Lumix G9vs Z5
VS
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.
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
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
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Quick take: The z5 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) | Z5 (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 | £999 |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | 24.3MP |
| Video | 4K 60fps, C4K 24fps | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 225-point contrast-detect DFD | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS) | IBIS — up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic | 4.5fps |
| Battery Life | 400 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 658g (body only) | 590g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 136.9 × 97.3 × 91.6mm | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Nikon Z mount |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C, HDMI full-size | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Lumix G9 | Z5 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Lumix G9
Camera family history