gwilliams6

Panasonic is launching a new camera next week! PDAF is coming to Panasonic Lumix Micro 4/3rds, say insiders.

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/panasonic-is-launching-a-new-camera-next-week?utm_term=406D0795-0446-4D25-AB3D-F5AD82C49B98&utm_campaign=75AC6D4F-39F0-41CB-A47C-7C5D939AC64B&utm_medium=email&utm_content=642BFC3C-9F3E-4F1D-9F8C-30685EEFDE5F&utm_source=SmartBrief

""New phase"
The tagline for the new camera is "new phase" (allcaps, though I won't subject your eyes to that here). "Get ready for another new phase" reads the description on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, with the YouTube Live countdown page titled "Lumix New Product Launch".

This is clearly an allusion to phase hybrid autofocus – Panasonic's name for its hybrid phase detect AF system, which made its long-overdue debut on the Panasonic S5 II and S5 IIX full-frame cameras.

"Another new phase" would seem to be an overture to the technology making its debut on another camera system. Obviously Panasonic produces two formats: full-frame S-series cameras and Micro Four Thirds G-series cameras…

Cheers and best to all you micro 4/3rds users.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Either an updated G-series or GH-series model... Probably G10 or G9 II. I'm hoping for a GH6 II or GH7, though. The GH6 didn't sell all that well, because it took them so long to get it out the door, AND it lacked PDAF, which YouTube reviewers "just gotta have."

Strategically, they need both G and GH product lines to have PDAF. There is pent-up demand for both.

gwilliams6

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

If in fact the focus is exceptionally good, the size and weight are in line and the price is not crazy I will be tempted to replace my cherished Panasonic GX8. Another question will be stabilization. My GX8 has a dual system where the body and lens talk to each other. It works very well but not when shooting 4K video. It that gets fixed it will even be harder to resist!

wrangler5 Loc: Missouri

I wish my Lumix G9 had been able to focus reliably enough in relatively low light to capture my speedy grandchildren as well as my Olympus EM1-III. If a new one can do that I'll reconsider my choice of camera bodies, as I really liked the Lumix feel and menus.

Hanson

Totally agree. The G9 needs better focusing, tracking and noise improvement.

gwilliams6

Here it is, a new Panasonic Lumix G9II, with PDAF and more.

LEAKED: Panasonic G9II images and specs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQIZkPraL2Y

Cheers and best to you.

(Download)


(Download)

Hanson

Exciting specs!!!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

This is what they needed to do. The G9 was launched in 2017, positioned as Panasonic's flagship photography camera. Its video capability was enhanced greatly by much later firmware updates. But like all other Lumix cameras of the time, it had no PDAF. So that kept it from competing favorably with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Marks II and III in the photography category, and ESPECIALLY retarded sales in the video arena.

This will pave the way for further development of the GH6II or GH7, much as the S5 II and S5 IIX are foreshadowing of an S1H II or S2H in the full frame category.

It looks like Panasonic finally realized the unacceptability of contrast detect AF around the release of the GH6. That was the last straw for a lot of YouTube vloggers. While filmmakers don't use AF very often, the average talking head on YouTube couldn't focus a lens manually if they had to! Furthermore, they shouldn't have to, because photography and videography are just parts of their jobs. That's why smartphones are the video cameras of choice for so many vloggers. They can think about their topic delivery instead of technology.

Contrast Detect AF is SUPERIOR for still life photography. Phase Detect AF is superior for anything that moves. That's why Lumix has taken a bit of a hybrid approach. It will be interesting to see how well executed it is in the G9 II.

gwilliams6

Ordinary Filmmaker's youtube video this morning about the new G9II:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8ujP_gmSTo

Sounds like a super camera. Cheers to all fans of Lumix cameras. This should sell very well.

gwilliams6

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Several years ago, I was looking into a lighter mirrorless replacement for my Nikon D750. I rented the Panasonic G9, Olympus E-M1m2 and the Fuji XT-3. I found the G9 to be a good all-around camera except for the focussing. I could not get to work well on moving subjects and some still photos were out-of-focus. Went with the Olympus system, due to the in-body stabilization that the Fuji lacked.

gwilliams6

Latest Lumix G9II info, with release date , more photos, videos, and prices. Before the official announcement on Tuesday 9/12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lef447ILKTI

Cheers and best to you.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Looks like a baby S5 Mark IIX with m43 characteristics... It's tempting, but a GH6 II would be even more tempting, just as the full frame S1H users are waiting impatiently for an S2H or S1H II.

November ship date is disappointing. The good news is, this will be a dry run for a GH6 II, as a lot of the components are probably the same and the development can be shared. The processing engine is likely the same as in the S5 IIX, with different firmware.

A lot of folks who are primarily still photographers should be very happy with this, although the video features are pretty strong!

gwilliams6