Recently, I was thinking about what I consider to be the greatest evolution in photographic technology in recent years, and I can’t decide. Automatic eye detection across the entire viewfinder ranks very high. A blackout-free viewfinder is highly appreciated, as well. And I also see a huge leap forward in high-ISO quality, although here I have to give credit to the software developers more than the camera manufacturers. What about you – what do you see as the biggest leap forward?

Panasonic just released the Lumix G9II mirrorless digital camera, and Shutterbug had a chance to thoroughly test an early sample. Featuring a new 25.2-megapixel Live MOS sensor and a Leica Monochrome Photo Style option, the latest Micro 4/3 might be the best new camera of 2023.

Overview
What’s in a name? Some people mistakenly believe that a Micro 4/3 sensor is smaller than the proceeding Four Thirds sensor made popular by Panasonic, Olympus, Kodak and others a few years back. That led to a misinformed prejudice.

But it’s not true; the sensors are the same size. And with modern, updated electronics and today’s superb lenses, Micro 4/3 holds its own against any format when in the hands of a competent photographer.

The Panasonic Lumix G9II has so many upgraded features compared to the 2018-version Lumix G9 that it’s surprising that they share the same name root. Most significantly, the G9II has a 25.2-megapixel sensor, broader ISO range, improved image stabilization, an LCD with nearly 2X the resolution, and many other improvements. On the video side, the Lumix G9II adds Apple ProRes recording format, improved audio, and up to 13+ stops latitude (V-Log), USB-SSD recording options, and no recording time limitations. Also available, real-time LUT function.

The dimensions of the new G9II and original G9 are about the same, and the weights are identical.

Key Features
25.2-megapixel Live MOS sensor
No low-pass filter
PASM exposure modes
100-megapixel High Resolution mode
18 Photo Style options
Leica Monochrome Photo Style option
Up to 8 stops of image stabilization
779-point Phase Hybrid autofocus
Dual media slots for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
Mechanical shutter speed range 1/8000 – 60 seconds
Electronic shutter speed range 1/32000 – 60 seconds + Bulb
Articulated LCD
High resolution OLED eyelevel finder
MOV, MP4 & ProRes video capture modes
USB-SSD recording options
C4K/4K recording options
Unlimited video recording time
Splash / dust / freeze resistant
8-direction joystick
Dimensions: 53 x 4 x 3.5 inches (134.3 x 102.3 x 90.1 mm)
Weight: 23.2 ounces (658 g)

Focus on Photography
Although the Lumix G9II certainly has sufficient video features to satisfy most of us, the camera was clearly designed and built with still photographers in mind. That’s very positive thing in my book. Leica Monochrome, one the 18 Photo Styles offered, is remarkable and uncannily accurate (and I’ve been shooting with Leica’s since hamburgers cost a quarter).

Other photo-centric features include a 100-megapixel High Resolution mode that can be implemented even when the camera is handheld. The large and sharp OLED EVF and 1840k-dot free-angle LCD monitor are also important photographers’ tools.

New AI-powered recognition technology provides real-time auto-focus recognition that now recognizes cars, motorcycles and animal eyes. Additionally, the G9II marks the first PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus) implementation in the Lumix G series.

More important than the advanced technical features, the Panasonic Lumix G9II feels great in the hands and operates intuitively and with ease. Controls are where they should be and the very logical menus are easy to comprehend and navigate.

Construction
Fabricated primarily of magnesium alloy, the Panasonic Lumix G9II is durable and solid. Weighing in just shy of 1.5 pounds (23.2 ounces or 658 g) the camera is no lightweight but neither is it too heavy. All major controls (including ISO, WB, etc.) are accessible without consulting a menu and are located in common-sense positions.

Operation
You can pick up a Panasonic Lumix G9II and begin using it immediately without consulting a manual; this says a lot about the camera. As you explore more deeply into its abundant features (especially the Leica Monochrome Photo Style, for example) you appreciate the rich assortment of photographic tools it provides.

Performance Summary
The image quality is equal to or better than any camera I’ve tested this year. Colors are rich and well saturated, Auto White Balance was spot-on and the image stabilization system worked flawlessly. Low-light, high-ISO images were clean and contrasty with minimal noise. The Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4 ASPH zoom supplied with the sample and my personal Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 prime lens both produced crisp, sharp images shot after shot.

Conclusion
Using and evaluating the Panasonic Lumix G9II was extremely enjoyable. It’s a camera built with active, enthusiastic photographers in mind, yet easy enough to use that a flat-out newbie can get great results immediately.

As a bonus, the Micro 4/3 format is perfect if you’re the type who loves adapting older lenses from the 35mm-film era. The lens multiplication factor is 2X, so your old 135mm f/2.8 Nikkor becomes an awesome 270mm f/2.8, ideal for birding, wildlife and beautiful bokeh.

The Panasonic Lumix G9II is worthy of our hearty recommendation.

Price & Availability
The Panasonic Lumix G9II is available for PREORDER from Amazon, priced at $1899 (body only). Visit the Panasonic Store on amazon.com. It’s anticipated that the camera will be shipped to consumers around mid-November.  All Lumix cameras are backed by an extended 3-year warranty. Note that you may see the camera’s name expressed as “G9M2” on Panasonic’s website.

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Sooner or later we all confront the dreaded corrosion problem when your camera fails to turn on, and you open the battery compartment thinking it’s time for a charge—only to discover a mess of leaked battery acid and corrosion. Unfortunately this is rather common occurrence, not only with cameras, flash units, and other photocentric gear, but with other battery-operated devices you rely upon daily in your home.

The initial temptation is to dispose of the “ruined” equipment because of an assumption that the offending corrosion has seeped deeper into the device—permanently turning it into an expensive paperweight. But that’s not always the case, and a good cleaning with a few household items can make the battery compartment look almost like new, while getting your devices running like nothing ever happened.

The Handyman Hertz YouTube channel is devoted to quick DIY repairs around the home. This episode demonstrates an effective two-minute corrosion cleaning procedure uses a small label printer to demonstrate the quick fix. But the simple supplies and procedures work equally well for cameras, electronic flash units, and just about any device with user-replaceable batteries—not only the AA variety, but proprietary batteries that power most modern cameras.

Here’s what you’ll need: Vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, a few Q-Tips, a small screwdriver, safety glasses to protect your eyes, and a pair of gloves to protect your pretty hands. Sometimes corrosion is so bad that you can barely remove the faulty batteries and the device appears virtually unredeemable.

That’s when it’s time to take a deep breaths and proceed with the step-by-step procedure outline below. The process is so simple that it takes barely two minutes to explain, so the time you invest in watching this lesson will pay big dividends the next time your gear gets gunked up and appears lost.

Because this cleaning trick has such wide applications, you may want to bookmark the video for the next time your label printer or LED light goes on the fritz. Handyman Herzt provides a wealth of DIY solutions, so you may also want to subscribe to this informative YouTube channel.

And for another quick repair of particular importance to photographers, be sure to check out our recent tutorial explaining an editing trick for fixing perspective and skewed lines during the image-editing process.

Bad light is the bane of wildlife, nature, and landscape photographers, especially if you want to get things right in the camera without struggling to fix a poorly exposed shot with Lightroom or Photoshop. Problematic light typically means bright, contrasty conditions or situations when things are really dark.

We addressed the first problem in an earlier tutorial and today you’ll learn how to cope with the latter. Instructor Simon d’Entremont is an accomplished Canadian pro, specializing in wildlife imagery, and he walks you through the steps he takes to capture great images when the light is far from ideal.

Simon describes the concern like this: “Light is our most precious resource because its quality and quantity dictate our equipment choices and camera settings while impacting our results.” Because we often require the precise amount of illumination, too much light can be a big challenge and too little is problematic as well.”

There’s an important warning all this; namely, not to become a “light snob” who only goes out to shoot when conditions are perfect. A better approach is to follow Simon’s advice, and learn how to make the most of whatever Mother Nature provides. And it only takes him 14 minute to explain how to do that.

Along the way you’ll see how Simon captured an amazing low-light photograph with a $400 camera. He also makes a surprising observation, especially coming from a top pro, that “great photos don’t have to be all about image quality.”

Simon’s tips not only pertain to shooting outdoors under dim, gloomy conditions. As you’ll see, his method also works wonders when shooting indoors, like at a dimly-lit music venue. Before jumping into specific techniques, Simon discusses several reasons why low light is problematic for image quality and leads to poor results—even for experienced professional photographers.

First of all, low light typically requires high ISO settings that can introduce ugly noise artifacts that that rob images of sharpness and contrast. Another common concern is that dim conditions can result in photos with unnatural, muted colors that don’t accurately portray what we saw through the viewfinder.

So what can you do to avoid all these concerns? Watch the video to find out. That way you won’t be tempted to stay home when the light isn’t right. Simon’s instructional YouTube Channel is a great source of information for anyone who shoots in the field, so make sure to pay a visit and see what he has to offer.

And don’t forget to watch the tutorial mentioned above, so you’ll also understand how to shoot stunning outdoor photos under excessively bright, contrasty conditions.