As pricing goes, Panasonic has tendency to overprice and then cut price dramatically. Need to come back to this topic year later 😉

This product release cycle has been great for exposing precisely which content creators are in the pockets of big manufacturers, if nothing else.

Dont be mad at him. Hes a Lumix user, influencer and content creator with a lot of accessories laying around. The s9 is intended for guys like him, imagine the amount of accessories he can make content of to offset the limitations of the s9.

I have an S5II and a G9II, and love my S9 as my run n gun kit, as well as my backup camera for shoots. Don't need more than 15 mins for B roll, and can use the entire lens lineup I have for my S5II

They just had to copy the X-E4 but the missing shutter and tilty flippy screen is really limiting for photography.

Hello everyone! I just bought one here in Vietnam and a unit from Japan (silver color exclusive to that market), all camera shops are sold out when launched a couple of weeks ago. There are a lot of limitations for sure but I've been enjoying it so far with the sigma 45mm f2.8! This is a better purchase than upgrading my iPhone 11 pro max to the latest model 😊

The S9 checks a lot of boxes for me when it comes to being a fun camera for travel or walking around my city. I think the price is holding me back, though. I feel like this is a great camera to wait about a year or so until it goes on sale. Now, if Lumix would please release a similar micro four thirds version that's slightly smaller but has most of the same features, well, I'd jump on that in a heartbeat. I would LOVE an updated GM1 style camera. I'll take one in red or green, please. :D

Funny times out here. No one seems to care about what images this camera actually PRODUCES! It’s baffling. The reality is that when it comes to gear (and that could be cameras, music gear etc) we are firmly in the “prosumer” world where the people with the money go buy these things to sort of live the dream of professionalism but have full time jobs that mean they can’t use them to their fullest potential anyways! So they worry about specs because specs make them feel closer to being “professional” vs just a hobbyist. Even if they don’t know how to produce the professional content they dream they can produce with this gear. (I’m one of these guys so I get it!) The reality is a real “professional” in any field will put up with whatever crap they had to get the shot or the sound they need. Because the output is always more important than how you got it. Legendary art has been produced with synths that went out of tune, cameras with crap focus, etc etc. but it was worth it. Which brings me back to the s9. Until someone shows me a full frame camera that can produce out the box images with stabilisation this good with a box this small I don’t want to hear how it’s not worth it. It’s just a lie. Sonys can’t do it. Fuji can’t. Canon can’t. People more in love with feeling like they are pro’s than just making art. It’s mental. You can’t make better art for 1500 with a similar sized device. You just can’t.

The S9 is such a confusing camera and I think that's what makes it so interesting. 800 or 900 "sniffs" is what I was wanting / expecting, I wonder whether they could have just taken out a bunch of the "pro" features and priced it less... but then it's kinda cool you get top tier anamorphic features in the tiny body.

I’ve been using and loving a Sigma FPL for about two years now. Surviving without a mechanical shutter and evf has been just fine. I mostly shoot stills, but I love the video I’ve captured while using a gimbal or tripod. Since the S9 works with all my lenses and fits in my camera bag more easily than a tripod or gimbal, it’s very tempting. For anyone crying over time limits on video, talk to someone who’s shot movies on film. (Super 8 is on a 5min cartridge) I’m pretty sure 16mm was half that.

Q: Do you like compact size of S9 with full frame sensor? A: Yeah!!! but no EVF and no mechanical shutter... Q: Okay then, how about S5II? With weather sealed magnesium body, EVF, dual SD cards? A: Yeah... but too bulky and too heavy... Q: Oh, how about Sony A7CII? Compact size with EVF, better auto focus and more lens selections? A: Right, but S9 has better IBIS. There is no reason to blame S9 - prioritize features you really need, because there is no one perfect camera.

This camera will be the most hated but one day will be the most wanted.. trust me…

I'll just keeping waiting for my x100vi to arrive in 1 or 2 years.

Now ive been using the s9 for longer, i do wish it had a little grippy grip, like the Lumix gx80 for example. It wouldnt make it any bigger. Also, broken record I know. I just wish it was a new GM5ii (or whatever you want to call it). Space for a mechanical shutter, space for EVF, etc... it would solve literally all the issues everyone has

People are silly. Think of this camera as a Ricoh GR III on steroids. Great sensor, amazing stabilization, autofocus that actually works and the ability to change lenses. The Ricoh is about a thousand bucks and nobody complains.

I was considering going to the Fx30 for a second more compact and light weight setup thats easily mounted everywhere but now with the S9 there is a awesome compact full frame body in the lineup so no chance. Most people dont realize yet how insane the potential of Lumix and the L mount as a whole is. If they crush it with the rumoured box camera and S2H then their lineup will be crazy

I have an S5 and several lenses, and so will consider this as a light, small street camera in the near future.

To be fair, the first ever version of the X100 was released for $1200 in 2010 which is $1,728.38 in todays money so the first ever Fuji X100 was more expensive than the S9. Also to be fair it's hard to push down the MSRP of a full frame mirrorless camera that is that small but still has class leading IBIS and features like Open Gate 6K plus that's the MSRP, it will most likely drop in price quite quickly just like the S5II. EDIT: And btw, the sales numbers were released a few days ago and the S9 is selling like crazy. Lumix obviously did their market research as it's selling like hotcakes which isn't all that surprising. I mean, multi billion dollar company usually knows what they're doing and by the look of the numbers they absolutely did know what they were doing.

Amazing video Sam, your unpopular opinion is exactly what I think too. The price is totally wrong, and I think they need to rethink a bit the marketing strategies here, they have too many cameras at the same price point, and it starts making things a bit hard and confusing. Like how can the S9, cost only 200 less than the S5II, that’s it is designed for the majority of the people, and think that the S9 will sell well. Like I am pro LUMIX, but this decision, I didn’t get it at all. I hope they will understand that, and drop the price at some point.

Sam, it’s over priced and you know it. Side note: your video looks great! You really nailed that PM vibe. Fly the flag.

I almost wish I was in the market for one now! I love that you felt it necessary to put out a well balanced rationale, nice one. Nowthen, can I find the spare money ……🤭

If this camera was $1000 bucks the entire conversation around this would thing be different! I love what lumix is doing and this is a great contender to the zve1 and zve10 like imagine if you got full frame for 1000 dollars that’s literally all they have to do!

£1099 new, body only from Cotswold cameras. I have ordered one. I will post here when received and let you know if all is good. I feel that the X100 vi has evolved beautifully. The leaf shutter, flash, 40mp sensor and all the jpg film profiles are top tier specs for most snappers.

wait, A7cm2 image quality is no near to s9??

They have one with the silver top in Asian markets.

Hi there 😊. I just wanted to say that I got the Lumix s9, because I already had the Lumix S5M2. It makes sense if you have them both, and use them interchangeably. For example, have the two in the mountain apartment, so when I have to go hiking, I take the s9, as it is lighter, with the two light lumis s lenses: 14-28mm and 28-200mm. Having both is super great: they have same batteries and same lenses and same settings (a few differences, if course). At home, I have the two Sigma (the fp and fp-l, for the same reason). This way, it makes sense having both. But even as a single second camera, the s9 is not so bad. It is fun, it is light, it has quality and it has what is needed for a short video, some photos and a good day out. I like your videos, and you are very good at explaining things. Keep up the good work. 😊💐. Ciao from Switzerland 🇨🇭

i love lumix cameras. but that camera is just to expensive...

Wow people need to relax. I bought an S5IIX 2 weeks ago, now I want an S9 - I own a Xpro2. An S9 can help me record short clips, vlogs and pics as an EDC camera. My backpack is full of hot desking gear and gym gear, cameras make it heavy. S9 is the perfect EDC/b-cam to my S5IIX. What a camera. People are comparing it to a X100 series and the S5II, I get it. But it's clear it's a small camera with some bad boy features in a body for noobs and others. Chill out.

Really digging this camera. Considering selling my OG S5 and Ricoh GRiii and combining the two in one small body with the S9 to pair with my S5ii. Would you make this move?

is this a new set? it looks amazing

Personally, I'd like to see a M43 version of the S9. I think there's a hole in the market for a new really compact camera using all the new technology which will take the huge range of smaller lenses.

I will have to save a year to get the Lumix, it really has a tendency to drop prices a few months after its launch or when preparing for the next saga

I agree that the price is quite expensive. The camera not have Machanic shutters , rangefinder, active hot shoe , weather resistance and only full frame 24 mp that could be reduced cost . Almost interrelated features has ran by software .

so i looked at this camera very briefly and then preordered the xt50. I thought that was expensive, but the s9 takes the biscuit. The s9 just is nt targeted at me, and the photography compromises are just too great for me. It will be interesting to see the sales figures in a years time for the s9, xt50 and x100vi, and their current as new purchase prices.

Sam, please ask Lumix when the S1H ii is coming... thanks

I’ve been mulling over what I think of it since it was announced. Where it really misses is no mechanical shutter, not just for the rolling shutter issue but also for the mechanical click that gives you a tactile experience (this is so often overlooked). Secondly no flash, fine no hot shoe, give us a cheap flip up fill flash. If they’re aiming for influencers then that ‘disposable’ look with a cheap flash is very popular. There is a lot to like and it will hopefully open the market for cheap full frame cameras. The style and size is something the FF market is missing and the ,real-time LUT feature is a game changer. However, at the starting rrp it is lacking a bit too much.

When you showed fuji film sim vs some luts on tge lumix it was clear as day fuji film sims are not just instagram filters, colors are just much better and “authentic” is like black magic

Great review. Does the S9 allow shutter speed changes by angle like the S5?

Excellent video, Sam. I think your assessment is spot-on.

Good Camera for travel. I do have s5ii for a year now and I pre-ordered the s9 for travel. :)

I want to see Lumix do well but that’s why you need to criticise them when they release a poorly conceived camera. The omissions of EFC shutter and hotshoe did not save much manufacturing cost. Their inclusion would have made the camera more appealing to photographers and videographers. There is no argument against that, is anyone really telling me TikTok influencers would suddenly be disinterested if those were included?! If someone offered me a 100V/A7C or an S9 I wouldn’t be choosing the S9 and I love Lumix cameras I’ve owned 5 including the GH5 and G9

Great video as always. Totally agree with your statement but unfortunately this topic has already reached "controversial" area which means simply that you cannot talk about it and expect majority of people to stay calm and rational. But hey, maybe thanks to S9 more people will hear about Lumix cameras which is always a win. More rivalry between camera manufacturers is always good:3

I could shoot professional jobs on that camera all day. Photo shoots, event coverage, concerts, a commercial, music videos, a documentary, doesn't matter. Can't wait to pick one up and get to it ! Would be a perfect backup body for travel or to my S5ii.

We need a photography oriented S9 with ALL of the features left out from the S5II. Maybe with record limits...

I just buy a week ago my first samsung smartphone and the pictures are good for internet and YT compression.

I think you should've compared it to the x100vi to be more fair. Then I think the price is a little more justified. Personally still think it should be a bit cheaper considering you still have to pick up a lens as opposed to the x100vi has a built in lens. It just ready out of the box. Great video as always🙏🏽

Is the S9 the spiritual successor to the GX9? In 2018 the GX9 shipped for $999. Add in inflation etc, and the price of the S9 is not so wide of the mark. I think the problem is the S5ii is currently very good value - I suspect a mark 3 will be much closer to the Z6iii and the Sony A7V.

All I wanted was a mechanical shutter given how bad the rolling shutter is. The mount was already protruding from the body in S9. They can easily make it few millimeters thickers and added a shutter.

The real comparison should be with the Sigma FP and Black Magic Cinema 4k, this is the target use for the S9: a compact cinema cam that can be rigged out however the user wishes.

FYI iPhone Pros are $1500 too, people saying this is “too exercise “ and “overpriced” like if the iPhones with the Pro video features where $300…

It's a very similar to a Sigma FP, why nobody talks about the Sigma FP when they talk about the Lumix S9.

best said about this camera I've heard so far, good content

imagine picking this over Sony A7CII or Nikon Zf

Perfect travel camera. Fk all that other bs. I dont want a full size S5II in my carry on. The S9 price is perfect for me.

The problem with S9 is that it kinda lies in the middle of casual/hobbist camera and professional camera. For the same price, people who want a casual camera will buy x100vi for its small, classic design, and of course it is a compact point n shoot with a focus on user experience. And for people who want a professional gear, they will buy a7cii. S9 spec is better than x100vi but it is not as appealing and fun as the x100vi. But its also lack core feature of a professional gear that a7cii or a7iv offers

Hey Hey, you're a friend of Ed! Thinking about joining his course!

Just my audio, or did you have a heavy expander/limiter on your audio?😳

Sam, do you think this camera beats the R8? The release price is the same. I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

If it was 1000- 1200€ instead 1600€ I wouldnt think twice to'upgrade from my S5.( I was waiting to pick a used S5II). In my case I do content for an Olympic champion, when i'm on a tournament with him and I send him photos out of his match and I retouch some he almost post only unretouched one etc. So if I can lut tweak a lut/style so its more créative and send him directly to post right after his match, he can speed up a lot the workflow

Fujifilm does not make cameras they just have enough for reviewers.

Its positioning wasn't great. At that price, it should come with a viewfinder! That's the problem with many compacts. By not having great viewfinders, they were what gave the initial wave of mirrorless cameras about 15 years ago a bad reputation. Yes, an EVF would add a bit of height to the camera, but not a whole lot. It really is a must have. The number one struggle photographers have with smartphones is the lack of a visible viewfinder in bright sun, especially when wearing sunglasses. Otherwise, it is a great machine.

$1000 or under.. maybe. but even at that price, the lack of mech shutter would still an issue.. probably it will be disxounted at $1300 or so, and be available used at or under $1000 in a year or so.. will be interesting then

why did you defend lumix s9 on its limitations when starting out with saying you didn't get paid by lumix? Why defending something like this for free?

This looks so similar to the zv1e which is stellar but the additional open gate.

Good points. Still though, this cam should be no more than 1k

4:58 The fuji is brighter. The lumix is dark. Are the jpegs straight out of camera also dark. They are on the S1. Canon R8 is a lot more happy camera. Why is the S1 so depressed? How is the S5?

oh man always the sony argument " it's no way near the same image quality" well as the s9 drama the bad sony color science still without a good reason an hate point, it is just a point of view point. Any cameras have wrong color science on certain specific points , and lumix is not an exception ( I'm an happy onwer of an s5IIX, vlog great dynamic range better than canon but suffer from not very accurate blues, which to get more pleasing wrong face colors (pink is not a natural face color) get noticibly ( to the human eye) more purple than it should do, shure sony is not perfect but "I prefer that souldn't be a good reason to do what bad was exactly made to the s9 talking tast without being fair.

Sam, you are right. Many thanks for this video.👍

5.12 for the win! I feel the same way about luts

The Comment Section is wild 😂 two of the hardest critics is one guy who shoots with a Canon R3 and a RF 15-35 that videos look like an iPhone & the second guy keeps saying “he’s not a hater” in his lightweight review but going absolutely nuts with his keyboard analysis 😂. Honestly the wise thing to do for all the Commenters that are disappointed with the S9 release is, if you do not like a Camera for ANY reason… ( then move on ). Make YOUR Review and move on… why try to ride all this negative energy on something you disagree with. It all just information about a Camera and while you are complaining… Others are making Content with the S9 just fine. Wasting your opinion in lost debates is really not a wise use of your time ESPECIALLY if you are not going to buy it. Plus for the people that are looking for comments from actual users or people intended to buy, you just come across as petty - because you are just throwing out an opinion based on your perception not actual deep intentional usage. Seriously…. If it’s not worth your money, then it’s not worth your time. I own 3 - S5 II, 1 - S5 IIX & now and S9… I have insight on the Camera but I don’t feel comfortable sharing because someone will troll the information just to be heard. Sam has always been straight up with his reviews. If you don’t like what he shares on a particular items move on to the next video… We blame Influencers but the comment section is starting to be Trash.🗑️

Sorry Sam I can’t agree with you though I’m a Lulix S series user since they were launched What make Lumix great for me is the user interface I never had such a great experience using a camera The S9 has lost all the essence of a Lumix camera Even Leica SL is more user friendly 😅😂 The price is far toooo high I prefer paying few more and get the S5ii And more than that, whatever the price , I loose too much with this UI drop that I wouldn’t get one S9 The final judge will be the market answer to this Alien 👽

What if they would add an Optic viewer on for the Sigma 45mm or 50mm

I have the Sigma fp which has 2 problems: useable auto-focus and no mechanical shutter. This camera fixes 1 of them, and it's a lot cheaper. This camera also has real-time luts, better video features and in-body stab, and more. I really wish this can be slightly thicker which makes room for a mechanical shutter, even it's $50-100 more expensive.

Well done 👏🏼

Itss a perfect travel camera. There is no substitute for skill

You were holding the S9 in your hand and referring to it as a compact content creator camera. It looks like a big ugly brick to be honest. Long time Panasonic fan here, but why even waste the money purchasing this as a B-Cam. Better cameras already exist for the same price.

I think Panasonic chose the wrong price point and size. They could have gone up market and used materials to rival x100v/vi. Included hotshoe and mech shutter.

Its a camera for the Gimbal. That's it.

To me it seems that you fully forget about the lens when you call it a small camera and compare it also price wise with the Fuji. And what ever others might have said I would not start to talk about “hate”. There a serious points where this concept of a content creator camera still has some questionable aspects even if you do regard it as something outside of our traditional photo/video game. But ok, I saw some nice videos produced with this cam so it’s surely not totally useless but in order to check wether it really makes sense for wider audiences we have at least to wait for some appropriate lenses.

When anyone says that consumers are thinking about a product wrong, that product is pretty much doomed. This is too expensive to find out that their thinking is “wrong” with too many other competing options. About the only way to overcome this huge hurdle is if Taylor Swift used it and promoted it… haha

I agree with everything you're saying. I have a video planned very similar to this, and I think you hit it on the head.... Also Not My overheating video 😜😜

The first and most important spec of a camera is... The price. And from what ever the price is that you are willing to shell out then you are going to see what else you can get for your money. My second spec choice would be camera sensor size. Maybe that is why Panasonic is marketing MFT and Full Frame on equal billing. Each has its pros and cons but they are as good as each other. Two full frame cameras priced similarly is always going to end in tears if one is perceived to be considerably lacking in spec to the other camera.

Great video mate! It's a brilliant little camera. I think people are too quick to judge now just from looking at specs before even setting hands on it. The S9 is the first camera I pick up just to head out for the day. It will never replace the S5ii/S5iix but to have those capabilities in a camera that small is SO good!

S9 can replace my both S5 and Sigma fp. Only scenario I can't shoot with S9 is sport.

S9 is an amazing fashionable photo camera that is suitable for video content creation as well, a little overpriced at launch as many lumix cameras, price will drop and i will pick one up then

I actually like the camera, but would never buy it at that price. It offers nothing I actually need for content creation. I have a GH5, and I’d be better off with an LX100 if I need that small of body.

the fujifim is a tool for photography, the linix is not. Saying the s9 is nether because it can do what is what build for half decent and therefore is nether than the x100 makes no sense. The cameras are not even in the sama league in any way... The s9 is for short form content creators...

A nice looking $1800 budget camera. That would be with a lens as well. Doesn't sound so budget like.

At $800-900, this a valid contender, but still not a winner.

And still no test about banding and rolling shutter ….

To me the S9 is a “around” thousand bucks product, its introductory price is just foolish marketing. The whole point of camera bodies is to sell the whole lens mount system, so the cheeper they get you hooked on L-mount the better. The Lumix S lenses are great, but also quite similarly priced to Canon or Sony, yet the L-mount is not as popular and the S9 could have changed it.

Sorry Sam I can’t agree with you though I’m a Lulix S series user since they were launched What make Lumix great for me is the user interface I never had such a great experience using a camera The S9 has lost all the essence of a Lumix camera Even Leica SL is more user friendly 😅😂 The price is far toooo high I prefer paying few more and get the S5ii And more than that, whatever the price , I loose too much with this UI drop that I wouldn’t get one S9

the Sigma FP and PF L are a better camera

yeah was excepting a this video is sponsored by Lumix in the first 30 seconds of the video! Fujifilm is not video first, it is photo first, so showing comparison examples of video is just wrong. S9 has a much better image quality than the A7CII, that's very controversial to say that for video, and completely wrong for photo as, um the S9 has not mech shutter. Lastly the S9 is a great hybrid camera is just, so, so LOL! the price is cheaper than the zve1 right, so I dont see a problem

I would not recommend this camera for majority of people. Look into the Lumix s5ii

As an L-mount shooter, it's frustrating to see LUMIX focusing on a project like the S9 when we need a mid to high-resolution body, a capable compact photo body, and a high frame rate/bit depth body. Instead, we get the S9, the SECOND S body to appear a year and a half after the S5II. Have mercy on my patience.

It seems like a $1199 camera.

I came to be convinced ... but it is still over priced IMO. 1200 bucks would be right in the middle of 900 and 1500 ... no mechanical shutter absolutely kills me.

It's a crippled s5ii for the same price as the s5ii second hand. The only things going for it are its size and the lumix lab app, which is gimmicky atm compared to fuji simulations. Feels like a bit of a half baked product.

Sorry Sam, but YOU are WRONG, stop making it look like your audience doesn't know what they are saying. Why compare this camera with the x100v when the VI just launched, that camera is a better photo and video camera. Why didn't you name the said Sony cameras: A7C II or ZV E1 which are better than this. This camera has one thing going for it, the sensor size. No weather sealing, no viewfinder, only electronic shutter, limited recording times, horrible handling, no small lens support, only cold shoe...it's like buying a car with a great engine, but no doors or roof, and a crank for a steering wheel. It's not balanced. Perhaps you influencers or ambassadors should stop kissing Lumix and ask them for a camera that is actually good, or take the feedback and give it to them. Again, STOP saying that people are wrong, you are basically calling your viewers stupid because they didn't like what camera your brand is launching