JVC
GY-HC500U
Connected Cam 1-inch camcorder with 20x zoom, 4K60p ProRes 422 10-bit, HLG/J-Log1, 3G-SDI, weather sealing, and SRT streaming.
$3,395
Launch priceReleased Sep 2019
Panasonic
Lumix G9 II
MFT hybrid with 8-stop IBIS and 75fps stills for wildlife on a budget.
$1,899
Launch priceReleased Sep 2023
Lumix G9 II is 4 years newer.
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Wins
GY-HC500U
Wins
Lumix G9 II
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BLumix G9 II has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 0)
- BLumix G9 II has higher AF frame coverage (100 % vs 0 %)
- BLumix G9 II has higher Max video bit rate (800 Mbps vs 200 Mbps)
- BLumix G9 II has higher Burst (electronic) (75 fps vs 20 fps)
- BLumix G9 II has higher Resolution (25.2 MP vs 9.35 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareGY-HC500U
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Lumix G9 II
134 × 102 × 90 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
GY-HC500U is 11mm shorter and 18mm thinner than Lumix G9 II.
GY-HC500U is 78 g lighter than Lumix G9 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm GY-HC500U · 90mm Lumix G9 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
GY-HC500U
134 × 91 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix G9 II
134 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
GY-HC500U
134 × 72 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix G9 II
134 × 90 mm
Sensor size, to scale
GY-HC500U
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lumix G9 II
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
GY-HC500U: mount data unavailable
Lumix G9 II
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
GY-HC500U
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
AA filter
Only GY-HC500U supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 390 shots — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Weight
580 g vs 658 g — lower is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 3,680,000 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix G9 II
AF points / zones
779 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
100 % vs 0 % — higher is better
AF low-light limit
-4 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1
Max video bit rate
800 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
75 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye, Car…
Resolution
25.2 MP vs 9.35 MP — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
GY-HC500U
Pros
- ✓1-inch sensor + 20x f/2.8–4.5 zoom
- ✓4K60p Apple ProRes 422 internal
- ✓HLG / J-Log1 HDR
- ✓3G-SDI + weather-resistant body
- ✓SRT / RTMP streaming
Cons
- –Heavy at 3.6 kg configured
- –SSD ProRes needs optional adapter
- –Premium over GY-HM250
- –9.35MP effective sensor
Lumix G9 II
Pros
- ✓75fps stills mode
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓Compact tele reach
Cons
- –MFT sensor
- –Smaller ecosystem
- –Video not GH-level
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the GY-HC500U and Lumix G9 II at major authorized retailers.
JVC GY-HC500U
Panasonic Lumix G9 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, GY-HC500U or Lumix G9 II?
Lumix G9 II scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for GY-HC500U — 75fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the GY-HC500U and Lumix G9 II?
GY-HC500U is 9.35 MP and Lumix G9 II is 25.2 MP, so the Lumix G9 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the GY-HC500U and Lumix G9 II have in-body image stabilization?
GY-HC500U has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Lumix G9 II has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the GY-HC500U or the Lumix G9 II?
GY-HC500U reaches 20 fps electronic. Lumix G9 II reaches 75 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the GY-HC500U and Lumix G9 II?
GY-HC500U weighs 580 g and Lumix G9 II weighs 658 g, so the GY-HC500U is 78 g lighter.
Do the GY-HC500U and Lumix G9 II record 4K video?
GY-HC500U: 4K up to 60p. Lumix G9 II: 5.8K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the GY-HC500U and Lumix G9 II weather sealed?
GY-HC500U: Yes. Lumix G9 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the GY-HC500U and 390 shots for the Lumix G9 II, giving the GY-HC500U the edge.
How much does each cost?
GY-HC500U launched at $3,395 and Lumix G9 II at $1,899. The Lumix G9 II is $1,496 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way GY-HC500U vs Lumix G9 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of JVC and Panasonic press materials.