Hello, fellow shutterbugs and storytellers! I’m Leo Liang, your tour guide through the sometimes puzzling world of cameras and lenses. I trust you’ve been keeping up to date with my journey over at LensClear, where the singular focus has always been getting what you pay for out of our gear-be it professional or entry-level.
Today, let’s talk Panasonic. 2024 is shaping up to be an interesting year for Lumix, with a handful of new releases that have caught my attention, in particular. It feels like Panasonic continues to champion the Micro Four Thirds (M43) system, while also trying to branch out into full-frame and fixed lens areas of photography. I am seeing the trends and will go over the cameras that they launched this year.
Micro Four Thirds Magic: Lumix GH7 and G97 Shine Bright
The Lumix brand has become synonymous with some of the best mirrorless cameras out there, and for many, this is true, especially with regards to their smaller M43 system cameras. 2024’s offerings are no exception, with the Lumix GH7 and G97 making some significant strides forward. It is fair to say these are the stand-out cameras from Panasonic in 2024.
The Flagship Lumix GH7: Power and Professional Video Capability
First, we have the Lumix GH7, which is supposed to be the M43 flagship model, due to release in 2024. This one’s for video creators, and as we know, the GH line always punches way above its weight for a M43 camera. It’s an excellent, versatile camera that’s easy to take anywhere and get high-quality footage with ease.
The GH7 comes with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) which is going to be great news for anyone who struggles with video autofocus on contrast-based systems. This improvement to autofocus on a system that is already very strong is a huge boost for the reliability of video. If I’m on location, having a system that will reliably hit the target is essential for getting clean shots without fuss.
Another huge feature of this new powerhouse is the unlocking of Arri LogC3. For someone who has a little idea about color grading and working with footage, it means they are offering the potential of some professional-level video performance. It will now become incredibly straightforward to color-grade video shot on the Lumix GH7. It’ll help produce footage with a cinematic look. This is going to be a great new option for creators looking for serious video capabilities that can punch above their weight without breaking the bank.
Lumix G97: The M43 Entry Point
Finally, there is the Lumix G97: a compact M43 mirrorless, developed for the new user. This also sees the light of day at the end of 2024. It’s a great starting point for a budding photographer desiring an easy way to get your feet wet into the M43 system. It provides a good amount of creative filters and automated shooting modes that let you start to build some skills and experiment with how cameras work and look.
The Lumix G97 makes photography easy, it makes photography less intimidating, and allows you to learn the basic rules but break them when needed. This is such a perfect camera to introduce new photographers into a system that I’m a huge fan of!
To me, personally, the G97 is a good entry point camera that will bring even more users into the M43 system, and that can only be positive for all of us using it. When using a great system, more lenses become more widely available, and that is a plus for everyone! That’s the power of Micro Four Thirds system.
Lumix Full-Frame Frustrations and a Nod to Digital Cameras
Right, so with me getting all psyched about the M43 stuff, let’s very briefly check the other end of Panasonic’s offerings for 2024. Nothing has gotten me too excited from a Lumix full-frame perspective where there is admittedly some real-deal video capability, yet to my eye there doesn’t really appear to be anything very groundbreaking, nor have I really seen the demand for it. The Lumix S9 does have some interesting features, but let’s just quickly talk about that for the sake of completeness.
Lumix S9: A Content Creator’s Full Frame Offering
The Lumix S9, expected in May 2024, really targets the video creators with some impressive video specifications. It should be a full-frame mirrorless camera, but to be frank, Panasonic hasn’t done enough to make this camera stand out from the many full-frame cameras available on the market in 2024.
I do think, with its key feature of fast switching between various LUT effects, that video shooters are going to like the speed. But while it sounds kind of cool, is that enough of a selling point to get pros to switch over when there are so many tried-and-trusted systems out there?
To me, the S9 feels a little bit half-baked, with some very basic features but nothing to really entice you to the system, especially considering how popular some of the M43 offerings are.
The Lumix FZ80D and ZS99: Keeping Digital Compacts Alive
Lastly, a word about compact cameras: although compact camera sales have taken something of a tumble with the advent of cameras on smartphones, there is still a requirement out there for small yet powerful digital cameras for certain uses, and for this Panasonic is releasing the Lumix FZ80D and ZS99 models, both released throughout 2024.
The FZ80D is a long-zoom digital camera announced to go on sale sometime in 2024, with further compaction. That will be mainly for the convenience of the photographer or videographer so that their range might be longer compared with their phones and also be more portable. Such an adaptation could mean very useful purposes, above all for the wildlife photographer or the general vacationer.
Then, the update in that ever-popular series, ZS80 is the ZS99 that reaches the markets by December 2024. Perfectly meant for those in need of convenience and something really small going way ahead with an up-to-30x zooming ability. Lumix ZS series cameras have normally been very pocketable and travel-oriented. The Lumix ZS99 can easily fit for a hike, on vacation, or at that simple family meet, all in good service to never let a good shot go un-captured.
LensClear: My Final Thoughts on Lumix 2024
Ok, so we’ve covered the Lumix cameras released in 2024. While there are many cameras, my thoughts, as a professional photographer, are quite clear: M43 is where Panasonic is shining.
The GH7 does not disappoint in terms of its video capabilities. Outstanding phase detection autofocus, plus the addition of Arri LogC3, is likely to make this probably an industry standard in no time. On a personal note, I am so eager to see how this will perform once I get my hands on it.
The G97 is an important entry-point into the system that I really like. The automation allows new users to focus on composition and creativity, rather than getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty of photography. This camera, I feel, really hits the sweet spot.
The full-frame camera is fine, but it’s not for me. Even though I can appreciate that full-frame is popular, in my opinion, it is not the be-all and end-all of camera capabilities.
Last but not least, I am very grateful that Panasonic is still putting out these digital cameras that are affordable yet can really pack a punch. The combination of having the zoom range and pocketability that cameras like the FZ80D and ZS99 offer will be priceless for many photographers.
So here at LensClear, I, as a photography enthusiast and your guide, am super excited about the M43 releases from Panasonic. While it seems that Panasonic isn’t exactly winning with these full-frame cameras just yet, I’m very interested to see what they’re offering in the near future, especially the GH7 and G97-these will be a great addition to any photography or videography setup.
I’d love to hear from you below! What are you most excited about from Panasonic? Do you also see some serious potential for the M43 system, in particular?
Remember, keep experimenting and shooting!
“The best camera is the one that’s with you.” – Chase Jarvis
LensClear Actionable Tips
- Add to the cameras in the M43 system with new releases from 2024 onwards.
- Check out the video capabilities of the GH7, in particular, if you are focused on video creation.
- If you’re just starting out with a system, the G97 might be the perfect way to start learning photography!
- Be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of various systems and how they might benefit your work.
- Remember the famous saying by Chase Jarvis: “The best camera is the one that’s with you.”
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
This industry is continually evolving and that is what is exciting about it! Be sure to follow me on social media, where we will be keeping up to date on all things cameras! I love seeing your photos, so please tag me and hashtag #lensclear when you are posting your images and videos so I can take a look! I’m very excited to see what you are going to create and to help you create the best images and videos possible!
References
Panasonic Lumix S9 Release Information
Panasonic Lumix GH7 Official Website
Panasonic Lumix FZ80D Overview
Panasonic Lumix ZS99 Product Details
DPReview Panasonic GH7 First Impressions
What are LUTs in Videography? – Studio Binder
Micro Four Thirds System Explained
Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) Definition – B&H
