Panasonic S9 vs Sigma Bf

The Panasonic Lumix S9, which was introduced in June 2024, represents a significant addition to the brand's line of full-format mirrorless cameras. It offers a compelling and innovative proposition that is likely to appeal to a broad range of customers. This model builds upon the success of the Lumix S5 II X, offering a notable increase in portability with a weight of just 486 g and a choice of four color options: black, red, green, and blue. The S9 boasts an elegant, viewfinder-less design and a 3-inch touchscreen display with 1.84 million dots.

The device features a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor, supported by the latest L² processor technology, which ensures high-performance image capture and quality. While the Lumix S9 is not designed for use in harsh environments, it offers a commendable battery life of 470 shots per charge. Video professionals will appreciate the impressive shooting capabilities, which enable recording in 6K at 30 fps and 4K DCI at 60 fps, allowing for greater creative flexibility in cutting-edge productions.

The Lumix S9 has a single UHS-II SD card slot and no mechanical shutter, with recording times varying according to the resolution used. Its pre-shot mode, inherited from its predecessors, ensures precise capture of fleeting moments or fast-moving actions. Despite the absence of a viewfinder and tropicalization, this compact model is an excellent choice for users looking for a high-performance, stylish, and practical camera to take anywhere.

In March 2025, four years after the Sigma FP L, Sigma will launch the Sigma BF, a bold innovation in the current mirrorless camera sector. This 24.6MP full-frame camera features a monoblock body machined from a single piece of aluminium. Weighing just 446g, it achieves a maximum electronic speed of 1/25,600 and offers a moderate 8fps burst for a buffer of 350 RAW files. The Sigma BF also adopts a minimalist philosophy, dispensing with memory card slots in favour of a 230 GB internal memory that can store more than 14,000 JPEG files or 4,300 uncompressed RAW images, all supported by the new BP-81 battery.

The camera also has a surprisingly new user interface. All the main settings – shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure compensation and colour mode – can be accessed via a fixed 2.1 megapixel touch screen with an 8 cm diagonal. Reduced to 3 buttons, a dial and a shutter release, the interface ensures an intuitive shooting experience, enhanced by thirteen colour modes that greatly expand the creative palette. Meanwhile, the autofocus system cleverly combines the latest generation of phase and contrast detection algorithms to ensure excellent detection of objects, faces and even pets such as dogs and cats.

The Sigma BF also extends its capabilities to video, offering 6K at 30fps with L-log support, exploiting the wide dynamic range of the full-frame sensor, even if stabilisation is limited to an electronic version. With remarkable technical specifications and ergonomics designed to bring the photographer closer to the moment, this camera is a unique option in the world of mirrorless cameras. Lovers of L-mount lenses and owners of beautiful cameras will find it a powerful, simple, light and discreet tool.