Panasonic Lumix S9 Full Frame Jet Black Review

The Panasonic LUMIX S9 is a weird one. It's a full-frame camera that's built like a toy and seems allergic to video. The one thing you need to know? This is a camera for photographers who want a small, stylish, full-frame body for stills and don't mind making some serious compromises to get it. It's a niche product, and it knows it.

The sensor is the star here, landing in the 93rd percentile. That means your photos will have incredible detail and low-light performance. But everything else is average or worse. The autofocus is in the 44th percentile, which is fine for casual shooting but not for fast action. And the lack of in-body stabilization means you'll need steady hands or a tripod, especially in lower light.

At $1598, it's a tough sell. You're paying full-frame money for a camera that feels stripped down. You get that amazing sensor in a cute package, but you lose stabilization, a versatile screen, and weather sealing. It's only worth it if small size and that sensor are your absolute top priorities.

Compared to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II, the S9 gets crushed. The Canon has vastly better autofocus, superb stabilization, weather sealing, and professional video features for a similar price. The Fujifilm X-S20 is another story. It's an APS-C camera, so the sensor isn't as good, but it's a complete package with great stabilization, a flip screen, and strong video for hundreds less. The S9 only wins if you must have a tiny full-frame body.

I can't recommend the LUMIX S9 for most people. It's a photographer's side-camera, not a main workhorse. If you already own a suite of LUMIX lenses and desperately want a tiny second body for street photography, maybe consider it. For everyone else, especially beginners or hybrid shooters, the Canon R6 II or Fujifilm X-S20 are far better, more versatile choices. This camera is all about the sensor, and that's just not enough.