Panasonic DC-G97MK

Panasonic mailed this one in. The G97 is a G95 with a new USB port and the same old sensor, making it a tough sell for anyone except the most stabilization-obsessed beginner.

What surprised us most is how good the stabilization still is. The 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 system is a standout, delivering rock-steady handheld shots that make run-and-gun video work a breeze. But that high is immediately undercut by the autofocus. The old depth-from-defocus system is a weak spot that lags behind most modern competitors, especially for tracking moving subjects. You'll get sharp 4K footage, but you might have to work harder than you should to keep it in focus.

The G97 sits in a weird spot. The Fujifilm X-S20 runs circles around it for video with superior autofocus and open-gate 6.2K recording, though it costs more. If you're already in the Micro Four Thirds world, a used Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III gives you better build quality and phase-detect autofocus for similar money. The G97's main selling point is that unlimited 4K recording, which the Sony a7 IV can't touch without overheating, but the Sony's full-frame sensor is in a completely different league for image quality.

Pricing is all over the map, with a wild spread from $698 to over $125,000 from some third-party sellers. Ignore the crazy numbers. At the real street price around $700 with the kit lens, it's a solid entry point for beginners who need weather sealing and great stabilization. But it's not the slam dunk it should be.

The Panasonic LUMIX G97 is a tough camera to get excited about. It's a perfectly capable hybrid shooter, but it feels like Panasonic just dusted off the old G95, swapped the USB port, and called it a day. The one thing you need to know is this: if you already own a G95, there is absolutely no reason to buy this camera. The sensor and the contrast-detect autofocus system are the exact same ones from six years ago, which is a real head-scratcher in 2024.

If you're looking for reliable, modern autofocus for video or action, this isn't it. Go get a used Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III or stretch your budget for a Fujifilm X-S20 instead. You'll be much happier with the keeper rate.

The LUMIX G97 is a fine camera in a vacuum, but we can't ignore the context. It's a reheated G95 with a USB-C port, and that's just not good enough in a market this competitive. We can only recommend it to absolute beginners who find a killer deal and prioritize weather sealing and stabilization above all else. For everyone else, your money is better spent on a used flagship from a generation or two ago.