Upgrade Guide

Lumix Lumix S1→Lumix Lumix G9

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Lumix

Lumix S1

£1499

2019

→

Upgrade to

Lumix

Lumix G9

£549 (-£950)

2017

⚖️

Situational

One clear hardware improvement over the Lumix S1. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.

What's new in the Lumix G9

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	Lumix S1	Lumix G9
Price	£1,499	£549
Released	2019	2017	↓
Sensor	24.2MP full-frame CMOS	Micro Four Thirds Live MOS
Resolution	24MP	20MP	↓
Video	4K/60p (crop), 4K/30p (full-frame), 1080p/180p, V-Log (upgrade)	4K 60fps, C4K 24fps
Autofocus	DFD contrast-detect AF — reliable but slower than phase-detect rivals	225-point contrast-detect DFD
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS — 6 stops	5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS)
Burst Rate	9fps continuous with AF/AE	20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic	↑
Battery Life	~380 shots (CIPA)	400 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	898g body only	658g (body only)	↑
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.78× — one of the finest EVFs available	EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot
Screen	3.2" touchscreen, tilting	3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot
Mount	L-mount (Leica/Panasonic/Sigma)	Micro Four Thirds
Memory Cards	Dual SD UHS-II slots	2× SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See Lumix S1 and Lumix G9 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Lumix G9 against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the Lumix S1

Related buying guides

Camera family history