Upgrade Guide

Lumix Lumix S5→Lumix Lumix G9

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

You own

Lumix

Lumix S5

£1699

2020

→

Upgrade to

Lumix

Lumix G9

£549 (-£1,150)

2017

⚖️

Situational

One clear hardware improvement over the Lumix S5. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.

What's new in the Lumix G9

↑

Burst rate

20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic vs 7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS)

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	Lumix S5	Lumix G9
Price	£1,699	£549
Released	2020	2017	↓
Sensor	24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS	Micro Four Thirds Live MOS
Resolution	24MP	20MP	↓
Video	4K/60p 10-bit V-Log/HLG, 5.9K anamorphic, 1080p/180p slow-motion	4K 60fps, C4K 24fps
Autofocus	Contrast AF (DFD Technology), face/eye detection	225-point contrast-detect DFD
Stabilisation	6.5-stop IBIS (dual IBIS with Lumix S lenses)	5-axis IBIS, 6.5 stops (6.0 stops dual IS)
Burst Rate	7fps mechanical, 9fps electronic (AFS)	20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic	↑
Battery Life	~470 shots (CIPA)	400 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	714g (body, battery, card)	658g (body only)	↑
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.78× magnification	EVF 0.83× 3.68M-dot
Screen	3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 1.84M dots	3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.04M-dot
Mount	Leica L-mount	Micro Four Thirds
Memory Cards	Dual SD UHS-II	2× SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See Lumix S5 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 S5

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Camera family history