Panasonic has had a great year. The company has launched models such as S1II E and the S1R II, both of which are spectacular models. Now, adding to this list is an offering, the LUMIX S9, but in a new color. Additionally, the company has announced several updates, as well as a new lens. Here is a look at what the company has to offer and whether it is helpful for photographers.
A New S9
The LUMIX S9 is a sleek, full-frame camera that is also pocketable. It is popular among travel photographers, and to add to this, the company has announced a new color: Titanium Gold.
Apart from the color, the internals of the S9 remain unchanged. It means if you haven’t bought the camera, and now want it with a different body, then you must go ahead with it. The S9 offers 24MP resolution, 6.5 stops of shake reduction, and you get real-time LUT to create cinematic images. The new LUMIX Lab app also helps photographers to create their own LUT filter, which can be adjusted from their phones. In addition, you also get the existing colors, Sakura, Mint Green, Dark Olive, Night Blue, Crimson Red, and Jet Black.
The S9 Titanium Gold will be priced at $1899, along with a matching color S 18-40mm lens kit. The existing S9 models are part of a sale, which means you can save a few hundred dollars on certain colors. However, if you have already purchased the S9, then this is not for you.
LUMIX Adventure Kit
The company has paired the S1II, S1RII, S5II, and the S5IIX with the S 24-60mm f2.8 lens. The lens was launched this year, and it goes a long way towards shaving off the extra 10mm that people are used to. However, with this, they have managed to offer more brightness, and it is also quite lightweight. As we said in our review, “When paired with the new S1II E, never once did I feel like the lens couldn’t nail its focusing even in very low light and with people with even darker complexions than mine. It’s also less than $1,000 and a lens that you’d truly want to bring everywhere with you.”
According to the company, the prices are as follows: $4,099 with the S1RII, $3,999 with the S1II, $2,999 with the S5IIX, and $2,799 with the S5II. However, if you have already purchased the lens, then this may not be of use to you.
Firmware Updates
Panasonic has also announced the addition of new features, including the LUMIX Lab and Flow app, alongside further updates for lenses and cameras. These will be available starting October 19 and can be accessed via the App Store or the website.
LUMIX Lab App Ver. 2.0
The Lab offers Magic LUT, a new feature that enables users to create their own custom colors, as mentioned above. It means you can select an image and, with the help of AI, adjust your photograph to match the same colors, tones, and mode by creating your own LUT filter. You can fine-tune the colors and save it for shooting in the camera the next time.
Magic LUT shoots with JPEG, HEIF, and MP4 formats. In fact, one can use this to adjust images from your smartphone, even if you are not using LUMIX cameras.
LUMIX Flow App Ver 1.3
The app also follows the following updates:
- Available on LUMIX S5II, S5IIX, and GH7
- Mirroring feature improvements and support for multiple devices – up to 4 devices can be connected simultaneously
- Vertical UI support for external monitors
- Added features for LUMIX S5II, S5IIX, GH7 (with S1II, S1IIE, and S1RII getting enhancments in the future)
- Support for LUT view assist, and it can be toggled on or off from the app
- Support for multiple frame marker display
- Improved AF frame display for various recognition in Automatic Detection
Camera and Lens Updates
Panasonic has announced multiple updates for various models. For instance, the S5 II, S5 IIX, and the GH all now have support in the Flow app, which provides better start-up time. Additionally, they also receive Bluetooth support for DJI models, including the RS 4 Pro, RS 4, and RS 4 Mini.
The S5 II, S5 III, and S9 models have an additional update: customization of the focus ring. Per the company, the ring can be used as a control ring, which means you can assign it key functions and choose the focus rotation direction.
At the same time, S-series lenses, such as the 18mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 100mm Macro lenses, and their focus rings can be assigned key functions. Additionally, the focus rotation direction can be selected in MF mode.
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