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Sunday, 2 September 2018

Prospects for a Panasonic Lumix 'Full-Frame' camera based on the G9






































Above is my Panasonic Lumix G9 fitted with a Small Rig video cage and a Canon 17-40mm f/4 lens via a Metabones 0.64x Speed Booster. In (approx.) 35mm sensor equivalence, this combination performs like a 22-51mm f/2.5 zoom. Try buying one of those!!

DISCLAIMER - Now much of the following is pure speculation. However it is based on my extensive experience of using m4/3 Panasonic Lumix cameras and 'reading the runes' based on what Panasonic (and their partners Leica) have done in the past.

The more I see of the Nikon and Canon mirrorless FF  cameras, the more I suspect that what is happening is typical behaviour from these two giants of the photographic industry. They are 'protecting' their other product lines. It's been common practice for these companies to offer something new, yet hold something back that their other cameras have in order to stop the sales of those cameras dropping like a stone. The classic example is Canon's video offerings in their hybrid cameras being 'dumbed down' in order to stop users ignoring their range of dedicated video cameras. Both the Nikon Z's and the Canon R have a few things missing that many who buy and use mirrorless cameras, including me, would like to have seen.

1. Neither new camera system has dual card slots. A small thing you might say. But many of us have had cards fail. The security of a backup card is something a lot of people want / need. For example I never shot a wedding without that backup. Nor would I do any kind of pro / commissioned work without one. My Leica SL (Typ 601) has two slots, as does my Canon 5DS R and my Panasonic Lumix G9.

2. Low pass / Anti Aliasing filters. The three cameras of mine I mentioned above all have no filter. Consequently the images they produce are sharper with more resolution. The Nikon Z7 doesn't have one but the Z6 and Canon EOS R do.

3. Why on earth don't all 'serious' cameras have a fully articulating view screen? I cannot understand it, because it's so useful. Shooting at low and high angles and tripod work, particularly for video are made a lot easier. For example I shoot a lot of house interiors, usually with a wide-angle lens. To get the perspective right I often have the camera low down. A fully articulating view screen helps enormously and saves me having to get down on the floor. The Nikons have these ridiculous horizontal tilt only screens. Don't these people realise that you can shoot vertical images on a camera? Nonsense!!.

4. No IBIS. In it's early days I wasn't a fan of this, but things have changed. The strange shuddering movements have gone and the Lumix G9, with it's dual IS system (lens AND body) is simply fantastic for hand holding. Much more preferable to the added bulk, weight and inconvenience of a gimbal. A top of the range mirrorless camera really should have this.

5. The G9 has more video options than either the Canon or Nikon FFMC's. And the G9 is predominantly a stills camera.

6. The G9 has an OLED viewfinder, which means that I can work in bright sunlight looking through the EVF without removing my polarised sunglasses. My eyes are pretty important for my photography and I do whatever I need to protect them.

So as you can see from the above, the Lumix G9 has several important (for me) features that the new FF mirrorless offerings don't. And yes it's a m4/3 camera. But since Panasonic have (allegedly) decided to make a FF camera too, can we assume that all of the above will be in that camera too? Well from their track record I think the answer is (probably) yes. I think that it is safe to assume that any Panasonic FF camera will have a wide range of professional video options. This is after all their speciality. I see no reason why they would abandon the articulating view screen, since it was they who first introduced it. I also expect to see dual card slots, no AA filter, IBIS and an OLED viewfinder.

Now if this does materialise then I suspect that Panasonic will be able to grab a significant advantage on what else is out there. I think the G9 is a fantastic camera, but it is still m4/3 with a sensor 1/2 the size of 'full frame'. The results are so good that I can easily upsize the 20MP files to 36MP, using the extremely wonderful Preserve Details 2.0 option in Photoshop. But a larger sensor would be appreciated. So I and I suspect a lot of others, would be thrilled to see a 'Full Frame G9' turn up at Panasonic's press conference later this month. Because, quite simply, what have they got to lose? m4/3 has and will always have a niche in the photographic marketplace. But I have my doubts that it can offer the possibilities that 'Full Frame' does. Just how far can a m4/3 sensor be pushed in terms of pixel density. Will the scarcity of wide angle options continue to hold lens range development back? And just how much more 'cinematic' would a FF sensor be?

So I'm hoping here. And I'm also optimistic, as it seems logical to me that Panasonic would pull out all the stops on a FF camera. There is also the tempting possibility that they would get Leica involved with this, particularly in terms of lenses. Now it's never struck me that Leica really want to get heavily involved in video. It's just not their strength and anyway they have Panasonic for that. So as a 'quid pro quo' they might be able to offer Panasonic something significant in return. An obvious example would be a future Lumix FF mirrorless camera using the TL mount from the SL. It would make sense, but it's very rare for companies to share a mount, even though Panasonic and Olympus do it.

Of course we will see what we see, when we see it. But speculation is always entertaining and there is no harm in it. So I have no reservations about offering up my thoughts. After all, isn't that what the Photographic Internet is all about?


Stock photography by david martyn hughes at Alamy

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