm in asia (PAL) or stateside (NTSC) that was really important, as well as unlimited recording! Also now that you have both, you have the best of both worlds!

[@HokKan]

@@KimCruz1 yeah I'm pretty happy with them. I just wish the AF was better. It's not reliable enough for me to use it for paid jobs. If I'm shooting products, MF is fine. But when actors are involved, it can be time consuming having to do retakes to nail the focus as the actor moves. Much harder for me to keep actors in focus, I have less control over their movement and sometimes they can make a mistake and move unpredictability. :/ I wish they offered a camera with good Ibis and AF....

[@capitolbassfishing]

Off topic do you have any of the 1.7 primes? Which ones do you think are best?

[@KimCruz1]

lol this is what this communitys all about man- talking cameras and video! Alright so I used to only shoot primes.. and while I still have them I’ve kind of sold out for the sigma 18-35 and a viltrox adapter.. the main thing was the viltrox coz back in the day it was a $700 metabones.... But for primes my favorites continue to be the 17mm 1.8 from Olympus (used to have the 20mm 1.7- very very sharp and nice colors but fast af in photos was necessary for me. The 25mm 1.7 is good all around but too tight for me as my only lens.. the 42.5mm 1,7 I use a lot during interviews as my second angle, and finally an undersung lens in the system (probably because of the price) the 75mm 1.8 for anything I want to give an interesting angle to... also, the laowa 7.5mm f2 for gimbal or establishing shots Is great. Keep in my mind my setup as the sigma at the center.. but if I could keep just two of the primes I’d keep the 42.5mm 1,7 and the Olympus 17mm 1.8 because even without the sigma, I could probably do a whole shoot with just those two lenses!

[@capitolbassfishing]

@@KimCruz1 yep have the 17mm 1.8 oly, I have a speed booster too (metabones) - I have the Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 really love that for color/speed/sharpness but not great in low light on the longer end. Considering some of the sigma contemporary primes 16, 30, 56 1.4's but not sure. I am not sold on the speed booster to be honest...I always like native lens performance (mechanically) so much more. Thanks for sharing.

[@KimCruz1]

Joe Simpson yup I love to share and that’s a nice kit you got! For performance you have a point- especially for autofocus omg the number of times I have to adjust the adapter to get infinity focus is a pain. As for colors the primes do better- I don’t know why, they just do, the skin colors just look better somehow than the sigma! Also, not sure about if the sigma primes are worth it for their size (for one focal length) but I only hear good things about them aside from that!! If you want that nice low light zoom you could also get the 10-25.. on the condition that you’re a ceo or a king of a small country lol

[@artjohnson01]

For many prospective purchasers the question is this: "If I can only have one camera for stills and video, which camera should I buy, G9 or GH5?" If that is the question, the resounding answer must be: G9.

[@KimCruz1]

Very true!

[@jak3legacy]

As someone on a tight budget ; any opinions on a used GH4 vs G7? GH5 and GH5s are currently cost prohibitive, although they would be ideal ):

[@KimCruz1]

Hey Mn it depends on your skill level and what you’re trying to get out of this experience. Are you trying to be a hardcore film maker behind the camera? Are you shooting on a tripod all the time or are you mixing some run and gun in there? If you’re more intermediate to expert, I suggest the gh4 but if you’re doing anything where you are hand holding- get the g85 instead. IBIS is a big deal, and more and more people just want to shoot more handheld so basically, if you aren’t shooting anything handheld And you want to grow into a camera, get the GH4, the G7 if you think you aren’t going to own this camera for a long time, but the g85 if you want to have a solid starter camera that you can hand hold (and trust me this is more and more common). Gh4 advantages- higher bit rate recording, higher FPS (90) for slow mo. Amazing battery life G7- best for your budget but lacks ibis and doesn’t make up for it (for today’s standards) with higher bit rates or higher FPS. G85- good overall option because even if it doesn’t have higher bit rates, the ibis alone allows you to hand hold whereas the other two don’t

[@user-qw7xs1tu1]

i m considering between GH5 and G9 and i m gonna start youtube soon but i ll take photos for instagram and blog too which means, i m not professional but i want a good quality for both so video and photo are all important for me and at first i was going for GH5 but now i m confused because of recent firmware update of G9 what would you recommend in this case?

[@KimCruz1]

Honestly G9 unless you REALLY want to become a professional in this area! GH5 is wayyyy more than you need right now and the G9 is also so good!

[@jonlouis2582]

I always enjoy your videos. I only shoot stills, and frankly all these cameras are too large for me. I'll keep using my old Panasonic cameras until they die, which seems like it might be a while. Never had any issues with any Pani equipment, unlike some other expensive brands I won't mention.

[@KimCruz1]

Lol thanks man I’m really happy you enjoy my videos! As for Panasonic same here- they are just so solid.. cosmetically I have some issues with the rubber grips on my g85 (it gets a little loose) but I’ve Never had anything break that causes the camera to lose function.. so good!

[@KimCruz1]

Alright, who was lookin at the G9 this week?

[@neko_tov]

I do want to buy a new camera. for that i was looking at the g95, now i feel like buying the g9 and yes for the new video capabilities. i feel like the g9 now is an overall better version of the g95. so now im waiting for a good deal on black friday. watcha think?

[@KimCruz1]

Vasily Kasily you aren’t wrong especially when compared to the g95... I wouldn’t buy the g95 either

[@neko_tov]

@@KimCruz1 thanks kim. greetings from a proud g7 owner :D

[@mikes_perspective6580]

Litterally just purchased one on amazon today!! It’s on sale for $1,000 it was $1,200 last week! I jumped on it right away. I will use it as my new primary photo cam and a b cam when shooting video along with my gh5 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙂

[@KimCruz1]

@@mikes_perspective6580 this is seriously a crazy deal! I wrote in my updated comment how it seems like they have 422 10 bit in 1080p as well even though the press release didn't say that. THIS IS INSANE! 422 10 in in 1080p AND 4K for 1,000!!!

[@kevinridley8883]

my G9 arrived this week , great for me more photos than video & the firmware is 1.1 so up grade for me :)

[@KimCruz1]

Seriously awesome upgrade!

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

I have a G9 and looking forward to the animal recognition as well as the near and far focus ability as well as all the other stuff including the MOV video capability PJ mentioned. But what is your opinion on the video capabilities of the FZ2500 especially the reasonably high bitrates and C4K? Plus the benefit of the two-speed electronic zoom.

[@KimCruz1]

Sorry man I’ve never used the fz2500!

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

I've downloaded the Firmware update but can't find the animal recognition or the near/far focus options. Found all the 16 new MOV video specs.

[@KimCruz1]

@@Stalled-wm3qd hey man that sounds great! I can't wait to see more reviews, I think i might pick one up!

[@KimCruz1]

@@Stalled-wm3qd Hey man try going to the focus selection menu (while in shooting mode) and go to the 'Face eye/body detection' and when you go there, press up or down on the joystick' to find the animal recognition. See if it works!

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

@@KimCruz1 Right, using the Fn1 button first then your directions. Thanks. Will have to see how it works in real life.

[@organicskincare]

Thanks for the information. What is your audio setup?

[@KimCruz1]

No problem and for audio I just use the ride video micro- you can’t beat it for $60 (when I bought it anyway).

[@A1Bokeh]

Idk man g9 is still a beast “professional“ is a loose term In terms of the image quality it’s pretty great I got the g9 to save those few hundred and I just liked the g9 I’m creating videos for clients with a g9 and gx85 But would like to use a gh5 or gh5s

[@KimCruz1]

Lol you’re right and my definition of pro in this video is those guys that color grade for clients lol.. but yeah, I use a G85 for mine- technically not ‘pro’ but you know what I mean

[@A1Bokeh]

Kim Cruz I don’t color grade like crazy and cinelike D comes out pretty good on the g9 But man I swear even my g7 footage was amazing. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jerzy1965]

Can you clarify where can you see the Vlog is only in 8bit? Also in HDMI out mode with UHD 60FPS 422 10 bit?

[@KimCruz1]

Hi Agnes sorry I meant vlog in 8 bit in 1080p but this is just my speculation becuase it doesn’t shoot high bit rates in 1080p just like the g95. As for the other specs this is where I normally find info: www.43rumors.com/panasonic-will-soon-launch-a-new-major-firmware-update-for-the-gh5-gh5s-g9-cameras/

[@jerzy1965]

@@KimCruz1 G9 is my B camera (GH5 is A) and I got really excited about the 2.0 firmware, so I can now use both cameras in Vlog in 4K 60FPS 422 10 bit on Atomos Ninja Inferno! I think if Panasonic would limit Vlog in 4K HDMI out 422 to 8 bit only there would be riots in the streets, right? LOL

[@KimCruz1]

Agnes Gustek you know that’s exactly what I thought but it seems like that’s what panasonic really did... honestly if you don’t mind shooting everything in 4K it’s all good, but like you already know, the file sizes start becoming comically massive especially if the shots aren’t particularly important or striking...

[@jerzy1965]

@@KimCruz1 True to the file sizes (I'm getting ~9.43GB per minute in 4K6042210bit in ProRes422). But what you gain using 4K 60FPS 422 10 bit is the ability to recover highlights and especially shadows with MUCH less degradation of your footage. Plus the flexibility and better sharpness of 4K. Not to mention banding. So, RAID up to extreme (currently 20TB and counting LOL) and get to it! Finally both of my cameras shooting in V log instead of Cinelike D!

[@KimCruz1]

@@jerzy1965 wow... 9.43GB PER MINUTE! I can't imagine what that would do to my computer but at least you have really good IQ and highlight recovery!

[@royc.ortega3127]

Hi Kim, where do I get Lumix G85 firmware update? Thank you.

[@KimCruz1]

Hi! There was no g85 firmware update this week, and likely none for the future but I normally go here to get mine av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/g80_g81_g85.html

[@royc.ortega3127]

Kim Cruz Now is question is out of the topic, but please let me ask: What is the best picture ratio (like 4:3, 3:2, 1:1) and corresponding resolution if I’m shooting JPEG with my Lumix G85. Thank you very much!

[@KimCruz1]

Roy C. Ortega honestly it’s all about formats- for m43 format it’s natively 4 by 3 so it will use the full sensor if you use that!

[@royc.ortega3127]

Kim Cruz I appreciate your patience responding to elementary questions.

[@KimCruz1]

Roy C. Ortega no worries man that’s kinda what community is all about

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

Updated G9 Manual here- eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/dscoi/DC-G9/EG_EC_EF_EB/DC-G9_DVQP1406ZC_full_eng.pdf Firmware update 2.0 starts on Pg 343 so people can print the last 31 pages if they wish to.

[@willprice7475]

Dang, Kim! Crusher of G9 owner dreams! 😭

[@KimCruz1]

Lol dude you just got a massive FREE upgrade for 4k haha!! That’s seriously massive and honestly so much better than nothing.. just make sure the extra size is worth it!

[@kbasemuzik]

Considering it has better autofocus still a better Choice for people who uses autofocus

[@KimCruz1]

K.E.V KBASE MUZIK af is better than the rest! I would still use manual focus for talking heads though

[@willprice7475]

@@KimCruz1 I'm not too heartbroken. I bought it for stills. It is nice to get the upgrade though, because I can dabble in videography without buying a more videocentric model.

[@artjohnson01]

I wouldn't buy a GH5 today. I'd wait for the GH6 or whatever Panasonic is going to name the replacement for the GH5 which should be out next year at the latest. In the meantime, I'll find some way to get by with my G9 and the free upgrade.

[@KimCruz1]

sounds like a good plan!

[@ClevelandTerry]

Art Johnson when I bought the Leica 10-251.8 for my G9 last month I mentioned to the Panasonic rep that I was waiting on the gh6. She smiles and said, you may be really happy soon.

[@Princeton_James]

Unlimited record hack doesnt work on the 2.0 update.

[@KimCruz1]

Dang what region are you in? The American models seem to be more limited than the ones in asia

[@Princeton_James]

@@KimCruz1 yeah. I have a US model.

[@KimCruz1]

Erik thanks for that man still trying to see if there are any G9 models that don’t have it

[@tattoobillyvon9764]

1920x1080 60p 423/10bit/longGZoP

[@tattoobillyvon9764]

It’s there. I just uodated

[@tattoobillyvon9764]

100mbs

[@KimCruz1]

@@tattoobillyvon9764 yup but im more curious to see if they have 24, 30 and 50 fps as well in 1080p

[@capitolbassfishing]

Ok, actually I think youre off - a little. 422 is huge, HUGE! Especially when you dont have it... I always record 4k and down res output to 1080p anyway. Not to mention all of the other features that are gained. All that said I purchased the G9 when it was 1199 and the GH5 was still 1999. So thats a big difference. Now that the price is about $200 different I still wouldnt buy the GH5...or the G9 for that matter...not right now anyway. Why? That GH5 price drop indicates to me that something is "around the corner" in the GH lineup. Love to see a GH5s with all of the GH5 video capabilities AND IBIS. I was tinkering with the thought of buying the Fuji X-T3 but for now the G9 update "quenched my thirst". Thanks panasonic for being forward thinking, professional and for saving me a little money this year. :-)

[@KimCruz1]

Huge sure, but you’re also someone that shoots everything in 4K so that makes sense for your use case. However many film makers and youtubers prefer to at least have the option of high bit rates for both 4K and 1080p

[@froznfire9531]

The G9 does record 100mb/s in 1080p with VFR now... it´s totally the same as with the GH5.

[@KimCruz1]

Thanks and yeah I followed up this video clarifying more details as I learned them. However they didn’t give us 24fps in 1080p (high bit rate ie 100mbs) or unlimited recording in 1080p and 4K..

[@froznfire9531]

@@KimCruz1 I neither use 1080 24 nor do I need unlimted recording... But i guess that 1080 10bit 24 fps will come, since it´s the lowest spec and it wouldnt make sense to have 4k 24 with 10bit but not 24p with 10 bit at 1080p

[@MarceloLangame]

I have both G9 and GH5. I'll have a big upgrade to my "B" camera. 😜

[@KimCruz1]

probably the best case scenario!

[@tattoobillyvon9764]

How can 10 bit not be good for post work... hmmmmmm.

[@KimCruz1]

It’s not that it’s not good for post work, but that the press release said it would only be available in 4K instead of giving it to us at both 1080p and 4K so you always have the option for size and strain on your computing system etc.. however there’s good news here! It seems like Panasonic IS also giving it in 1080p!

[@waldemarsantos8057]

A couple 100s bucks for more on gh5? C'mon people stop waisting our times with this videos. What do you call "professional"? The difference between g9 and gh5 is like 5 things that WOULD NOT make a difference in the video quality for either or, specially if you are a pro videographer. And not to sound old but if you are 25 or younger, it will be very difficult for you to understand my logic when you can buy a "better" camera every six months from one brand to another.

[@KimCruz1]

Not sure what professionals you are referring to but full flexibility of frame rates and regions is enough for me to choose the gh5 when jumping between pal and ntsc regions. Any pro flying between those countries on a regular basis knows what I’m talking about and no serious destination wedding videographers, narrative filmmakers and event videographers I know would risk that though. However I guess if your jobs are always local you won’t need that.