Panasonic Lumix G9 Ergonomic evaluation and score 17 September 2019

Cable beach Broome

The Lumix G9 is Panasonic’s top tier camera for still photos with an emphasis on performance making it suitable for sport/action and similar subjects.

One might expect this model to achieve a high ergonomic score and it does. But the final score is only just ahead of several other Lumix models indicating that there is a group of Lumix cameras each providing the user with a very good operating experience.

This is consistent with Panasonic executives’ stated aim to emphasise the “camera-ness” (their expression) of their products. 

Overall I find the G9 provides a very engaging user experience however I do take issue with some of the design decisions which have found their way into the G9.

The one which troubles me most is the inclusion on the top plate of a large LCD panel after the fashion of a DSLR.  I use the word “fashion” here with intent because to me that top LCD appears to be an attempt by Panasonic to make the G9 look like a DSLR presumably in the hope of attracting  buyers across from CaNikon.  But in my view that LCD panel is a bad idea for two main reasons.

a) It is redundant and always has been on mirrorless cameras. All the information and much more if desired can be displayed in both the EVF and on the monitor screen. In these locations the data is seen when I actually need it which is in the process of taking pictures.

The data readouts in the LCD are small which makes them difficult to see and are laid out in a way which is completely different from that in the EVF and monitor.

As a result I simply do not look at the LCD panel at all.

b) The opportunity cost of that LCD panel is considerable. It forces the Mode Dial over to the left side of the viewfinder hump and also forces the Drive Mode Dial to be stacked beneath the Mode dial. So now to work the Mode Dial the left hand must be removed completely from the lens barrel which is serviceable, yes, but I find it requires fewer actions, each less complex to work the dial when it is located on the right side of the hump using the index finger and thumb of the right hand which are already close by.

The under-stacked Drive Mode Dial is also serviceable, yes,  but the icons on the stacked dial are smaller than those on the single dial on the G95/GH cameras and there are seven of them so I never can remember which one I need by clicks, I have to look at the icons.

The second design decision which I question is the location and operation of the thumb stick (joystick). The presence of the joystick is welcome. I think every mid range to high end camera for enthusiast use should have a joystick for its efficiency at moving the AF frame around the screen and for other functions as required. But it has to be in exactly the right location and operate optimally.

On the G9 there are three control modules to the left of the right thumb. I list them here in the order which I would use them most frequently:

1. The joystick. I use this very frequently for moving the AF area frame.

2. The AF/AEL button with surrounding Focus Mode rotary lever.  People who use back button focus a lot might put this module or at least a back-button-focus button (with or without the focus mode lever) first.

3. Fn1 button. This does not need to be adjacent to the thumb at all.

My thumb wants to find the joystick in the space between these three controls, about 10mm to the right of its present location. The control is serviceable where it is but would be even easier to access if moved across to the right. I would like Panasonic to review the control layout in this area to give equal access for the thumb to a back focus button and the joystick.

Regarding operation of the joystick Panasonic should make it an 8-way control not just 4-way as it is now.

The third thing with which I take issue is the tendency for Panasonic to equip its upper range models with a bewildering profusion of hard and soft controls scattered about all over the place like lights on a Christmas tree. (The full frame models actually have lights in some of the controls) There are 19 function buttons, two controls on the lens (P/L 12-60mm) a mystery rotary switch under the lens release button, three unmarked dials with user assignable function ….and much more. There is no way on planet earth that I could remember what function I assigned to each of 19 Fn buttons. Fortunately they can be disabled so that is what I do for all of them except Fn1, Fn2 and Fn3. 

This provides me with an interface which I can use without getting lost in the overchoice  maze.

Addition 15 November 2019: That mystery rotary switch on the front of the camera is actually useful. The haptic design is poor, making the switch awkward to move but the default function gives direct access to silent mode which can be handy when required.

So, on with the scoring.  This follows my usual schedule which you can read about here.

I apply the same criteria to all cameras. This generally produces higher scores for high end models than entry level models and compacts. But not always. The FZ1000.2, a bridge type model, scores only one point less than the G9 and would probably beat the G9 if it had a well designed and located joystick.

Setup Phase

The G9 uses Panasonic’s standard current era Menu system. This is decently designed with a nice graphical user interface. I think all menus from all camera makers need a complete root and branch re-design to make them  more photographer relevant. Most of them including Panasonic have made some moves in this direction. For instance the [c-wrench] submenu is further divided into Exposure, Focus/release shutter, Operation, Monitor/Display, Lens/Others.

Panasonic also in my view needs to revise the way their menus are navigated. Sony and Canon do it better with the submenus across the top of the screen. This allows the user to scroll side to side one screen at a time for quick navigation. But Panasonic makes you scroll up/down item by item which is slower.

Setup score 11/15

Prepare Phase

As discussed above, the G9 provides a hyper-abundance of control points by which the camera can be configured for any use condition. I find the C1, C2, C3 positions on the Mode Dial useful for this but it is still necessary to remember to set the Focus Mode, Drive Mode and lens switches (which vary).

Prepare Phase score 12/15

Capture Phase, Holding

The G9 has a large comfortable handle and substantial thumb support.  No problems there.  The body with Pana-Leica 12-60mm lens and, battery weighs 1045 grams so the substantial handle is desirable.

Holding score 16/20

Capture Phase, Viewing

Viewing arrangements on the G9 are excellent. The EVF is large, bright, clear and sharp with a refresh rate of 120 fps. The monitor is also excellent. Both EVF and monitor can be configured to viewfinder style or monitor style and the EVF offers two magnification levels. Both EVF and monitor are fully adjustable for brightness, contrast, saturation and color.

Some reviewers have stated that the EVF has no blackout in burst mode but I found the view still flickers like a DSLR so it is not exactly a no-blackout system.

Viewing score 17/20

Capture Phase, Operating

The G9 easily meets my operating criteria. All primary and secondary focus, exposure and framing parameters can be adjusted while looking through the viewfinder without having to shift grip substantially with either hand.

As discussed above, changing Shooting Mode and Drive Mode is not quite as streamlined as it could be without that LCD panel.

The front and rear dials are located ideally and have ideal haptics.

The G9 loses points for failing to fit a Sony style auto ISO algorithm which is focal length sensitive and allows slow/normal/fast shutter speed ranges. Even the humble Canon G5X.2 compact now has a version of this system.  Panasonic really needs to step up here particularly as the G9 is likely to be and is intended to be used with long lenses for sport/action.
The G9 loses a point for the way changing position and size of the active AF area is implemented.
The thumb stick is too far to the left for easy access by the thumb and it is only 4 way when 8 way is desirable.
In addition the thumb has to move to either the rear dial or the dial around the Menu button to change AF area size.
Panasonic needs to figure out a control module which puts adjustment of AF area size and position both very close together for ready access by the thumb.

Operating score 16/25

Review Phase

The camera meets all my criteria in this phase. No problems here.  Jump-to-100%-at focus-point would be a nice option though.

Review score 5/5

Total score 77/100

Comment

The G9 joins a little group of cameras each with an overall score of 77.
This is a good score but it could have been even better as I have indicated in the discussion above.