Panasonic Lumix G97 vs G9 – Which one is better?
Panasonic Lumix G97 vs Panasonic Lumix G9 – Which one should you buy?
The Panasonic Lumix G97 and Panasonic Lumix G9 are two mirrorless Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic that share many similarities — yet target different types of users.
Both offer great image quality, 4K video, and in-body stabilization, but they differ in build quality, performance, and intended use. Let’s see which one fits you best.
⚙️ Overview — Hybrid All-Rounder vs Professional Stills Powerhouse
Panasonic Lumix G97:
A modern, lightweight hybrid camera designed for creators and enthusiasts. It combines a 20.3 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor with Dual I.S.2 stabilization, a fully articulating touchscreen, and advanced connectivity options like USB-C and Wi-Fi. It’s perfect for travel, vlogging, and everyday photography.
Panasonic Lumix G9:
A high-end Micro Four Thirds body aimed at serious photographers. It shares the same sensor as the G97 but adds faster burst rates, superior weather sealing, professional controls, and dual SD card slots. It’s built for speed, durability, and professional stills work.
In short:
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G97 = Compact hybrid for photo and video.
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G9 = Pro-level stills camera built for performance.
📸 Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Panasonic Lumix G97 | Panasonic Lumix G9 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2024 | 2018 |
| Sensor | 20.3 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS | 20.3 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS |
| Processor | Venus Engine | Venus Engine |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| In-Body Stabilization (IBIS) | ✅ 5-Axis Dual I.S.2 (up to 5 stops) | ✅ 5-Axis Dual I.S.2 (up to 6.5 stops) |
| Continuous Shooting | 9 fps (mechanical) | 20 fps (electronic) / 9 fps (mechanical) |
| Autofocus System | Contrast AF with DFD Technology | Contrast AF with DFD Technology (enhanced) |
| Video Recording | 4K 30p / Full HD 60p | 4K 60p / Full HD 180p |
| Viewfinder | 2.36M-dot OLED EVF | 3.68M-dot OLED EVF |
| Screen | 3.0” Fully Articulating Touch LCD | 3.0” Fully Articulating Touch LCD |
| Weather Sealing | Dust & splash resistant | Fully weather-sealed magnesium alloy body |
| Dual Card Slots | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | ~350 shots | ~380 shots |
| Weight (Body Only) | ~516 g | ~658 g |
| Price (Body Only) | ~$899 (check on Amazon) | ~$999 |
🧱 Build and Handling
The Lumix G97 is compact, travel-friendly, and designed for flexibility. Its fully articulating screen makes it ideal for vlogging and creative compositions, while the grip is comfortable for all-day use.
The Lumix G9 feels like a professional DSLR — larger, more robust, and ready for challenging environments. Its weather sealing and magnesium alloy frame give it a premium, professional feel, with deep grip and tactile controls.
👉 Verdict:
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G97: Best for lightweight travel and hybrid shooting.
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G9: Best for professionals who need a rugged, full-featured body.
🎯 Autofocus and Performance
Both cameras use Panasonic’s Depth-from-Defocus (DFD) contrast AF system, but the G9’s implementation is faster and more refined. It supports burst rates up to 20 fps (electronic) and tracks moving subjects more reliably — perfect for wildlife and sports.
The G97 offers solid autofocus performance for general photography and video, but it’s not designed for high-speed action.
👉 Verdict:
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G9: Superior autofocus and burst performance.
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G97: Excellent for everyday and travel photography.
🎥 Video Capabilities
Both cameras are strong for video, but they target different creators.
Panasonic Lumix G97
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4K 30p and Full HD 60p recording
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Built-in 5-axis stabilization for smooth handheld footage
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Fully articulating touchscreen for vlogging
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No recording time limit (region dependent)
Panasonic Lumix G9
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4K 60p / Full HD 180p
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Advanced color profiles (Cinelike D & V)
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Dual card slots for professional workflows
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Slightly less user-friendly for vloggers
👉 Verdict:
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G97: Better for hybrid creators and vloggers.
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G9: Better for professional video and high-speed footage.
🧠 Image Quality
Both cameras use the same 20.3 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, delivering sharp detail, great colors, and excellent results in good light.
The G9’s high-resolution mode (80 MP composite) and more advanced stabilization give it an edge for studio and landscape photographers, while the G97 produces nearly identical results in most real-world scenarios.
👉 Verdict:
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G9: Slight edge for advanced still photographers.
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G97: Excellent overall image quality for its class.
🔋 Battery, Connectivity, and Ecosystem
Both cameras offer similar battery life (around 350–380 shots) and use USB-C for convenient charging. They also share access to the Micro Four Thirds lens ecosystem, which offers a wide range of compact, high-quality lenses from Panasonic, OM System, and third parties.
The G9 includes dual card slots for backup recording, while the G97 has one. Connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are available on both.
👉 Verdict:
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G97: More compact and travel-oriented setup.
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G9: Better for professional workflows and redundancy.
💰 Price and Value
| Model | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lumix G97 | ~$899 | Hybrid creators and travelers |
| Lumix G9 | ~$999 | Professional photographers and action shooters |
The G97 offers great value for hybrid content creation, while the G9 gives professionals unmatched control, build quality, and performance for a small price difference.
👉 Verdict:
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G97: Best value for creators and casual users.
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G9: Best investment for professionals and stills specialists.
Check availability and price on Amazon 🛒
📷 Panasonic Lumix G9 — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia
📷 Panasonic Lumix G97 — Amazon USA / Amazon Canada / Amazon UK / Amazon Australia
Note: camerafight.com participates in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
🏁 Final Verdict — Panasonic Lumix G97 vs G9
| Type of User | Recommended Camera |
|---|---|
| Beginner Photographer | Lumix G97 |
| Enthusiast Photographer | Lumix G9 |
| Hybrid Creator | Lumix G97 |
| Wildlife / Sports Shooter | Lumix G9 |
| Travel Photographer | Lumix G97 |
| Studio / Landscape Photographer | Lumix G9 |
| Vlogger / YouTuber | Lumix G97 |
| Professional Photographer | Lumix G9 |
| Budget Buyer | Lumix G97 |
✅ In short:
Choose the Panasonic Lumix G97 if you want a modern, lightweight camera for both photo and video, with great stabilization and flexibility.
Choose the Panasonic Lumix G9 if you need professional-grade durability, faster burst shooting, and advanced control for demanding still photography.
🛒 Check Prices on Amazon
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.)
🧠 Final Thoughts
The Panasonic Lumix G97 is ideal for hybrid creators who want a versatile, travel-friendly camera with solid stabilization and modern video tools.
The Panasonic Lumix G9 remains the go-to choice for photographers who prioritize speed, build quality, and professional ergonomics.
If you’re a creator, the G97 is the smarter buy.
If you’re a photographer, the G9 is the more capable long-term investment.
