Upgrade Guide
Lumix G9→Lumix DC-G97
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the G9. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the DC-G97
-
Generation7 years newer (2024 vs 2017)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | G9 | DC-G97 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.3 | ||
| Street | +0.3 | ||
| Travel | -0.3 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.7 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +0.4 | ||
| Filmmaking | -0.9 | ||
| Documentary | -1.0 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.6 | ||
| Landscape | -1.3 | ||
| Wildlife | -1.2 | ||
| Casual | +0.9 | ||
| Food | +0.1 | ||
| Macro | -1.2 | ||
| Architecture | -0.8 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.8 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | G9 | DC-G97 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £549 | £649 | |
| Released | 2017 | 2024 | ↑ |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 20.3MP Four Thirds CMOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | |
| Video | 4K 60fps, C4K 24fps | Unlimited 4K/30p, V-Log L pre-installed | |
| Autofocus | 225-point contrast-detect DFD | Contrast-detect AF with Depth-from-Defocus, face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS) | 5-axis IBIS (4-stop) | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic | 6fps (continuous AF) | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 400 shots (CIPA) | 300 shots (CIPA, estimated) | ↓ |
| Weight | 658g (body only) | 530g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot | EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | Fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Single SD (UHS-II) |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See G9 and DC-G97 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the DC-G97 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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