Panasonic Lumix G9 vs. Lumix G80/G85 in 2022!

In-depth real-world camera comparison between Lumix G9 and G80/G85, including latest VERY IMPORTANT firmware updates! G9 - v. 2.7; G80 - v. 1.6.
0:00-0:44 Intro, firmware updates, key specs
0:45-2:08 Handling and Build quality
2:09-2:49 Electronic Viewfinders
2:50-3:12 LCDs
3:13-3:53 Image quality in JPEGs
3:54-5:44 Image quality in RAWs
5:45-6:36 Stabilization in video: 5 stop vs 6.5 stop
6:37-7:50 Autofocus
7:51-9:58 Video quality: 4K60, level of detail and low-light comparison
9:58-12:19 Final Thoughts!

[@artemkamkov9857]

Great comparison video. Never thought that AF on G9 is so fast and precise.. Used MFT cameras now have good price to performance ratio.

[@rayjenkins2754]

Very good details in your comparison. I bought my new G9 2 yrs ago for just under $1000. At that time I also purchased a Leica 100 - 400m lens for distance shooting of wildlife - very sharp lens. I've since picked up the Olympus 12 - 200m - which is most often often on the camera due It's range & versatility & for wide - closer shots the Oly the 8 - 25m. I've found that the IBS on the G9 is so good that I didn't need any stabilization on the Olympus lenses. With the 2 firmware updates the G9 is much improved. I'm very happy with this camera. Again, your video was also well done.

[@MGalaxy]

Thank you for good words! Yes, the G9 is truly a beast... and the viewfinder - oh man, even the A7 III I currently have on testing doesn't come close 😎

[@PaleHROse]

Fantastic review

[@laurentyarp514]

I agree with you. I would have prefer the upper whel on the G9 surrounding the shutter button. It always take me a second to figure out how to reach that button. But, hey, the perfect camera will be G9 mk II :)

[@vyacheslav73]

Thanks for the video. Why does the picture on G9 look noticeable darker than the picture from G80? For example, 8:14. Is it because of a different light conditions, or does G9 have different color profiles (which seem to work not that good as on G80)?

[@superzero4250]

It is amazing how much a rear joystick makes, the operational use experience of a GH5/II from a GX8 are wildly different… 🤔 …

[@jbstravels1741]

Great video mate! Lots of great points made and I reckon it'll help a lot of people out deciding. 2 years ago I picked up a G80 in lightly used condition with a 25mm 1.7 for $400 AUD and have been happy with what it offers. I think for hobby shooters and semi pro's who know what they are doing. The G80 is a great camera and ticks a lot of boxes. About 6 months ago I was very fortunate to pick up a mint very lightly used Panasonic G9 for $600 AUD. I immediately felt the ergonomics improvement with the better grip, buttons and EVF. I also agree with you that if you can pick one up at a great used price then the overall improvements look more attractive compared to the G80. As I am a hybrid shooter I value the ergonomics/EVF of the G9 more and thus will most likely end up selling my G80 to help recover costs on the G9. However I can easily see myself picking up another G80/85 down the line when I see a crazy deal. But yes overall they are great cameras that produce awesome results and in the end it's up to the user to decide what features matter to them most. Thanks again and regards from Australia!

[@MGalaxy]

Thanks mate! Exactly, both are great cameras. It all depends on the price you are willing to pay. I am currently testing Sony a7 III; great video quality but you can pretty much forget about the stabilization. That's why I love Micro 4/3 - 4K60, no crop and extremely effective I.S. All of that for such price 😎 Best Regards from Poland!

[@jbstravels1741]

Ah yeah I was looking at picking up an A7 III as well but will have to wait for a good deal before I can pull the trigger. Look forward to that video for sure!

[@ekumusicYT]

Thank you so much for this video! I actually own the G85 and the G9. I'm getting ready to shoot a short film, the main cam will be G9. However since I have the G9 rigged up a lot, then I can't put it on the gimbal - I would have to remove most of the rig off it and then switch to the Gimbal. Would take way too much time! Therefore I'm going to try a configuration like this - The G9 is always the main cam, mostly on the tripod, handheld or shoulder rig. But when I need fast Gimbal shots, I can take the whole G85 gimbal set up in seconds and shoot it. I just had to be sure that the video quality would not be so much worse. Thankfully, in this video I can really see that there is very little difference. I only have to make sure that the picture profiles and white balance would be matching :)

[@gromit576]

What will be your lens choice for video?

[@ekumusicYT]

@@gromit576 I started with the great 25mm f1.7 and 42.5mm f1.7, Highly recommend those Lumix lenses! Now though for narrative filmmaking, I own a set of 3 Meike M43 Cine lenses - 16mm, 25mm and 50mm. Effectively a wide, medium and close up set :)

[@spudwas]

What did you use to convert HDR to SDR format? I'd love to know. Thanks

[@KathyXie]

You can get a second hand g9 for 800 or 900 usd, which is great value but you could spend a little, around 1200 and get a grey market gh5 m2 which does a lot of things that the g9 doesn't like 400 Mbits all intra or 4:3 aspect ration video for cropping or anamorphic, I think the gh5m2 make more sense in 2022, unless you really really want the top lcd screen or some of the photo oriented features of the G9.

[@ookiemand]

I have a G80, and it has served me well. I was / am considering a G9, and OM-1, but also think about a Sony A7r because of the high res for use in group portraits and wild life. An A6500? I like the outdoors, and want to have a camera that also has an affordable small Underwater housing, such as Meike makes. Anyway my bank account still says no, so I can safe and see what comes later.

[@ookiemand]

A phase detect AF G9-II would be awesome!

[@Lepewhi]

For me, I don't sit behind a computer to look at pictures to find fault. At normal viewing range, they both look fine. If you blow them up and look for issues, you will find them. Most people look at pictures on a screen anyway, so why is this an issue? I think the difference in the cameras is what you choose to use the cameras for. The G9 is more solidly built with double card slots. If you are into wildlife photography and need a camera that can take the harsh treatment and the can survive being dropped or banged a bit, or you need to be able to back up you photos for a professional shooting, then the G9 is a better choice. But, if you want a lighter camera and don't need such a rugged body, the G80 might be a better fit.

[@mk7073]

Doesn't the G9 feature a USB-C interface which can also power & charge as well as data transfer? Whereas the G80/85 has the old micro USB which isn't as robust. An underrated G9 advantage?

[@jayclas4023]

I see a big difference in IBIS while you were running😎

[@joestrahl6980]

Agreed: more stabilization on G9

[@Rafael_Tutunchiev]

Спасибо

[@spikeweb5193]

We got 60fps 4k in g9

[@absurdfool]

after 5 years of possesion i'll stick to my g80 still

[@ErikJanStroetinga]

The G9 is indeed very nice, but the rubbers on the grips are not really good. They swell up and become lose after a few years.

[@emmavet87]

G80 better quality Price

[@Denveterok]

You didn't say anything about recording time limits. The G80 has no limits, and the G9 has limits in both 4K and FHD.

[@alexflorance1111]

G80 has 30 minute record Limit. G85 has unlimited recording

[@joestrahl6980]

You are confusing the G80 with the G85 Denveterok...

[@ihssaneaitbenacer7277]

what is the difference between the g80 and g85 ? how to notice the difference ?

[@ihssaneaitbenacer7277]

what is the difference between the g80 and g85 ? how to notice the difference ?

[@dutchbachelor]

G80 is the European version, from what I understand the 30 minute limit is something mandated by the EU. The G85 does not have that limit. There is also a G81, but THAT difference I couldn't figure out.

[@tomd4748]

I think you’d need to look under a microscope to see the differences you’re claiming.

[@elwirastadnik]

All this crap about "crop" "zooming", and looking at pics on a PC screen to make a compression on YT makes no sense.

[@MGalaxy]

Ach, rodacy :) Rozdzielczość filmu 4K, dobry monitor obsługujący taką rozdzielczość i bez najmniejszego trudu wychwycimy pewne różnice. Merytoryką jest też samo słowo komentarza, właściwie mógłby to być podcast, a nadal zachowałby wartość informacyjną. No ale łatwiej napisać "crap not make sense"...

[@elwirastadnik]

​@@MGalaxy Jasne... ponieważ fotografowanie "specjalistów" na YT równa się "wychwytywaniu różnic"... Złe drzewo obszczekujesz ;) I ahhh, zapomniałabym, pokaż swoje zdjęcia, porównywaczu aparatow, plzz.

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

Painfull use 🤣🤣🤣🤣 give over

[@cpdudeyt]

Hey can you please give me nikon p1000 for free?