Panasonic
Lumix G9
Original G9 stills flagship with 20MP MFT sensor, 60fps electronic burst, and excellent IBIS.
$1,699
Launch priceReleased Nov 2017
Panasonic
Lumix S5 II
Phase-detect L-mount hybrid with 6K open gate and strong video tools.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2023
Lumix S5 II is 5.2 years newer.
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Wins
Lumix G9
Wins
Lumix S5 II
6 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BLumix S5 II has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 225)
- BLumix S5 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 60 frames)
- BLumix S5 II has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
- BLumix S5 II has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- ALumix G9 has higher Burst (electronic) (60 fps vs 30 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareLumix G9
137 × 97 × 92 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 × 90 mm
740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
Lumix G9 is 5mm shorter than Lumix S5 II but it is also 3mm wider and 2mm thicker.
Lumix G9 is 82 g lighter than Lumix S5 II.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm Lumix G9 · 90mm Lumix S5 II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Lumix G9
137 × 97 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Lumix G9
137 × 92 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Lumix S5 II
134 × 90 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix G9
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lumix S5 II
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Lumix G9
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Lumix S5 II: mount data unavailable
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
Lumix G9
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.9, 97.3, 91.6
Burst (electronic)
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Lumix G9 supports it
Codecs
Adds AVCHD
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 9 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
6.5 stops vs 5 stops — higher is better
Weight
658 g vs 740 g — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
400 shots vs 370 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix S5 II
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1
AF points / zones
779 vs 225 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
ISO min (native)
100 vs 200 — lower is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Lumix S5 II supports it
Codecs
Adds H.265, MOV
Both cameras share
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓1080p max frame rate — Both 180 fps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix G9
Pros
- ✓60fps electronic burst
- ✓Strong IBIS
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Large EVF
Cons
- –Older contrast AF
- –MFT sensor
- –Superseded by G9 II
Lumix S5 II
Pros
- ✓Phase-detect AF finally
- ✓6K open gate
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Great value
Cons
- –24MP resolution
- –L-mount size
- –AF still behind Canon/Sony
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Lumix G9 and Lumix S5 II at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic Lumix G9
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Lumix G9 or Lumix S5 II?
Lumix S5 II scores 8.5/10 versus 5.0/10 for Lumix G9 — 24.2MP — solid resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix G9 and Lumix S5 II?
Lumix G9 is 20.3 MP and Lumix S5 II is 24.2 MP, so the Lumix S5 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Lumix G9 and Lumix S5 II have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix G9 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Lumix S5 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix G9 or the Lumix S5 II?
Lumix G9 reaches 60 fps electronic. Lumix S5 II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix G9 and Lumix S5 II?
Lumix G9 weighs 658 g and Lumix S5 II weighs 740 g, so the Lumix G9 is 82 g lighter.
Do the Lumix G9 and Lumix S5 II record 4K video?
Lumix G9: 4K up to 60p. Lumix S5 II: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p.
Are the Lumix G9 and Lumix S5 II weather sealed?
Lumix G9: Yes. Lumix S5 II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 400 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix G9 and 370 shots for the Lumix S5 II, giving the Lumix G9 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix G9 launched at $1,699 and Lumix S5 II at $1,999. The Lumix G9 is $300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Lumix G9 vs Lumix S5 II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic press materials.