The Panasonic LUMIX S9 Review - Should You Buy It?

[@MrQwertypoiuyty]

I bought this camera 3 weeks back as a backup camera to my A7R IV, as I was sold to its small and light form factor. People told me that I just wasted my money as I can buy the A7C II instead since I can use the same lens of my A7R IV. But I just want a light FF CAMERA (sorry X100VI) and try another ecosystem. Long story short: it didn't disappoint. The light, small form factor made it really enjoyable to it bring everyday, with a small bag. And during the weekends, I carry both cameras - with the A7R IV and its lens mainstay Tamron 20-40mm, and the S9 with the 90mm 2.8 Sigma. This combination resulted to an unbelievable light load of 1.8kg only, and that's carrying two FF cameras with the best lightweight zoom and prime lenses in the market. The fun side of this is that I don't have to change lenses which I find to be an inconvenient hassle all the time when I shoot exclusively with A7R 2. Gone are the days of carrying a 3.5 kg load of 1 DSLR camera and 2 lenses! I also do think that my combo is much lighter than a Canon R5 and the equivalent lenses that I use for my cameras. It is also worth mentioning that the colors of the S9's SOOC Jpeg shots are much better than the Sony (Standard mode).

[@bebs.soniyu]

Thank you

[@GeekTherapyRadio]

I own an S5 and S5iiX. I rarely use them for photography...but when I do, I am always blown away by what a photography sleeper they are. They shoot truly amazing stills.

[@saradavis6581]

Your comment reminds me of the cliche "wow you camera takes such good pictures"

[@1NebraskaPyro]

Lumix, if you see this, I would love this form factor but with a photography focus. Viewfinder, small grip, no worry about vertical video shooting, possibly more megapixels (Although 24 is still fantastic), mechanical shutter, dual card slots instead of large hdmi port, and more buttons, and joystick:). I have the S5 and I love it it for photography, but this would be the dream camera. Or atleast a new S5 photography focused camera like the S1r

[@michaelbell75]

Then you would cry its a $3,500 camera....

[@orinorio1]

It's a vlogging camera for volggers and those who just want to film themselves to do tik tok videos. 😂 it's not a profissional camera. Lumix has the S5ii/x and the G9ii witch has the features you mentaion. The S9 is Lumix way into compact cameras.

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

The mark II will have those features 😉

[@jamesloop]

Geez people need to calm tf down. It’s the most affordable ff camera that can shoot 6k open gate. Sure it has limitations. It’s not meant for everyone. People are being so dramatic.

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

6k for vlogging. Can you please tell me for what is needed this resolution?

[@meorung05]

@@oreziopancrazio3685…did you even watch the video?

[@thewalkingvloggingman7152]

​@@oreziopancrazio3685 Then don't buy it. People will buy it anyway, so stop with hating!

[@theendurance]

@@oreziopancrazio3685 cropping, also who doesnt want more detail? 6k is noticeably sharper and clearer than 4k

[@shonen84]

What a treat this trip must have been! Great camera, lovely country, awesome food. I’m very impressed with the image and video quality, workflow and price of this camera. I’m a Canon shooter and I very much hope they will make a Canon RP Mk2 that competes with this. I think Panasonic hit the nail with this camera, and the intended audience.

[@fitguy49]

Thanks for the video. Really helped me decide on what to buy for an everyday, travel camera. Like you, I shoot Sony cameras, a7IV and FX6 but I want a non- work camera that I can throw in a bag, board a plane and not regret that I didn't pack one my Sony's. Again great video and many thanks

[@fellowcitizen]

Excellent to hear your take on this precisely because you're not the a camera reviewer. I have a GM5 and an S5II so this is basically a convergence of those two, along with Fuji's film simulations on turbo. I'm pleased to see that Panasonic has taken on the Sigma fp L's crop-zoom mode -- it should be especially interesting on the next high-resolution camera. BTW, I've seen two grips listed now -- a big one from Sirui (which I'll get) and a smaller one from SmallRig. No doubt JJC and others will get in on the action. I plan to get one along with a Sigma 45mmF2.8, though I had been saving for the new L-mount from Blackmagic so it will probably depend on whichever has a special deal first.

[@kottik1]

I would actually be more excited to see the GM1/GM5 successor. Still using my orange GM1 with plastic fantastic Oly 40-150 when I need something light.

[@MollyFitzBrown]

I tend to get Sony lately but this really sounds like fun to play with!

[@Capt_Billy]

2:47 Agree! The green is cool!

[@TomCalton]

Awesome video Tom! It was also great meeting you in Osaka. Hopefully we'll catch up again soon 😁

[@Thetechchap]

Cheers Tom! You too dude

[@markshirley01]

The only feature that interests me as a social media creator is the stabilization. I'm really interested in the 18-40 that's coming, I currently use a Sony A7R5 and a Tamron 20-40 but hardly ever use the EVF. I hate gimbals, so getting somewhere near to gimbal stab would be fantastic

[@PavSZ]

Very good review! I'm honoured to be in the background of few of your shots. Great meeting you in Osaka

[@MicroFourNerds]

Wonderful video Tom! Love the photo portraits! Was great meeting you! 📷

[@Thetechchap]

Thanks Emily! You too! 😊

[@GGori_99]

This is crazy we now can get all of these features for less than 2 grand.. but the competition itself is heating up.. often i see the A7IV gets discounted nearly approaching $1700 body only.. that is just very tempting..

[@l-mount-forum9607]

The Sony is bigger

[@RyanKorea]

The A7IV is probably a better overall camera than this but I'm selling my A7IV for this so it all depends on what you're looking for

[@superarchangel]

compact full frame that can fit in your pocket is the future of camera design.

[@laurenthenry]

Go for the a74. It's a no brainer. The L mount is light years far back in terms of lens options compare to Sony E mount. A74 has no record limit. Better AF, dual slot card. More dials. Better ergonomic etc. etc.

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

They are trying to do that since the very first A7, which I was a proud owner in a period when reflex were still the main system. Still, more than 10 years later, a full frame is a full frame and it need big lenses. UNLESS you have a Leica. No autofocus for Leica, so it is the ultimate compact system if you want quality and portability. Those japanese nonsense are actually a contradiction. Market does not even knows what is a manual focus, so they solely rely on autofocus, and an autofocus lens is huge. Plus, market DEMAND very fast aperture, so its a nonsesne again to demand for small bodies if then you want to mount gigantic lenses on them. Thats why I use Leica, MINUSCULE lenses and TOP QUALITY, I cant ask for anything better

[@user-nh6hc4ss1x]

Thank you for coming to Japan! I'm always watching from Japan.

[@Buucik1990]

Thanks for the review. One of the better ones I saw lately about this camera. To be honest I think this camera would be a good go for me to return to photography. I had several camera brands in the past and even some time ago was tempted to buy an m43 camera. Having a look at the reviews made me think about if I do really need an EVF. I wear glasses and in most cases those get a little dirty from looking through the EVF. I also think that looking into the LCD is even better for my eyes. What I am worried is how would I connect this camera to an external flashlight to do some studio photography. I hope someone prepares a solution for that. For now I feel sold and maybe if the camera hits the shelves than I can buy one.

[@ak_hoops]

Of all the things, the stabilization was crazy to me! My goodness.

[@YaYousef5]

8:27 fyi active stabilization works a lot better with native Sony lenses so I don't think it was fair to compare it to the Lumix with a native Lumix lens. My humble 2 cents: except for the fantastic Panasonic stabilization and the open gate thing that personally I would never use, the Sony A7C from 4 years ago is a better buy. No recording limits, has a mechanical shutter so you can use a flash, and it has a hot shoe that I use with Sony's excellent hoe shoe shotgun mic. How do you even check your audio levels with the S9? Isn't it for content creation? But I guess no audio? Such a weird decision from Panasonic to omit that. Or just buy an S5II! It's only $300 more and doesn't have any of those limitations but it's a little bigger.

[@newzinski6946]

Yeah I noticed that warping and shaky stabilization is not a good selling point for LUMIX lenses etc. Makes me want to just stick with SONY

[@smashpop]

I NEED THIS IN BLUE

[@Thetechchap]

Red is def the worst!

[@chcomes]

you guys are disgusting. Red is the only way ;-)

[@howtopronouncewords2248]

Did you say there is no headphone jack? How do we use mic?

[@SheroneRoss]

Great video! What are you using to mount your iPhone around your neck?

[@mjacksonjones]

My next camera!!! Probably in 2 years..lol!! I like the blue, but that green is FIRE!!

[@masterofcamera]

🔥🔥 Great video!

[@superarchangel]

Is this good for real estate/interior architecture photography?

[@geedee3817]

Good luck without a hot shoe :)

[@selfissimo]

Yes I think it’s ideal. Nobody uses hotshoe in 2024😂

[@billarmstrong5568]

I purchased one today. My first camera buy since the original GH1! That has proved a really good servant over many years, and I thought if I am going to give full frame a spin I may as well stick with Lumix.

[@danwilliams4820]

I just completed a short film with the GH1. The video image is still amazing for what is now a "vintage" camera.

[@billarmstrong5568]

@@danwilliams4820 Yes, absolutely. It was definitely ahead of the game.

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

What about aspect ratio? What about double exposure?

[@howtopronouncewords2248]

What is a good l mount lens for vloging

[@vermarkter]

8:42 why you are not using sony native lenses as well as on lumix? lumix wouldn't like the result?

[@newzinski6946]

Because they know SONY lenses are better and more options. It’s a shame they prob told him to use LUMIX lenses when it’s clearly shaky, warping and not consistent

[@qwmjml]

The stabilisation alone makes me want to switch. I'd be encouraged to record more videos when I am out and about. But I'm still on the fence about going fully electronic shutter right now. I doubt it will bother me most of the time, but I know sometimes it might. Once panasonic releases the perfect pancake lens to pair with it, I might just pounce on it

[@vrapan]

while not pancake sized the Sigma contemporary line is pretty compact (17,24,45 especially)

[@chcomes]

I changed because of the stabi. I got tired of working around jerks in the (otherwise beautiful) footage from my sony.

[@jithinkichu]

clean and neat review

[@imadelachiri5475]

Can you compare it to the latest flagship phones?

[@gripperharris]

sorry, aside from the ff sensor, what's the point in this camera? No evf, hot shoe, mechanical shutter, etc. In fairness, im a photographer, not a videographer, so this camera just isn't for me. I'm perfectly happy with my APSC cameras and their alleged noise.

[@JohnSoh]

maybe watch the video

[@freepadz6241]

Photos do look better than apsc though.

[@gripperharris]

@@freepadz6241 really?

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

Apsc or FF its almost the same, no big difference

[@freepadz6241]

@@oreziopancrazio3685 so how do s9 pics look visibly better than x100?

[@sohrubjoshi5189]

It’s fun camera for content and travel, people complaining about price don’t understand the target market

[@blakeanncook7375]

Would you trade it for your zv-e1? I am considering buying ether one at this point - kind of on the fence. The Sony seems more complete as a camera, but the Lumix images are incredible. Great job with the video!

[@cryptobyt2403]

Can you try it with m mount lens? Hows the IQ?

[@carrotfud5207]

Love the vibe at japan !

[@DaRa-dw8hz]

how to put 9:16 aspect in screen while we shooting (time 6:07 in video )

[@DaRa-dw8hz]

9:16 aspect green outline in screen lumix s9😢😢

[@JaimeDelRio]

Great video... How can I let Panasonic know that removing the "Multiple Exposure" feature from the S5 series and the New Micro 4/3 bodies, was such a bad idea. Do you know of a place we can submit feedback?

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

Happy to see that Im not the only one who cares about it. Do you know if this one has double exposure has this option,?

[@DipamPatel_yt]

I dont think it can beat sony zve1

[@selfissimo]

Who want a Sony in 2024😂

[@delphimiranda]

Is dat image u uploaded into ur fone jpeg or raw? Tnx.

[@cformont]

is there a way to add watermark in Lumix app?

[@Harshalkamble12]

Can you compare with osmo pocket 3?

[@dr.nariata6924]

people like me born in the film era will hate shooting photo without viewfinder, great camera offcourse.

[@trainsandmodelshungary]

Superb review, very practical, thanks!

[@ChrisAlta]

Looks great! All you gotta do is pair it with the Peak Design Micro Clutch strap to secure it and you’re good to go.

[@pureheartvisuals]

😂 name one just one camera - Full Frame, Unlimited Recording, 6K Open Gate, Instant Transfer, Real Time Color Adjustment, Syncro-Scan, Vector Scopes, Shutter Angle, In-Camera Slider Movements, Anamorphic Support with in Camera Desqueeze, Best Stabilization in the Camera Industry for $800-$1000 … I’ll wait. 😂 The Self Inflicted Expectation are hilariously high. We are in a Market where $2500 Cameras from Sony & Canon overheat but LUMIX is obviously the Devil 😂 This is where hobbyists and real world shooters see Cameras differently.

[@menjivarTv]

I hope you do a comparison vs a fujifilm, maybe the Xt-50 that was released a few weeks ago, because I was tempted to buy one due to their film simulations which are basically color profiles, but their sensor is smaller

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

Smaller senskr doent mean anything nowadays, apsc perform as a full frame any day of the week

[@MaxR.]

Coming here after watching Gerald undone video about Lumix and marketing.

[@jonathans7550]

Please don't complain and doing comparisons to features you want. This is as simple as it gets and for people who enjoyed walking around.

[@UkuleleFearless]

I love this youtuber seem like a great person

[@BooredAtWork]

Dope

[@Seele.mp3]

It's cute looking, I would love to have one.

[@budztapte]

I agree with the color science, the lumix better then the sony.

[@pancholini]

I was gonna buy the Panasonic S9 when I heard rumors about the release, then I saw all the youtubers "reviewing" the camera and I said: "no, thank you."

[@selfissimo]

Your loss😂

[@game_is_onnn]

the ibis and the color profile are always better with lumix

[@miklosnemeth8566]

4:10 I hate the grip on cameras, for decades in the good old days even sports photographesr was Ok without grips, think about Nikon F1 or F2 and all cameras of that era. Thank Panasonic, now with the S9 at least one camera was designed with the classic style. This camera is not for you, you'd be a lot happier with other cameras with grip.

[@harryvlogs7833]

Yay I saw josh cameron in the video

[@ignaciopaulito2186]

"Coffee, check!" Much like David Cogen aka Theunlockr. Nice!

[@Thetechchap]

He’s my inspiration 😊

[@c73w]

Why don’t I have the app?

[@iamkubrick]

Overpriced. Underperforming. Getting 'amatuers - consumers' to buy this and take it with them when they have an iphone in thier pocket is a big ask.

[@robertlipka9541]

🤣

[@robertlipka9541]

I skipped buying an overpriced "top tier" camera oriented mobile phone for the S9 with 20-60mm... why? Because I realized that the full frame camera costs about the same as a top camera oriented phone, is just marginally slower to get ready to go photos... and provides many notches better image quality.

[@JookerSK]

OK.. But is it better than the Fujifilm X-T5?

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

It's not, just get the X-T5

[@baihu4u]

Controls; not better... Photo Quality & features; MUCH Better!

[@markstephen2051]

@@baihu4uprice: s9 better😊

[@9adriano21]

Out of the 100 reviews I’ve watched on the S9, I believe you did the best job representing its target user, it’s strengths and compromises

[@BubbleVolcano]

8:37 compare with ZV-E1, Dose Lumix S9 Mic has Wind Noise Reduction? It seems has. Voice recording I pefer S9

[@Mashmash86]

Comparing it against the Sony 7ve1 isn’t fair, since it’s half the price of those LUMIX. Would’ve been interested to see it compared against the Sony A7c ii instead 😊

[@РоманКрасницький]

Such video limits in 2024. OMG, Panasonic, what are you doin'?

[@chiyolate]

like you ever shoot more than 10 mins video

[@РоманКрасницький]

@@chiyolate yep, every time whtn shooting YT videos or interview etc. If Panasonic says this is "camera for Content Creators", then I have a question - what kind of content?

[@chiyolate]

@@РоманКрасницький show me your interview video please. And to answer your question, it's targeted for the instagram/tiktok like content, where influencer shows their promoted products, or just casually vlog in nice places, not the type of youtube video with long talk and scripted content.

[@andersistbesser]

I played the main part in a tv movie and NOT a SINGLE scene was longer than 10 minutes. Most people only take little clips up to 30 seconds

[@andersistbesser]

​@@РоманКрасницькийif you do big interviews buy something else. I do social media content and professional boudoir foto/video shoots and s9 is more than enough for me

[@laurenthenry]

Targeted for KZbin ? How about the 15 minutes recording limit in 4 K ? 😂

[@teaching-learning]

LUMIX people - Why not use a faster less pixel dense sensor like Sony. Why use an old sensor? Price reduction? The pancake lens seems like a joke on this camera that is supposed to have good auto focus. The 20-60 seems huge for this camera. I pre ordered for a trip since I don’t want to take the s5iix so I hope it’s good. Looking forward the mp4 lite. No streaming options! Was this not meant for creators? 😢

[@aoikemono6414]

Damn I thought it was an actual premium compact. Oh well. No matter how small they make the body, once you plop a giant full frame lens on it, you will always be "that guy" 🤓

[@mrfroopy]

This camera is way too expensive for the fundamental faults it has. This should be 800 dollars with its lack of features. No headphone jack, hot shoe or EVF make it a joke at this price point. They could have made it the basically same size with these features if they want to charge that. This camera is a mistake in positioning.

[@fofopho]

I would guess it will probably be on sale for $1,100 by the end of the year

[@superarchangel]

your iPhone doesn't have EVF nor headphone jack nor hot shoe. Those things are things of the past. Looking at a screen is much more convenient that squinting into a tiny hole

[@gripperharris]

sorry not if you have to wear glasses, give me a view finder with diopter correction ANY day.

[@pureheartvisuals]

😂 name one just one camera - Full Frame, Unlimited Recording, 6K Open Gate, Instant Transfer, Real Time Color Adjustment, Shutter Angle, In-Camera Slider Movements, Best Stabilization in the Camera Industry for $800-$1000 … I’ll wait. 😂 The Self Inflicted Expectation are hilariously high. We are in a Market where $2500 Cameras from Sony & Canon overheat but LUMIX is obviously the Devil 😂

[@dekcadeboyz88]

Fair point! But, the way photographers shoot is changing after soooo many years of being stagnant. A lot of photographers don’t us EVF and flashes that require a Hot Shoe. It’s not that the LUMIX S9 is lacking features, it’s tailored to a large group of photographers that are looking for cameras like this.

[@haydenroams]

I have the zve1 and I’m not buying that stabilization side by side lol you either didn’t have active on or you’re just being straight up disingenuous

[@lordankacic817]

Limited recording time is like buying car that has limited miles per day, no way passing this one

[@probeaTS-uh4eb]

We just gotta open the gate 😂😂😂😂😂

[@millennialinmanila5621]

I like the quality of its shots. It has the same beauty of iphone shots but better.

[@Luka_Film]

У СОНИ с родными объективами например 20-70G стабилизация лучше работает

[@xdlikadam2101]

Whenever i see a pro camera then i really desire one yet they are too pricey for me...

[@MoeinEsther]

Sony ZV-E10 with a good lenz do everything this can do with less price.

[@lcy81]

Apsc vs full frame?

[@MoeinEsther]

@lcy81 yup , still you're gonna do 99% with it. If you are profissional in any way, you won't buy any of these. If you are a normal user, Zve10 will be a better option with less money.

[@Bigcookfilms]

Negative

[@baihu4u]

Just say NO

[@michaelbell75]

No it cant. This can shoot 6K open gate, game over.

[@howtopronouncewords2248]

I'm thinking of selling my bulky panasonic gh6 and using the lumix s9 instead because it's compact.

[@giddyeffects]

Boy has this camera stirred up a storm for nothing. If it ain't for you, it ain't for you. IMO Lumix main mistake with the S9 is the price. If it was below $1000 many would overlook the lacking features. Anyway, I still await the mark 2s of the S1 and the S1H

[@michaelbell75]

Below $1k? lol. It's the overpriced Sony and Fuji entry level CROP sensor cameras that should be under $1k, not this camera.

[@giddyeffects]

@@michaelbell75 both scenarios can be true i.e. Sony and Fuji below $1k and the S9 also below $1k. The S9's pricing is just wrong; below $1k then it would make sense otherwise it's too expensive for what it is

[@Tigerex966]

The price of an IPhone pro or Samsung galaxy together they make a great pair.

[@TL-xw6fh]

Why will anyone want to use one of these to blog and post on YT, Instagram, etc??? I've just returned from travelling for 3 months in Japan, Vietnam, S Korea and Singapore, and virtually every blogger uses their phones or GoPro. Why oh why will anyone think that using a full frame camera that is already hobbled with lack of features that they need is going to help improve their blog?

[@joseacarrasm]

Pretty good value for 15 minutes of 4K recording and no flash option 😅🎉

[@saradavis6581]

your lack of understanding in regards to sensor size should be addressed. Sensor size has no impact on image quality, cheap sensors will make for lower quality images. You would be surprised to find out the size of sensors used by Hollywood to shoot video you would consider paramount in image quality.

[@user-le7vq6nv2l]

0:07 you are so handsome and beautiful!!! wow!!

[@AurelianIrimia]

Here in Spain the S9 have the same price as the S5 II. This is make no sense, should be at least 30% cheaper.

[@aaquib90]

Awesome Black Friday deals on the official website, body only comes around to 990 pounds

[@Justakatto]

Huh. Why are those that expensive? Especially when you have great smartphone cameras on most modern phones?

[@Thetechchap]

Full frame is expensive. A lot cheaper than the Sony though

[@Tom_Roberts]

They have produced a camera for a non-existent market. 🙂 KZbin creators use Sony and DJI - both have cameras which blow this thing out of the ball park.

[@benjirexx]

For me it's the stabilization. I feel like it can't even be compared to Sony.

[@OchaFauzan01]

Tell me why should us photographers pick this camera over like, lets say, Nikon Zf and Sony A7C, and EOS RP? None. This is a hot ridiculous stupid product from Lumix. There are so many flaws in this camera it even rivals EOS R100 in terms of questionable decisions made in a single iteration.

[@Bigcookfilms]

You shouldn't...It's not for you lol

[@OchaFauzan01]

@@Bigcookfilms thanks, very helpful, that's very elaborate. Although i am certain *it is* for me when its secondhand used price dive within a year, granted.

[@l-mount-forum9607]

@@OchaFauzan01 Even if it is cheaper then, you said it would be a stupid product. So why do you want to pay for a stupid product? You can not be that stupid? :)

[@OchaFauzan01]

@@l-mount-forum9607 bingo. The price is what makes this camera stupid💯

[@petercollins7848]

This is just typical of camera manufacturers these days. They keep pumping out models with varying features - or lack of them in this case, every 6 months or so, just to keep in the Public’s eye and to seem like they are innovating in the market. So many camera models that are being produced are just an expensive joke on the Public, and this seems like one of them! I would never buy a new camera at the moment and I always buy used. There will probably be a massive leap forward coming in the future and I will wait for that. In the meantime, any camera made in the last 8 yrs say can take superb photos. Save your money!

[@piotr1707]

Panasonic, where are you going my friend.

[@orinorio1]

It's simple. If you want to be like the guys in this video you get the S9. As it's for those who want to be volggers. It will a light camera and easy to use. If you want a camera so you can be a profissional and do client work then don't buy the S9.

[@Eivissaa]

Really, nothing about the quality of the video autofocus?

[@TroedelDoedel123]

I like the form factor and the feature with the LUTs. But for me, I'm missing some small lenses. Therefore I'd rather go for a R8 with a RF 28mm.

[@star_man]

Ah some sort of embargo must have been lifted, S9 reviews are popping up all over the place on KZbin today.

[@Thetechchap]

Yup

[@whitewalker9622]

Still need an evf

[@harryvlogs7833]

Clunky, it's a known fact panasonic has most simple to use software/ menu than other camera companies

[@NattachaiCharunnarmsirikul]

This is like a prototype product. The next version would be a real one. The f/8 lens should be at least has an Auto Focus also f/4 at least. What they are doing with this I really don't understand.

[@1vbAPiYk]

I hate 'photographers' so much

[@agungepunya3013]

good