Panasonic will release the LUMIX S9, a full-size, compact, lightweight, and stylish new camera, on June 20, 2024. The market price is as follows:
- Body : Approximately $1,350 (tax included)
- K Lens Kit (standard zoom lens) : Approximately $1,550 (tax included)
- H Kit (high-magnification zoom lens) : Approximately $1,850 (tax included)
The new LUMIX S9 features the functionality and performance of both the S5II and S5IIX models condensed into a small, lightweight body. The concept is “expressive power unique to full-frame,” “fulfilling your shooting desires,” “easily sharing your own unique expressions on social media,” and “a design and size that makes you want to carry it around with you at all times.”
The LUMIX S9 was born based on this concept.
In addition, when combined with the new app “LUMIX Lab” that will be released at the same time, even those without editing skills can create attractive photos and videos that can be easily shared on social media straight away.
Customize your LUMIX S9
Let’s start with an overview of the S9. Available colors are the regular dark silver and jet black, plus three exclusive colors for the exterior reupholstery service: dark olive, crimson red, and night blue. The kit lineup includes the “body,” the “20-60mm standard zoom kit” that covers a shooting range from 20mm wide angle to 60mm standard, and the “compact high-magnification zoom 28-200mm kit” that covers a wide range of focal lengths from 28mm wide angle to 200mm telephoto.
The S9 packs the essence of the higher-end S5II and S5II X models into a compact body, and is equipped with functions and performance that embody the concept of the S9. It is a product that we hope to deliver to users who are using a full-frame camera for the first time and want to express themselves in both photos and videos.
LUMIX S9 Features
Equipped with approximately 24.2M full-size CMOS sensor and Venus engine
The engine and image sensor in terms of expressive power are equipped with the next-generation Venus Engine, the same as the higher-end S5II model, and achieve the same image quality as the S5II, including detail processing, noise reduction, and color expression.
Equipped with real-time recognition AF, it supports animal, eye, car, and motorcycle recognition
The S9 also features image plane phase detection AF for autofocus. The AF recognition targets include animal, eye, car, and motorcycle recognition, which was added in the latest firmware update for the S5II and S5II X.
The camera’s image stabilization technology is a 5-axis, 5.0-stop BIS in a compact body. Dual IS, which links BIS and OIS, also achieves 5-axis, 5.0-stop image stabilization. In addition, Active IS, which provides strong support for handheld video shooting, is combined with video peripheral distortion correction technology to reduce large shakes when shooting while walking and peripheral distortion when using a wide-angle lens.
Equipped with an advanced real-time LUT
The real-time LUT, which was newly added in the S5II and allows you to reflect your preferred color expression in the shooting data, has been improved. A new LUT button has been added to the camera body, making it possible to set the LUT more directly than before.
The number of LUTs that can be saved has been increased from 10 on previous cameras to 39 on the S9. In addition, photo styles that support real-time LUTs have been expanded from V-log only to all photo styles, such as standard, portrait, and landscape, on the S9. This allows for greater freedom of expression.
In addition, a new parameter has been added to the real-time LUT menu. It is now possible to adjust the strength of the applied LUT, or so-called density adjustment, and it is possible to adjust the application rate of the LUT from 10% to 100%. In addition, grain and color noise effects can also be added.
It also allows for the overlay of two different LUTs, a creative function that allows for further exploration of expression.
Equipped with two new zoom functions: “Crop Zoom” and “Hybrid Zoom”
The S9 will be equipped with two new zoom functions. The first is “crop zoom,” which creates a telephoto effect by cropping the center of the image. The second is “hybrid zoom,” which combines optical zoom and crop zoom to extend the focal length at the telephoto end by up to three times while keeping the focal length at the wide end the same, simply by operating the normal zoom ring.
For example, if you use a 20-60mm lens, you can expand it from 20mm to a maximum of approximately 180mm while maintaining the same operation feel.
In addition, the S9 is equipped with a new video format. By recording in the free area of the sensor, the freedom of editing the angle of view when using various SNS is improved. Furthermore, by lowering the bit rate, data transfer to smartphones can be achieved about 1.7 times faster than before.
The new video format is said to meet the demand for short videos, which are rapidly increasing on social media and other platforms.
The first feature of the new LUMIX Lab app is that it simplifies the connection procedure compared to the previous LUMIX Sync app. In addition, the 5GHz band, which allows high-speed image and video transfer, can be selected on the camera. It also has an automatic image transfer function, which allows images and MP4 Lite videos to be automatically transferred to a smartphone.
The second feature is that you can create your own original LUT within the app. You can use the LUMIX Lab app to embody the expression you feel at that moment, and transfer the LUT from your smartphone to your camera. Then, you can take photos and videos, providing a new shooting experience.
Furthermore, by connecting to a LUT server via the app, it is possible to download LUTs created by creators active around the world. By transferring the downloaded LUT to the camera via the app, it is possible to shoot using that LUT.
Additional announcement: “LUMIX S 26mm F8” and the compact and lightweight zoom lens “LUMIX S 18-40mm F4.5-6.3”
Panasonic also announced packages that include interchangeable lenses. These include the “LUMIX S 26mm F8” and the “18-40mm F4.5-6.3” standard lens have been added to the lens roadmap for the LUMIX S series.
The 26mm F8 prime lens is a thin and lightweight pancake lens that matches the small and lightweight body of the S9, which will be released on June 20, 2024. It is said to achieve the same imaging performance as other LUMIX S lenses, while being a thin and lightweight body with manual operation that allows you to enjoy snapshot photography in combination with the S9.
Panasonic also announced a new lens, the “LUMIX S 18-40mm F4.5-6.3.” They are currently developing it for release within the year. It starts at a wide angle of 18mm and has a minimum shooting distance of 0.15m. It is a compact and lightweight zoom lens that matches the S9.
