The seven images below were shot with a Panasonic Lumix G9 in high resolution mode with a 14-140mm zoom and a tripod.
I decided to try a Panasonic G9 almost entirely because of the high resolution made. To use it for Landscape, Architecture and interior Photography.
G9 - FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Before going into what results I got from the high res mode, Here are my initial impressions from the G9.
PLUS - Body feels cheaper than the GH5 but the extended handgrip is nice.
MINUS -Why did Panasonic change the body shape? Why did they prioritise charging us for a new battery grip over integrating the G9 with the GH5? I have a battery grip, L-plate grip and a video cage for my GH5. None of which fit the G9. So, basically Panasonic want to 'rip us off ' on the 'new' grip. Fortunately, the battery is the same as the GH5. Small mercies!!
MINUS There is also another thing that is strange and for me unwanted. The electronic shutter is VERY light. It goes off way to quickly for me. Yes it helps with the speed of the camera in certain circumstances, bit I've lost count of the number of times I've taken a picture when all I wanted to do was get an exposure reading by gently pressing the shutter. Now some might see this as an advantage as it is by some distance the fastest shutter I've ever used. Together with the lightning AF, this is a seriously fast camera after all.
PLUS - Finally the image quality. I believe that the files from the G9 are the best m4/3 has to offer. There is definitely a bit more 'pop' from the G9 images, compared to the GH5, plus slightly better sharpness and high(er) ISO performance. Now this is not a huge difference and to be honest could probably be achieved in post production anyway. But it is encouraging that Panasonic are seeking to constantly improve IQ.
COMPARISON WITH GH5
- Slightly bigger grip
- Lighter than GH5
- Top window added
- Repositioning of dials and knobs
- 'Cheaper ' feel.
- Faster and much more responsive shutter than GH5
- High Resolution mode added
- Reduced video options (Though still impressive)
So I'll get to the high res mode.
G9 HIGH RESOLUTION CAPTURE
OK, so as everyone is aware, this is multiple exposures while moving the sensor very slightly to put together a high pixel count. In fact an extraordinary 80MP (8 exposures) at it's maximum. These separate exposures take time and the consensus is, don't shoot anything with movement in it. So to test it, I did the opposite, a windy day with moving water. Now long exposures with movement aren't new to landscape photographers. There are many instances where to get depth of field at low ISO's, long(er) shutter speeds are required.
Above is a classic example of the waterfall shot with the water blurring into something resembling sugar. Now what I wanted to find out was whether the G9 hi res mode produced something like this or something else. Well the answer is, a bit of both.
So yes it does smooth the water out to a certain extent. This exposure was:-
The above is x8 to produce the 80MP file. So far so good. However there are some artefacts.
There are these slightly 'jagged edges' as you can see. Now the question is, would you see this as a problem? Personally I don't, but then I certainly can't speak for anyone else.
The other issue is wind. Again this is something landscape photographers in the UK have learned to live with. We have all taken images where something has moved during the exposure and blurred. The G9 hi res mode does something else.
This is a branch blowing in the wind captured several times in the multiple exposures in different positions.
Now this can be easily removed in Photoshop and with some of the cases of this happening I just leave it in the shot, since it's very similar to many tripod shots I've taken before. Anything that moves through the frame like people for instance, or in the batch of shots I took here a pair of swans doesn't work at all. They become very distorted with bits chopped off.
So, the high resolution mode DOES work well for landscapes, but with some conditions. Now as I indicated before this doesn't necessarily bother me. Firstly I'm used to the problems with wind and movement for tripod mounted long exposure landscape shots, secondly it's either not that bad or fixable in Photoshop and thirdly the G9 gives me the option to use a 'straight' one exposure shot which the G9 somewhat conveniently allows me to shoot at the same time, so I've always got that in the bag. if the hi res doesn't work.
Plus it does help if the shutter speeds used are as quick as possible. The whole process then obviously takes a shorter time with less possibility of things changing in the frame over the eight exposures. I basically make a judgement, in the field, as to what ISO / shutter speed / aperture value might work the best, assuming I have a choice of course. The image below was shot at 1000th. sec.
Now when I was preparing to create the image I could clearly see the tree sbranches blowing in the wind, but with the fast shutter speed, movement is at a minimum.
I'm also including a 100% blow up from the 80MP image so you can see just how good the resolution and sharpness is.
CONCLUSION
As I've indicated I'm very happy with the results from the high resolution mode. I also like the fact that I can choose to shoot jpg. or RAW or both. I also have the option to shoot a single non hi res image at the same time and I can also choose a delay time before the 8 images get shot, to let the camera become still after pressing the shutter. So all in all it's pretty well thought out by Panasonic. It's obviously not going to work when there is significant movement in the frame, however for my stock work, I will be using the high res mode for landscape, architecture and interior show home images. Now I do a lot of the latter and the high res mode is going to be VERY useful.
If you are considering this camera because of the high res mode, which is after all the highest resolution of any camera this side of medium format, then it's worth considering what you are going to be using it for. If you are shooting studio still life for example then it is a no-brainer, you will get brilliant images. A lot of architecture and interior shooting will also benefit and as I've indicated, if you would like to shoot landscape in high res then with a bit of thought beforehand you can create some incredibly detailed images.
OTHER THOUGHTS ON THE G9
I have to say that overall I'm VERY impressed with the G9. For me I would actually say that this is the best camera for landscape photography I have ever used. And it's not just the high res mode that leads me to that conclusion. It's a combination of things.
- I like the 4:3 ratio very much. It suits landscape very well.
- The depth of field m4/3 allows is very beneficial for my kind of landscape photography.
- The fully articulated view screen makes tripod work so much easier. I think every camera should have one.
- At the low ISO settings I use m4/3 image quality is now very good indeed. Allows significant upsizing of files with virtually no reduction in quality.
- The option of the high res mode is an obvious benefit.
- The G9 like a lot of m4/3 cameras is now very fast to operate, including AF. Certainly makes my Canon 5DSR seem like a slow camera. (Though sometimes it's just too fast with that shutter.
- It can be used in a completely silent mode.
- Superb video output. For most uses, comparable with the GH5.
- Relatively light and portable.
All in all a very nice well thought out and very useful camera. 'Under the hood' it's a bit of a beast and allows some pretty interesting options. m4/3 is still alive and definitely kicking. And finally an upgrade that is exactly that, with some genuinely useful improvements. Makes a change!!!
Finally heres a hand held 4K video straight out of the camera with no editing to show just how good the joint lens + IBIS stabilisation is. (You'll need the turn the sound down to remove the dreadful wind noise. However that does show what kind of a day I was working with)
Finally heres a hand held 4K video straight out of the camera with no editing to show just how good the joint lens + IBIS stabilisation is. (You'll need the turn the sound down to remove the dreadful wind noise. However that does show what kind of a day I was working with)
