Panasonic LUMIX S9 - Smallest 6K V-Log camera for €1,699
[15:58 Wed,22.May 2024 by Rudi Schmidts]
With the LUMIX S9, Panasonic has now announced the smallest and lightest full-frame system camera in the LUMIX S series to date. At 12.6 x 7.4 x 4.7 cm, it is actually remarkably compact and weighs just 486 grams with battery and SD card (but still without lens).
Panasonic LUMIX S9 - Smallest 6K V-Log camera
The 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor is said to be the same as that of the LUMIX S5II. The signal processing is also likely to be based on a similar processor, as the new "smallest" also inherits many features from the LUMIX S5II. The LUMIX S9 also has the current PDAF (Phase Detection Auto-Focus) as well as a Dual I.S. compatible 5-axis housing stabiliser. With the High mode in the E-stabilisation (video) function, this should enable even more stable video recordings when walking.
There is no viewfinder, but there is a 1.84 MP LCD touchscreen with a 7.6 cm/ 3.0 inch diagonal in 3:2 format. This can be freely swivelled and tilted.
In terms of video functions, the camera can also almost be mistaken for an S5II: The camera can record a maximum of 6K Open Gate 3:2/17:9/16:9 with up to 30 fps 10 bit 4:2:0, in C4K oversampling then 60p/50p and in FullHD even up to 120p, in each case with up to 4:2:2 10 bit. According to the data sheet, there is also a 180p FHD recording with 4:2:0 as well as a 3.3K (4:3) anamorphic recording mode up to 50p 4:2:2 with 10 bits.
Panasonic LUMIX S9 - Smallest 6K V-Log Camera
The LUMIX S9 even has an exclusive special recording format called MP4 Lite. Thanks to 3:2 OpenGate recordings, which are downscaled to 3840 x 2560 pixels (in 4:2:0 10 bit at 30p/25p), OpenGate videos can be transferred more space-savingly and therefore faster (e.g. to a smartphone). Everything is recorded in a single UHS-II compatible SDXC card slot.
Numerous professional video functions also make it into the S9: including colour bars, LUT View Assist, HLG View Assist, anamorphic defocus, Wave Form Monitor, Knee Control (like709 mode) and the recording frames. Even V-Log recording with 14 f-stops is already enabled.
In other words, an ultra-compact dream for film-makers, but with one restriction: due to the lack of ventilation options, there are fixed recording time limits for video recordings: These are 10 minutes at 6K, 15 minutes at 4K and 20 minutes in FHD.
Panasonic LUMIX S9 - Smallest 6K V-Log camera
Panasonic is also trying to differentiate itself from the competition with more LUT processing in the camera. This goes so far that there is even a dedicated "LUT" button on the camera body with which LUTs can be directly stepped through. Panasonic also emphasises the baking in of LUTs as a special function that is intended to save time by eliminating the need for post-processing.
The new LUMIX Lab app will also allow users to develop their own LUT colour profiles via their smartphone. In addition, aspect ratios for social media can be adjusted in the app, which Panasonic emphasises as a special feature, particularly in conjunction with OpenGate. This editing workflow beyond a computer is intended to offer content creators the opportunity to easily "shoot & share" directly on the go.
Panasonic LUMIX S9 - Smallest 6K V-Log camera
The LUMIX S9 will be available from June 2024 in four colours (Jet Black, Crimson Red, Dark Olive and Night Blue): The price for the body is 1,699 euros. There will also be camera kits with the S-R2060E for €1,999. A premium kit with the S-R28200E for 2,499 euros will also be available at launch.
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