Lumix S9 the Image Stabilization King? - Sony A7C II vs. Lumix S9 - IBIS Comparison

[@camera.mellow]

I've quickly put together a Lumix S9 Boost I.S. vs. E-Stabilization Test (kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5rZk6ipfJZ1ebM) after a few of you pointed out the error of my ways 😆 Turning OFF Boost IS, and setting E-Stabilization to HIGH definitely improves the S9's IS for sure!

[@1UpBebop]

After like 8 years of shooting with my GX85, I finally decided I wanted a full frame street cam. A week ago Amazon had the A7CII on a Prime sale for the same price as the S9 - $1500 for a couple of hours. I snagged it and have been having a blast with it. But part of me wonders if I should have just gotten a more recent camera like the S9. Seems you're one of the few that actually have tested both of these compact beasts. If both were the same price, which would you go with? I'm like 50/50 photo video hybrid and the rolling shutter people scream about both of these cameras hasn't bothered me at all.

[@camera.mellow]

For me, the criteria for picking compact cameras are: 1. A7CII ★★☆, S9 ★☆☆ (Look & Feel) 2. A7CII ★★★, S9 ★☆☆ (Lens Selection) 3. A7CII ★☆☆, S9 ★★★ (Minimal Post Editing) 1. A7CII just feels right in hand. Not too small, not too big. Solidly built while the S9 feels a bit more like a toy camera with far less physical controls, and no EVF and mechanical shutter (I ran into a few flicker issues indoors because of this). 2. As for lens selection, it's not even a contest. A7CII has everything. You couldn't really ask for more while S9 is lacking in both compact zoom and prime. Hopefully the new upcoming 18-40mm will remedy this issue, and I want something other than the ridiculous 26mm f8 manual lens for the compact prime setup. 3. I'm still learning A7CII's picture profiles, and they do a decent job in getting me ok jpegs. I'm sure I can make it a lot better eventually, but even after a month of tweaking, I'm still not there yet. If you are willing to sink hours of your time to editing, then A7CII will give you some amazing results. BUT, S9 will give you great jpgs straight out of camera. Simply better and faster. As for video, I don't mind color grading as I have to match footages from different cameras, so SOOC video isn't as important to me. HOWEVER, it's so much harder to save shaky videos, especially ones that were shot at 48fps. This is where the S9 comes in clutch for me. I'd take S9 videos over A7CII videos most circumstances. Overall, I rate A7CII more highly than the S9, and if I have to keep ONE camera, then I'd pick A7CII. But, if I get to pick TWO cameras, one for photos and one for videos, then I'd pick S9 for video, and something else for photos. I should really make a video about it.

[@TopshelfJunior]

That S9 stabilization woulda been even BETTER if "boost" was turned OFF. Since the GH4, GH5, GH6, GH7, S5ii, and the S9...I have never turned on Boost I.S. because I feel like it fights against the other stabilizations in camera. E-stabilization (sensor) and stabilization on a lens (24-105 and others), is more than enough stabilization. "Boost" is just OD and usually creates wobbles in the corners or that random JOLT I see in the footage when moving around because it's only intended for STATIC shots. Just my opinion from experience. Nice video tho, Lumix / Panasonic definitely have stabilization figured out. I guarantee if you just take the camera out, turn off Boost I.S. and just shoot handheld...you will get even better results than what you shared.

[@camera.mellow]

Thanks for pointing that out. I was actually wondering why I was getting sudden jolts for no reason. So I've put together another test on S9's Boost I.S. ON & OFF (kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5rZk6ipfJZ1ebM) to see it for myself, and as you've pointed out, it does make a huge difference!

[@DrWaSaBe]

Thanks brother, but Boost IS is for stationary shots, you can use E-Stabilization Low or High for walking shots

[@camera.mellow]

You are right. 😄 It was pointed out to me multiple times by other people as well, so I made a new video comparing Boost IS ON vs. OFF ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5rZk6ipfJZ1ebM ) I’m planning to make an updated version of this video with the proper settings this time, plus maybe Catalyst Browse for A7C II as well.

[@MrQwertypoiuyty]

I am Sony user (A7R IV) and I commend Panasonic for the S9. I am perplexed by the initial negative reviews given the lack of mechanical shutter/ banding issues, no weather resistance, no EVF, and plastic body - but most (if not all) user reviews in B+H and Adorama are praising the S9! Rather affordable FF camera with a lot of features. Dare I say better colors SOOC as well?

[@camera.mellow]

You know what they say, "Comparison is the thief of joy". If the S9 was given to me as the only camera to use, and I was told to go out and shoot, then I'd have a blast with it. It's a GREAT camera on its own if you don't consider the cost, and its competition. But then, the S9 doesn't exist alone in the world. It's only when I compare it to others in the same price range and class, I see so many things wrong with it. But then again, that's why I made the comparison video in the first place. I find the joy in comparison when others see none lol.

[@benaiahfung1747]

I used A7C2 takes video , the IBIS is too bad , but if just take a photo is not bad !

[@camera.mellow]

Yeah, the IBIS is definitely subpar. But I'm happy with the overall performance.

[@DalsPhotography]

i love the size of the A7 :) :) But the colors for Photography, at least are still better with Lumix ...

[@camera.mellow]

I agree, I usually prefer the colors from Panasonic, especially greens outdoors.

[@MrRafalEn]

As far as I understand BOOST I.S on Panasonic shouldn't be used for walking as it introduces jerky movements. On Sony there is also gyro data that can be used with Catalyst Browse. Could you do a comparison of Panasonic with standard IBIS setting and with e-stabilization (both should give much better results) and Sony with no stabilisation or standard IBIS and then run through Catalyst Browse for gimbal like results (active steady doesn't work great with Catalyst Browse). It would be great if you could compare those two with those settings. Also I wanted to ask in what profiles did you record this video ? Were those standard ones or some v-log/s-log3 converted ? I am asking as I am shocked that I like Sony colors better in this comparison. Thank you for those videos as there is no much content comparing both those cameras.

[@TopshelfJunior]

You are correct about "Boost I.S." -as stated by Panasonic, it's only supposed to be used for static shots, no movement, to mimic a tripod.

[@camera.mellow]

Ah I see, so I should've turned off the Boost I.S. 🙈 Videos were shot with the standard profiles for both cameras, no logs. I had to adjust the exposure in post for a few cases where there was too much difference in exposure (usually S9 had more over exposures). I didn't do any custom white balancing or exposure adjustments as I was just walking around in basically one take, so everything was set to auto. I usually prefer Panasonic colors, but I think Sony did better in this test because it adapted to situations better in auto mode. S9 wasn't too great in auto mode for some reason. It tended to over-expose and the colors were too warm in auto. Maybe I'll do an updated version of this test with proper settings in the near future. As for Catalyst Browse though, I think I'll stay away from it since it's post-processing in a separate application. At that point, I might as well use Davinci Resolve image stabilisation for S9 as well since that would give me a much better result for the S9, so I think it's best to skip the post processing I.S. all together to get proper test results. Maybe I could do Catalyst Browse in a completely separate video. :)

[@zaizai8641]

Thank you for the many comparisons between a7cii and s9 on your channel. I’ve been on the edge between these two and exactly this color😂 (which happen to be the same on both). Really love the s9 but I really hate the ergo when I actually tried it. Still debating though which one to pick

[@camera.mellow]

I'm glad that my videos can be of some help 😄

[@BlueBomberTurbo]

Definitely something off on the Sony. Its digital IS uses an internal gyro to stabilize, so while it shouldn't look as good as a GoPro, it should be close, and very similar to the S9's.

[@camera.mellow]

I just have the Active Steady on, and that's it. For steady "tripod like" shots, A7C II's stabilization is pretty close to S9, but when it comes to walking and running shots, it's not even close to S9's IS level. Maybe running Catalyst Browse to utilize the gyro data in post can get it close to S9, but just straight out of camera, this as good as it's going to get, I think. Maybe the reason why it doesn't look as good as some of the reviews on KZbin is probably because I don't do the ninja walk at all. I just took these shots without any attempt at softening my steps.

[@salarycat]

The footage of the S9 is surprisingly stable, is the electronic stabilization enabled as well?

[@camera.mellow]

It’s got the standard e-stab enabled, which incurs slightly crop (maybe 1.1x) Actually I made a mistake of enabling Boost I.S, which is like a tripod-like mode, so it made things look choppy. If you check out my other video kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5rZk6ipfJZ1ebM I compare Boost I.S. ON/OFF difference, and S9 footages look buttery smooth with the Boost I.S. Off.

[@janes1138]

Like and subscribe 😊

[@camera.mellow]

Thank you so much! 😄 Have a great day!

[@tristandu1776]

The auto-white-balance and green on the lumix looks way better than sony in the shades.

[@camera.mellow]

I usually prefer Panasonic's color too. Sony tends to go weirdly magenta or cyan sometimes.

[@tristandu1776]

Yes my man

[@gianigd]

can you please compare a7iv vs a7cii for ibis.

[@camera.mellow]

Unfortunately I don't own an A7IV 😅 I wish I had one.. But having 3 different cameras from 3 different systems (Fujifilm, Sony, Panasonic) costs a lot of money haha.

[@gianigd]

@@camera.mellow no problem.

[@doctorgaming5744]

Quality 7CII Very nice but Lumix S9 stabilizations is batter then 7CII.

[@camera.mellow]

I actually prefer using A7C II in most cases, but there's no doubt that S9's image stabilization is so much superior.

[@anasrafeek8074]

Is it just me or does the panny have more pleasing colours to?

[@camera.mellow]

I think it Panasonic usually does have more pleasing colors than Sony

[@ft.60frames]

is this vlog p p?

[@camera.mellow]

what do you mean by p p??

[@theendurance]

S9 is better but still unusable IMO.

[@camera.mellow]

I actually made a mistake of turning on the Boost I.S mode which made the S9 shots to look choppy. If you check out my other video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5rZk6ipfJZ1ebM ) S9 footages look buttery smooth with the Boost IS off. I should’ve made the video with that setting. I’m planning to do an improved version of this comparison with correct settings this time.

[@coleshill_production]

Audio is killing me 🤕

[@camera.mellow]

Sorry about that. It was a super loud day with all the cicadas belching out their loudest on full blast, so it was really hard to capture proper audio :(

[@Natahsz]

but catalyst is better

[@camera.mellow]

It might be better, but Catalyst Browse involves post-processing, and I just wanted to compare straight out of the camera shots for this video. I’m planning to make more comprehensive video for A7C II vs. S9 /w Catalyst Browse processing in there too.

[@RJ-dv5mg]

only if you crank up shutter speed high enough to avoid motion blur. Camera shake causes uneven motion blur and Catalyst can look really weird when it stabilises because the frames don't blend together

[@楊聲宇]

SONY的防震真得一如既往的廢，以前我買A7S3就體驗過了，什麼有防震，根本都沒有，都唬爛的。沒想到現在還是一樣，廢到笑。

[@camera.mellow]

I can't read Chinese, but I hope google translate does a good enough job for me to make sense of your comment 😄 Yeah, I think A7C2's walking footages are unusable. If the footages are smooth enough, I can use Davinci Resolve's image stabilization process to make it usable, but it's too choppy as is. I guess Catalyst Browse can make it better, but I think you got to turn off the Active Steady to do that, so I don't know if it can recover choppy footages that were shot with Active Steady in the first place.