So you thought the GH5 was all Panasonic had right? Well, they showed today they also want to give stills photographers the goods as well with the introduction of the new DC-G9 MFT camera. The G9 sports the same sensor as the GH5 but only improves on some key features for photography without abandoning the video side altogether.
Looking at the camera body, you can see that it’s orientated more to photography rather than video, showing a lot of similarities to traditional DSLR camera bodies like the large status LCD found on top of the body.
Since we here on Newsshooter.com primarily cover video gear let’s take a look at the video features that the new Panasonic DC-G9 has and doesn’t have compared to the GH5.
Panasonic DC-G9 Highlights
- 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor
- Venus Engine Image Processor
- UHD 4K60p Video; 80MP High-Res Shot Mode
- 5-Axis Sensor Stabilization; Dual I.S. 2
- 0.83x 3.68m-Dot OLED Viewfinder
- 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Free-Angle Touchscreen
- Top Status LCD; Rear Joystick
- Advanced DFD AF System; 6K PHOTO
- ISO 25600 and 60 fps Continuous Shooting
- Dual UHS-II SD Slots; Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
Video Formats and resolutions compared to the GH5
DC-G9: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 29.97, 48, 59.94 fps (MP4)
1920 x 1080p at 29.97, 59.94, 180 fps (MP4)
1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 59.94 fps (AVCHD)
1920 x 1080i at 59.94 fps (AVCHD)
HDMI TypeA / VIERA Link/Video: Auto / 4K/50p / 4K/25p / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 576p/Audio: Stereo/Monitor-through: 4:2:2 8bit (Except for [4K/60p]/[4K/50p]) / 4:2:0 8bit
DC-GH5: AVCHD Ver. 2.0, H.264, MOV, MP4
4096 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25 fps
3840 x 2160p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps
3328 x 2496p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps
1920 x 1080p at 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 fps
HDMI TypeA / VIERA Link, Audio: Stereo/59.94Hz: Auto / 4K/60p / 4K/30p / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p/50.00Hz: Auto / 4K/50p / 4K/25p / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 576p/24.00Hz: Auto / C4K / 4K/24p / 1080p
4:2:2 10-bit (When [Rec Quality] is set to [4:2:2 10bit] or when [Rec Quality] is set to [4K/60p]/[4K/50p] and [4K/60p Bit Mode]/[4K/50p Bit Mode] is set to [4:2:2 10bit]. When [4K/60p]/[4K/50p] mode is selected in [Rec Quality], it is not possible to record motion picture or still picture on the SD memory card in the camera unit.)/4:2:2 8bit (When [Rec Quality] is set to [4:2:0 8bit], except for [4K 60p]/[4K/50p])/4:2:0 8bit (When [Rec Quality] is set to [4K/60p]/[4K/50p] and [4K/60p Bit Mode]/[4K/50p Bit Mode] is set to [4:2:0 8bit].)/Auto / 4K/30p/25p / 1080p / 1080i / OFF/Information display ON/OFF (selectable)/Automatic down-conversion/HLG View Assist (HDMI) AUTO / MODE1 / MODE2 / OFF (selectable)*7
The G9 & GH5 both share the same 21.77 megapixel sensor with a max resolution of 5184 x 3888 but here is where the two cameras start to look really different. The G9 doesn’t have 10 bit 4:2:2 nor DCI 4K or Anamorphic options. Basically, you have much fewer options when it comes to frame rates and resolutions. Also take a look at the HDMI output options. If you really want to shoot video the GH5 is the better choice.
A minor loss is no .MOV. It’s nice to see 60p is offered in UHD with MP4. You will have full HD MP4 30p at 20Mbps 180 and 150 fps 100Mbps when “Creative Video Mode” is selected.
A big disadvantage of the DC-G9 for video shooters is the 30-minute record limit that you don’t have with the GH5.
Another key feature the G9 doesn’t have is the optional V-Log Photo Style. It does have Cinelike V and Cinelike D. I’m not clear if Panasonic will offer the optional V-Log to be installed on the G9. I don’t see why it wouldn’t if only to separate the cameras a little more.
Both cameras have a 3.5mm external mic input as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Photo Styles compared to the GH5
DC-G9
- Standard
- Vivid
- Natural
- Monochrome
- L. Monochrome
- Scenery
- Portrait
- Custom 1, 2, 3, 4
- Cinelike D
- Cinelike V
DC-GH5
- Standard
- Vivid
- Natural
- Monochrome
- L. Monochrome
- Scenery
- Portrait
- Custom 1, 2, 3, 4
- Cinelike D
- Cinelike V
- Like709*
- Hybrid Log Gamma*
- V-LogL*/** (sold separately)
- *When Creative Video Mode is selected. **Upgrade Software Key DMW-SFU1 (sold separately) is required.
Conclusion
It’s good to see Panasonic not stripping the living heck out of the video capabilities of the G9. Leaving a headphone jack and full-sized HDMI is great. I didn’t expect all of these lovely video resolutions or codecs since that really separates the cameras. For me, since I am a more video orientated hybrid shooter, the GH5 is still the better option. If you really don’t care that much about video, then the G9 has the goods you need with better stills options and performance. It’s also a little cheaper than the GH5 too.
RECORDING SYSTEM
Aspect ratio:
4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
Image quality:
RAW, RAW+Fine, RAW+Standard, Fine, Standard
Color Spaces:
RGB, AdobeRGB
Recording file format Motion picture:
MP4 [4K] 3840×2160 59.94p, 150Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP)
MP4 [4K] 3840×2160 29.97p, 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP)
MP4 [4K] 3840×2160 23.98p, 100Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP)
MP4 [Full HD] 1920×1080 59.94p, 28Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP)
MP4 [Full HD] 1920×1080 29.97p, 20Mbps (4:2:0 8-bit LongGOP)
AVCHD [Full HD] 1920×1080 59.94p, 28Mbps (LongGOP)
AVCHD [Full HD] 1920×1080 59.94i, 24Mbps (LongGOP) (Sensor output is 29.97fps)
AVCHD [Full HD] 1920×1080 59.94i, 17Mbps (LongGOP) (Sensor output is 59.94fps)
AVCHD [Full HD] 1920×1080 23.98p, 24Mbps (LongGOP) (Dolby)
High speed video *When Creative Video Mode is selected
MP4 [4K] 3840×2160 30p, 100Mbps (Sensor output is 60fps / 48fps)
MP4 [Full HD] 1920×1080 30p, 20Mbps (Sensor output is 180fps)
INTERFACE
USB 3.0 Micro-B, SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Gen 1
HDMI TypeA / VIERA Link
HDMI Video:
Auto / 4K/60p / 4K/30p / 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 480p HDMI Monitor-through: 4:2:2 8bit (Except for [4K/60p]) / 4:2:0 8bit Audio video output.
External microphone input:
3.5mm for external microphone
External microphone inputStereo/Lens Auto/Shotgun/Super Shotgun/Manual is selectable when attaching DMW-MS2 (sold separately)
Headphone output:
3.5mm for headphones
