John Matthews

1080p at 100fps in FF in a small package could be a real reason to get the S9. If only they'd come out with proper lenses at launch. Right now, your only real options are the Sigma 17mm f/4 (225g), 24mm f/3.5 (225g), 45mm f/2.8 (215g), and 90mm f/2.8 (295g). Arguably, those would be the best lenses for the S9 anyway because of the aperture ring.

Someone had a question about this and in fact, the S9 CAN shoot 1080p 60fps and 100fps in full-frame with PDAF. Others were also saying this but without any proof. This is proof. So, here are the updated feature list: Pros for S9 258g lighter Smaller body $300 cheaper than S5ii LUT mayhem if you're into that Cold shoe Can shoot 1080p up to 60fps and 100fps with PDAF in full-frame Pros for S5ii EVF Mechanical shutter Dual card slots Headphone jack True unlimited recording with a fan Way more buttons and customisation in the body Proxy recording 14bit Raw files Better grip Weather sealed body Hot shoe for flash photography and XLR adapter Full-sized HDMI Charging via USB-C while using the camera

Sarcasm: It's so go that Toneh and Co. are doing such a community service by going to these events. You know they're always looking out for the little guy. "It does make it easier when they give you a Z9," she says with a big smile. Guys, we're always looking out for you. Wonderful to hear they don't have big egos as well because some people can be hurt. And wasn't it great to hear about Squarespace again- thanks for telling me about them because I've genuinely never heard of them before.

Just so you understand the l-rumors/m43rumors guy's shenanigans. He receives a proper photo and full specs of a camera, even getting a chance to play with it; so this what the next week's posts are: Day 1- "hey guys I've got word of new camera for l mount or M43". (speculation starts) Day 2- "It sounds like it might be a new l-mount camera, but I'll have confirmation tomorrow." (speculation continues) Day 3- "Here's a photo (it's blurry) of the new camera." (Of course, no one in the camera business knows how to make a proper photo, but "sells" the idea it was a paparazzi-style shot, fueling even more speculation) Day 4- "Here are some specs, but I don't have time to write everything after such a long day of "understanding" the specs. (notably leaving out important ones)" (more speculation on specs) Day 5- "Sorry, didn't have time to release more specs, but I had a chance to play with the camera". (more speculation on specs) Day 6- "I was able to get a few more photos" (more speculation on specs) Day 7- "Here are the specs. What do you guy think?" (specs are suitable or not) Of course, between each post, you've got several ads. I might even be forgetting a few days. I kid you not; this was the S9 launch. I'm not playing this stupid game anymore and I value my time more.

Honestly, I'm more at ease after watching the livestream for the S9 with Sean. I think he explained better and smoothed it over a bit. It's easy to get caught up in the hoopla of M43 is finished, Panasonic is getting axed, "this is the best they could do". Maybe it's me, but I can't remember the releases of any camera manufacturer, but I think I'm not the only one to remember the S9. Almost universally, people like the looks of it but are disappointed with specs, except for the people that this camera was designed for, camera phone users. I'm also rather disappointed but recognize it isn't really aimed at me.

I have a feeling the next Lumix Live Thursday is going to be a shit show. People are already leaving rather agressive comments. I think it's going to be a must watch! Let's see how they handle it.

Wishful thinking. That would have great idea though.

Am I the only one seeing a ninja in the cold shoe of the S9? I wonder if they meant that? I can't unsee it now.

Camerasize.com now has the S9, just so you know. I only saw that just now. Here, we have a proper comparison to a camera and lens I own:

I think the Olympus E-PL9 did something similar as well as having the ability to download at your discretion when the camera's OFF. Honestly, it's probably not for me. I've always hated phone and never really put much money in them, but that's just me. In the videos, I saw some reviews looking through thumbnails on their phone and that's the situation I least like. Since you might know, can you configure the S5ii to upload directly to creative cloud via frame.io and after to your mobile lightroom? I think that would be even more preferable. I'm not sure the S9 can do that but I asked the question on B&H.

He makes an interesting point on watching review as a form of validation. I have to admit I'm guilty of this, but not necessarily for "validation". My squirrel gear head is constantly looking for new stuff and now, in order to stop the beast inside of me, I watch reviews of old stuff that I've already purchased. Basically, they all say the same thing- "what a great product" and "you shouldn't look any further!" So, I guess ultra positive review serve a purpose after all.

Don't tell me they don't have DPAF in it? If not, it would sell only because it's a Leica.

Has anyone heard about the S9 have or not having Adobe to Cloud (frame.io) features? I know it doesn't have the proxies, but I wasn't sure about the Adobe connectivity. Also, with Adobe Lightroom CC, is it possible to have jpeg's directly go into your library on your iPhone? I'm not a user, but I thought someone might know. Finally, can you set it up to send photos directly to the phone after each shot, much like tethering? So far, I've only seen people selecting thumbnails. For me, that is rather difficult and this is the part of the process that I've always dreaded. You simply cannot see wether it's a good shot or not. I think it would be better to send everything automatically and delete later the ones I don't want... much like you can currently do on the S5ii with the integration of frame.io.

For those who remember, what's happening to the S9 is vaguely similar to the release of the GX850. It seemed like EVERYONE wanted that GX850 to be a tiny GX85 and it almost was except for the IBIS. People said they could live with that due to the form-factor. People said they could live with the 5-minute recording limit in 4K. However, people seriously started bitching about that camera when Panasonic removed manual video mode- it was the line that couldn't be crossed and so many people were angry at it for that. In actuality, it does have a pseudo manual mode in 30fps with 4k Photo Mode and multiple aspect ratios. Panasonic also has a long history of not having full sensor readout on cameras (whereas Olympus did), which is another major point of contention. One does have to wonder what they're thinking sometimes. If they have reasons, you'd think they'd explain, but they never seem to. In fact their silence on the matter of the S9 isn't really doing much good. Sure, they might wait for it to blow over (and it will, eventually), but it would seem good to release a statement of some sort. Maybe they don't want to admit anything? Maybe they're saying it was a good launch, job done? I'm not sure.

The Sony A7C ii is more like 514g vs. 486g for the S9. Electronic shutter would be great for a fast readout sensor, but I'm not sure that's in Panasonic's tea leaves. Actually, I think the S9 stacks up well to the Sony for short-form video (at least in the specs). For me, the lack of an EVF is actually a preference as there's one less thing to think about and shooting from the hip is preferable. Also, the S9 looks way cooler IMO (with a small prime or small zoom). Price is also a consideration.

In France, they priced it at 2400 euros, but there's almost nothing off if you were buying each separately, probably because the 28-200 just came out. They only discounting primes: 18mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. By far, the best deal is with the 18mm at roughly 2000 euros, tax included. Does Sigma have a suitable superzoom? I think the Panasonic one is fairly unique and I wish I had it over the 70-300, but I like the reach too.

Here's a top-down view of the S9 with the Sigma 45mm f/2.8. It looks like a really good size but still not pancake. BTW, this is how Panasonic really envisions you using this camera- phone in one hand and camera in the other. I can't do that as would rather be looking at the scene in front of me, not fiddling around on a phone that's way to big to operate with one hand anyway.

So he's not saying he an expert, even on a subconscious, non-overt way? He's visiting many popular YouTubers and saying he's "grading" them, with a "promis" of some sort of evaluation at the end. I think there's something there.

First, I should say I like Gerald Undone's videos and I watch most of them. My criticism of him is that he portrays himself as an expert in 2 fields: 1) cameras; 2) YouTube setups (he walks around with a clipboard grading them). Now with this video, he is adding to his repertoire and he sounds like he portraying himself as a "moral expert" when it comes to the relationship with companies. Again, Gerald, the expert, and, as you know, "we should all listen to experts". I'm not a fan of "experts," maybe after watching F or Fake. It might sound like I'm being excessively harsh on him and I'm sure there are many who are much less of an "expert" than him, but I don't like that attitude. I think he's full of crap when it comes to him explaining how he takes the moral high road. I think he too, will take the cash when shown. That's just my opinion.

Put 30 experienced artists in a room with 1 newly graduated art critic, it will be the art critic who will be considered the expert. I wonder how Gerald Undone figures in with that? I cannot help but hear a bit of hypocrisy in what he says.

I don't think the Panasonic S9 pulls anywhere near the shenanigans that Canon pulled on the R5 "overheating". That was an ultimate low for the cripple hammer. I do hear reports of reviewers saying the S9 can successively restart recording up to 6 times. If that it so, just put the usual 30 minute limit on it and a 2-minute wait to restart.

Unfortunately, I feel like the S9 makes no one happy. For video, it has many limits; for photos, it doesn't have a mechanical shutter. Who is left? I love the size and weight. I rarely shoot longer than 10 minutes. I use electronic shutter most of the time. I think this camera could be for me, but I'd need to accept not being able to grow. And there's the rub- it has limitations for growth. There's also an argument to say those very limitations will foster creativity. Damn, it looks cool. However, I'm most disappointed in Lumix over this lens. Something went seriously haywire in the marketing team IMO. Even the 12-32 kit lens s a 24mm f7 with IS and AF. Actually, I'd like to see a comparison of the 12-32 at 13mm and the 26mm pancake. Which will perform better? This comparison will happen. Me too, but it's too expensive right now. And the shutter sound will be awesome! :-) It's all about 258g (the difference between the S5ii and the S9). Looking at the supplied grip to the people who went to Osaka, it will actually be less than that if you believe it needs better handling. In fact, this is more than ever one of those cameras you really want to try out first. It looks cool though; so, it might not matter. I'd also say, if you wanted that 18mm prime, you can get the S9 with it for 2000 euros at FNAC, which is a significantly better price than 1699 euros body only in France. If the camera doesn't sell well out of the gate, I imagine the price will be around 1200 euros with that new kit lens by November 2024 (in France).

You're right. He always tries to be "the guy" for camera reviews, the one who's going to tell how things really are and "should you get it". I'd probably agree that many of his conclusions are valid, but it cannot be understated he NEVER actually shares ANY footage as a creator. It's almost like he can talk forever about a language, but never really speaks it. As a language teacher myself, I know there are many teachers who are guilty of this (if that makes sense).

That cannot be understated. If you need to use the camera, there's nothing more frustrating than knowing it could quit on you at any moment- the very definition for "not professional usage". However, having a reliable limit, you can plan around it and still could be viewed for "professional usage", but there's no redundancy either; so, there's that. The killer is when a camera is weather-sealed and has 2 SD card slots but still overheats at any moment. For the S9's communication, I think they should have put a lot more effort in explaining why they made certain choices à la Steve Jobs' Reality Distortion Field. It probably would have gone better. They simply state that the other guys have cameras that overheat "whenever" and we limit the camera to specific times. It would have been more acceptable. The fact is that Japanese companies often suck at selling stuff, but they excel at making and designing stuff. I know, it's stereotypical, but otherwise it's difficult to make any generalizations.