Just a few months back, Panasonic Lumix launched its highly anticipated Lumix S9 in Tokyo, Japan, amid much excitement from photographers and content creators alike. Marketed as the smallest and lightest LUMIX S Series full-frame mirrorless camera designed for creators and street photographers, the Lumix S9 promises professional-grade performance in a compact form factor. However, it has received a mixed response from the photographers and creators on its utility and value for money. While many have loved the camera for its sleek design, portability, and innovative features, a few have also criticized it for lack of certain functionalities.
Being used to using Lumix S1 in the past few years, I must admit, it took me some time to familiarize myself with the design and functionalities of Lumix S9. In fact, it could never realize its potential, until I got used to its buttons and features. Since then, I have used it for a fairly long time as a test camera. Having tested this camera with the Lumix 85mm F1.8 prime lens for street photography (exclusively), I’ve found it to be an impressive alternative to my bulkier Lumix S1 for street photography, although with a few limitations. Let’s explore Lumix S9 in this post where I share my honest first-hand user experience, as a travel and street photographer and try to bust some of the myths for you.
Build and Design
Right out of the box, the Lumix S9 feels impressively compact and lightweight, which is a boon for street photographers like me. Its minimalist design is ideal for photographers who need to move discreetly, and it won’t draw much attention (unless you choose the red color body)—a crucial feature when shooting candid street scenes. However, this compactness comes at a slight cost. Unlike many larger mirrorless and DSLR cameras, the Lumix S9 does not have an electronic viewfinder, which I missed while framing shots, especially in bright outdoor settings. The absence of a hot shoe also limits the use of accessories like external flash or microphones, which could be a dealbreaker for some creators, particularly those focused on video content and for photographers heavily relying on flash.
Despite these omissions, the camera’s build quality feels solid and durable. The grip is comfortable, and the camera’s weather-sealed body makes it reliable for outdoor shoots, whether you’re in urban environments or capturing content in unfavorable weather.
Image Quality and Performance
I always prefer my Lumix 50mm F1.8 lens for street photography. However, this time I tried to play around with the Lumix 85mm F1.8 prime lens for testing Lumix S9. Thankfully, I was able to get some stunning results, as you can in the sample images below. The full-frame sensor excels in capturing sharp and detailed images, which is perfect for street photography. The lens and sensor combination also performed admirably in low-light conditions, delivering crisp, clean images with minimal noise—a key consideration for street photographers who often work in variable lighting.
Color reproduction is natural and vibrant in raw files, making post-processing an enjoyable task rather than a corrective one. Skin tones, textures, and fine details are rendered beautifully in the shots I took of my little ones. Personally, I did not like any of the pre-loaded LUTS on this camera, and used the RAW images instead for edits.
The autofocus system deserves special mention as I found it faster, improved and more reliable than my Lumix S1, even when tracking moving subjects in bustling street environments. The face and eye detection features work flawlessly, ensuring that your subjects remain in focus no matter the circumstances.
Usability and Controls
One area where the Lumix S9 may pose a challenge to some users—especially those transitioning from DSLRs or other mirrorless cameras—is the camera’s control layout. I found the controls to be less intuitive than I expected. The menu system, while detailed, requires some familiarization, and those accustomed to more traditional button layouts may need time to adjust. The touchscreen interface is responsive, but I still found myself missing the tactile precision of dedicated buttons and dials that other Lumix cameras offer. That being said, once you get accustomed to the setup, it is a no brainer.
Compactness vs. Features
While I did miss the viewfinder and hot shoe, I understand that Lumix designed the S9 with portability and compactness in mind. These omissions are part of the trade-off to achieve the camera’s remarkably lightweight build. As a street photographer, having a camera that’s so easy to carry around and unobtrusive is a major advantage. You can slip it into a small bag without any charging cables and adapter (as it supports USB-C charging used for phones) and shoot all day without feeling weighed down—a feat not many full-frame cameras can achieve.
Video Capabilities
Though my focus was on street photography and I have not tested this camera for its video capabilities, it’s worth noting that the Lumix S9 is also equipped with impressive video features. It supports 4K video recording, and its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) works wonders for handheld shooting. Content creators who prioritize video work will appreciate the smooth footage, although the lack of a hot shoe may limit some options for professional-grade audio equipment. Also, as it only supports one SDXC card, creators shooting long videos may have to be mindful of the space.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The battery life is respectable (430 shots) for a camera of this size. While it may not last as long as bulkier DSLRs, it will easily see you through a day of moderate shooting, especially if you manage power-hungry features like Wi-Fi and video recording. The camera supports USB-C charging, so you can conveniently top it up on the go. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for quick file transfers and remote shooting—a handy feature for vloggers and content creators.
Lens Choices
The best lens for your Lumix S9 will depend on your specific needs. For street photography, prime lenses like the 35mm or 50mm are great choices, while zoom lenses like the 24-70mm F2.8 are excellent all-around options for more versatility. However, unlike block lenses, zoom lenses may not complement the extra-light and tiny body of Lumix S9.
Along with Lumix S9, Panasonic has also launched its first pancake lens for full-frame mirrorless camera, LUMIX S 26mm F8 (S-R26), which is incredibly compact and lightweight lens. However, my personal preference will not be to go for an F8 aperture lens which has no auto-focus capability and the option to attach any filters. However, if you mostly shoot outdoors in daylight and find manual lenses intriguing, you should definitely give it a shot (no pun intended).
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Lumix S9 is an exciting addition to the mirrorless camera market. It combines the power of a full-frame camera with the convenience of a compact body, making it an ideal choice for street photographers and content creators who are constantly on the move. While it does have a few shortcomings—such as the absence of a viewfinder, hot shoe, and slightly unintuitive controls—it still delivers where it counts: image quality, portability, and performance.
For someone like me, who enjoys the freedom of shooting streets with a minimal setup, the Lumix S9 is a reliable tool. Its full-frame features in such a compact form factor make it stand out, and despite the minor trade-offs, it’s a camera I’m glad I can recommend to other street photographers.
If you’re looking for a compact full-frame camera that can excel in both photography and videography, the Lumix S9 is certainly worth considering. Just be ready for a slight learning curve with the controls, and you’ll be rewarded with a highly capable tool that’s perfect for creating on the go.
Key Features
Pros
- Light-weight (486g, without lens)
- 24.2 MP full-frame sensor
- 5-stop image stabilization
- 4K video and 6K ‘open gate’ video
- Signature presets/ LUTS on a button
- Availability in interesting colors
- Rangefinder-style camera body
- Variety of recording formats, including MP4 Lite
- Contrast and phase detection AF system
Cons
- No view-finder
- No hot shoe
- Electronic Shutter
- Unintuitive buttons
- Average weather resistance
- Other L-mount lenses not complementing the tiny body
- No headphone jack
- Limited video record times
- Single SD card slot
- Low on value for money, given the price
Statutory Declaration: I hereby declare that Panasonic Lumix has not provided me any form of tangible or intangible compensation or benefit for writing this review, and the content of this post is my honest and independent views about this camera after 2-3 weeks of use.
Acknowledgement: I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Lumix Mumbai team (Mr. Satish Shelar) for providing me this camera for a review. I would also like to thank Mr. Sarthak from Lumix India for his kind support!
Sample Images
Street Photography | Mumbai | September 2024
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