Upgrade Guide
Lumix GH5 II→Lumix G9 II
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the GH5 II. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the G9 II
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Resolution25MP vs 20MP (+5MP)
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StabilisationImproved — 8-stop IBIS (with OIS lenses)
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Burst rate25fps with AF / 75fps electronic (fixed focus) vs 9fps
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Battery life680 shots (CIPA) vs 410 shots (CIPA)
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Generation2 years newer (2023 vs 2021)
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 | GH5 II | G9 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.7 | ||
| Street | +1.1 | ||
| Travel | +0.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.7 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +1.2 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.9 | ||
| Documentary | +1.4 | ||
| Sports & Action | +2.6 | ||
| Landscape | +1.1 | ||
| Wildlife | +2.3 | ||
| Casual | +0.7 | ||
| Food | +1.1 | ||
| Macro | +1.1 | ||
| Architecture | +1.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.1 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | GH5 II | G9 II | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £899 | £1,499 | |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Four Thirds Live MOS | 25.2MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 25MP | ↑ |
| Video | Unlimited 6K/4K recording, 4K/60p, 10-bit 4:2:2, V-Log | 5.8K/30p, 4K/120p, C4K/60p, V-Log | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF with Depth-from-Defocus (225 areas), face/eye detection | Phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS with Dual I.S. 2 | 8-stop IBIS (with OIS lenses) | |
| Burst Rate | 9fps | 25fps with AF / 75fps electronic (fixed focus) | ↑ |
| Battery Life | 410 shots (CIPA) | 680 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 727g (with battery and card) | 658g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF | 0.76" OLED EVF, 3.68M dots | |
| Screen | Fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD (UHS-II) | Dual SD UHS-II |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See GH5 II and G9 II 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 G9 II against your specific genres — not just specs.
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