GH5M2 or G9 (revisiting an old question)

Hi all. Glad to see many familiar usernames from the DPR M43 forum. My thanks to the team who built this site.

I have considered the option in subject line before but revisiting now with a new context.

Less than a year ago, I forayed into M43 with a GH5M2. I chose it for the video features I needed at this price point.

Almost 10 months on, happy with its performance along with PL12-60, PL100-400, and Oly 40-150/2.8 PRO. Only side note is that I rarely used the GH5M2 for the additional video features that I planned to. I never moved up from FZ2500 for video, and I spent more time on shooting stills with GH5M2.

I currently use D7200 with a couple of lenses and GH5M2 with a couple of lenses. Because the lenses are not interchangeable, I often carry overlapping focal lengths, complicating the kit. I expected this situation though. My plan is to eliminate DSLR and settle down with a two-camera m43 kit in the next few months. With two m43 bodies and attached lenses, I will most likely need to carry just one or two fast primes in the bag, greatly reducing the overall gear size/weight.

I would use one body with 40-150/2.8 PRO and the other with 12-40/2.8 PRO (to be purchased) for events. For outdoor/travel it will likely be just the G9 with PL12-60 attached and PL100-400 in the bag.

The dilemma now is choosing between G9 and a second GH5M2. The latter offers obvious benefits like familiarity, muscle memory when switching cameras, sharing batteries, etc. My interest in the G9 is because of features for stills photography like the top LCD display, hi-res mode, etc. I don't need another GH5M2 with its video features.

The current price of G9 makes me think that Panasonic is trying to move out the remaining stock either to completely stop this model, or its next revision is on its way. Either way, I would be glad I got the camera before its gone. If a newer version comes out, I will likely upgrade in a year or so.

I would like to hear thoughts on pros and cons between these two models, especially when using side-by-side for events. Thanks.

PS: I also considered a suggestion that might come up in the responses, an OM-1. I ruled it out because its price is more than two times that of G9. I will spend that additional money on the OM 12-40/2.8 PRO instead, but not right away.

My mistake. Please move where it belongs. Thanks

High res mode on the G9 only works with a tripod. AND you can only use it if there is no movement in your subjects (wind in trees, running water or people, cars, animals etc). So even HHHR of the Olympus em1 models is only usable in a very restricted set ot situations.
Otherwise the em1.2, em1.3 or OM1 might present another possibility. However there is some risk of purple blobs with Panasonic wide angle lenses, because Olympus bodies have a weaker UV filter in their sensor stack. This might also apply to the OM1.There is no problem however, if you use Olympus lenses on Panasonic bodies, as you certainly know.
The G9 is heavier than the em 1ii or iii, but still not as heavy as the GH5.

Peter

Thank you for your response with details. Good input for my decision. I will review E-M1.3 as well. Thanks.

Actually highres Type II on the G9 is for scenes with movement. Check it out on youtube.

I bought a G9 at release, it's a better cameras now than when I first picked it up. Due to the number of firmware updates Panasonic made available over its lifespan. Fabulous camera. One of my mates had a GH5, it was just that tiny bit too big for my hands with the placement of a couple of the controls. Mainly the joystick. The G9 is perfection in my hands. IBIS is brilliant -I've taken 4 second hand held exposures standing in the middle of a farm paddock with no bracing, AF is fantastic -blindingly fast and accurate, and is plenty good enough on continuous autofocus as long as you're shooting subjects larger than birds. I've really got zero complaints with mine, the only reason I could see you would go for the GH5 mkII would be if you need the video features. Which I don't. And like you noted, the can be had for a screaming bargain of you pick one up on sale. Stupid cheap for the capabilities.

I bought the G9 thinking it was big upgrade from my G7. It was, but it wasn't the leap forward I was hoping.

In terms of video, the AF focus is butt. Pulsing is a thing, and it ruins everything. If AF for video is critical for your workflow, do not get this camera. This thing has failed me on AF for talking head shots. The video AF can not be trusted.

Now that said, it's a pretty darn good video camera with a ton of fun to be had with the higher frame rates. The ibis for handheld isn't a miracle worker, but it's pretty darn solid. Outside the AF and my opinions on the lumix's color science, I really can't complain about how much this little guys does for how little I paid for it. Just about any job, it can do and deliver with quality.

In terms of photography, the 50sII is my .357. The G9 is the Ak-47. This thing shoots pictures like that camera can shoot bullets. It's amazing like that. AF for stills, seems pretty solid overall. Not as good as other brands, but snapping 40 photos in half a second, ones probably gonna hit. Not that this is the ideal setup, just a point about something I love with the G9.

The Hi res mode is a gimmick. I used it once or twice, doesn't hold a candle to the 50sII. The menu system is a bit of a hassle to go through compared to the simplicity of the G7.

How often you need a two camera setup would really swing my decision hard. Matching cameras is easier with the same starting point.

Thank you all for sharing your experience.
Yes, at current discounted price G9 is definitely a bargain. I am less interested in video (I already have two cameras for that) but more interested in the pixel shift HR shot for 1% of my scenarios.

I am leaning towards G9.

I am also finding a good deal on GH6, which seems to implement the HHHR mode better than other cameras. I am researching that option as well.
Thanks

If you're interested in the GH6 as a stills tool, and you've got a bit of time to spare, this is well worth a watch. Some good info in there
www.youtube.com/live/gCaEny7PTms?feature=share

Thank you for that link. I heard about it somewhere on forums but missed the session.