The Panasonic S9: What Were They Thinking?
Even the marketing images for this camera are cringe.
For years I shot with Panasonic’s L-Mount cameras and chronicled my experiences with them here on the blog(now archived). After banging my head against the wall dealing with all the quirks of the system(weight, autofocus, support, etc.) I switched to Sony and never looked back.
Sure there were times I missed the output of the Panasonic S1R(a camera way ahead of its time) compared to what I achieved with my Sony cameras, but the Sony’s were not only similar in terms of quality(better in some instances), the shooting experience was much more enjoyable. Like Apple’s old slogan, “It just works!” is something I would attribute to Sony’s system as well as Canon and Nikon.
Before I exited the L-Mount for good, I cited the lack of support and ambition on Panasonic’s part to really make a dent in the market. It’s like they just stopped caring. The S cameras were originally launched in 2020 and since then, Panasonic hasn’t realeased any additional S PRO lenses. No 85mm S PRO, no 135mm S PRO, no updates to their wonderful 24-70 and 70-200’s. Compared to a company like Sigma who just released version II of their 24-70 Art Lens within a 3 year timeframe, Panasonic is just sitting around letting the industry pass it by. Sigma is single-handedly keeping the L-Mount afloat.
There’s just no hunger or ambition from the brand. They released the S5II last year and as much as people were holding their breath for a true successor to the S1/S1R/S1H, today they announced the Panasonic S9. A pathetic camera that never should have made if off the concept floor. This is the type of product that destroys a brand in terms of both sales and its image with customers. A very apathetic, tone deaf release that serves utterly no one.
$1500. Electronic shutter only so good luck taking photos with this thing. No headphone jack. No hot shoe! And a recording time limit of 15 minutes. Who is this camera even for?
At $1500, you definitely should spend a little more and buy the Sony ZV-E1. Similarly small but way more functional. 4K 120fps, a hot shoe, built in microphone, headphone jack, ability to use LUTS. And Sony makes a plethora of amazing lenses that are small to keep the entire kit compact. It’s my go to travel camera for video. I love it.
Or if you insist on L-Mount, you could get the Sigma FP or S5II and get a much better price to performance ratio. The size savings alone are not worth it if the camera is severely crippled in several other areas.
What should be disappointing to L-Mount users is that Panasonic probably spent hundred of thousands, probably millions on R&D, marketing, etc. All of which could and should have gone to an update of one of the other cameras in their lineup like the S1H. A camera fans of the L-Mount have actually been clamoring for. But the company continues to ignore the needs of its base and slowly put out uninspired products while the competition is on it’s third or fourth iteration of whatever amazing product they’re releasing. You think the new S1H will even matter when Sony releases an update to the FX3? It’ll be too late.
This sort of release just feels like the death kneel for the brand. They will never get a solid grasp in the market and with micro-four thirds essentially dead, Panasonic will likely come up with a couple more releases that are too little too late and fade into obscurity.
It’s over guys.
