Upgrade Guide
Lumix TZ90→Lumix GX9
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the TZ90. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the GX9
-
StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Generation1 year newer (2018 vs 2017)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
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 | TZ90 | GX9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +1.1 | ||
| Street | +0.1 | ||
| Travel | -0.7 | ||
| Wedding & Events | +1.1 | ||
| Filmmaking | +0.9 | ||
| Documentary | +0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.5 | ||
| Landscape | +0.4 | ||
| Wildlife | +0.5 | ||
| Casual | -0.3 | ||
| Food | +1.1 | ||
| Macro | +2.5 | ||
| Architecture | +0.6 | ||
| Astrophotography | +1.7 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | TZ90 | GX9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £449 used | £428 used | |
| Released | 2017 | 2018 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.3MP 1/2.3-inch MOS | 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS (no low-pass filter) | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | |
| Video | 4K/30p, Full HD 60p | 4K/30p, Full HD 60p | |
| Autofocus | Contrast AF with DFD; face/eye detection, touch AF | Contrast AF with DFD; face/eye detection, 49-area, touch AF | |
| Stabilisation | Optical image stabilisation (lens-based) | 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS, 4 stops (Dual I.S.) | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps (5fps with continuous AF) | 9fps (6fps with continuous AF) | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | ~260 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 322g (with battery) | 450g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | Not weather sealed | |
| Viewfinder | Electronic, 0.2", 1.17M dots, eye sensor | Electronic, tilting, 2.76M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" 180° tilting (selfie) touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.24M dots | |
| Mount | Fixed Leica 30x zoom lens (24-720mm equivalent) | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD slot | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See TZ90 and GX9 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 GX9 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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Camera family history