Panasonic LUMIX G97 DC-G97MK Black 2025

Panasonic mailed in this update. The G97 is a G95 with a USB-C port, and that's not enough in 2025. Only buy it if you find a steep discount and have never owned a real camera before.

The 5-axis stabilization genuinely surprised us. It's rated for 5 stops and sits in the 89th percentile in our database, which means handheld shots in dim light are a breeze. But that's where the excitement ends. The burst shooting is a mediocre 9fps mechanical, and the autofocus relies on the same old contrast-detect system. It's fine for static subjects, but tracking anything moving with speed is a frustrating game of pulsing and hunting. The 4K video is unlimited and looks decent, but the whole experience is held back by a sensor that's been around the block a few too many times.

The obvious alternative is the OM System OM-1. It's more expensive, but it's a true leap forward in Micro Four Thirds with stacked sensor speed and computational tricks the G97 can't touch. If you want to stay with Panasonic, a used G9 is a much better value and a more capable stills camera. The Nikon Zf is in a different league for image quality with its full-frame sensor, but it's also a retro-styled beast. The G97's only real win here is its lightweight, affordable lens ecosystem, but the body itself doesn't lead the pack.

Pricing is a mess, ranging from $775 to $1255 across vendors. At the low end, if you can snag it for under $800, it's an okay entry point into the system. At the high end, you're getting fleeced. For over a grand, you're in the territory of far more modern cameras with phase-detect autofocus and better sensors. Don't pay a premium for a USB-C port on an old camera.

The Panasonic LUMIX G97 is a tough camera to get excited about, and that's the one thing you need to know. It's a perfectly competent hybrid shooter that's been dropped into 2025 with a 2019 heart. Panasonic basically took the six-year-old G95, swapped the USB port for USB-C, and called it a day. If you're brand new to Micro Four Thirds and find a killer deal, it's a solid learning tool. But for anyone else, this feels like Panasonic clearing out old sensor inventory.

If you're looking for reliable continuous autofocus for kids, pets, or video, this isn't it. Go get a Sony a6400 or a used Fujifilm X-S10 instead. If you already own a G85 or G95, there is zero reason to open your wallet for this.

The LUMIX G97 is a camera for a very specific person: someone who owns zero Micro Four Thirds gear, finds this kit for a deep discount, and just wants a weather-sealed hybrid to learn on. For everyone else, it's a skip. The sensor and autofocus are simply too dated to recommend as a new purchase in a market full of better options. It's not a bad camera, it's just a lazy update that doesn't earn its place on your shelf.