Panasonic Lumix G9II Micro Four Thirds Black 2023

The G9 II finally brings phase-detect AF to Panasonic's G series, and it's one of the best on the market. The 75fps burst is ridiculous, and at $1,345 USD it's a bargain for wildlife shooters. Just don't expect full-frame low-light performance.

The autofocus is the headline here. 779 phase-detect points put this at the 98th percentile in our database, which means it hangs with cameras costing twice as much. Burst shooting at 75fps mechanical is absurd, you'll fill a card before you finish your coffee. The EVF is a standout too, 3.7M dots is one of the best on the market. Stabilization is strong at 5 stops, and the build quality is impressive. But the sensor itself is middle of the pack, and video lands right around average. Battery life is mediocre, so bring a spare if you're shooting all day. The 100MP handheld high-res mode is a neat trick for landscapes, but it's not why you buy this camera.

Against the OM System OM-1, the G9 II finally closes the autofocus gap and arguably pulls ahead. The Fujifilm X-H2S has a bigger APS-C sensor and better video, but it costs more and can't match the burst speed. The Sony a7R V and Nikon Z9 are in a completely different price bracket, and while they beat the G9 II on sensor quality and video, they're overkill for most wildlife shooters. The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is the closest full-frame competitor, but you'll pay a premium for that bigger sensor and lose the reach advantage of MFT.

At $1,345 USD, this is a lot of camera for the money. You're getting flagship-level autofocus and burst speeds that embarrass cameras costing twice as much. The trade-off is the smaller MFT sensor, which means more noise in low light and less dynamic range than full-frame rivals. If you shoot wildlife or sports in decent light, this is a bargain. If you shoot weddings in dim venues, you'll feel the sensor's limits.

The Panasonic Lumix G9 II is the camera Panasonic should have made years ago. It finally brings phase-detect autofocus to the G series, and that alone fixes the biggest complaint people had with the original G9. The 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds sensor is a solid step up, and the 75fps mechanical burst is just silly fast for a camera in this class.

This is a flagship MFT body aimed at wildlife and sports shooters who want speed without hauling around a full-frame kit. The 779-point AF system is genuinely best-in-class, and the weather sealing means you can actually take it where the action is. It's not a video powerhouse by modern standards, but it's no slouch either.

Skip this if you shoot weddings or events in dim venues. The MFT sensor struggles in low light compared to full-frame rivals like the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, and the battery life won't get you through a full day without spares. Video shooters should also look elsewhere, the video specs are just average for this price point.

This is the camera for wildlife and sports shooters who want pro-level speed without pro-level prices. The 75fps burst and class-leading AF make it a genuine tool for action photography. If you're already invested in Micro Four Thirds glass, this is a no-brainer upgrade. If you need top-tier video or shoot a lot in low light, you'll want to look elsewhere.