Panasonic G9 II vs GH7

Five years after the G9, Panasonic has launched the G9 II, which represents a significant technical advance without sacrificing the compactness or weight of the previous model. The sensor has been increased to 25MP, which sharpens the resolution, and the initial ISO starts at 100, ensuring better detail reproduction in low light conditions. On the video front, this camera shoots up to 5.7K at 60 fps, with the possibility of modifying colourimetry in real time thanks to LUTs, while the Leica Monochrome mode guarantees deeper, more expressive black and white.

One of the most striking developments concerns autofocus: for the first time, a Lumix G combines phase detection with contrast detection, whereas the G9 was limited to the latter mode. With 315 AF points, the system gains in precision and responsiveness, even with complex movements. In burst mode, the G9 II achieves 75 fps with AF-S and 60 fps with AF-C, thanks to a buffer capable of 200 consecutive shots. The 5-axis stabilisation has also been improved, offering a gain of 8.5 stops, a real asset for easier handheld shooting.

Ergonomically, the adjustable screen remains in the same vein as the G9, but the OLED viewfinder has been upgraded with 3.68 million dots for more comfortable aiming. What's more, the ability to record directly to SSD is a big plus for streamlining post-production. The G9 II is aimed at discerning photographers and professionals who want a top-of-the-range Micro 4/3 body that combines robustness, performance and technical advances in both still and video capture.

Announced in July 2024, the Lumix GH7 arrives two and a half years after the GH6, from which it takes the main lines while making some significant improvements. It retains its 25.2 MP, reliable built-in stabilisation and weatherproof body. Its dimensions remain comparable to those of the GH6, not forgetting the presence of a CFexpress type B slot and another SD UHS-II slot, as well as a battery identical to the previous generation.

This edition introduces hybrid autofocus, combining phase and contrast detection, whereas the GH6 only had the second option. Panasonic has also incorporated a new BSI CMOS sensor, which should improve sensitivity and noise control. Otherwise, the touchscreen and viewfinder are virtually unchanged, as is the burst rate, which remains fast, especially when shooting moving subjects.

On the video front, the GH7 goes even further, allowing Open Gate and internal ProRes RAW recording at up to 5.7K at 30fps with no time limit. This range of features makes it a full-featured hybrid that will appeal to both photo and video enthusiasts, all in a rugged, ergonomic Micro 4/3 format.