Lumix G9vs S1 II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Wildlife, Sports, Travel — Lumix G9 (2017): The G9 showed that Micro Four Thirds could compete for fast-action stills.
Hybrid & Video — S1 II (2025): The S1 II is the full-frame L-mount hybrid camera Panasonic's system has been waiting for — phase-detect AF, 4K/120p, class-leading IBIS, and a professional build in one complete package. It addresses every weakness of the original S1 and positions Lumix firmly back in the conversation for serious hybrid shooters.
Who should buy what
Lumix G9 (2017)
- Wildlife photographers who want fast burst and long telephoto reach at lower cost
- MFT system users who prioritise stills over video
S1 II (2025)
- Hybrid photographers who need excellent stills and serious video capability
- Video professionals who want full-frame quality with 4K/120p
- Landscape and portrait photographers who want maximum stabilisation
- L-mount system users upgrading from S1 or S5 II
Quick take: The s1 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the lumix g9 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Lumix G9 (2017) | S1 II (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 | £2,200 |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K 60fps, C4K 24fps | 6K/30p, 4K/120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 internal |
| Autofocus | 225-point contrast-detect DFD | Phase-detect AF with subject recognition (human, animal, vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS) | 5-axis IBIS, up to 8 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic | 30fps (electronic), 9fps (mechanical) |
| Battery Life | 400 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 658g (body only) | 680g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 136.9 × 97.3 × 91.6mm | 138.5 × 100.0 × 91.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot | Electronic, 3.68M dots, 0.78× |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Leica L-mount |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Dual slot: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C, HDMI full-size | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix G9 | S1 II |
|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Street | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history