OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II vs Panasonic LUMIX G9 II
The bottom line
These two are closely matched. The differences below are where they diverge — weigh the ones that map to how you actually shoot, and let price and handling break the tie.
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II if…
- ✓You shoot action, sports or wildlife — 75fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 18fps would drop frames.
- ✓You shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 30p.
- ✓You vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio.
- ✓You shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -7 EV gives it the edge after dark.
Where they differ
- ›Burst: the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II shoots 75fps to the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II's 18fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
- ›Video: the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II is the stronger video tool — 4K up to 120p, 10-bit internal and Log.
- ›Price: the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II launched at $1,899, $100 under the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II — money that could go toward glass.
- ›Weight: the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II is 574g (1.27 lb) vs 658g (1.45 lb) — 84g you'll feel on a long day out.
- ›Resolution: 25.2MP on the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II vs 20.4MP — more detail and crop room, at the cost of larger files.
Frequently asked
Is the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II or the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II better?
These two are closely matched. The differences below are where they diverge — weigh the ones that map to how you actually shoot, and let price and handling break the tie.
Who should choose the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II?
Choose the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II if you shoot action, sports or wildlife — 75fps burst plus dedicated subject-tracking AF keeps up with fast, erratic movement where 18fps would drop frames. Choose it if you shoot video seriously — it brings smoother 120p 4K vs 30p. Choose it if you vlog or shoot handheld solo — the fully-articulating screen flips to face you and there's a mic input for clean audio. Choose it if you shoot in low light or indoors — AF that focuses down to -7 EV gives it the edge after dark.
What is the main difference between the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II?
Burst: the Panasonic LUMIX G9 II shoots 75fps to the OM System OM-D E-M1 Mark II's 18fps — the gap that decides whether you nail the peak moment in sports and wildlife.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Imaging | ||
| Sensor Type | Live MOS | BSI CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Image Processor | TruePic VIII | Venus Engine |
| Effective Resolution | 20.4 MP | 25.2 MP |
| Lens Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Exposure Control | ||
| ISO Range (Native) | 200 – 25600 | 100 – 25600 |
| ISO Range (Extended) | 64 – 102400 | 50 – 51200 |
| Mechanical Shutter | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Electronic Shutter | 1/32000 | 1/32000 |
| Flash Sync Speed | 1/250 | 1/250 |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| Still Image Capture | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 18 fps | 75 fps |
| Video Capture | ||
| Max Resolution | 4K | 5.7K |
| 8K Recording | − | − |
| 4K Recording | Up to 30p | Up to 120p |
| 1080p Recording | Up to 60p | Up to 240p |
| 10-bit Internal | Yes | Yes |
| Recording Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Log Profiles | OM-Log400 | V-Log / HLG |
| Built-in Mic | Stereo | Stereo |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mic Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Output | Micro (Type D) | Full-size (Type A) |
| Focus | ||
| Phase Detect Points | 121 | 779 |
| Contrast Detect Points | − | − |
| Low Light AF | -2 EV | -7 EV |
| Eye AF | Yes | Yes |
| Animal AF | Yes | Yes |
| Vehicle AF | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| EVF Type | OLED | OLED |
| EVF Resolution | 2.36M dots | 3.68M dots |
| EVF Magnification | 0.74x | 0.8x |
| Monitor | ||
| LCD Size | 3" | 3" |
| LCD Resolution | 1.04M dots | 1.84M dots |
| LCD Type | Tilting | Vari-Angle |
| Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | v4.2 | v5.2 |
| USB | Micro USB 3.0 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Memory Card Slots | 2x SD (1x UHS-II) | 2x SD UHS-II |
| GPS | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $1,999 | $1,899 |
| Body Material | Magnesium Alloy | Magnesium Alloy |
| Dimensions | 134.1×91.9×66.9 mm | 134.3×102.3×90.1 mm |
| Weight | 574g (1.27 lb) | 658g (1.45 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| In-Body Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life (EVF) | 440 shots | 370 shots |
| Battery Life (LCD) | 440 shots | 400 shots |
| Battery Type | BLH-1 | DMW-BLK22 |
