Panasonix G95
THE G95 / G90 BEEFS UP PANASONIC’S G SERIES.
PANASONIC HAS ARGUABLY done more than any manufacturer with mirrorless technology. It launched the first mirrorless camera, after all, and thereafter it expanded its G-series of cameras and lenses in many different directions, notably developing some of the most popular video-centric mirrorless options we’ve seen yet.
The focus may now be on what the company does with its newer S series, having recently launched the S1R and S1, but the S series is not a replacement for the more established line; the demand for smaller, lighter and more accessible models like the G95 is still there.
FEATURES
Panasonic has been using 20.3MP Four Thirds sensors inside its G-series cameras for some time, and the G95 is the latest recipient. While some may see this as being behind the 24/26MP that’s standard across many other cameras at the same price point, it is at least a step up from the 16MP sensor found inside the G85.
This is actually the same sensor that’s found inside the G9, which is still the company’s flagship photo-oriented camera in the series, and it works across an ISO range of ISO20025,600. As on previous models using this sensor, Panasonic has omitted an optical low-pass filter to enable it to capture crisper details, and image stabilisation is built into the body too.
This system can be used as-is when the lens you’re using lacks image stabilisation, although if you partner it with a stabilised lens the two systems will work together; this technology is known as Dual I.S. 2, and it promises five-axis correction to a maximum of five stops, and this appears to be unchanged from the G85.
The older G85 offers 4K video recording, and the Panasonic G95 /G90 continues this, although the new model is decidedly more video-centric than before.
For a start, it includes a VLog-L profile to
THIS IS ACTUALLY THE SAME SENSOR THAT’S FOUND INSIDE THE G9, WHICH IS STILL THE COMPANY’S FLAGSHIP PHOTOORIENTED CAMERA IN THE SERIES, AND IT WORKS ACROSS AN ISO RANGE OF ISO20025,600. AS ON PREVIOUS MODELS USING THIS SENSOR, PANASONIC HAS OMITTED AN OPTICAL LOW-PASS FILTER TO ENABLE IT TO CAPTURE CRISPER DETAILS, AND IMAGE STABILISATION IS BUILT INTO THE BODY TOO.
provide a better starting point for grading, something that’s only available for S1R and S1 users at an additional cost; the fact that this is included as standard here shows how credible Panasonic considers the camera to be for more considered video use.
On the rear of the G95 / G90 is a 3-inch LCD with a 1.04 million-dot resolution, and this flips out from the camera body and spins around to face the front via a hinge to its side. It’s also touch-sensitive, enabling the user to set the focus point, swipe through images and navigate the menus among other things.
Above this lies an electronic viewfinder that’s based around a 2.36 million-dot OLED panel, with a magnification of 0.74x in 35mm terms, and an eye sensor just above it that switches between the finder and the LCD as the user’s face approaches and moves away.
In terms of functionality elsewhere, the model offers everything we expect at this level, with Panasonic’s usual sprinkling of extra features on top. The 1,728-zone multi-pattern metering system offers Multiple, Center Weighted and Spot options, and exposure control covers the PASM quartet plus exposure compensation and bracketing options.
BUILD AND HANDLING
The Panasonic G95 /G90 has been crafted with a DSLR-like design, with a centrally placed viewfinder, and a substantial grip and twin command dials for speedy and convenient operation. The ergonomics and usability are said to be improved over the G85 / G80, and possibly because of this the new camera is a tiny bit larger in every dimension (and a touch heavier too). That’s great if you want to use longer lenses, as you’ll have good support from the generous grip, but if you don’t you might want to look towards the GX series cameras like the GX9.
While it’s smaller than the G9, the G95 / G90 isn’t exactly small for a Micro Four Thirds body; placing the camera body next to the full-frame Nikon Z6 shows them to be roughly the same size – although you do benefit from far smaller lenses for the G95.
Even so, it manages to be relatively lightweight while feeling very well constructed. The rubber used around the grip and on the back plate has a coarse texture that makes getting a good hold on the camera easy, while the command dials move in clear and coarse increments. The various buttons around the body are also a touch larger and better marked than on the G85, and all give good feedback when pressed.
PERFORMANCE
The Panasonic G95 /G90 starts up with very little delay, and is ready to begin shooting pretty much as soon as you are. There’s no sluggishness as you move around the menus or adjust exposure settings, and the camera responds as nimbly as you’d expect.
With a fast UHS-II card in place, our tests showed the camera to maintain its maximum burst rate for 30 consecutive raw + JPEG frames, and 39 raw frames on their own – so, slightly less than the 45 quoted by Panasonic. JPEGs can be captured for as long as required, and are written immediately to the card; while raw files understandably take longer, the camera remains operational during this time, which isn’t something every camera can claim.
The 20MP sensor, which we’ve seen before inside the G9, produces nicely detailed images, partly because of its lack of an optical low-pass filter. Very slight noise can be seen in low-ISO images, but then this is also true of many APS-C based cameras; the key thing is that this is controlled well as you rack up the ISO, with noise reduction doing its thing, but not too aggressively.
VERDICT
The Panasonic G85 / G80 was a camera we prized for its comprehensive feature set, excellent performance and sound output, and with only a handful of changes here the experience is just as positive.
The Panasonic G95 /G90 feels very nicely put together and handles well, and it’s pleasingly responsive throughout its operation. Image and video quality are generally sound too, and the fact that the camera has sensor-based stabilisation arguably gives it an advantage over its rivals that rely on this in the lens only. On the other hand, the 20MP sensor, while a step up from the G85’s, doesn’t look particularly competitive when you consider the 24MP and 26MP APS-C types used in rivals.