Panasonic’s mirrorless cameras have at all times been common with professional video shooters, however up to now the corporate hasn’t instantly tackled a key phase: influencers. At this time, it’s lastly leaping in with the S9, a small and classy full-frame digital camera with related capabilities to Sony’s ZV-E1. The S9’s key characteristic is a devoted LUT button and app that allow you to rapidly choose customized and preset video seems, very like you’ll be able to with Fujifilm’s simulations.
With the identical 24-megapixel sensor as Panasonic’s S5 II, the S9 helps as much as 6.2K 30p video and comes with Panasonic’s newest phase-detect and AI-tracking autofocus. It additionally has superior in-body stabilization that guarantees gimbal-like smoothness.
There are some things lacking, although, like a viewfinder and mechanical shutter. Lastly, there’s the $1,500 worth, which isn’t a lot lower than the more-capable S5 II. So does Panasonic’s first digital camera for influencers ship? I examined a pre-production model of the S9 in Japan to seek out out.
Fashionable and petite
At 486 grams (17.1 ounces), the S9 is mild for a full-frame digital camera and simply three grams heavier than the ZV-E1. I’ll talk about Panasonic’s new 26mm f/8 lens quickly, however with that, the entire system is sufficiently small to slide right into a bag and is definitely a bit lighter than Fujifilm’s X100 VI.
The S9’s design is cute, however the polycarbonate physique doesn’t really feel practically as premium as, say, Fuji’s X100 VI. It is available in a alternative of crimson, blue, inexperienced and black in a pretend leather-based protecting. It’s not as fairly as Fujifilm’s choices, however is extra fashionable than most Lumix cameras.
With that clean design and no deal with, although, it’s a bit onerous to grip. This isn’t an issue when utilizing light-weight lenses, however with bigger ones just like the Lumix 24-70mm f/2.8, the S9 might slip proper out of your hand. Panasonic did give us a devoted SmallRig grip that helps rather a lot, however that’s not included within the worth.
The S9 has stripped-down controls in comparison with most Panasonic cameras. With no high rear dial or joystick, it is trickier to vary settings than on bigger fashions just like the S5 II.
What it does have that we’ve by no means seen is a LUT button that Panasonic really patented. These letters stand for look-up desk, and urgent the button brings up a alternative of built-in or customized simulations.
The flip-around display screen is nice for vlogging, however the S9 lacks an digital viewfinder, very like Sony’s ZV-E1. It has only a chilly shoe on high, so it may’t energy flashes, microphones, a viewfinder or different equipment.
It’s additionally lacking a headphone port, which is unlucky for a digital camera devoted to video. And whereas the Fujifilm X-T30 helps a headphone through the USB-C port, the S9 doesn’t have that choice, nor does it assist wi-fi sound. As for storage, the only SD card slot allows UHS-II speeds, however is positioned inconveniently subsequent to the battery compartment
Images
For a hybrid digital camera geared toward videographers, the S9 isn’t dangerous for stills. You may shoot at 9 RAW frames per second, and the buffer will maintain as much as 55 pictures. The S9 doesn’t have a mechanical shutter, although, and distortion could be problematic with fast-moving topics.
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Steady autofocus for photographs works effectively, although it’s nonetheless behind Canon and Sony. The AI is sweet at locking onto human faces, our bodies and eyes, and likewise works with animals, vehicles and bikes. It’s not a sports activities or wildlife digital camera by any means, however the majority of my photographs have been in focus.
Just like the S5 II, the S9 shoots 14-bit RAW photographs in single-shot mode however drops to 12-bit RAW for burst taking pictures. As this was a pre-production digital camera with out the ultimate firmware, I used to be unable to check RAW high quality, however I’d anticipate it to be in step with the Panasonic S5 II.
Photograph high quality in any other case is sweet from what I’ve seen thus far, with reasonable colours and pores and skin tones. In low mild, I wouldn’t go previous about ISO 6400 as noise can get dangerous in comparison with cameras with related sensors, like Nikon’s Z6 II.
I favored the S9 as a avenue images digital camera, because it’s discreet, silent and light-weight. Nonetheless, the brand new $200 pancake lens that helps make it so mild is guide focus solely and has only one f/8 aperture setting which can flip off patrons. On high of that, with no electronics within the lens, the zoom window doesn’t pop as much as help focus. As such, it’s good to depend on the main target peaking help.
Video
As a video digital camera, the S9 is usually wonderful, however has some pluses and minuses in comparison with the ZV-E1. On the optimistic aspect, the higher-resolution sensor permits for as much as 6.2K 30p or supersampled 4K 30p video utilizing your complete sensor width. It additionally helps full readout 3:2 seize that makes vertical video simpler to shoot.
4K 60p requires an APS-C crop, and to get 120 fps video it’s good to drop all the way down to 1080p. Just like the S5 II, it helps various anamorphic codecs with supported lenses.
The ZV-E1 has half the decision, so video isn’t fairly as sharp, however Sony’s digital camera can shoot 4K at as much as 120 fps and rolling shutter isn’t practically as dangerous.
One potential situation with this digital camera for creators is the restricted steady recording time, which is capped at simply 10 minutes at 6.2K and quarter-hour at 4K. That’s because of the small measurement and lack of a fan, however you can begin recording once more instantly after it stops — so this could primarily have an effect on occasion shooters needing to do lengthy takes. We’ll see if these recording instances stay within the closing firmware.
The S9 has wonderful in-body stabilization, with as much as 6.5 stops utilizing supported lenses. Just like the S5 II, it presents a lift mode that’s finest for handheld taking pictures with restricted motion, and an digital mode with a 1.4x crop within the “high” setting.
The latter can clean out footsteps and different jolts effectively sufficient to interchange a gimbal in a pinch. It does a greater job than the ZV-E1 with abrupt actions, however the latter crops in barely much less at 1.3x.
Autofocus principally retains topics sharp, however it may sometimes lag. The AI-powered face-tracking stays locked on a topic’s eyes and face, although typically the autofocus itself doesn’t sustain. Nonetheless, these might be pre-production points.
With the identical sensor because the S5 II, high quality could be very related. Video is sharp and colours are reasonable, with pleasing pores and skin tones. It’s not fairly pretty much as good in low mild as different 24MP cameras just like the Canon R6 II, with noise beginning to grow to be noticeable at ISO 6400. The ZV-E1, compared, can shoot clear video at ISO 12800 and even past.
I get pleasure from taking pictures Panasonic V-log video because it’s simple to regulate in publish and presents wonderful dynamic vary. It’s one large cause Panasonic cameras are so common with skilled videographers, so it’s good to see this on a cheaper mannequin.
So what concerning the new LUT characteristic? To get essentially the most out of it, you need to go into the brand new Lumix Lab app. Panasonic has a handful of presets to get you began, or you’ll be able to load customized LUTs from a wide range of creators. You can even make your personal in an enhancing program like DaVinci Resolve.
Making use of the LUT bakes the look into the video, which makes it onerous to regulate it in a while. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to shoot customary or V-Log footage and use the LUT as a preview, then apply that very same look in publish with out being locked in.
The LUT button is a intelligent thought, because it permits creators to create cool pictures with out the necessity to futz round in publish. Nonetheless, many could not even be conversant in the time period “LUT,” so Panasonic has an uphill battle promoting the advantages. By comparability, many influencers perceive the benefits of Fujifilm’s simulations.
Wrap-up
With the S9, Panasonic is attempting to draw influencers with a small, fashionable digital camera that makes it simple to create attention-grabbing video seems rapidly. On the identical time, it has practically all of the capabilities of higher-end fashions just like the S5 II.
It does have some flaws that make it a tough promote for photographers. And I’m involved concerning the $1,500 price ticket, as that’s only a bit lower than the S5 II, which has an EVF, mechanical shutter, additional card slot, higher ergonomics and extra.
Up to now, it comes out effectively in opposition to the ZV-E1, although. I like the additional decision and sharpness, and it has superior stabilization. It’s additionally cheaper, however solely by about $300 in the mean time. It seems like a great first try to I’ve a couple of quibbles, however I’ll know extra as soon as I’m in a position to take a look at the manufacturing model.
