burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The MAJOR advantage of Micro 4/3 is that it is the ONLY camera format (other than Nikon's much smaller and electronically noisier 1 series) that saves you a lot of weight when you put a complete system together. You can save 2/3 to 3/4 the weight over an equivalent full frame system, and 1/3 to 1/2 the weight over an equivalent pure APS-C or DX system (pure means no full frame lenses).

The other MAJOR advantage, for me, is that Panasonic has spectacular video. I use a GH4 for filmmaking. The G9 is even better, and the GH5 and GH5s are made specifically to do video plus stills.

Mirrorless cameras can be COMPLETELY silent, when used in electronic shutter mode. Because they have electronic viewfinders, they can be used in dark theaters without disturbing other patrons.

Nearly 90 lenses are available — http://hazeghi.org/mft-lenses.html

The G9 competes nicely with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. Each has a few goodies the other doesn't have. As others have said, check out online reviews (http://www.dpreview.com and YouTube are great places to start).

On the downside, the best Micro 4/3 cameras have about two f/stops less light-gathering ability than full frame cameras, and about one stop less light gathering ability than APS-C and DX cameras. That's just the laws of physics. ISO 3200 on Micro 4/3 is about as noisy as ISO 12,800 on an FX (full frame) Nikon, or ISO 6400 on a DX (APS-C) Nikon, which is to say all three are pretty useful up to those points. For video, ISO 6400 is still usable on Micro 4/3, because motion hides some of the noise in most situations.

If you are an extreme sports and wildlife photographer, I would rent to try before you buy (good advice for anyone in any situation, actually). But know that the Micro 4/3 system you build today will still be viable in the future. Each generation of camera body is more and more advanced, and brings with it a wave of new lenses to take advantage of it.

Panasonic is great about updating the computer firmware in its cameras and lenses, not just to fix bugs, but to add new features, ensure compatibility, and match some of the features of its other new models. So the camera you buy today will get better over time, provided you download and install new firmware updates.

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

G9 has a5 1/2 stops!fastest camera around you won’t be disappointed

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

G9 all da way!

AlohaBob Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I just got one and absolutely love it. Best feeling camera I've ever had in my hand (which is fairly big). For me, it's perfect weight and size with the Leica 12-60 for an all around kit. Took it on vacation two days after getting it and had the highest keeper rate ever.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

This is typical of Lumix camera owners' reactions. The G9, the GH4, GH5, and GH5s series, and the GX8 have a great "feel in hand." The Leica lenses (8-18, 12-60, 50-200, 100-400, 12, 15, 25, 42.5, 45 macro...) are spectacular. So are the 12-35 and 35-100 weather-sealed Panasonic Pro, and the 30mm macro. And the menu and general working ergonomics are quite likable, especially among those coming from Sony and Olympus models.

That said, it's hard to find a bad camera these days. Quality is a given. The manufacturers have carefully carved out their individual niches in the market, with varying blends of features catering to different users' needs. Study reviews carefully and compare feature sets with your needs and wants.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Anyone getting into the 4/3rds market can not lose. Yes, there are advantages with other formats over the 4/3rds, but for an awful lot of us the advantages of less weight, less size and less cost way outweighs the biggest advantage in the ISO of the other larger formats. Lens availability actually over 100, interchangeably for basic lens functions between brands, and IS only limited by the fact the earth turns (IS is presently gyroscopic). If Bill Koepsel uses the G9 or even an Olympus for a week, I doubt he will go back to a larger format. I know that I do not shoot enough low light shots to justify a larger format. And what low light shots I do take can be done at 2 or 4 second to help keep the ISO somewhat low.

I will concede that the Olympus is more difficult to learn, but the camera is a control freak's dream. And the G9 is definite better and easier at video. But what I really find interesting is some photographers are buying both brands, bodies and lenses, and using each for for their special abilities. Especially
since the lenses can be used on either body. Has anyone hear of that being done on a growing regular basis with Canon and Nikon, two sets of bodies and two sets of lenses? Definitely not as interchangeable as 4/3rds.

Bill Koepsel Loc: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Thanks again for everyone’s input.

Bill Koepsel Loc: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Thanks again for everyone’s input.