PANASONIC LUMIX G9 II GEAR
HALCYON PHASE Hybrid AF on a new sensor means the Lumix G9 II enters a golden era for Panasonic Micro Four Thirds A fter years of protesting that its contrast detection autofocus was not lagging behind the hybrid phase detection systems of all its to humans and animals in the form of bodies, faces and eyes. COME TO YOUR SENSORS
The AF also offers multi-zone selections and is multi-adjustable, performing more accurately and precisely than the S5 II. The body and face detection work seamlessly without easily getting confused. Given its enhanced sophistication, mastering the optimal techniques for capturing various subjects may require a bit of a learning curve. But this single change to a modern AF system has improved the Panasonic G9 II to a level that’s better than anything else the company offers with a Micro Four Thirds sensor. At £1699/$1898 for the body only, it’s also the most expensive. Price cuts to the GH6 mean it is now on sale for less than the newbie. The GH6 does offer improved video spec and fan cooling, but the G9 II counters this with the new sensor, offering improved colours and high-ISO performance, as well as fast burst shooting for stills. And, of course, that far better autofocus. The on-sensor PDAF is enabled by the latest sensor, though it’s a conventional design rather than a faster stacked one. The new sensor has a base ISO of 100 in normal settings and 500 in V-Log shooting video.
major rivals, Panasonic finally succumbed and joined the gang last year with the S5 II full-frame mirrorless camera. Now, the technology has trickled down to its Micro Four Thirds range. But, instead of upgrading its higher-end GH6 or GH5 II cameras with the improved AF, it has first come to the all-rounder G series in the G9 II. This brand-new Lumix is the first in Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds range to feature PDAF courtesy of a fresh 25.2-megapixel Live MOS sensor and fast processor. And by doing so, the G9 II is now the best-performing camera in the range by far – both for stills and video. Indeed, the new sensor and vastly improved autofocus have worked wonders. The G9 II incorporates the autofocus technology found in the S5 II model. It boasts a 779-point system that leverages subject recognition to achieve precise focus without unnecessary searching, enabling seamless tracking of fast-moving subjects. AI-powered algorithms identify cars and bikes in addition
“The new sensor has a base ISO of 100 in normal settings and 500 in V-Log shooting video”
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