Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9

Panasonic has sized down the sequel to its GX8. The DC-GX9 ($999.99 with 12-60mm f/3.5-5.vi lens) is built into the same chassis every bit the slimmer GX85, simply has a more modern image sensor and adds a tilting EVF and a dedicated EV control dial. We oasis't even so had a chance to test the photographic camera, but have some initial details ahead of its release in March.

Blueprint

The GX9 looks a lot like the GX85—the two cameras share the same bones body design. That puts the GX9 at about 2.eight by iv.9 by 1.8 inches (HWD) and 14.iv ounces, without a lens mounted. Its bundled lens, the 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6, is larger than the 12-32mm that is bundled with the GX85. The lens sells for $500 on its ain, making the bundle a fairly proficient value. But in that location's no body-but option, at least in the US, then you're forced to buy the lens, even if you already have i that covers that range.

The slim body sports both an integrated EVF and flash, which you don't go with every mirrorless camera. There's besides a hot shoe to mount an external flash or apply a wireless trigger.

The top plate too has a movie button and the shutter release; the latter is surrounded by a control punch. In that location's also a standard mode dial with a nested EV compensation punch below it. The EV punch supports a -three to +3EV aligning range in third-stop increments.

Rear controls showtime with the Fn3/LVF, located just to the correct of the viewfinder. It switches between the viewfinder and rear LCD, or sets an heart sensor to bandy between the ii automatically. Next to it is a switch to adjust the focus fashion, a button to raise the flash, the AE/AF Lock button, and the rear control dial.

The residuum of the controls are bunched together in the bottom right corner. You get the standard Play, Carte, and Delete buttons, forth with ISO, Focus, Drive, and White Residuum controls. The Delete button serves double duty, activating Panasonic's Q. Card when taking photos. The Q. Carte du jour puts additional controls on the rear LCD, and can exist navigated using buttons or past touch.

The LCD is a 3-inch console with a 1,240k-dot resolution. It tilts up and downwardly for low or loftier angle capture, just doesn't swing out to the side of the torso similar the vari-angle display Panasonic used on the the GX8.

There'south likewise an electronic viewfinder. It sits at the top left corner and tilts upwards. You can employ it at eye level, with the eyecup parallel to the rear plate, or at a 90-degree angle. The tilting design is a plus for working at a depression angle on a tripod, equally it tin salvage you from getting down on the ground to frame upwardly a shot.

The GX9 supports in-camera charging via micro USB and has a standard SD retentivity card slot. It's rated for 260 images using the rear LCD, 250 images using the EVF, or 900 shots per charge with power-saving mode enabled per CIPA testing standards.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support are included for quick, piece of cake file transfer to a smartphone. The GX9 works with the Panasonic Image App, which is available for Android and iOS devices.

Operation and Imaging

Nosotros haven't notwithstanding had a chance to test the GX9's autofocus and outburst shooting capabilities. The photographic camera uses the same DFD contrast autofocus organization institute in other recent releases, and then we expect it to focus as quickly every bit the GX85.

Continuous shooting is bachelor at 9fps with locked focus or 6fps with continuous focus enabled. Outburst rates are the same whether yous use the electronic or mechanical shutter, with support for full-resolution Raw and JPG capture. You tin can push to 30fps with locked focus when shooting 8MP JPGs using the 4K Photo way.

The image sensor is a Micro Iv Thirds chip with 20MP resolution—currently the highest we've seen in this format. The sensor pattern omits the optical low laissez passer filter, a plus for photographers who want the almost item and texture out of images. In-torso, five-axis stabilization is included. The arrangement works in conjunction with stabilized lenses.

Panasonic has added a new monochrome JPG capture mode to the GX9. It'due south called L.Monochrome D and promises to deliver black-and-white images that look more like film than digital. Randomized grain patterns are part of the process, as are tweaks to highlights and shadows.

Panasonic cameras are typically on the cutting edge in terms of video capture and the GX9 is no dissimilar. Information technology can record at 4K resolution at upwardly to 30fps and supports capture rates of 60fps at 1080p quality.

Conclusions

The Panasonic Lumix GX9 is another compact Micro 4 Thirds from Panasonic. The company has announced several new models over the past few months, including the GH5S and G9 at the higher end of the market.

The GX9 is appealing to still photographers thanks to its loftier-resolution sensor without an OLPF. Its video chops are pretty solid too. Nosotros'll see how it stacks up against the competition when nosotros take a chance to exam it.