In a surprise move, the affordable G9 will be getting a huge video upgrade. The new firmware bumps the 8bit 4K mode of the G9 up to 10bit 4:2:2 internal. There are also further AF improvements for the GH5 and G9, along with manual exposure control in high-speed movie mode on the S1, improvements to highlight rolloff in V-LOG and CFExpress card support – these cards offer up to 2000Mbps data rates, 300% faster than even XQD… Perfect for internal 4K RAW should Panasonic choose to implement this next.

These firmware updates will be available to download from November 19th 2019, according to Panasonic.

The Panasonic G9 getting 10bit 4:2:2 is a big surprise for me, as it’s quite an old camera. It is on sale for $1197 at B&H which makes it the same price as the more recent G95. The more recent camera only shoots 8bit, although it does have V-LOG L pre-installed. This can nevertheless be added to the older G9 with an upgrade key.

In the UK I have seen the G9 go for as little as £650 used, which is a total bargain for 10bit 4K recording.

Here’s everything Panasonic have planned for the 19th:

LUMIX Full Frame Mirrorless S1 and S1R firmware version 1.3 Expanded media compatibility CFexpress Type B card can be used. A CFexpress Type B card boasts a theoretical performance of a maximum of 2,000 Mbps. Realizing an approximately 300% higher transfer speed than that of a conventional XQD card, it supports large-volume photos and videos. Expanded compatibility with Profoto wireless transmitters Profoto wireless transmitters “Air Remote TTL-O/P” and “Profoto Connect-O/P” can be used, enabling wireless connection and control of external strobes for professional shooting.* Improved compatibility with Sigma interchangeable lenses and mount converter It is now possible to assign functions to the Fn buttons of Sigma L-Mount interchangeable lenses. The performance of Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) when attaching a lens using the Sigma MC-21 mount converter has also been enhanced and suppresses roll movement. Improved compatibility with Panasonic interchangeable lenses It is now possible to assign functions to the lens Fn buttons when the Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. (S-E70200) is mounted. Improved AF performance [AF+MF] can be used in AFC mode, and it is now possible to set continuous AF on the live view screen in Creative Video mode or in other video recording modes when the video recording area is displayed. Improved performance of High-Speed Video It is now possible to manually set the exposure according to the video exposure mode (P/A/S/M) in High- Speed Video mode. Other major improvements It is now possible to select the card slot to save the JPEG images developed by in-camera RAW processing.

An Fn button can be used for checking the aperture effect while the button is pressed.

Disabling any physical operation can be assigned to an Fn button

AF Assist Light has been added to the Focus tab of the Video menu

The luminance level of photos (including 6K/4K Photo and Post Focus images) can be set when playing back them over HDMI output.

AE can be locked with the [AF/AE LOCK] button when ISO Auto is set in M mode.

S1 There were cases where a blue clipping effect occurred in V-Log recording. This problem has been improved.

S1 There were cases where afterimages occurred in V-Log recording. This problem has been improved. LUMIX Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Camera GH5 Firmware Version 2.6 / GH5S Firmware Version 1.4 /G9 Firmware Version 2.0 Expanded compatibility with Profoto wireless transmitters Profoto wireless transmitters “Air Remote TTL-O/P” and “Profoto Connect-O/P” can be used.* Improved AF performance [AF-ON: Near Shift] and [AF-ON: Far Shift] functions have been added. [AF-ON: Near Shift] preferably focuses on a subject nearby while [AF-ON: Far Shift] preferably focuses on a subject far away.

A Focus Peaking function is available not only in MF mode but also in any AF mode.

It is possible to set continuous AF on the live view screen in Creative Video mode or in other video recording modes when the video recording area is displayed.

GH5S G9 Animal Detect has been added to AF mode. Utilizing Advanced AI Technology, animals, including canines, felines and birds, can be detected in addition to humans. The focus frame is automatically set on the target subject by analyzing the size and position of the target subject in the viewing image. The camera keeps tracking these subjects even when they turn their back to the camera.

GH5S G9 It is possible to switch the subject to focus on by pressing the joystick in [Face/Eye/Body/Animal Detect.] mode. Enhanced video functions G9 4K 30p/25p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording is supported.

4K 60p/50p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output is supported.

Luminance level for 10-bit video is supported.

VFR (Variable Frame Rate) shooting is supported (FHD 2-180 fps/4K 2-60 fps).

HDR video recording is supported.

V-Log L recording and Waveform Monitor (WFM) are available with the Upgrade Software Key DMW-SFU1 (sold separately). Other major improvements [AWBw]has been added to WB mode.

[Highlight Weighted] has been added to [Metering mode].

[Exposure Offset Adjust.] has been added to the Custom menu, which enables adjustment of the standard exposure value for all metering modes.

[0.5SEC] has been added for an option of [Duration Time (photo)] in [Auto Review].

AE can be locked with the [AF/AE LOCK] button when ISO Auto is set in M mode.

[MODE1] has been added to the Live View Boost function, which increases the frame rate for smooth image displays to enable easier manual focusing.

G9 [MODE2] has been added to High Resolution mode, which reduced subject’s motion blur. .LUMIX Sync Ver1.0.4 ・Wireless connection(operation) with GH5/GH5S/G9 is supported. [Source – Panasonic]

The AF near-shift and far-shift looks like a positive move in particular on the GH5, GH5S and G9.

I believe the way this works is you now have two AF back buttons (on function keys).

If it’s obvious you would like the camera to pick up a subject far away, press the far-shift AF key. If you want a closer subject to be the priority, hit the other key.

I think this is a very good idea, especially if shooting a subject surrounded by a complex foreground or through a window, which could so often be selected by accident by the AF system.

The issue of some clipping in highlights (in the blue channel) has been improved upon for V-LOG on the S1 and S1R. When you get a bright artificial blue light in the shot, it’s very common to see it turn green or begin to clip. Good to see Panasonic take the issue seriously and reduce the effect.

Full manual control in high speed video mode on the S1 and S1R is something quite a few users asked for.

Speaking of high frame rates, not only does the G9 get 10bit, it appears to have picked up the GH5’s 2-180fps VFR mode as well, along with a similar VFR mode in 4K up to 60fps.

Bargain of the year?