Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II is a 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera featuring the first phase-detection autofocus in the Lumix G series, a 3,680,000-dot electronic viewfinder with 0.8x magnification, weather-sealed body, up to 60fps electronic burst shooting, 4K UHD video with up to 400fps slow-motion, dual UHS-II card slots, and in-body image stabilisation — all in a 658g body.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 25.2MP Four Thirds CMOS, 17.3 x 13.0 mm, 2.0x crop factor
• Autofocus: 779 phase-detection AF points — the first PDAF system in the mirrorless Lumix G line
• Burst speed: 10fps at full resolution (mechanical shutter), up to 60fps with electronic shutter
• Video: 4K UHD (3840×2160), up to 400fps for slow-motion recording
• Viewfinder: 3,680,000-dot electronic viewfinder, 100% coverage, 0.8x magnification
• Display: 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen LCD, 3,680,000 dots
• Stabilisation: Built-in IBIS (in-body image stabilisation)
• Storage: Dual SD card slots, UHS-II compatible
• Shutter: Up to 1/32000 sec (electronic), rated 200,000 actuations
• Connectivity: USB-C with charging, HDMI, headphone jack, microphone jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, hot shoe (Olympus/Panasonic TTL flash)
• Battery: DMW-BLK22, approx. 390 shots per charge
• Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds, with access to an enormous ecosystem of native and adapted glass

What makes the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II special?

The G9 II is a genuine generational leap over the original Panasonic Lumix DC-G9. The headline feature is the introduction of phase-detection autofocus to the Lumix G series — a long-requested upgrade that transforms subject tracking for both stills and video. Users who shot with earlier Lumix G bodies and struggled with contrast-detect AF in fast-moving situations will notice an immediate difference.

The up to 60fps electronic shutter burst with continuous AF puts the G9 II in serious sports and wildlife territory for a Micro Four Thirds camera. The 2.0x crop factor actually works in your favour here: a 100mm Micro Four Thirds lens gives you the equivalent reach of 200mm on full frame, which is a real advantage when shooting wildlife or sports from a fixed position. The shutter is rated to 200,000 actuations, so buying a used G9 II with moderate usage still leaves plenty of life in the mechanism.

Compared to the OM System OM-1 Mark II — the most frequently mentioned rival — the G9 II holds its own on video specs and matches it on weather sealing. The OM-1 II uses a stacked sensor for blackout-free shooting, while the G9 II's strength is its video feature set, including the 400fps slow-motion mode. If you're choosing between the two, video shooters will lean G9 II; pure action photographers may find the OM-1 II's stacked sensor an advantage.

The Panasonic GH6 is the natural video sibling: the G9 II borrows heavily from the GH6's video DNA while adding better autofocus and a more polished stills experience. The Panasonic S5 II is the full-frame alternative in Panasonic's own lineup — it trades the compact size and reach advantage of Micro Four Thirds for larger sensor benefits like improved low-light performance and shallower depth of field. If you're not committed to a system yet, it's worth weighing up.

The Dynamic Range Boost feature (confirmed across multiple reviews) is worth highlighting: the G9 II can produce handheld composites of up to 100 megapixels using sensor-shift high-resolution mode, making it a genuinely capable landscape and studio camera as well.

Who is the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II for?

The G9 II is an allround camera that punches well above its sensor size in three specific areas: speed, video, and reach.

Wildlife and sports photographers benefit most from the combination of up to 60fps electronic burst, 779-point phase-detection AF, and the 2.0x crop factor. Pair it with the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-400mm F4.0-6.3 II ASPH and you have an effective 800mm telephoto in a kit you can carry on your shoulder all day.

Travel photographers will appreciate the 658g body with full weather sealing, articulating screen, and dual card slots. It's compact enough to take everywhere without sacrificing the professional features you need when the light gets interesting.

Video creators get a camera that records 4K UHD, handles 400fps slow-motion, accepts external audio via the microphone jack, monitors through the headphone jack, and charges via USB-C — a genuinely complete run-and-gun package. The IBIS helps enormously for handheld video.

Photographers upgrading from an entry-level mirrorless body who already own Micro Four Thirds glass will find the G9 II a significant step up without having to replace a single lens. The Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem includes everything from Panasonic's own Leica DG lenses to OM System primes and a huge range of adapted glass.

The G9 II is less ideal if your priority is maximum low-light performance or the very shallowest depth of field — those use cases are better served by a full-frame system like the Panasonic S5 II.

Buying a used Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II

Buying a used G9 II is a smart move: it's a robust camera with a 200,000-actuation shutter rating, so a second-hand body with moderate use still has a long working life ahead of it. Here's what to check before or when you receive it.

Shutter count: The G9 II's shutter is rated at 200,000 actuations. A body with 30,000–50,000 shots is barely broken in. You can read the shutter count from EXIF data or via free online tools.

Weather sealing integrity: The G9 II is weather-sealed, but seals can degrade if the camera has been used heavily in rain or dusty environments without care. Inspect the body for signs of corrosion around the port covers and check that all rubber flaps close firmly.

IBIS function: Test in-body stabilisation by shooting a slow shutter speed handheld. If images are sharper than you'd expect, IBIS is working. If there's no noticeable difference, flag it.

Articulating screen: Flex the screen through its full range of motion. The hinge mechanism is robust but worth checking on a pre-owned body, especially if it's been used for vlogging.

Phase-detection AF performance: The new PDAF system should lock quickly and track smoothly. If tracking feels sluggish or hunts continuously in good light, the sensor or firmware may need attention.

Every used G9 II sold here is individually photographed and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty. The exact warranty period is shown on the variant listing. The camera supports USB-C charging, so you don't need to hunt down a proprietary charger — convenient whether you're topping up from a laptop or a power bank on location.