John Matthews

I think there will be features from the S9 and GH7 coming to the S5ii... I hope. The S2H, I presume, will be a GH7 full-frame, if it's possible to make that MFT sensor into full-frame. It's going to be WAY out of my budget though. Should we also expect internal VND? Hopefully.

Sorry, my comment was a joke. I was just noting that it would seem everyone has forgotten the S9 after the announcement of the GH7.

GH7 just came out... S9? What's that?

Can someone explain why Panasonic won't get sued by putting the option of recording Prores RAW internally?

I'm declaring this a successful launch. Some leaks, but not massive. No one knew about the Arri partnership as far as I know- surprise is always good. No one is crying in their corner because they weren't invited to the "show". I loved the GH6, but I replaced it with a S5ii. The main reason was for photography. Still, I miss all the other cool video features of the GH6 that the S5ii doesn't have, but suspect some will soon come (and better) in a firmware update (like PDAF at 100fps).

Wasn't it Apple who was designing phones on a tic-toc rythem? Panasonic is clearly doing the same. GH5 (tic), GH5ii (toc), GH6 (tic), GH7(toc)- it makes sense. The "tic" is usually a big jump over the previous generation and the "toc" is the one you wish the "tic" was after using it for awhile. The GH6 had quite a few bugs (banding with backlight, slow startups, etc.). Still, it is a great camera Panasonic should be proud of, but I think the GH7 is the one people wanted from the GH6.

I was a happy GH6 user, but I didn't like the fan system. I find the one on the S5ii/x much more acceptable and discrete. I hope it's more on those lines than the latter. However, I find the flip-up or out screen a big reason to buy that camera over any other. It just worked perfectly and never really felt flimsy.

So, the GH7 is going to be announced and it'll probably be the most capable from Panasonic while the S9 will be the "fun" camera. This was not the scenario I would have predicted: a big, capable M43 camera along side a rather small, limited FF camera.

I’m guilty of getting lenses; then, selling them and buying them back. I did it with: Pany 14mm, Pany 14-42.5 PZ, Pany 45-150mm, Pany 35-100 kit lens, and I’m forgetting one or two.

Wow! What a useful range. I have Pentax 35-105 f/3.5 and it's great, but no AF and you can't really use IBIS because you have to change the settings every time you zoom in and out. That does look big and heavy though.

Nothing. It is/was a great camera. Design by committee isn't necessarily bad, just different.

I think they often have the good information, but I also believe Panasonic is a company run by committee. I don't think there's one primary designer who's creating camera concepts nowadays, probably with a few exceptions. Companies like Pentax and Olympus had people like Yoshihisa Maitani. I think we can kiss those days goodbye. The results from those designers were probably hit and miss but, when they hit, they'd strike gold. Panasonic needs to have input from everyone under the sun and you get results like the GH4, coming from the GH3. I don't pretend to know the inner workings of any brand, but I imagine it's something of the sorts. So, why do they get it wrong? Some voices are louder than others is what I think. When Steve Jobs was around, he was the loudest voice at Apple and you'd get the right product at the right time because he was an experienced genius. Tim Cook, as smart as he is, listens to the wrong people sometimes and you get some products that seem "out-of-sync" with the times. Panasonic seems to chose not to develop to their own detriment. For example, someone with loud voice said that the point and shoot market was too hard to get back. And yet they don't have the foresight to understand people would still want a PAS experience. Fuji did and we got the X100 V and VI. Panasonic is seemingly slow and reactive, which is too bad. They need to find a better system somehow because Fuji is eating their lunch in the PAS market IMO, regardless of their savvy production knowhow. Besides, where in the HELL is a small rangefinder-style M43 camera with 10bit H.265 and Vlog with full sensor readout and a mic jack? How many years have we asked for that? It's getting embarrassing and sure hope someone at Panasonic is blushing at this point.

I forgot to say the one caveat for wedding photography: you're natural light only- no flash. I think for some that would be the biggest dealbreaker for this camera, along with the fact of no EVF. Still, they'd look cool on your suit. I still have a hard time believing that. I can believe the venue would have been chosen and a hotel reserved, but getting upwards of 100 YouTubers and partners to come to Japan seems rather daunting and I doubt they would have gone not knowing at least the category of product (consumer vs. pro, l mount vs. M43). That would be putting a lot of faith in Panasonic. Honestly, I think Panasonic expected some grace for that 26mm pancake, but what likely happened was a delay or a problem with the 18-40 rather than a hiccup in the actual camera or category of camera.

I have my doubts that could have thrown that all together at the last minute. It would be giving them too much credit. However, there are some indicators of that- the use of stock photography for one, and the lack of a proper lens being the other. Still, they handed out a lot of cameras to people and I doubt they could have made a production run in that little time if the theory is a last minute change. Yes, a 35mm and 85mm, each on a S9, for a wedding shoot would be a nice setup. You could also color-code them as to not get confused!

Yeah, I imagine not having a proper shutter would be a big deal for weddings. There's also the lack of a shutter sound. I agree that the 45mm and 90mm would be the best first purchases. Also, one could wait for the 18-40 to fit the rest, maybe getting rid of the 45 and stick only with a two-lens setup. For this camera to have further reach, they really need a real 28mm and 40mm pancake. If they could get it as small as the 26mm, the whole system would be that much viable.

1080p at 100fps in FF in a small package could be a real reason to get the S9. If only they'd come out with proper lenses at launch. Right now, your only real options are the Sigma 17mm f/4 (225g), 24mm f/3.5 (225g), 45mm f/2.8 (215g), and 90mm f/2.8 (295g). Arguably, those would be the best lenses for the S9 anyway because of the aperture ring.

Someone had a question about this and in fact, the S9 CAN shoot 1080p 60fps and 100fps in full-frame with PDAF. Others were also saying this but without any proof. This is proof. So, here are the updated feature list: Pros for S9 258g lighter Smaller body $300 cheaper than S5ii LUT mayhem if you're into that Cold shoe Can shoot 1080p up to 60fps and 100fps with PDAF in full-frame Pros for S5ii EVF Mechanical shutter Dual card slots Headphone jack True unlimited recording with a fan Way more buttons and customisation in the body Proxy recording 14bit Raw files Better grip Weather sealed body Hot shoe for flash photography and XLR adapter Full-sized HDMI Charging via USB-C while using the camera

Sarcasm: It's so go that Toneh and Co. are doing such a community service by going to these events. You know they're always looking out for the little guy. "It does make it easier when they give you a Z9," she says with a big smile. Guys, we're always looking out for you. Wonderful to hear they don't have big egos as well because some people can be hurt. And wasn't it great to hear about Squarespace again- thanks for telling me about them because I've genuinely never heard of them before.

Just so you understand the l-rumors/m43rumors guy's shenanigans. He receives a proper photo and full specs of a camera, even getting a chance to play with it; so this what the next week's posts are: Day 1- "hey guys I've got word of new camera for l mount or M43". (speculation starts) Day 2- "It sounds like it might be a new l-mount camera, but I'll have confirmation tomorrow." (speculation continues) Day 3- "Here's a photo (it's blurry) of the new camera." (Of course, no one in the camera business knows how to make a proper photo, but "sells" the idea it was a paparazzi-style shot, fueling even more speculation) Day 4- "Here are some specs, but I don't have time to write everything after such a long day of "understanding" the specs. (notably leaving out important ones)" (more speculation on specs) Day 5- "Sorry, didn't have time to release more specs, but I had a chance to play with the camera". (more speculation on specs) Day 6- "I was able to get a few more photos" (more speculation on specs) Day 7- "Here are the specs. What do you guy think?" (specs are suitable or not) Of course, between each post, you've got several ads. I might even be forgetting a few days. I kid you not; this was the S9 launch. I'm not playing this stupid game anymore and I value my time more.

Honestly, I'm more at ease after watching the livestream for the S9 with Sean. I think he explained better and smoothed it over a bit. It's easy to get caught up in the hoopla of M43 is finished, Panasonic is getting axed, "this is the best they could do". Maybe it's me, but I can't remember the releases of any camera manufacturer, but I think I'm not the only one to remember the S9. Almost universally, people like the looks of it but are disappointed with specs, except for the people that this camera was designed for, camera phone users. I'm also rather disappointed but recognize it isn't really aimed at me.

I have a feeling the next Lumix Live Thursday is going to be a shit show. People are already leaving rather agressive comments. I think it's going to be a must watch! Let's see how they handle it.

Wishful thinking. That would have great idea though.

Am I the only one seeing a ninja in the cold shoe of the S9? I wonder if they meant that? I can't unsee it now.

Camerasize.com now has the S9, just so you know. I only saw that just now. Here, we have a proper comparison to a camera and lens I own:

I think the Olympus E-PL9 did something similar as well as having the ability to download at your discretion when the camera's OFF. Honestly, it's probably not for me. I've always hated phone and never really put much money in them, but that's just me. In the videos, I saw some reviews looking through thumbnails on their phone and that's the situation I least like. Since you might know, can you configure the S5ii to upload directly to creative cloud via frame.io and after to your mobile lightroom? I think that would be even more preferable. I'm not sure the S9 can do that but I asked the question on B&H.