Pana S9 is definition of an underrated camera

[Ninpo33]

10 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

There's a chance it might be an S5R that's coming.

A cut price high megapixel body.

A full frame rival to the X-T5 perhaps?

Doesn't float my boat to be honest, but we'll see what happens. The S9 was also underwhelming at launch, turned out to be a nice camera for the current used prices of around 1000 euros.

I wouldn't pay 1600 for it, but as a bargain small full frame camera it has a place.

So LUMIX version of A7CR instead of A7RV type thing? I’m all for low cost and the market is trending towards cheaper cameras that’s for sure. I still would hope for a nicer A1 mk1 killer. 
 

just saw a clean A1 mk1 sell for $2,800 US last week so that’s going to be tough to beat. You’ve said it before, LUMIX really has to come up with something special to stand out in this current market. A cheaper 50mp $2,000 A7CR equiv might do that. 

[MrSMW]

I think I’d struggle to trade my A7RV for an ‘S5R’ as it would be a downgrade in pretty much every way.

I think in terms of outright build quality, my A7RV is a ‘bit’ better than my S5II, but there is not much in it.

Everywhere else, it’s an easy win for the Sony.

I’d still rather use the S5II for video which is why I have a pair of them and now an S9, but for stills, nah, A7RV. Easily.

If the new LUMIX is not going to be at least equal to the A7RV, it would be a step back for me and though I would prefer all my kit to be in one system, it would not make much sense to switch.

But I am withholding final judgement on that because it may be something more than the rumour and speculation so until we actually know…

 

[Ninpo33]

1 hour ago, MrSMW said:

I think I’d struggle to trade my A7RV for an ‘S5R’ as it would be a downgrade in pretty much every way.

Yeah, I agree. however you don’t use the video aspects like I would need to for my third body so if they bring some solid video aspects to the 2nd gen model I would bite. The first S1R had the mojo in 5k mode but at S35 only. Ideally they could pull off 61mp and good low light video but we’re not there yet technologically. If the rumor is true that they are using a different sensor than the Leica SL3 I guess there is hope for better video. 
 

The minimum they can put out in my opinion would be something above 50p stills but a faster sensor or double stacked sensor that can do down sampled 8k and open gate 6k along with full frame 60p. (120p even better) LUMIX is so far behind that we’re basically hoping they catch up to the Nikon Z6iii and A7RV finally. And it has to be below $3,000 or so otherwise it’s just the same as everyone else and showing up 2 years late to the party. 

[Andrew Reid]

9 hours ago, MrSMW said:

I think I’d struggle to trade my A7RV for an ‘S5R’ as it would be a downgrade in pretty much every way.

It would only compete by being cheaper.

That's why we need Panasonic to bring the updated S1 line, and their best technology. We've had so many cheap thingies from them recently, so it's time to up their game.

[MrSMW]

1 hour ago, Andrew Reid said:

It would only compete by being cheaper

And it would not be cheaper (for me), as the trade in on 1 body + 3 lenses for 1 body + 1 lens would actually cost me.

Not much, but would have cost me.

For a downgrade.

Hmmm, let me think about the wisdom of that…🤔

I’m interested in an S2R not an S5IIR and no idea what’s coming now because I assumed it would be an SL3 wearing a LUMIX costume.

Now the rumors are saying S5II body and not the SL3 sensor.

Ah well, all will be revealed soon enough…

[j_one]

12 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

Now the rumors are saying S5II body and not the SL3 sensor.

Looks like they’re sticking to the Sony Alpha 7 strategy moving forward. Reusing the chassis with slight tweaks.

Hope not. The S5ii/g9ii body is fine. Mid. Not necessarily cheap feeling. But it doesn’t feel like it will last for years either; I’ve already had to send it in for servicing on the shutter mechanism, and some buttons are already loose.

[MrSMW]

I had the fan go on one of mine but as it was ‘like new’ used from MPB and under 6 month warranty, they just swapped it for another.

Yes, it’s not in any way a bad chassis or anything but ‘mid’ is about the right term for it.

The S9 is less than ‘mid’ IMO, but is what it is.

I don’t mind if they reuse the chassis as long as they improve; the rear screen type and resolution plus upgrade the shutter button feel and sound, ie, damp it.

EVF they can leave the same as I never use it.

Oh and all the dials could do with a lock so you don’t accidentally knock them and not realise.

Apart from that, not opposed to reusing the same basic chassis though.

But really it needs to be something ‘more’ or it’s just another contender and there are already plenty of those.

[Thpriest]

I had the S1 before and I prefer the S5mk2 body although I'd like to see the EVF and LCD from the S1H/GH7. I found the S1 slightly too large for my hands and after a whole day shooting they would hurt a bit from stretching to get to the buttons. No such problem with the S5mk2.

So...a S5mk2 body with the EVF and LCD from the S1H, 6k 50 FF open gate, faster read out times for 3000-3300€ would be interesting. If they had some kind of electronic ND that would really set them apart.

[MrSMW]

Shutter mech from the S1H also!!

[Marcio Kabke Pinheiro]

On 2/3/2025 at 7:40 AM, MrSMW said:

Good to know. I might just get one as a back up more than anything such as one of those days when it is going to be well over 30c...

Have the same one as @ntblowz, with the suction cup. The newer model, with springs, looks much better.

And it really works. In the end I only used to do a torture test with my X-S20, under 12 o'clock sun and around 35 celsius, and put the camera to record 6.2k 10-bit 4:2:2. Without the fan, the camera over heated around 25 minutes; with it, went over an hour (the SD card was filled before a temperature shutdown).

[Thpriest]

On 2/4/2025 at 7:11 PM, MrSMW said:

A. Because I already have it and can’t really sell it due to some ‘cosmetic issues’ and

18-50 sigma

What cosmetic issues? If you are looking to sell I might be interested if it works correctly!

[MrSMW]

10 hours ago, Thpriest said:

What cosmetic issues? If you are looking to sell I might be interested if it works correctly!

It works perfectly and if I decide to sell it, I will let you know and with pictures!

I got a filter adapter ring stuck and had to use a pair of pliers to remove it causing some damage to the thread which then meant in order to use a filter again, I had to use some of that black weld stuff to adapt a new filter adapter..

I don't even really notice it as it's all black on black on black, but it meant I kept the thing rather than sell it.

I still might keep it as a 'walkabout lens' though as currently the S9 with it is my best answer to having a compact EDC...

[FHDcrew]

After 4+ yrs of shooting on my trusty Nikon Z6 I decided it was finally time for an upgrade. I wanted internal 10 bit and better IBIS. I felt I had pushed my Z6 really hard and taken my due diligence to use it on tons of shoots and really make the most out of it, so upgrading felt fine to me haha. Originally got a Canon R7 and Sigma 18-35; I filmed a lot on a Canon R5 and loved it.  I equally love the r7, decent lowlight for a crop sensor, great ergonomics and image, really fun camera to shoot with. 
 

But then I found the deal of a lifetime…a Panasonic S9 AND the 20-60mm for only $700?!?!?  How?!?!?  I’m fortunate to have a good reputable liquidation auction in my area and they happened to have the Panasonic S9 open box with this lens up for bid. I bid on it and won and am picking up today; if I love this camera, I return or sell the Canon R7. If I prefer the R7, I can literally sell the Panasonic for a profit. But seems like such an insane camera for the price even what it normally goes for on eBay. But $700 for this pair is insanity; I could sell the kit lens if I wanted to and be paying under $600 for an S9 body haha…now we are almost in what used to be Panasonic G7 pricing territory (my first camera).  So pumped for this camera; I can overlook its flaws for how cheap it is for me. I never been use an EVF and I don’t take photos enough to really miss the electronic shutter or lack of a hotshoe. For me the excellent IBIS, full frame, lowlight, 6k open gate etc etc make this camera appealing. I ordered the smallrig cage with a grip; this will be my a-cam and I might keep my OG Nikon Z6 as a b-cam, since with the ninja v its full frame 10 bit image will match well with really any camera I get. But yeah, can’t get over how good of a deal this thing is. Picking it up from the auction today, will make a more detailed comparison post against my R7 and document what I decide to keep. 

[MrSMW]

16 hours ago, FHDcrew said:

For me the excellent IBIS, full frame, lowlight, 6k open gate etc etc make this camera appealing. I ordered the smallrig cage with a grip; this will be my a-cam

Yes. The imaging capability of the S5ii in a tiny lightweight package.

By far and away, the best run & gun set up I have used to date with the Rode Micro.

However, I will be trading mine as soon as I can afford to do so, along with one more lens (bringing me down from 5 bodies + 9 lenses to 4 bodies and 5 lenses) despite absolutely loving it and for a single reason, - that electronic shutter.

Having down-sized my kit, I need this unit to work as a hybrid and shoot stills also, but low-light + LED’s = banding.

It’s not excessive or super-heavy, but it’s noticeable and what put me off the Sigma FP and FPL when I tested them a few years back.

I think the Nikon Z8/9 is the only current camera that doesn’t really suffer from this but it is a photo issue only.

Well it can be a video issue also as I rediscovered a few weeks back when shooting 30fps subjects with an LED tree behind them and had not noticed I had knocked the shutter speed from 1/100 to 1/125 😏

Need to fix that now in post, if I can…

But S9, whether you keep or sell it, I think it’s fantastic for video.

Tempted to keep it as a backup, but it’s overkill with 4 main units and it would just gather dust, plus as a business, I love it for what it can do, but not simply as an object to own.

[FHDcrew]

Typical liquidation auction weirdness, the S9 body is in great shape other than a small scuff on the lcd, but the 20-60mm lens is entirely missing from the packaging lol…still a good deal as is still around $400 less than the body only S9s sometimes sell for on eBay. My EF lens adapter comes tomorrow then I can do some proper tests and first impressions. Will share those. 

[FHDcrew]

Liquidation auction are overstock, b-stock, Amazon returns etc so there’s always a chance for something to just be missing lol. 

[FHDcrew]

4 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

By far and away, the best run & gun set up I have used to date with the Rode Micro.

However, I will be trading mine as soon as I can afford to do so, along with one more lens (bringing me down from 5 bodies + 9 lenses to 4 bodies and 5 lenses) despite absolutely loving it and for a single reason, - that electronic shutter.

I think this S9 will fit my needs perfectly. Electronic shutter doesn’t bother me, as I do video 99.99% of the time. I still have my old Nikon Z6 I can whip out for the very few times I get asked to do photo work. 

[MrSMW]

4 hours ago, FHDcrew said:

think this S9 will fit my needs perfectly. Electronic shutter doesn’t bother me, as I do video 99.99% of the time

I used it for approx 90% of everything I shot in these last 3 jobs with just the 50mm f1.8 and my own baked in LUT.

The latter still needs a few tweaks, but that is a work in progress...

https://firehorsephotographyfrance.com/journal

[eatstoomuchjam]

7 hours ago, FHDcrew said:

Typical liquidation auction weirdness, the S9 body is in great shape other than a small scuff on the lcd, but the 20-60mm lens is entirely missing from the packaging lol…still a good deal as is still around $400 less than the body only S9s sometimes sell for on eBay. My EF lens adapter comes tomorrow then I can do some proper tests and first impressions. Will share those.

Can you contact the seller and ask for a partial refund since it's missing the lens?  Seems worth a shot, at least!

[FHDcrew]

19 minutes ago, eatstoomuchjam said:

Can you contact the seller and ask for a partial refund since it's missing the lens?  Seems worth a shot, at least!

Might be worth a shot though what I land is still an amazing deal for just the body. Might give it a go though.