PANASONIC LUMIX G9: Comparing Human/Animal Detect Focus Modes in Firmware Update 2.4

Since the G9 upgraded to Firmware 2.4, we now have TWO ways to use Human/Animal Detection Autofocus. So what's the difference, which one should you use and when? I'm still working on it myself but here are my tests and observations so far. Enjoy, and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!
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This video is a follow-up to my first video on Firmware 2.4. You can watch that here: • PANASONIC LUMIX G9: Fi...
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[@jameshoffman1190]

Nice synopsis, Andrew. Yes, even this 76 year old learns something new each day. Thank you for continuing great videos.

[@brucegraner5901]

Excellent video explaining the fine points of these different features. I'm very happy to see Panasonic is continuing to invest in MFT and the G9 in particular. The full-frame market is very crowded and, often, very expensive. It's nice to have the Lumix option at a price point more photographers can afford.

[@SteveSacramento]

I second that!

[@jeffslade1892]

I find the G9 something of a wildlife photographer's dream. The small format provides the right field of view with a much smaller outfit without loss of quality.

[@brucegraner5901]

@@jeffslade1892 Jeff, thanks for the reply. I look forward to renting the G9 next month with the 100-400mm lens and, if all goes well, buying the same in the near future. I have a Nikon D700 but, after a back injury, I'm looking for something lighter to carry on my hikes.

[@jeffslade1892]

@@brucegraner5901 I have access to a Nikon D600. It's a lovely camera but many years ago I decided that using a film SLR was too big and heavy and went through a succession of more compact cameras before landing on MFT. I bought both the G9 and PL100-400 used. However my latest acquisition is a PEN-F, same lenses but very different. Not only is the price of an 800mm FX fit expensive but they are enormous. It may take a while to get used to MFT to get the best out of them, the bells and whistles. I do not know if a rental will be long enough. Have fun.

[@keithnisbet]

Wow thanks for such a thorough explanation. In some ways it’s unfortunate that there is so much complexity built in to these cameras. I love my G9 but would have never likely delved into these mode differences so deeply myself. It’s hard enough finding the time to get out and photograph. 👍😊

[@DTAnglesey]

Great video as always Andrew, thanks for sharing your finds with us.

[@007silverwings]

Thank you so much for the explanation! Looking forward to your next video already 👍🏻

[@davidpope8389]

Thanks for the continued appraisal of the Lumix 2.4 firmware update, so, so helpful.

[@sue.Holmes1960]

A really good demo, simple and easy to understand, thank you 👍

[@deblashbrook3209]

Awesome video comparing the two different modes, super helpful thank you 😀

[@Santamike212]

Andrew, Thanks for your input. Great job

[@malcolmfisher6312]

A very worthwhile and well explained video - has certainly clarified my thoughts on which focus option to use.

[@timnoackfoto]

Wonderful, thank you so much! Your explanations are spot on and answered my questions. Very systematic, too. 💯

[@rlgenge]

Thank you for all your videos, they helped me decide on the G9, and so far no regrets. And thanks for clearing up the human/animal detect on/off confusion, like you it was doing my head in.

[@oldschoolwarrior]

This is an excellent video. After watching a few of them I did, indeed, subscribe and I look forward to learning more about the capabilities of this camera. I found this especially helpful as I’m just now starting to learn how to shoot birds at my bird feeder.

[@Jake-zc3fk]

Thanks so much Andrew! Keep them coming :)

[@iangibson5996]

Hi Andrew a great explanation on the differences in the focus modes after the upgrade. I'm predominantly an amateur bird photographer here on the Sunshine Coast so you have reaffirmed my preferred mode. Thanks again. Cheers Ian

[@garydubberly6608]

Thank you for sharing your findings on the new G9 firmware updates and your suggestions. Your videos have been very helpful in assisting me in getting the most out of my G9. I have a D500 & 500mm PF for my BIF at home but I need my G9 with a PL 50-200 & TC 1.4 for wildlife when traveling. I think the autofocus has definitely improved with the update. Hoping for good photos of Iceland & Faroe Island Puffins on upcoming trips. Thank you again for your help and God Speed.

[@kimpendreigh2887]

Thank you so much for this video Andrew. I haven't used my G9 for over a year, but after doing the software update and watching your video, I was amazed at the keeper rate from a bird photography outing this morning. Many thanks 🙏

[@agrafernando]

Great video Andrew. Encourages me to try the human/animal detect more . At the moment my I use the AF area animal detect option to pick a subject combined with AF near and far (both set as custom buttons, in front of the camera). I am just happy to see Panasonic providing goodies for a camera, that was released in end of 2017!

[@andresgonzalezcerda7635]

Great and simple explanation. Thanks!

[@carollemarchand314]

Thank you so much for this video. Very useful. I will try the 1st method for fast moving subjects.

[@bernym4047]

Firstly, I too was confused with switching Human/Animal detect on and off. I have only recently started trying wildlife photography so this was a very useful video. Many thanks.

[@motorhomesaustralia2673]

Many Thanks for all the great videos on the G9, I've had mine just a couple of weeks so still learning with it, plenty of time to play with it in the back yard at the moment because of lockdown here in Brisbane suburbs, might see you out there some place when we are free to travel and explore again.

[@naturesimagephotography]

Glad you enjoyed the videos. I also teach workshops around the Sunshine Coast so if you feel like you could use some help, you might like to check out the website: www.naturesimage.com.au This lockdown is a pain in the...neck...but being a photographer, if I'm not out taking photos there's always plenty I can do at the computer. Including working on new KZbin videos. Cheers.

[@rogergibb705]

Great video, didn't know about the focus lock by pressing the joystick button. Thanks.

[@paulnevin19]

Firmware update 2.4 has made a welcome improvement to the G9's AF focussing abilities. Your video will have been extremely helpful to many including myself. Thanks for articulating the subject clearly and succinctly.

[@rreichar1]

Nice job! I have really enjoyed this update so far. I also have a Canon R6 with it’s amazing bird eye auto focus but I get really tired of carrying around a larger camera with a much larger lens. This puts my G9 on more of a level playing field and makes the decision of what camera system to choose each day a bit more difficult. The Canon still is far superior for birds in flight but for everything else the difference is small. It really comes down to what I am willing to carry that day.

[@user-rj1hx5jz1n]

Very clear and useful explanation.. Thanks..

[@pengingamer4510]

Thank you for the great video I thought I know this camera day and night. but o I got some very useful tips here.

[@dx3200]

Very well and clearly presented. Love your channel and the effort you put into it to explain how the G9 works. I love this camera and with the leica 12-60 and 50-200, I got everything I need in a small and yet pro quality system.

[@garybrown9719]

I have the 12-100mm Sence i got my 100-400mm back All my other gear is colecting dust I like this lens because I have more control of the back ground

[@jettysplash]

Thank you Andrew for another great video! I love the new auto-focus. Has anyone else notice manual focus is also better than before?

[@naturesimagephotography]

No, but now that you mention it... I only ever use MF for my VFR videos and have found it easier lately. But I didn't make the connection.

[@jasonfranklin8604]

Very informative thank you

[@RichartAsia]

Excellent explanation

[@jimkunze2993]

Thanks for explaining the "Human/Animal Detect AF" and "Animal Detect OFF" business. That had me confused before you showed how it works.

[@oscarbavi7886]

wow very good impressions more videos in future with g9 and autofocus and images

[@joakimtollerud2172]

Thx for your input. Subbed.

[@garybrown9719]

Sence i got my 100-400mm back All my other gear is colecting dust I like this lens because I have more control of the back ground

[@cherylhmackie]

I do some sports photography and had so much trouble with focus last event that I was frustrated. I have watched your videos in the past, as BIF aren't that much different than Caone Slalom Kayakers in whitewater. I had missed this one somehow. After the last event where I had moments where my camera refused to focus at all, I am back on KZbin to re-look at my settings and see what I can adjust. Turns out I had the animal/person detect to off instead of on. This was due to the reason you mentioned: when you select the top right box n it says "Animal detect OFF", it actually means animal detect is ON... I guess it is like the pause and play button. If you see the play symbol, it's paused, and if you press the play symbol it shifts to the pause symbol and plays. Anyway thanks so much for your simple demonstration. Feeling a bit silly that it managed to mess with my head, but it's nice to know that I am not the only one. Now I have to wait to test it again on another Canoe Slalom Kayak event.

[@PostColorGear]

The one potential benefit I see with the 1 area and human detect is something like where a best man would be giving a speech at a wedding, and you only want it to find faces in that one box, and not be distracted by the other faces. Having said that, I haven't had an experience where if it focuses on one person it will jump to the other person - and as you mentioned in the video, you can toggle with the joystick and it will stick. Unless there is more of a benefit in video mode but I'll have to do more tests, myself.

[@naturesimagephotography]

I did mention that parties and weddings might be the sort of subject for the one area / human detect option. But we all shoot different things and I guess each photographer will come up with their own preferences.

[@jeffslade1892]

Thank you. That explains a lot. I have noticed that some seem to think the Lumix detect function is some form of tracking, it's not. It is a form of follow-focus. It will remain locked on the subject even if is it occluded momentarily such as when you raise your hand to show the camera a product, it will remain locked on the face behind it; if you have set face-detect it will be trying to find a face not a widget. I don't think the G9 does human animal detect in tracking mode. Tracking works with bursts provided the subject does not leave the focus box. I've found detect can work better than tracking for birds in flight because the camera will find the bird even when panning provided the background is not too confusing, say with other birds. Birds may move too quickly between shutters, particularly when panning. It will detect small songbirds, squirrels and the like. It is pretty good at that even in amongst foliage. I think it needs some outline contrast to identify the shape. The camera may have found the seagulls camouflaged against the shoreline, that being their natural environment.

[@Kopetefish]

One benefit of turning the animal detection off when there are no animals around is saving battery. The camera won't be wasting any energy searching for potential animals. And when shooting birds in trees I often had the problem that the camera mistakes some twigs and branches for birds. So if you want to shoot leaves and the camera thinks that the branch over there is a bird, then you're gonna have to fight it to focus on your leaves instead 😅

[@sallyb7101]

Thank you very much for posting this - it really enhances understanding and usage. One of the fascinating things about the G9 is how the AI can be ‘tuned’ e.g. for focusing or managed (e.g. this video) to improve the end results.

[@sandragiles1028]

Thanks for the great update on the features Andrew.....now how do I get a firmware update on my brain to enable me to select these things so fast!!! 😄

[@nickcarneyphotography]

Another excellent video, thanks Andrew. I have also found that animal detect can sometimes confuse flowers or leaves for animals, which is annoying. When I went gorilla trekking recently this was an issue. Next time I will try using more single area with animal AF since the gorillas don't move too much.

[@naturesimagephotography]

Yes that can happen and it's a bit annoying. It happens more often if the animal subject isn't moving. And quite right, this is one situation where the single area with H/A detect can come in handy. It also seems to do a pretty good job of focusing on the eyes of the subject. But don't forget if it's really giving you grief you can always turn the H/A off and just use single area focus.

[@chcomes]

thanks! i learned something today! btw an advantage of the full animal-human af is the actual tracking, i think

[@naturesimagephotography]

Agreed. I decided to make the comparison because after I made the first video, several people said I should increase the focus area in the 1-area option. Which had me wondering why would I do that when I already have the tracking mode. Answer: I probably won't, the upgraded Human/Animal tracking is just too good.

[@joyfuljoyful2011]

Great!!!

[@ToxicGopher]

Nice video. If you use single AF area Human/Animal detect to identify a subject, then initiate continous AF, will the G9 stay on that selected subject no matter where they travel in the frame - so long as you dont release your AF button. Thanks!!

[@timgreving4349]

Thanks for the detailed explanation of how the new focus features in firmware 2.4 work for you. I would appreciate it if you could create a video showing your experience with the new firmware shooting birds in flight. it would be great if you could include some images of BIF against a busy background such as a forest. This is where I experience the greatest challenge in percent of keeper shots with my G9, Thanks again.

[@naturesimagephotography]

I think that's the holy grail for bird photography. I always try to shoot my birds in flight near the ocean where there are clear backgrounds. I will give it a try if/when I get the opportunity and if I come up with anything meaningful I will make a video.

[@timgreving4349]

@@naturesimagephotography Thanks for the quick reply. I too attempt BIF against a clear background. However, in North Carolina I find osprey and eagles mainly near dams on rivers. The rivers have forest on both sides. This busy background creates a real challenge for tight focus on the birds in flight.

[@naturesimagephotography]

You are probably in a better position to try the animal detect focus than I am. Most of our large birds are near the ocean.

[@iangibson5996]

Hi Andrew, I'm going over many of the tips that you gave me in our recent one on one tutorial. As a matter of interest what metering mode would you suggest for the bird photography that we talked about?

[@BarryBeckhamVideos]

As usual 👍

[@williambell3036]

Thanks Andrew another great video.Could you tell me which AF Mode would you use for a flock of birds in flight ?

[@naturesimagephotography]

William the trouble is having the time to change your AF Area Mode in the moment. So I would probably use whatever mode I was using when the birds were on the ground. Most likely it would be human/animal detect and AFC. With a flock of birds and a telephoto lens, the laws of depth of field say you will never get them all in focus. So I would have my camera in high speed continuous shooting, fire off a few shots, then re-focus and fire off some more. Inevitably some will come out better than others.

[@neonbirding2680]

Excellent demonstration. And very helpful. I've never had much problems with the Tracking AF on G9, but the new 2.4 makes it faster and more accurate with a wide range of shutter speed for video. And the AI learning for the stabilizer and autofocus is pretty good. I find myself using the AFC for video more often than before. But more important, I can now track animals and birds moving faster and more erratic than before, and still maintain a decent video composition with great stabilization at super-telephoto ranges. Thanks for bringing this to light.

[@lccascio]

Helpful video, thank you. The single area + human/animal detection could have a uses where you want to watch a "zone" such as in sports and fashion photography, like with a runway. For example in basketball, cover the basket and backboard with the area, but let human detection take over (hopefully) once a player moves into that zone. It would force human detection to stay in that limited area where you might prefer it, selecting anyone who ends up in there vs locking on to someone and trying to follow the person all the way out of the FOV. Similar for fashion shoots on a runway, it might help return focus to a "start zone" for the next model, so it doesn't try to follow the current model off the stage and make you have to break focus. The human/animal detect can be sticky.

[@naturesimagephotography]

Thanks Lee for your interesting comments. I agree with everything you said, even though none of those are situations I am likely to find myself in.

[@tltxus4930]

Nice video! Do you focus with BBF?

[@naturesimagephotography]

Yes I do. I even made a video about it a while back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2aZgnZ8fpZ1qqc

[@nerdMike]

Interesting, thank you 🙂 Will you also test AFC keeper rate and video tracking performance while pushing the center AF joystick in normal human/animal mode? Instead letting the camera just shows the yellow box. Into 1 area it changes the main subject, in the normal human/animal mode it can improve performance and video smoothness (well.. technically, I don't know if it's only the same where with one subject of course stay locked on that one). 👍

[@naturesimagephotography]

Will see what I can do. I don't do this for a living and I only have so much time to work on these videos.

[@nerdMike]

@@naturesimagephotography thank you ;)

[@650thunderbird5]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@daltonramsey9585]

can you tell me what your autofocus sensitivity settings are and whether you use AFS, AFF, or AFC for people? I bought a G9 last year when they were on sale and have struggled to get consistent results from mine. I used a 42.5 1.7 to take photos of my daughter and so many of the images using human detection were soft but using pin point got sharp results. In frustrated and debating selling the camera and switching brands again.

[@naturesimagephotography]

I have never changed the sensitivity settings so the camera would still be set to default. I use back-button focus so the camera is always in AFC, and I take my thumb off the button if I want to lock the focus. So generally I'm using continuous AF. I never use pinpoint AF but if the human detection fails me I will sometimes switch to One-Area. However generally I have stuck with human detection. These days using the G9ii but I never had a lot of problem with the AF on the original G9.

[@Eivissaa]

Thanks. Could you say that your final conclusion also counts for video aswell ?

[@naturesimagephotography]

Short answer: yes. Although apart from making sample clips for KZbin, I haven't been doing much video lately so haven't had much chance to really test it out.

[@Eivissaa]

@@naturesimagephotography Thanks again.

[@lostshepard00]

Thank you Andrew how do you COMBINE animal detect with single area AF - and can you combine, and if so how, animal detect with tracking. ? You can only click on one option at a time. Am I missing something here - I do bird shooing mostly. Thanks

[@naturesimagephotography]

First up, have you done all your firmware updates? If yes, then it should be easy. Using the FN1 button, select Human/Animal Detect or One Area. If you have selected Human/Animal Detect, then in the box below on the right you can toggle between Human or Human/Animal. If you have selected One Area, then tapping the box lets you toggle between 1Area (Human), 1 Area (Human/Animal), or just 1 Area. You don't need to worry about the tracking option, because if you are in AFC the camera will follow the animal anyway. Apologies for taking so long to reply - I have a real job too and this is a very busy time of year.

[@lostshepard00]

Thank you Andrew I have checked and I am on version 2.6 so yes I get that if I select human/animal select - it only gives human/animal select not a choice - if I select 1 area I only get one area - I shoot in manual mode, back button focus and my touch settings are Touch screen on/ Touch tab off/Touch AF AF/ Touch pad AF/Off so I don't quite see what i could be doing wrong. And yes I understand the difference between the confusing animal/detect on and off. What am I missing here please. Thank you for your time I fully get that you are busy - no worries . Tnx paul@@naturesimagephotography

[@lostshepard00]

Sigh - Andrew so OK I finally goddit it would seem you can only alter between the two by tapping on the touch screen............ passed the test@@naturesimagephotography

[@JeevesTCW]

Hi Andrew. My G9 has suddenly selected single point with human detect instead of the usual single point that I norm use and prefer. Unlike in your video there is no option below to toggle it between the two. Not sure what version of software I’m using. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[@naturesimagephotography]

Hi, not sure what the problem would be. So there is no box below that you can tap on the touch screen to turn it off? I think you should be able to tap once for Human, tap again for Human/Animal, and tap again to remove both. Maybe send a phone photo of the rear screen so I can see what you can see...because without the camera in front of me it would be hard to make a guess. My email is [e-mail]

[@JeevesTCW]

@@naturesimagephotography thank you Andrew, no there is no such box. I decided to reset my camera settings and start again but many thanks for your kind offer 🙏🏼

[@howardchud9097]

What does Panasonic say about having both options?

[@naturesimagephotography]

No idea...I don't work for Panasonic.

[@ArmaturePhotographer]

I have a question, does the gx9 have it? It is the smaller version of the g9.

[@naturesimagephotography]

I honestly don't know, I only know the cameras I have used myself. Am away in Africa right now but I'm sure a quick search online will answer your question.

[@ArmaturePhotographer]

@@naturesimagephotographyk! Thank you. Sorry for replying late!

[@trevorcarpenter6678]

Good video as usual but I feel like this isn't showing off the new features in their simplest form where they work brilliantly. Forget the moving people and multiple pelicans just try shooting single birds in complex environments and see how much easier your life has just become.

[@naturesimagephotography]

Agreed...up to a point. In the real world I take the simple approach wherever possible. But this video was about teaching myself - and then demonstrating - all aspects of both features to see what the real differences were. I don't expect to use those finer points often if at all, but it's nice to know how to use them if I need to.

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

Plus with animals and birds you are often zooming in and out all the time to get a decent composition which adds to the difficulties. One question - on human and animal detect if you are photographing a person as you were doing it locks onto the nearest eye and focuses on that eye. Do you know if that works the same on an animal portrait such as cats and dogs? I notice that this function is included on what has been considered the full frame competitor Sony A7 IV (albeit much more expensive). kzbin.info/www/bejne/bV6YdXido82HY6s Start at about 7:49 into the video. If Panasonic can include eye focus on humans then why not animals too? Focusing just on the body or the head and shoulders of the animal may leave the eye itself out of focus.

[@naturesimagephotography]

In my experience it only puts a box around the animal, it doesn't pinpoint the eye (at least not that I see it in the viewfinder display). I have never really had the chance to test it out as I would need the animal to be pretty close and sit still long enough to do the experiment. However more often than not I find that if the focus has locked on properly, it's the eyes that are sharpest.

[@Stalled-wm3qd]

@@naturesimagephotography The Canon R7 also has animal/bird eye focus. I think it is about time that Panasonic brought that out as a Firmware upgrade. Or, after 5 years will they bring out another model to supersede the G9 that will include animal/bird eye focus?

[@milohess8715]

Problematic when your’re shooting street photography and want to focus on a face in a crowd. By the time you press buttons change boxes the moment is gone. On a single face in frame it’s fine.I preferred the old eye detect.

[@sS-mn7xm]

Thank you Andrew for this video... just bought the G9 and was struggling to understand these concepts. Your video clarified it very well.