Panasonic today has officially launched the Lumix S9 in Malaysia. It is touted to be the smallest and lightest full-frame camera in the Lumix S-series, offering creators with portability without compromising on performance.
The new Lumix S9 features a 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, equivalent to that of the Lumix S5II, backed by Panasonic’s latest engine. In favour of its compact design, the camera deviates from traditional electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and opts for a vari-angle rear screen, allowing flexible shooting from various angles.
Also onboard is an in-body image stabilisation that enables smooth handheld video recording, complemented by phase detection autofocus for accurate subject tracking. In a bid to entice smartphone users, Panasonic has included a Real Time LUT function on the Lumix S9 that provides on-device colour grading styles, accessible via a dedicated LUT button. In addition, the new LUMIX Lab app enables creators to develop their own unique LUT color files on their smartphone.
In terms of recording capabilities, the new camera supports various formats, including 6K open-gate, Cinema 4K and Full HD, catering to diverse creative needs. However, it should be noted that the Lumix S9 lacks active cooling, meaning that extended recordings could potentially result in overheating, especially at higher resolutions.
On a related note, Panasonic also introduced the new MP4 Lite recording format on the Lumix S9, which is optimised for smartphone use. With this, along with Lumix Lab’s editing tools, facilitates quick and efficient content creation, allowing creators to easily and swiftly share their work directly from the camera to a mobile device.
Pre-order for the Lumix S9 is slated to be available tomorrow until 30 June 2024 via Panasonic’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. The camera is priced at RM 7,599 for body only, and RM 8,999 when paired together with an R2060 Lens, while colour options include Jet Black, Dark Silver, Dark Olive, and Crimson Red. All pre-orders of the LUMIX S9 will come with free gifts, including a SmallRig L-Shape Handle, a battery pack, and a 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card.
