Lumix G90 -Great travel Camera

[@WildlandExplorer]

I know a lot of people won't gush about USB power delivery while recording/in-use, but that to me is actually a game changer considering I film documentary style nature stuff as much as 8 hours a day for like a week at a stretch. I love the option of carrying a moderately sized power bank instead of 5-6 brick shaped batteries I have to babysit on a charger all night inside my tent. If you charge everything up via solar every day, consider what USB power delivery can do for your shooting workflow.

[@mattisulanto]

I agree, USB power is a great feature. Thanks for sharing.

[@gusgone4527]

I just bought this camera a week , as an upgrade from the G5. I also have G1 and G3 with a selection of lenses. I'm finding it well worth the sale price of £450 including the 12-60 kit lens. When combined with the battery grip, it feels very good to hold vertically or horizontally. The TTL flash metering is truly excellent and comparable with the performance of my old Nikon F90s film cameras. (Showing my age.) I mostly do still photography but have started to use feature that allows me to select a still image from a video sequence. So far with some success. This old dog is learning new tricks. It's early days but I'm rather impressed by the camera as a whole. I use a mixture of manual lenses with adapters and Panasonic/Olympus AF primes/zooms. So watch this space for progress reports if I discover something worth reporting.

[@ypebanbung-michael8865]

I just looked at it today.Cos my second Em5ii let me down. Now I am looking for an replacement but no Olympus. Any6Brand in the price range of the G90 will get my attention

[@sdhute]

For some reason I miss this camera just for photography. Ive had the g9. (Nice but big) and the g95. Thinking about getting another, putting on some manual lenses and making it a street photography tool.

[@walterzannoni]

I know it's a video from 4 years ago, but I've had the camera for just over a year, I also had the G9 as a comparison but it broke and Amazon kindly refunded me. I wanted to talk about the joystick. Honestly, I don't find it a big problem. I've always found the position on the G9 uncomfortable. I use a simple trick to have it on the G90 too. All I had to do was set a custom button on the bottom part of the minus wheel with the "set area focus" function. In this way I can use the four buttons on the wheel as if they were a joystick, in a position that is more comfortable for me. I then just press the button in the center of the wheel to return to normal AF mode

[@gregoriosbimantara3082]

Dear Sir Sulanto, as a newbie for using camera as last week I just bought this g95, may you share little more how you set this camera for vlogging or outdoor documentaries. thank you.

[@ReidVail]

Hello Matti The G95 is selling for a nice price these days, and I'm considering it (I have a GX85 now). Your video explains you used the G95 for quite a while on your trip, and so here's a question: what was your experience with the EVF? I have glasses (as you do, too) and I wonder about the view finder. I'm also thinking about the OM-D EM-5, and folks on those KZbin video are making a big deal about its EVF. What are your thoughts, please.

[@mattisulanto]

My opinion is that actually very few viewfinders are good if you wear glasses. Over the past years I have learned to use the back screen more and more because of that. With all my cameras, that is. I'm no longer a brand ambassador and currently use Nikon, Sony, Ricoh and Panasonic.

[@ArnFilmmaker]

I am planning to buy this camera soon.

[@mattisulanto]

Sounds awesome, it's a great little camera.

[@josema133]

🙋🏻‍♂️🇪🇦 Gracias por compartir su revisión. Me ha ayudado mucho. 👏👏👏👍🏻

[@PaleHROse]

Great as always

[@andreabononi3881]

Complimenti per la recensione, Io sono un felice proprietario della g90. Acquistata con 14-140 ed il 25 1.4 leica. Abbinata al 25mm è una favola! Eccezionale il riconoscimento del viso per far le foto ai bambini.

[@mattisulanto]

Grazie mille! Good to hear you are happy with your camera.

[@joakimtollerud2172]

Its only 6500 crowns incl. the 12-60mm lens in Sweden right now at Elgiganten. Had to buy it.

[@mattisulanto]

That would be under €700, not bad😀

[@enduringtech822]

LOL, you came to Malaysia to shoot with the G90, I went away from Malaysia (into Cambodia) to shoot with my G95. I love the sharpness and details in the video even in 1080 but the face AF let me down. I have a clip of a boy pushing a bicycle on a sunny day. He was looking at me the whole time with a big smile.on his face and yet, the camera was still hunting. In the GH5 and GO, at least the AF will fall to body detect when they can't find a face but this is an AF feature that is sadly not given to the G90/95.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for your comment. I haven't used the face AF much, but sometimes use the tracking AF and mostly MF in video.

[@kkcheng1402]

Nice review Matti. Will you make one for the G90 or G9 with Pana 14-140mm lens? I think this is the best combination for travel.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! I'd like to review the 14-140mm, but I don't have it. If I can borrow it for a review, I'll make it.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Hey Matti -- good morning from the east coast of the US! I am a G85 user and I really like it (and cannot afford to upgrade anytime soon!) -- so it is interesting to see what features were added/upgraded on the G90/95. I am pretty sure that the G85 (US version anyway) has unlimited video recording also. But I was really interested in the rear screen difference -- you said that the US model of the G90 has a different rear screen than the European version? I wonder why Panasonic would do that -- and do you know the specifics of the difference? Thanks!

[@mattisulanto]

Good afternoon from Helsinki. According to DPR the G95 has 1.24 M dot LCD and the G90 has 1.04 M dot OLED. It's interesting why they did that.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@mattisulanto -- that is an interesting difference. From what I can find online, the rear screen was the same on the G80 vs. G85. A few other things -- the US G85 does not have a video recording time limit. And the 4K crop factor on the G85 is less than that of the G90 (although the exact amounts quoted are never exactly the same on various websites!). But the G90 definitely brings a bunch of other upgrades with it -- even just 20MP for stills vs. 16MP. Thanks!

[@mattisulanto]

Many European models have had the recording limit, because of the stupid legislation over here.

[@fellowcitizen]

fyi Just found out that the L Mount Alliance stable-mate to the S1, the SIGMA fp, is using the BP-51/BLC12 battery that the G90 uses. (Sigma has used this battery for their fixed lens cameras before, and uses the same battery as the G9 on their current Foveon camera - so perhaps they will do so again when the L mount FF Foveon releases in a year or two.)

[@mattisulanto]

Maybe they do, that would be nice for us Lumix users.

[@hgw7573]

Thank you, very good video, greetings from Austria

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks! Always appreciate comments from EU😀

[@m-faccin]

How relevant is this camera in 2023? I'm considering getting it because it's easy to find it at 900E with kit lens

[@mattisulanto]

I guess the relevance depends on what you want from your camera and what you expect from your photography.

[@m-faccin]

@@mattisulanto I'm approaching the photography hobby, I like the idea to take photos during my trips, the city and wildlife. I would like something that I can take with me as often as possible and that would be a solid foundation to learn and improve. I like the idea of MFT because the lenses are small and cheap(-ish).

[@MarkoKoskenoja]

Good review Matti. As you intimated the G90/95 doesn't seem worth upgrading from my G80/85 so I will likely buy a G9 next or whatever the next version is called. What I would really like is a weather resistant GX9 with a joy stick on the back panel and/or the ability to turn the screen around so I don't inadvertently touch it. I like the G80/85 because of that feature and wish my GX85 had that feature.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks, Marko! I should be more clear and careful what I say😀 I didn't exactly mean it's not worth upgrading, but rather that you should think if the G90/95 is that much better than the G80/85 for you. I'd also like more robust and semi pro rangefinder type Lumix, but I'm not sure if that's gonna happen.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

You can turn off the screen when you put your face to the EVF on the gx80

[@tingkosnababan7584]

Can you help me..about sound g90

[@gerlosv]

Thanks for this great review! Can you please explain why you prefer the tilting screen over the articulated one?

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks. The tilt screen stays behind the camera and is faster to use, in photography, that is.

[@gerlosv]

@@mattisulanto I understand, thanks for your quick answer!

[@andreasjanusek5930]

Hallo Matti Ich habe auch seit einiger Zeit die Lumix G91 mit dem Kit Objektiv 12-60 mm F3.5-5.6 Ich bin aber mit dem Objektiv nicht besonders glücklich, ich finde vor allen die Schärfe des Objektes bescheiden. Ich habe aber schon die Schärfe im Lumix Menü beim Bildprofil erhöht. Du hast auch schon das Olympus 12-45mm F4 vorgestellt. Was würdest du sagen, bringt dieses Objektiv mehr Schärfe und wie würdest du die Low Light Performance des Olympus Objektiv im Vergleich mit dem Kit 12-60 mm bewehrten. Ist das Oly gleichwertig oder sogar besser ?

[@mattisulanto]

I have tried several copies of the 12-60mm and they all have been really good, but it's possible that yours is just a bad copy. The Olympus 12-45mm is sharp lens, but it's not THAT much sharper than the Lumix 12-60mm. If both lenses are within the tolerances you should not see any big difference.

[@dagebostrom6223]

Hello Matti! Lumix G90 is a great travel camera. That’s true. But it’s quite expensive. How about GX9? 20 Mpix and nice rangefinder style. Much cheaper than Pen-F wich is a fine camera of course. Put Lumix 15 mm 1.7 lens on GX9. What else can you need on a trip? Maybe some Lumix 35 - 100 mm? Good combo. If you get robbed then paín is more tolerable. G9/G90 owners can be more interesting targets. Matti could you please take a walk on the Helsinki streets with GX9 camera?

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for your comment. Of course there are several great travel combos and the GX9 is one great camera too. If I could borrow the GX9, I'd more than happy to make a video, but right now I don't know where to borrow one.

[@lfcmarkeb7124]

think I'd pay the bit extra and go for the G9, although I prefer the dual control dial set up of the G90 as opposed the the LCD display on the G9 👍

[@mattisulanto]

The G9 is an exceptional value right now. What do you mean by the dual control set up? Both have similar control layout, two control dials on the top and one on the back.

[@HappyGrl41]

Great review! I have the G9 and I love it. I do attempt to use it for birds in flight! I like it much better than the Olympus I have. Have you done a review on the G9? It has so many features. I think it's really an underrated camera.

[@mattisulanto]

Thank you! I don't have a review on the G9, but I do have a comparison between the G9 and G90. It's easy to find, if you browse the channel.

[@danieldougan269]

What telephoto lenses do you use for your G9? I have Olympus lenses (40-150mm f2.8 PRO + MC-14 teleconverter and 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II), and I haven't been blown away by the autofocus performance on my G85 compared to my original OM-D E-M1. Does the DFD with Panasonic lenses make that much of a difference for tracking birds in flight?

[@HappyGrl41]

@@danieldougan269 The only Panasonic telephoto lens I have is the Panasonic 100-300 ii and it's mostly consistent on the G9. Sometimes, it won't grab focus and I know I am outside the minimum focusing distance. I think the G9 tracking is usually good and I find it easier to get flight shots with it than with the Olympus. I have been thinking about getting the Olympus 40-150 f2.8 PRO and 1.4 teleconverter for it. I rented that lens last year and tried on my Olympus OMD-E-M1 and I liked it. I had problems with birds in flight but I was also learning the camera so probably my inexperience caused it. I also have the Olympus 75-300 but I feel that is more inconsistent than the Panasonic 100-300 ii. I have not tried the Olympus 75-300 on the G9 yet. I am probably going to rent the Panasonic 100-400 but I am concerned about the reliability of that lens as well as the cost. I did rent the Panasonic 50-200 and that's a beautiful lens but still not that consistent on the G9 either. When it nails the focus, the results are stunning. I'm not sure about the DFD in terms of birds in flight. I feel that the problems I have are more lens-related than camera-related. I noticed there is a firmware update for the G9 that I need to apply so perhaps that might improve the tracking with the lens I have.

[@kumarjoglekar1]

Dear Matti can I capture slow motion video on my Lumix G 85 ? What are the settings.

[@mattisulanto]

I don't have the G85, but DPR website says it can shoot FHD 60p.

[@ibraheemtoure1201]

Thank you for your content!! I just bought this cam and a Sigma 30mm. I am very new to photography and am considering other lenses. Any reccomendations?

[@mattisulanto]

Your next lens depends on what you shoot. I would probably buy a wide angle, like the Leica 15mm F1.7 or the Sigma 16mm F1.4. Someone else might buy a tele zoom, like the Lumix 35-100mm F2.8 for example. Maybe you use your 30mm a bit more and when you realize what you want, then buy another lens.

[@ibraheemtoure1201]

@@mattisulanto Thank you so much for the reply!! I am more into videography as I am an actor-director. I do love the crispness of the Sigma 30mm. Take care hope to speak soon 👍🏿

[@willmv4139]

Is the G90 tailored for the PAL video standard, vs the G95 being NTSC based?

[@mattisulanto]

I have never seen the G95, but I think it has nothing to do with PAL or NTSC. It's just a different model for some markets.

[@joyjeetpaul2218]

Hello Sir... I'm from India and professionally a Pharmacologist but in love with Streetphotography, Sir would you recommend G95 for Streetphotography ??? Need your guidance 🙏

[@mattisulanto]

Yes, I can recommend it for street. Almost any camera works for street photography and it's a personal choice always.

[@joyjeetpaul2218]

@@mattisulanto Alright Sir. I'm going for it. Thank you for your guidance Sir 🙏. Have a wonderful time ahead 😊

[@joyjeetpaul2218]

@@mattisulanto Sir very sorry bothering you again... how's the AF and Battery life of G95 ?

[@mattisulanto]

@@joyjeetpaul2218 The same AF as on every Lumix of the same generation. There are plenty of opinions on Lumix AF online, please do some research. I think it's good for street photography. Battery life is good in my opinion, but it depends on how you use the camera of course.

[@joyjeetpaul2218]

@@mattisulanto OK sir... I'll do research on AF. And I don't shoot videos at all sir . Strictly focused on Still Photography.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

Why in 4k video..does it crop.. I mean you already have the sensor there to use...I mean to use ALL of it..i dont understand why you need to crop...Would a firmware update correct this..or is it a hardware problem????

[@mattisulanto]

Hard to say why they chose it like this, but it's easier to read the true pixels from the sensor.

[@theosalah7202]

Hardware problem so it will never be corrected by a software update. If you use the full sensor (20Mpixs) you have to downgrade the image to 4K (8Mpixs). This is a huge amount of processing power. The G90 is more an upgrade of the GX9 than a downgrade of the G9. I was soooo disappointed by that. The G80 body size was perfect.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

@@theosalah7202 I am deciding now, which one to buy...G95, or G85. The grip on a Olympus E m1 mark ii was a perfect size for me...is the G95 close to that?...........

[@andreasjanusek5930]

Hallo Matti Ich bin fotografischer Anfänger und mache meine Fotos nur in Jpeg Format, da mir die RAW Bearbeitung zu Zeit aufwendig ist. Und ich schnellst möglich gute Fotos haben möchte. Wie ich in meiner Objektiv Anfrage schon erwähnt habe, habe ich in Bildprofil Einstellungen die Schärfe erhöht um schärfere Fotos zu bekommen. Kann man dort in den Einstellungen bis + 5 gehen ? Oder ist das nicht ratsam. Und ich habe gelesen, wenn man die Rauschminderung in den Minus Bereich stellt z.B. - 3 , dann wird die Fotos noch schärfer. Ist das so korrekt ? Und wie verhält es sich wenn ich mit diesem Setting in der Dämmerung fotografiere ? Wird auf Grund der Reduzierten Rauschminderung das Bildrauschen schneller einsetzen ? Vielen Dank im Voraus.

[@mattisulanto]

I think you have to experiment with different settings and see what you like the best. When you change your settings, only change one parameter at a time. We all like different sharpening, noise reduction etc. When you experiment you'll also learn at the same. If you feel you are not getting sharp enough results, here is one video you might find helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHKYmYV6q7SLba8

[@lordoftheflings]

Does the European version G90 have a recording time limit? I keep hearing different answers from different sources.

[@mattisulanto]

It looks like there is no limit. If I choose the lowest video quality, the camera shows me more than 12h of recording time on a 64GB card.

[@dragancete]

Nice video, I'm considering upgrade my G7 but I have a doubt about the G90, could you tell me what is the maximum speed sync for the flash?, I read 1/200 in some sites and 1/160 in others. Thanks.

[@mattisulanto]

I think the official sync speed is 1/200s. When I use my Yongnuo YN560-TX remote and YN560III flash, I can get a clean sync at 1/250s. at full flash power, but if I use low flash power I can get 1/320s. It depends on the flash too.

[@dragancete]

sulantoblog thanks, I have the exact same flash and remote controller, so this info couldn’t be more helpful.

[@mattisulanto]

@@dragancete Great!

[@sebastianvisual33]

Thanks, What camera do you use to record your video?

[@mattisulanto]

I'm using the GH5s.

[@todfiler4028]

You should do a comparison between the GH5 and G9.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks, I may do that in the future.

[@GenosGlory]

Does it have the same weight as G7 or more like FZ1000? Looks like a very easy camera to use.

[@mattisulanto]

I'm not sure of the weight of the G7 or the FZ1000, but I suspect the G90 is a bit heavier than the G7 and a bit lighter than the FZ1000.

[@GenosGlory]

sulantoblog Hi fair enough. The reason I said G7 as 14.46 oz it would easily called a traveller’s camera if its close to that but with FZ1000 29.4 oz its a bit difficult as a very heavy camera. Thanks for the reply and the G90 looks very nice.

[@krugmeup2162]

@@GenosGlory normal people use grams. Ounces...

[@videojeroki]

I was waiting for Olympus to release the E-M1 mk3 with a bigger grip (well it is bigger, but still not enough), but it's not happening, so i consider buying the G90. I heard that the DPAF doesn't work well with none Panasonic lenses, is that true ?

[@mattisulanto]

I think it works quite well, but of course not as well as with Panasonic lenses. It depends on what you shoot.

[@lorenschwiderski]

Where is the G85 & G95 made?

[@mattisulanto]

My G90 is made in China. I know already what you are going to say😀, but I think good and bad quality can come from any country. Another matter, of course is, if you don't want to buy anything made in certain country, regardless of the quality.

[@thierryorlowski9662]

@@mattisulanto My G95 is made in China as well....No difference with the G90 on that side. However, the Video output is NTSC on that model.

[@DaveKingMusic]

Too bad that they only sell it with the 12-60 lens. If you already own the G85 with the same lens it’s redundant to upgrade.

[@mattisulanto]

Here in Europe they sell body only too.

[@robinwong]

Oh I miss KL when it was haze free. Now you won't be able to get similar shots anymore.

[@mattisulanto]

I've seen photos of the current situation. I hope it'll get back to normal soon.

[@DaveKingMusic]

KL?

[@mattisulanto]

@@DaveKingMusic Kuala Lumpur😀

[@GLBProductions]

Same in Singapore - greetings from down South!

[@dagebostrom6223]

Maybe Rajalacamera could help you, Matti?

[@mattisulanto]

I'll see what I can do. Thanks.

[@MichaelGerrard]

It is a nice camera and good to hear there is a light composite mode, like on Olympus cameras. I am more a fan of smaller range finder cameras so I am waiting for Panasonic to make a GX10 with the composite mode :-) Maybe I will be tempted to upgrade from my trusty GX80 then.

[@mattisulanto]

I hope they'll add the live composite to other models too. It's such nice feature.

[@MichaelGerrard]

@@mattisulanto could you do a video on using the live composite feature? That would be great :-)

[@mattisulanto]

@@MichaelGerrard I'm planning on that, but it was almost impossible in the summer, because the sun barely sets. Now that the fall is here and the evenings are getting dark again, I will make a Live Composite video.

[@MichaelGerrard]

@@mattisulanto a good reason to like the darker Autumn evenings :-)

[@manuellazarte5637]

nice

[@LarsKiel]

🙏

[@laurentdachary]

Like 834 📽

[@franzweber7494]

The sensor is not the same like in the Panasonic G9. It is the older 20 MP sensor from the Pansonic GX8, which offers lower dynamic range and lower low light sensitivity.

[@mattisulanto]

Thanks for that info and you are most probably right. However, in real life there is no discernible difference in the image quality.

[@rickkoloian4179]

While there are differences between the G90/95 & G9, multiple reviews on line indicate they use the same optical sensor, 1 of which follows, www.digitaltrends.com/photography/panasonic-lumix-g95-unveiled/

[@walterzannoni]

I see a difference only over 1600 iso

[@tearitloosetearitloose4670]

In my opinion it's not worth upgrading from G80/85.

[@walterzannoni]

Ho una G80 in ufficio e ho comprato la G90 per mio uso personale. Ho trovato una grande differenza sia per la qualità delle immagini sia per l'ergonomia e i comamdi. Anche l'AF va molto meglio

[@mrmoon7768]

My friend has one, I have the G80 And I take better shots lol, Not really an upgrade, The G9 Is much better

[@mattisulanto]

Is it possible, that you a better photographer than your friend?😀

[@walterzannoni]

I could take better photos than yours with a GM1. I don't think it's a scientific comparison. I have the G80 and G90 and I find the G90 two notches above. The G9 has another philosophy of use, more professional, too heavy and large for tourism and street

[@howardchud9097]

No it’s not.Travelers don’t want that size and weight. You’re losing credibility.

[@ilyaostrovsky7661]

It isn't exactly. I am hobby traveller photographer and G91 will be my next camera. Probably, you can find smaller and lighter cameras on market, but with less features. Relative to set of features G91 is one of the smallest and lightest cameras on the market. In this price segment, of course.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

I happily used a G9 and 12-60 in Berlin for 2 days and size and weight was not even an issue at all as I carried it in my hands all day pretty much. Not an issue and that's a bigger heavier camera than this.

[@thedavidbrother2]

@@JoeMaranophotography I would say the g9 is worth the 10-15% extra cost over the g90 only because of the viewfinder (+50% res). And that's before counting all the other benefits, like better weather sealing, top lcd etc.

[@joestrahl6980]

Howard Chud: Depends on the traveller, of course, and purpose of the travel, location...etc. Open up to those possibilities. If you want to do video of decent quality when travelling then this is a small camera. 😉

[@walterzannoni]

having a different opinion doesn't mean you have to make a stupid comment