Our photographic adventure requires us to continue in the territory of mirrorless cameras, but once again we visit the house of Panasonic, since its lineup is too extensive to ignore. This time we find the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9, which features a tilting screen and viewfinder, borrows some features from its larger sisters, and maintains a healthy number of controls, without sending its price into orbit.
It has never been this easy to enter the world of photography. Setting aside mobile devices and built-in cameras, every major manufacturer has responded to demand with greater flexibility in their catalogs, adapting to different budgets. Looking for a new ultra-economical reflex? The Canon EOS 4000D already sits at 260 euros. Can you step up? At the end of April we talked about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX800, which returned to the 400-euro level. However, many enthusiasts believe the sweet spot is just below 1,000 euros. In that special place we discover the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9: Balance in Features and Price
Announced originally in February 2018, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 features a Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with 20.3 effective megapixels, accompanied by the Venus Engine processor. ISO sensitivity ranges from 200 to 25,600, with a boost down to 100, while shutter speed ranges from 1/4000 to 60 seconds, or 1/16000 with the electronic system.
Its main screen is touch-sensitive and tilting (80 degrees up, 45 down), with a size of three inches and 1.24 million dots of resolution. The surprise for some users (though common in the Lumix line) is that the viewfinder is also tilting, with 2.76 million dots (equivalent, field sequential) and 100 percent coverage.
The autofocus system is usually one of the first aspects the manufacturer "trims" to make a product fit into a certain category, but it's good to know the scalpel didn't pass over the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9. With 49 contrast-detection points, the mirrorless does a solid job tracking faces, even in very unfavorable low-light conditions. Much of this performance is due to the intervention of Depth from Defocus, which we've seen in action previously (the impressive GH5 is a good example)
Beyond the lack of weather sealing, the construction of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 is very robust, which is also reflected in its interface. Three physical Fn buttons and five virtual ones, plus the C letter on the mode dial, allow us to deploy a high level of customization, with almost a dozen pages full of options.
On the top, the dual dial may surprise some beginners, but there's nothing to worry about. The outer ring controls exposure compensation, while in the center we see the standard mode dial, marked with entries for Intelligent Auto "iA", Program Auto "P", Aperture Priority "A", Shutter Priority "S", Manual "M", Creative Movie, the aforementioned Custom Mode "C", Panorama, Scenes "SCN", and Creative Control. The manual was a bit complicated to find, but here it is to resolve any doubts.
Video recording on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 is more than interesting. From a technical standpoint, the camera applies a slight crop when recording 4Kp30 and p24, and if you desire more extreme quality parameters, that path will lead you to the Sony Alpha a6400 or the Fujifilm X-T30, but something tells me you won't be disappointed by the GX9's 4K. Things get even better if you drop to 1080p, and a direct advantage over its competitors is the presence of in-body stabilization.
On the connectivity side, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 offers Wi-Fi n with Bluetooth 4.2 LE to maintain a constant link with the smartphone. The latest update of the official app was published in mid-April, but we know well it's an eternal work in progress.
Accessories for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9
There are currently three purchase options for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9. You can get the body for 680 euros, add a 12-32 for 790 euros, or jump to a 12-60 for 850 euros. If you already have compatible lenses among your gear, then it's not a bad idea to incorporate the GX9 as a second body, but if you're starting from scratch, I think it's worth reaching for the 12-60. Don't worry about the rest of the accessories. They're inexpensive, and have wide availability.
Batteries and Power
No news on the energy front, which is both bad and good news. Bad because the performance of the DMW-BLG10 module reaches 260 shots on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9, and good because expanding that number doesn't cost an arm and a leg. All you need is a compatible Gloxy DMW-BLG10 battery, and a Gloxy 2-in-1 charger for home and car. This combo costs just 40 euros, doubles your capacity, and also solves the lack of an external charger. You can find this bundle under the product code "0712001269,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-114".
Tripods and Supports
The 407 grams (with battery) don't represent much of a challenge, so when looking for a tripod for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9, it's enough to review a classic resource, and a recently released one. The first is our workhorse, the Gloxy GX-T6662A tripod with 1.6 meters of maximum working height, aluminum alloy design, and 10 kilograms of load limit. The second is the brand-new Clampod Takeway T2, which maintains all the virtues of its predecessor (impressive grip, 40 kilograms maximum weight), without compromising its size, or the tripod function. Either of them can be yours for 70 euros.
Backpacks and Bags
Since it doesn't have any sealing or additional protection against weather, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 requires a bit of extra attention in its transport and maintenance. Fortunately, we have two options that don't betray us. On one hand, the Delta 400a Fancier bag (SKU "Fancier400a,0712034688") allows carrying the camera with the lens mounted, its interior is padded and modifiable, it has a breathable fabric on the back, and its sling style makes it very comfortable. On the other, the Lowepro Toploader Zoom 50 AW II provides even faster access to the camera, and its waterproof cover protects it from rain, dust, and liquids.
Flashes
Yes, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 includes a flash. No, it's not particularly powerful. Its guide number of 4 handles all basic lighting tasks, but if you find yourself needing more light, the ideal is to add a compatible flash for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 to your setup. Nothing better than starting with the Meike MK-320, lightweight, ultra-compact, with a guide number of 32, and a fantastic price-performance ratio.
Lenses
Only one, and I think it will be enough. If the body of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9 is a better alternative for you because you feel the 12-32 and 12-60 aren't adequate solutions, then you should invest in a wider wildcard. One of the best is the Tamron 14-150mm f73.5-5.8 Di III, the first from the company for Micro Four Thirds. Compact, easy to use, with built-in zoom lock, and the advantage of going from wide-angle to telephoto in one move. Its purchase will take you past the 1,000-euro barrier (body+lens), but it deserves a look.
Practically guaranteed image quality, a 4K that despite the crop steps into the ring without problems, flexibility in functions and modes, very acceptable autofocus and a price that should keep falling define the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX9. Its rivals are tough, but it never loses balance, and many users out there want that. Are you one of them? Good luck!
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