Photography News Issue 59

Camera test 32

Photography News | Issue 59 | photographynews.co.uk

Panasonic Lumix GX9 The mirrorless bandwagon rolls on relentlessly and Micro Four Thirds is the format of choice for many. Panasonic’s latest mid-priced Lumix is sure to have great appeal to would-be mirrorless newbies Price £599 GX9 body only, GX9 with Specs

12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 G £779, GX9 with 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 Mega OIS G £689 Sensor 20-megapixels Live MOS with Venus engine with Supersonic wave filter Sensor format Micro Four Thirds 17.3x13mm, 5184x3888pixels Aspect ratios 4:3, 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 ISO range 200-25,600, expands down to ISO 100 Shutter range 60-1/4000sec, 1/16,000sec electronic, Flash sync 1/200sec Drivemodes Single, burst at 9fps, 4K photo, post focus Metering system Multi 1728 zones, centre-weighted, spot Exposuremodes PASM Exposure compensation +/-5EV in 0.3EV steps, AEB 3, 5, 7 frames at 0.3, 0.6, 1EV steps Monitor 3in tilting, 1.24k dots, touch screen Viewfinder 2.76k dots, 100% coverage, 0.7x Focusing Contrast detect (sensor), multi- area, centre, selective single- spot, tracking, touch, face detect Focusmodes AFS, AFC, AFF (flexible) Focus points 49 Video formats MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Video modes 3840x2160@ 30p, 24p 1920x1080@60p, 30p, 24p 1280x720@ 30p Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, Wi-fi, Bluetooth Other key features Built-in flash, USB charging, five axis dual IS Storagemedia 1xSD card Dimensions (wxhxd) 124x72x47mm Weight 407g body only Contact Panasonic.co.uk

It’s in the last-named group where the recently introduced Lumix GX9 sits. It sells for £599 body only, or £689 with the camera including a kit 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 standard zoom, which puts it at the top end of the GX family. A look down its extensive feature list and you can’t help but be impressed. It’s a Micro Four Thirds camera with a 20-megapixel resolution from its LiveMOS sensor,

has 4K video photo features and the option of keeping your shooting simple, or if you want to take control, you can. Mid-range cameras canoftencome at the price of less substantial build in preference to packing in features, but that is definitely not the case with the GX9.While it is not weather-proofed, the body has a reassuringly robust feel that belies the GX9’s price. In terms of control layout it is pretty conventional, and we’ll take a body tour in a minute, but let’s start with a feature that is different: the EVF viewfinder eyepiece, top left of the body. It might appear standard but it isn’t. A gentle push from below and it folds up so you can look down into it. Getting your eye at the right position takes a little practise, and you can find yourself almost poking yourself in the eye with the eyepiece if you are not careful. The idea, though, of giving the option of close-up scrutiny of the scene while shooting fromawaist-level or a lower camera viewpoint works well. So, the GX9 gives you the choice of using the flip-out, touchscreen

Words and images byWill Cheung

Panasonic currently offers three distinct groups of interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras. The GH series is primarily for videographers; the G is for serious still shooters; and the GX is aimed at keen photographers who demand great image quality, a versatile feature set and high performance.

A look down its extensive feature list and you can’t help but be impressed

Left Plenty of features has not meant a compromise in build quality for the GX9, although a few minor handling niggles do arise.