TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Great information!! thanks so much !!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

They’re not gonna discontinue M4/3 but I don’t know if they’ll update the G9. They released the GH6 about a year ago and more recently a new FF model. I had a G9 and for all the things I loved about it, when I started shooting BIF the focus tracking was lacking, so I moved to an Olympus E-M1X and have since upgraded to the OM-1. It’s in a whole new league. The common belief is if your main focus is video go Panasonic, if it’s still photography go OM Systems. Although the OM-1 does excellent video and the GH6 is a very good stills camera. All of your lenses will work fine on the OM-1 with the caveat that if the lens has OIS you can choose to either use OIS or IBIS but they won’t work in conjunction like an on brand lens. There are also some OM-1 functions that only work with the Olympus Pro lenses, like full AF tracking Pro Capture at 50fps. With other lenses it will still do 25fps. Panasonic finally added Phase Detect AF on their newest FF camera so hopefully if there is a G9 replacement it will trickle down.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Tommi, I believe you have answered your own question. Owning a camera that has been reliable over the five years of such a rough life speaks well for it. I doubt many other brands of cameras would have faired so well. Even if you buy another and the manufacturer discontinues them, it would have no effect on owning and enjoying the one you have and as long as there is a source for repair and service, is that not all that is important? Personally, I'd buy another one with the confidence that it would serve me well for many years to come compared to buying another brand that got wet when I was caught in the rain. Other opinions will vary.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Given that Olympus/OMD is continuing to produce new lenses and cameras, I think micro four thirds is here to stay. I’d say go ahead and replace it.

gwilliams6

You are always welcome, Cheers

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Last year OMDS gain gained ~2% in sales. A lot of photographers are buying a 4/3rds camera for traveling rather than take their much heavier full frame cameras. Both Panasonic and OMDS are bring out new bodies and lenses. And many of the bodies and lenses are are some of the best in the industry. Unless the whole industry starts truly disappearing, 4/3rds is not going away.

I heard and was told to get rid of my 4/3rds when Olympus sold the camera division to JIP. I was told 4/3rds would be gone before the middle of 2021. Interesting! Because I just ordered my 90 f3.5 Pro IS Macro lens last week and it is near the end of March 2023. There has been a 180 full frame macro lens, but it was 2.5 times heavier, just as costly, and had no IS. And my new 90 will go 2X without any additional attachments.

There are very few guarantees in life. Buggy whips factories were needed in the past. And buggy whips are still made today - just not in the same volume as they were once made long ago. Can anyone guarantee that our mirrorless cameras will never be replaced? Many have already been replaced by smartphone cameras for some people.

For the foreseeable future, all cameras will continue - including 4/3rds. I believe Panasonic will be coming out with a dual focusing system camera soon (this year?). That may be the time that you would want to spend your hard earned cash for a new body. And the lens that is on your G9 now will go right on to your new camera body.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Ditto that ^^^.

I expect the next flagship photo-centric and the next flagship video-centric Micro 4/3 cameras from Lumix will both have PDAF. No doubt, they will have all the latest goodies. I expect a G10 with features similar to the full frame S5 Mark II, and a GH6+ or GH6 Mark II or GH7 that adds PDAF and refines the best of the GH6 and S5 II, now that they're partnering with Leica on image processors. But they will also have some capabilities that full frame bodies don't have, due to the physics of the smaller sensor. The two formats are not exclusive. They are complementary.

gwilliams6

And we need all formats to survive, as they all fit specific needs and budgets. Choice is always better in the photo world. Micro four thirds is healthy, no worries.

Cheers and best to you.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I recently acquired the latest from Oly Sys, the OM-1. Great little pkg.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm addressing your comment, "...but it is old and tired" comment. Four of the six cameras I regularly use are well into their 40s or more, with the oldest being made in 1951, the next in the mid-60s, and the youngest in the early 70s. They work exceptionally well. One of those older cameras shoots both film and digital. Thus my addressing the quote.

Or are you just looking, or hoping your next great photograph will be the result of purchasing a new camera?
--Bob

jcboy3

If it doesn't take the pictures you want, replace it. Good news; you can get an Olympus camera and still use your lenses.

User ID

Seems like it very much does take the pix he wants, considering all the torment that he puts it through !

As good advice as any is to just "keep on keepin on", but with a fresh clean copy of what hes been successfully using. A G9 is a top shelf body, so its not like wondering about an upgrade. Its just a rejuvenation.

Acoarst theres the GH6, and the high end Olympae. But a fresh crisp G9 is only 1/3 or 1/4 the $$ of those options. The G9 is possibly *THE* most undervalued current model from any brand. Everybody should have one (or more).

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

If it was good enough when you bought it, why not now ? Buy more if you are worried about breakage. Some of us seniors are way too old to worry about obsolescence.

BebuLamar

Well there are obsolescene. You can't buy replacement batteries or memory cards for some of these old cameras. That's the true obsolescene. Obsolescene is when something is in good condition but you can't use it because you can't get the consumables needed for it. If it's broken, if nobody use it it's not obsolete.

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

It is Old and Tired because I was extremely abusive to it. I shoot horse shows, so I'm outside all day in the dirt and weather. I leave it places I shouldn't, I drop it alot, some of the buttons are breaking off from the abuse .. I bet if I checked it would have > 8,000,000 clicks (an exaggeration but ALOT) . It actually still works fine but. ps - don't worry I won't try to sell it here, ha ha