You may not be a professional in that you do not get paid for taking photographs, but your analysis of the equipment and capabilities is entirely professional. A very informative video, thank you!

The most honest and precise review about m43 panasonic I found on youtube

I used to be an APSC user; I have tried sony, canon, and fuji.. now I end up using M43, and I love it!! I think the curiosity will always be there if you haven't tasted the other system. for me, M43 is the best system for me because when it comes to travel, all I need is a small camera, a small lens, and ibis. I got it all in M43.. anyway, thanks for the video, can't imagine all the trouble you went through to record it using a different profile and lens..

Finally an honest and informative review and analysis, no joke, i was looking for a video like this for 2 days now, glad i found this.

Very good lens choice. I have these 3 lenses plus the amazing Leica 8-18 f2.8-4 along with the GX9 & G9. I tend to pair the 15mm with the GX9 and take everywhere a lot of the time in a tiny lowepro bag. The GX9 will give the same IQ as G9 just lacks pro features such as weather sealing, better battery life, better ergos & higher quality buttons, duals card slots, better EVF etc & has no 4k crop.

Thank you for your honest video! you did an amazing job!

You have everything you need. Your analysis is awesome and practical. Enjoy your camera gear. For profesional, it is more about about your craft, skill and crativity, even your camera is already pro. I used to have Sony APSC, Fujifilm cameras. Now i’m settling down to GH5ii.

Very interesting video. I have a gx9 and 15mm being delivered tomorrow. I know you have moved on but this video is still a good video. It is particularly effective because you switch lenses and color profiles every few minutes. That maintains interest from those of us with short attention spans. I wish you good fortune with what ever your future choices are, but I am giving the GX9 and 15mm the stage right now. Let the smallest and lightest unit win out! There are so many good choices today, none of them is a bad choice!

Thanks for the video, the different video profiles are really helpful! Been loving my GX9 since I bought it earlier this year. Tried my hand on some wild life photography (100-300mm), the AF isn't really great for it but the quality is pretty decent. I think this camera system is still best fitted for street (15mm Leica) and travel (14-140mm) photography. Totally agree on the budget part of M43 lenses, looking to get the 42.5mm f1.7 for portraits and maybe a ultra wide for landscape.

Hi. I like your argumentation; ”do I need to buy another system, no - do I want to test/feel another system, yes”. I struggle with it myself. Why are we never 100% happy? The M4/3 system is more than capable for casual shootings, light as well. So many pros and not so many cons. More people should work with theirselves to suppress the desire to just buy more things, and to reach a point where they are happy. Me included. Thank you.

Super honest review. Always remembering what you need it for and not falling for could be good for.. I love my GX9 and PL 15/1,7. Also got the original Sony A7C. Got a lot of a bit too clumpsy Sony lenses. Samyangs 45/1.8 is nice and light. Should probably try to find a Zeiss 35/2,8. That would match the A7C perfectly. Only Fujifilm I’ve got is an old X100S. Not that nice. Gives about the same as GX9 + 15/1,7 but that combo is sooo much better! My GM1 is cute, but a little bit too small to handle if you don’t just leave it to full auto. The tiny kit lenses 12-32 and 35-100 are also surprisingly sharp. M43 system is really fun.

Well, you gave exactly the reasons that I also bought a GX9 and similar lenses. The kit 12-60mm zoom has been replaced with the 12-60 mm, f/2.8-4 Leica which is slightly faster, the 15mm f/1.7, and the 25mm f/1.4. You gave some good reasons for considering the 35-200 mmm f2.8. I'm not all that bothered with the higher ISO issue as I was a photographer in the old film days and noise (or grain) is part of the photographic process; so, I just live with it. But rarely need to go past ISO 3200 anyway with most shots. BTW, the B&W parts were a welcome change..

A very comprehensive review, thank you! Actually one of the better ones on KZfaq. Although the camera is not new, I consider to buy it for travel photography, since my trusty Canon 80D incl. gear is way to bulky to carry it around everywhere. I’m shooting stills only, so I do not worry about all the video features it doesn’t have.

This is a very good review. I'm a previous M43 user. Currently, I'm using the Fuji system. One thing I can say is, I do miss M43's portability. I miss it very much. But for portrait, I think Fuji's system is better, especially with the 56mm f1.2 lens. For now, I'm planning to have both. Retain Fuji, and have the M43. I only have 2 lenses for the Fuji system. For travel, I think M43's zoom lenses are more viable.

I was checking out a few GX9 videos and came across yours. So far, my favorite. It's simple, yet thorough. FYI, I currently have all 3 systems, meaning Full Frame, APSC and M43 (I also have the Lumix G9). But I was looking at the GX9 as a smaller and lighter version of the G9 for street photography. I find myself using my G9 more than any of my other cameras. I just really like that camera and the features it offers. And as far as the lenses go...you just can not beat the selection, price and size of the M43 system. I can easily carry 3-4 lenses (and some of them are telephoto) with me anywhere I go. They are that small and light in size. As a note, I do plan to sell my APSC (I never use it anyway) but I'll keep the Full Frame. It does have it's advantages. Thanks!

Great review. I wish autofocus and ISO could be a bit better, it's natural, but when I used the GH1 all was enough, now the Gx9 should be enough. If something is missing it's reminding me I'm forgetting some primal photography rules, assisted MF should be enough. I love the 14-140mm for travel and the 25mm 1.7, light and cheap. I have some more lens like the 100-300mm for wildlife but the 140mm serve me most of the times. Comparing gx9 with gh1 and gx800, it's heavy but the stabilized video is impressively good. I prefer the camera layout of the g90 but gx9 in the compact package to travel is great and I never had a problem with light rain, easy to protect if the weather goes bad. It's true that there's few videos about the GX9. I bought mine used for 350$ with extra batteries and a new 14-140mmii for 400$, I think its pros are very nice. I'm still in doubt if a superwide lens is worth the money bcz most of the time I like to stitch photos.... but 42.5mm is definitely in the buy list.

Thanks for the honest review. I have an X-T4 that I use for more serious stuff, but lately I've been looking into small cameras that can be an EDC. I was gonna buy the Ricoh GRiii until I found out it had horrible dust issues, and most compact cameras as well. The X-T4 is easily usable up to 6400 but I generally don't like to push it up to 12,800. My rule of thumb is FF 12,800, and every step down the sensor size is 1 stop lower max ISO. If you used 3rd party processing software to denoise I think 12,800 could be used, or perhaps use the internal jpeg engine. Now I'm just contemplating if I should get the new Fuji 18mm f/1.4 which is $999. Or a GX9 + 14mm f/2.5 for around the same price. The GX9 combination would 100% be more portable since it's close to a smartphone size, but the image quality from the Fuji is going to be more superior. On days when I have a backpack it's fine, but I don't want to attract attention with a Fuji camera when I'm out at the supermarket or grabbing a snack from convenience stores.

Hi there, in Singapore 😊 Thanks for your thoughts. Very comprehensive.

The GX-9 can be used by a professional, thus is professional. It is great for street photography and your family shots. Yes, the dynamic range is less than most APS-C and FF cameras, so do take note of settings -- perhaps shoot more to the right on exposure, and/or bracket the shots, if concerned about perfection. The battery life is low, but how many times does one shoot over a couple hundred shots? The flippy screen I find annoying, but your results might vary. I don't like flippy swing outs on the streets, at all. The flip down and up is great. Lumix screens and menus are responsive. For single point auto-focus, the contrast detect works like a charm, as it is accurate and fast. For videos -- yep, I haven't the clue, as I don't do videos. It may not be a best video camera. If you use only short lenses, then a Fujifilm camera, or say a Canon RP works well, but I don't trust the Canon's Dual-Pixel as much to get the single shot as I do the Lumix Contrast detection. Lens offerings on MFT are numerous. The Fujifilm X-T30 II might be a good -- I don't know, but rumor has it ;)) Really, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Lumix, OM, Ricoh, and those I might have forgotten, all work fine. Limitations being the operator, or in some cases lighting -- dynamic range for portraits and scenic / architecture. For street use and family or vacation use, the GX-9 should do the trick! Enjoy the day, and family, Loren

I have a GX9, a Pen F, an X100v and a canon RP: the X100v definitely has better dynamic range, but autofocus makes you want to punch in your face. Also I don't particularly enjoy the cold tones and the unnatural sharpness of the images. The RP is a different beast, with Dynamic range not very good but really able to flex it's muscle when it comes to high ISO performances. Do I think M43 is redundant? If I had to chose one single system, it would probably be it. When you start looking for GOOD glasses, Full Frame and APSC are WAY more expensive and the amount of subpar lenses is much more common, even at high prices. Don't always look at the greener lawn of your neighbors: autofocus in M43 is as snappy as it gets, and the eye recognition of the GX9 is definitely better and more reliable the Fuji. If you need super fast and sticky CAF, the EM1mklll will cover you for a fraction of the cost of a FF sport camera. I wouldn't recommend m43 only for people who need to shoot often at night.

Thanks for this review! Love it!

I don’t have any dynamic range problems with the GX9. Shoot in raw, and in contrasty situations shoot at -1 EV. I also own a full frame Z6ii, and for most things you really can’t tell which camera shot which picture. The Sony a7c is a mess, nowhere near the functionality and usability of the GX9. And Fuji’s aps-c sensor is barely larger than micro4/3, not to mention that many raw converters can’t handle their files.

I've had apsc dslr and I'm more happy now with m43 pic qa is more than enough for amator and size is perfect for travel fotography, The only downside is lack of fast universal zoom like 17-55 2.8 for dslr (anyway it would be big and havy).

In some ways, we are all spoiled by the high iso of digital cameras vs the 100 to 400 iso of film that I used growing up. Try carrying just one prime lens, a simple light, and using the view finder for a month,

Very helpful - thanks.

Hello from New York City! Are Leica lens manual focus only? Thank you from a GX1 user looking to upgrade.

I'm trying to decide between M4/3 gX9 and Canon M50 II. I think I would go with M4/3, the cameras have more features (ibis, post focus, 4k photo, etc) and the overall system is smaller, for me size and weight are a key factor. I have a Canon G1X MK2 and a Sony RX100. In the M4/3 world you have from near pocket camera (GM1, Oly PEN, etc) to pro level weather sealed pro cameras (GH5, EM1, etc). If you keep the lenses you can get used cameras for every need. Thanks for your video!!

great video. Thanks a lot

Cine V color look yum!

Sold my gx95 and have missed it since. Now looking for another gx9 or contiplating the g100 for it's low weight

So in the end, what do you plan to switch to? :)

I'm thinking about the new nikon Fc. Retro and APC and I do like nikon's jpegs

Good day, does the GX9 have a Live Composite feature? Thanks

Does Lumix have S-AF + My fav setting on Olympus, especially w/ focus peaking, when doing close focusing.

Ordered my gx9 Yesterday, my Girlfriend gets my gx80. Thx for video

cool vidéo 👏

GX9 and Sony go well together. (My Kit).

I have fujifilm xs10, l would say the difference is very small with ISO and autofocus for moving subjects is actually not so good, I had Panasonic g80 and it was better 👍

I just keep every system. M43(gx85), APSC(Sony ZVE10), FF(Sony A7R3). Consider buying a Fujifilm but that thing's ridiculously overpriced.

It's funny to hear that you're not professional but not recomend it for professional use. I use my GX9 for wedding and event documentation. i still get paid.

The low light performance can be mitigated by using fast glass like the PL15mm lens and the IBIS. qwm jml mentions there isn’t flip screen. This is a photography camera with very good video. There isn’t any reason this body should have a flip screen. This is a small & lightweight body. With that you get small batteries. Buy a couple generic Cheap batteries. Have the PL15mm lens. A winner and reasonably priced. I have the 25mm f1.7 lens. I didn’t spend the extra money for the PL lens. The 35-100mm f2.8 is very good and I use it all the time. Yes the M43. Lenses are small and light. They are very good and relatively cheap. One feature I love is the L monochrome D jpeg B&W setting. It is my favorite B&W setting. It is better than Fuji’s Acros with the red filter. I use both Fuji and Panasonic. Both are good. You can’t go wrong with either brand. For a small and lightweight camera you can’t go wrong with the Panasonic GX9. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

The audio from the internal mic is not too shabby .

I know you are sharing your experience about low light performance. But let me tell you, these shot at iso 6400 f5.6 etc...The result is not that much difference on a full frame equivalent in price, sadly thats how it is..you can see yourself these wedding photographers are using flash themselves because they r having a hard time with the crappy light there. A real upgrade to these low light shots r FF bodies worth 1600$+ but 3 years ago easily 2400$ +. But then also FF glass is so expensive as compared to m43 system. Where can you get a sharp 20mm (40mm fov in FF) f1.7 with I.O.S. for only 300$, this type of things do nt exist in FF lens. FF leica glass are like 3-7000$+ lol where here its like 500$+ Also the size of the body, it fits in your pocket is u got a small lens :D

Start off to upgrade your photographic skills, then deside on equipment!

The GX8 was such a better camera than the GX9 - it was maybe much too good for Panasonic and as the direct companion to the GH5 which has the same sensor and a lot of other things! The GX8 was just created as a smaller and more photo oriented camera than the GH5 but even the video quality of this camera is excellent. GX9 is nothing I would have chosen! It is just so far below the GX8 it simply doesn't makes sense.