Panasonic Lumix S9 Hands-on Review
Summary Verdict
The 24.2MP Panasonic Lumix S9 is attractively small and light for a full-frame camera and its open gate recording, PDAF with subject tracking, 6.5-stop Dual IS, a new MP4 Lite format, and a companion app enable live LUT creation and sharing should appeal to content creators aiming create and share high-quality video quickly. However, the lack of a viewfinder and grip are notable drawbacks, especially for frequent still image shooters.
Score: TBC
For
Small for a full-frame camera
Easy live LUT use
Vari-angle touch screen
Against
No viewfinder
Flat front with no grip
No dedicated mic or headphone ports
What is the Panasonic Lumix S9?
The Panasonic Lumix S9 is a 24.2MP full-frame mirrorless camera with the L-mount, which means it can accept L-mount lenses from Panasonic, Leica and Sigma - and others. It’s aimed at content creators, with an emphasis on video and speed of use, and it’s available in four colours: Jet Black, Crimson Red, Dark Olive and Classical Blue.
Panasonic Lumix S9 Price and Availability
The Panasonic Lumix S9 is set to go on sale at the end of June for £1499.99 / €1699.99.
Panasonic Lumix S9 Key Specifications
Camera type: Full-frame mirrorless
Announced: 22nd May 2024
Sensor: 24.2MP full-frame (35.6 x 23.8mm) CMOS
Lens mount: L
Autofocus system: Hybrid AF (contrast AF / phase-detection AF)
Subject Detection AF: Human, Animal, Car , Motorcycle
Viewfinder: N/A
Screen: Vari-angle 3-inch, 1.84-million-dot touchscreen
Maximum Continuous Shooting rate: 30fps (AF-S, AF-C or MF)
Sensitivity range: Stills: Normal ISO 100-51,200 expandable to ISO 50-204,800, V-Log ISO 640-51,200, expandable to ISO 320-51,200, HLG ISO 400-51200, expandable to ISO 400-204,800
Image stabilisation: In-body 5-axis giving 5EV compensation, or 6.5 EV Dual IS (with a stabilised lens)
Key video specifications: MOV 6K] 5952x3968 (3:2) at 29.97p, 200Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, LPCM), MP4 Lite [3.8K] 3840x2560 (3:2) at 29.97p, 50Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, AAC0, MP4 [4K] 3840x2160 at 29.97p, 72Mbps (4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP) (H.265/HEVC, AAC)
Storage: 1x SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
Dimensions W x H X D: 126 x 73.9 x 46.7 mm / 4.96 x 2.91 x 1.84 inches
Weight: 486g / 1.08 lb including shoe cover, battery and SD card, 403g / 0.89 lb including the shoe cover
The Panasonic Lumix S9 has a very smart appearance, but there’s no grip on the front of the camera.
Features
According to Panasonic, the Lumix S9 has a 24.2MP full-frame sensor that is ‘equivalent’ to the sensor inside the Lumix S5II, and it’s paired with the company’s latest processing engine. The new camera also features phase detection autofocusing (PDAF) with subject tracking and 6.5-stop 5-axis Dual IS (image stabilisation) for reduced camera shake when shooting without a tripod.
As you’d expect, the Panasonic S9 can shoot stills in raw or jpeg format, while video can be recorded in MP4, MOV or a new MP4 Lite format that takes up less storage space and can transfer quicker to a smartphone than standard MP4 files. Panasonic has also introduced a new companion app called the Lumix Lab app to enable users to develop their own LUT (look-up table) colour files and then transfer them to the Lumix S9. In addition, users can download and use other LUTs to get the look they want for their stills or video, and use the app to edit video.
The Panasonic S9 has many of the same features as the Lumix S5 II, including the ability to shoot ‘open gate’, which means its can use the whole sensor to create video and then you can crop post-capture to get the aspect ratio that you want. In other words, you’re not limited to shooting in 16:9 or any other aspect ratio.
What’s more, the S9 can shoot at resolutions up to 6K at 30P/25P or 24P, and at C4K or 4K it can shoot at up to 60P or 50P in 4:2:2 10-bit colour. There’s also V-Log and V-Gamut installed to deliver over 14 stops of dynamic range, Dual Native ISO and a Slow & Quick Video mode for easy slow and fast-motion video creation.
When the S9 is set to record in MP4 format, it captures 16:9 footage (3820 x2160) in 4:2:2 10-bit 72Mbps, but in MP4 Lite mode it uses the native aspect ratio of the sensor (3:2) and records 3840 x 2560 footage, also in 4:2:0 10-bit but at 50Mbps.
Build and Handling
The Panasonic S9’s dimensions are 126 x 73.9 x 46.7 mm / 4.96 x 2.91 x 1.84 inches (body only and excluding protrusions), which is remarkably small for a full-frame camera. However, there are a few compromises made, the most notable being that the camera doesn’t have a viewfinder. This means that images and video must be composed on the 3-inch 1.84-million-dot screen (or a connected smartphone). Fortunately, the screen has a vari-angle hinge so you can position it to give a clear view whether you’re shooting in landscape or portrait orientation. I bright sunlight, however, it can be hard to ensure you have the exposure and colour that you want.
The next sacrifice made with the S9 is its lack of a grip as the front of the camera is completely flat. Thankfully, the textured coloured coating gives some purchase, and there’s a small but pronounced thumb rest on the back of the camera, but the S9 isn’t well-suited to using one-handed. It’s more manageable with the tiny Lumix S 26mm f/8 pancake lens, which weighs just 58g and measure 67.1 x 18.1mm, but that’s a manual focus lens and it rules out using the S9’s modern focusing system.
The Panasonic Lumix S9 is nicely-sized for smaller hands with all the controls on the right side of the back of the camera being within easy reach.
It’s also worth noting that the S9 has a cold shoe rather than a hotshoe so it can’t be used to connect a flashgun electronically to the camera.
The Panasonic S9 debuts a new button labelled ‘LUT’, pressing this takes you straight to the LUT colour options and you can toggle trough them until you find the one you want to use. Alternatively, pressing the Q button opens the Quick Menu where you’ll find all the LUTs and Photo Styles grouped together for selection. If you select a Photo Style and later press the LUT button, the camera switches to the last LUT setting you used.
The thumb rest to the right of the blue area on the back of this Panasonic S9 is small but fairly pronounced from the body.
The Panasonic Lumix S9 that I have currently is a pre-production sample, so there may be some changes made for the production sample.
Panasonic has developed the new Lumix Lab app specifically for the S9. The current version of the app that I’ve been using is still in development and it has a couple of glitches at the moment. I found it paired quickly to the camera via Bluetooth, but it was harder to connect via WiFi to transfer files and LUTs. I managed it a couple of times but it failed to connect frequently.
Nevertheless, I was able to create LUT on my iPhone and then transfer it to the camera for use when shooting stills and video. Hopefully, the connection issues will be ironed out once the app and camera are announced.
Performance
As I mentioned, the Panasonic Lumix S9 that I have been shooting with is not a final production sample, so it’s not suitable for full-testing. However, the early signs are good and low ISO images have a pleasing amount of detail when I was using the Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 and the new Lumix S 26mm f/8.
With an autofocus lens such as the Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 mounted, the Panasonic S9’s autofocus (AF) system proves fast and responsive. The subject detection system also works well when the subject is a reasonable size in the frame. When videoing my dog run for a ball, for instance, the camera quickly spotted him in the frame when he was at close quarters, and it followed him around the frame well as he ran off, only losing him when he was very small in the frame or his head was partially concealed by grass. All things considered, a good performance.
The stabilisation system also works well and when the E-Stabilization is set to ‘Standard’ it does a great job of ironing out those jitters and shakes often associated with hand-holding a camera so the footage is watchable. I need to investigate the Boost IS system’s performance to see if it can correct some of the side-to-side movement that’s captured when I walk with the camera.
Panasonic Lumix S9 Sample Images
These images were captured using an early sample of the Panasonic Lumix S9 so image quality may vary from those captured here.
Image Credit: Angela Nicholson (using a custom LUT). The vari-angle screen is useful when you’re shooting from above or below head-height.
Image Credit: Angela Nicholson (using a custom LUT). There’s an excellent level of detail in this image captured using the new Lumix S 26mm f/8 lens.
Image Credit: Angela Nicholson (using a custom LUT). The full-frame sensor gives excellent scope for limiting the depth of field.
Image Credit: Angela Nicholson (using a custom LUT). The human eye and face detection works well and is useful in a wide range of situations.
Image Credit: Angela Nicholson (using a custom LUT). The Panasonic Lumix S9’s metering system coped well with this tricky scene,
Image Credit: Angela Nicholson (using a custom LUT). Another example of the excellent level of detail captured by the Panasonic S9 and its ability to isolate subjects from the background.
Panasonic Lumix S9 Sample Video
The video below was shot on a pre-production sample of the Panasonic Lumix S9 in the new MP4 Lite format in 3840x2560 (3:2) at 25p 4:2:0 10-bit Long GOP. The colours were created by a custom LUT produced using the Lumix Lab app to give warm, earthy tones with low saturation and dark shadows.
Early Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix S9 is an interesting camera. It’s the smallest and lightest full-frame camera in the Lumix S Series, making it highly portable and relatively light to carry. With its 24.2MP sensor, open gate recording, PDAF with subject tracking, 6.5-stop Dual IS, new MP4 Lite format and companion app, it could be very attractive to content creators who want capture and share high-quality video quickly. However, the absence of a viewfinder and grip are significant compromises, especially for those wanting to capture still images on a frequent basis.
The ability to shoot with live LUTs, either creating your own our using LUTs produced by your favourite creators is enticing. It means that instead of producing ‘standard’ footage or having edit your videos on a computer, you can get the look you want immediately. However, there’s more testing to be done because as yet, the app doesn’t deliver the full-functionality.
Overall, the Panasonic Lumix S9 is shaping up to be an attractive option for content creators seeking a compact, full-frame camera and who can do without a viewfinder.
