Panasonic Lumix S9 Camera Review

[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]

The concept of a more compact camera that does away with the EVF or OVF definitely has potential. In the case of the Lumix S9, this also includes the full frame sensor that has served the S5 II range so well. There are also enhanced video features, so the emphasis of the camera is not just for stills with video tacked on. If anything, it could be the other way round. For anyone used to using an EVF/OVF being restricted to a screen may take some getting used to, so there is plenty to absorb as we look in detail using the Lumix S 20-60mm and 28-200mm lenses. Let’s see how it works out.

Panasonic Lumix S9 Features

The Lumix S9 is a 24.2MP digital camera with a fairly compact footprint of 126.0mm x 73.9mm x 46.7mm, weighing in at a modest 486g including battery and SD card. For the fashion conscious, it is available (depending on territory) in Dark Olive, Jet Black, Crimson Red and Night Blue. The review sample is black, but given a choice the Dark Olive looks rather good. Obviously the colour does not affect what the camera does, but it can add a bit of pleasure in ownership and also increase the interest of those looking on who may become subjects themselves. 

The lines of the camera are very clean and clear of any undue clutter. The top plate has the mode dial, the on/off switch, the control wheel, the exposure compensation button and the releases for the shutter for stills and for video. Switch on time is on the slow side, but once active the respose time of the controls is very fast.

The vari-angle monitor is our only means of composing the images, and more of that later. The four way controller has direct access to drive, WB, ISO and AF mode as well as an active rim for changing parameters. Thankfully, this is firm enough not to be accidentally operated. The rest of the buttons are pretty much what would be expected – Q menu, play, back, display and at the centre of the four way controller, the menu/set. At the top edge of the screen the AF on button is joined by a new idea, the LUT button. This gives direct access to the LUTs for video use.

The simplicity of the layout continues with the base housing the battery and one SD card slot. The side has a substantial door that conceals The HDMI (Tyle D) and USB-C sockets. The camera can be charged via USB-C, but also can be run off a power source as well. This latter function requires some charge to be left in the battery. The other side has a rubberised door that conceals the 3.5mm stereo mini-jack.

Notable features are the Real Time LUTs mentioned above, the Open gate format for video that enables all aspect ratios to be selctable from one shot and the Dual IS2 5-axis shake reduction rated at 6.5 stops.

Panasonic Lumix S9 Key Features

• 24.2MP Full Frame CMOS sensor
• Shutter speeds 60s – 1/8,000s (electronic shutter)
• 5 axis Active Dual IS2 6.5 stops
• Phase Hybrid AF EV -6 to EV 18
• Metering range EV 0-18
• ISO range 50- 204800 (Extended)
• SD Memory Cards: UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC
• Vari-angle 3” LCD Touch screen 1.84M dots
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• 4K/6K video
• MP4 Lite/MP4/MOV formats
• LUMIX Lab app
• Flexible Framing (Open Gate) – all aspect ratios from one shot
• Real Time LUTs vis dedicated switch
• USB-C and HDMI Micro Connector (Type D)
• USB-C power supply
• Battery life with 20-60mm, 470 shots
• Battery life with 28-200mm, 430 shots
• 73.9mm x 126.0mm x 46.7mm
• 486g with battery and card
• L mount

Panasonic Lumix S9 Handling

Is the camera compact? This is a moot point because although it is quite compact in itself, the lenses so far available are not. The 20-60mm and 28-200mm are the kit choices and although both are relatively compact for their specifications, coupled with the S9 they will not result in a pocketable package. We still need a bag to carry it all in, so in effect are not much better off than compared, say, to the S5 II.

We have also lost the EVF and need to rely on the 3” 1.84M dot 3” monitor. In bright light, it is all but impossible to compose the image with any kind of precision. The vari-angle monitor does, however, enable waist level and lower shots to be handled with ease, providing the ambient light levels are low enough to enable the image to be clearly seen.

The handling is much like a compact camera but the features of a compact camera are not present, so for example there is no exposure compensation dial which would be quite useful. Instead we have DSLR/mirrorless style controls, no bad thing of course but crying out for an EVF. On a tripod, then the use of the monitor to compose becomes the method of choice.

Regarding lenses, the results are excellent with the two kit choices, notwithstanding the size of the lenses in relation to the camera body. This could all change though with the use of one of the upcoming compact lenses, the 26mm f/8 or the 18-40mm f/4.5-6.3. These have been designed with the S9 in mind, so could make better sense in terms of portability.

[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]

Panasonic Lumix S9 Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
 

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Panasonic Lumix S9 Sample Photos

Lens Performance – It is unfortunate that there are no supplies available yet of the new 26mm f/8 lens in particular as this looks as though it will turn the S9 into something much more pocketable. As it is, two lenses are used in the review, mainly the Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 and the Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 – both of these have been reviewed fully here on EPZ. 

The 20-60mm received the accolade of Editor’s Choice: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-s-20-60mm-f-3-5-5-6-lens-review-36390

The 28-200mm was awarded Highly Recommended: https://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-s-28-200mm-f-4-7-1-ois-macro-lens-review-36878

It will be interesting to see in due course how the 26mm f/8 lens performs as, certainly in regards to portability, that will make more sense with the smaller body

Panasonic Lumix S9 ISO test images

ISO Performance – The ability to use high ISO values is one of the major benefits current technology has brought us. The Lumix S9 comes up trumps in this respect, with a superb performance. Images are essentially clean right up to ISO 3200, with just the merest hint of noise creeping in at ISO 6400. Noise is present, but has a tight, sharp grain structure at ISO 12800. This might suit photographers who like gritty images. Noise comes in very obviously at ISO 25600 and ISO 51200, but the boxes on the test chart still have integrity. ISO 102400 sees this all surrender to noise and is clinched at ISO 204800 which is little more than a morass of untidy and unattractive blur.

Panasonic Lumix S9 White-balance test images

White Balance – There are various white balance presets available, plus of course user settings. Each setting can be fine tuned to taste. We have AWB, AWBc, AWBw, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, 4 White Set Capture settings, 4 WB K settings (set at 5500K as default).

Panasonic Lumix S9 Digital filters

Digital Filters – Digital Filters are split into Photo Style and Filter sections. Photo Styles available are Standard, Vivid, Natural, L.ClassicNeo, Flat, Landscape, Portrait, Monochrome, L.Monochrome, L.Monochrome D, L.Monochrome S, LEICA Monochrome, Cinelike D2, Cinelike V2, Like709, V-Log, REAL TIME LUT and 4 MyPhoto Style settings. Filters are Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Cross Process and Bleach Bypass. 

Digital Filters are another useful tool and well worth exploring.

Source: Photography News
Panasonic Lumix S9 Camera Review
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