Panasonic G95 Field Test

Panasonic's latest compact Micro Four Thirds ILC aims to be a true hybrid camera

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 08/01/2019

Note: This Field Test was shot using v0.2 pre-production firmware, but we were advised it does reflect production-level image quality and performance.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 300mm (600mm equiv.), f/5.7, 1/640s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Despite recently launching their new full-frame S1 and S1R cameras, Panasonic is still fully committed to the Micro Four Thirds system. They are different systems for varying uses, and there remains a strong case to be made for the MFT sensor size, including smaller and lighter cameras and lenses. The latest Micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic G95 (known as the G90 and G91 in some markets), exemplifies the greatest strength of the MFT system, combining power and performance within a compact, lightweight camera system.

The Panasonic G95 could be described as a "G9 Lite." It incorporates the same 20.3-megapixel MFT sensor found in the high-end G9, but in a smaller camera body, similar to the G85 (which will continue to be sold). However, unlike the G9, which was primarily targeted at stills photography applications, the G95 is more of a hybrid camera. In fact, Panasonic is touting it as its Micro Four Thirds camera which comes closest to being a true hybrid camera, which would be a 50/50 split between photography and video applications.

On paper, there's a lot to like. But let's see how the G95's appealing features perform with real-world use.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens at 17mm (34mm equiv.), f/6.3, 0.8s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Key Features and Specs

• Compact Micro Four Thirds camera
• Weather-sealed camera body
• Built-in OLED electronic viewfinder
• Tilt-swivel touchscreen display
• 20.3-megapixel image sensor
• Native ISO range of 200-25,600
• Depth from Defocus autofocus system
• 9 frames per second continuous shooting
• 4K Photo modes
• 4K/30p video and V-LogL recording
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Available in a kit with a 12-60mm lens for $1,200 USD

Camera Body and Handling

I really enjoyed the overall camera design of both the Panasonic G85 and the G9. While they have different target audiences, they both did a nice job of providing many physical controls without making the camera body itself overly large. The G95 does a nice job of blending some of the best aspects of both cameras while doubling down on the idea of being able to operate the camera with one hand. For example, the G95 has white balance, ISO and exposure compensation buttons located next to the shutter release, which is very convenient. You can press one of these buttons and then rotate the rear command dial to quickly change any of these exposure/shooting parameters. Further, all but the Fn3 button, which controls the EVF behavior, are located on the right side of the camera's rear. The shooting mode dial is also within reach of your right hand while shooting, although the drive mode dial does require your left hand for operation while shooting.

The G95 looks similar to the G85 and G9 in terms of its overall shape. The G95 has a new grippier surface, which works very well.

While the G95 is slightly larger than the G85 and weighs a bit more, in addition to expanded physical controls, the G95 also features a more rugged design. This includes a magnesium alloy front frame and Panasonic's full level of dust and splash resistance. I think that the overall feel has also improved. The G95 incorporates a new surface material, which feels grippier than the G85's surface. The G95 feels very sturdy and solid in my hands.

The G95 has been designed to be operated with one hand. You can see that nearly all of the buttons and controls are on the right side of the camera.

A strong feature of the G95, along with numerous other Panasonic cameras, is the vari-angle touchscreen display. The display's touchscreen functionality works well and text and images on the display are sharp and detailed. The display is also generally easy to view in daytime conditions at default brightness, although you can increase the brightness if needed. The only downside of the display is that it has a pretty large bezel, which feels like wasted space. This is nitpicking, however, because the display itself and its articulating design are very good.

When looking at the electronic viewfinder on the G95, its performance is pretty impressive. The OLED viewfinder has 0.74x magnification, which is quite large. The G95 utilizes a new eyecup design and revised materials, which is quite comfortable to use even for extended periods. However, I did find it hard to block ambient light from getting into the viewfinder from the sides without pressing my face against the camera, which limits the utility of Touchpad AF while also introducing the risk of accidentally moving the focus point with my nose.

The top of the G95 includes dedicated white balance, ISO and exposure compensation buttons.

Overall, the G95 is an enjoyable camera to use. The control layout is excellent, and the camera is very easy to use and control using just your right hand. The quality of the materials is good as well, especially the new surface covering.

Image Quality

Sharpness and detail

The G95's 20.3-megapixel image sensor produces nicely-detailed images. In the image below, you can see some good detail in a processed raw image, especially when looking at the feathers on the duckling.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 128mm (256mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/400s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 128mm (256mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/400s, ISO 200. 100 percent crop. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Looking at the same image straight from the camera, the detail in the JPEG file is not quite as distinct, although the overall image is slightly cleaner in terms of noise. If you prioritize detail, I highly recommend shooting raw and processing the images in your editor of choice.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 128mm (256mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/400s, ISO 200. 100 percent crop from original JPEG image. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

High ISO

The G95's native ISO range is 200-25,600, which is a pretty wide range, especially given its Four Thirds sensor. With that said, in my opinion, the usable range is a bit narrower in practical terms. At ISO 6400, for example, the images become quite noisy, and the dynamic range is a bit compressed. Nevertheless, there is still a good amount of detail.

In the ISO 6400 image below, you can see a pretty dramatic difference between the SOOC JPEG image and a raw file processed with Adobe Camera Raw default settings.

JPEG Image

Panasonic Leica DG 8-18mm f/2.8-4 at 8mm (16mm equiv.), f/2.8, 20s, ISO 6400. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Panasonic Leica DG 8-18mm f/2.8-4 at 8mm (16mm equiv.), f/2.8, 20s, ISO 6400. 100 percent crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the JPEG above, we can see that the camera is doing substantial noise reduction processing. This processing is generally effective at smoothing out some of the noise. However, it also basically removes some faint stars, adds some blocky artifacts (especially around the edges of the leaves), and gives the image a bit of a flat appearance.

RAW File

Panasonic Leica DG 8-18mm f/2.8-4 at 8mm (16mm equiv.), f/2.8, 20s, ISO 6400. 100 percent crop from raw file processed with Adobe Camera Raw default settings. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the raw crop above, we see some better detail but, unsurprisingly, a lot more visible noise. However, the noise is not all that distracting to my eye. The grain isn't too bad and there aren't issues with false color.

In the crop below, I performed additional noise reduction with Adobe Camera Raw, and I think that the result does a good job of balancing detail retention with reducing noise.

Panasonic Leica DG 8-18mm f/2.8-4 at 8mm (16mm equiv.), f/2.8, 20s, ISO 6400. 100 percent crop from raw file converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Overall, I am impressed by the G95's high ISO performance. I would generally want to keep the ISO at 3200 or below in most cases -- which is the default maximum ISO when using Auto ISO -- but you can push the camera a bit further and still achieve good image quality.

Overall

Overall, the G95 produces good image quality across many different situations, including shooting in low light. The G95 may have a smaller sensor than similarly-priced APS-C cameras, but I don't think that it results in a dramatic variance between the G95 and APS-C cameras in terms of overall image quality.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 at 46mm (92mm equiv.), f/6.3, 2s, ISO 640. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shooting Experience

Autofocus

Like most modern Lumix cameras, the G95 utilizes Panasonic's contrast-detection-based Depth From Defocus (DFD) autofocus system. It is the same autofocus system as was found in the G85, which means it has 49 AF points, can focus in as little as 0.07 seconds and is rated for low-light autofocus down to -4 EV, provided that there is enough contrast. Further, the focus control system inside the G95 operates at 240 frames per second and incorporates vector and distance tracking for continuous autofocus.

In the real world, these sophisticated features resulted in good autofocus performance. The focusing is quite quick in most situations, and I found it to be accurate as well. Take for example the image below. The bittern was obscured by a lot of vegetation, but the G95 was still able to quickly lock in on the subject and maintain focus despite the distractions. The G95's focusing proved reliable, and I was able to reasonably anticipate what the DFD focus system would do while shooting.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 300mm (600mm equiv.), f/5.7, 1/500s, ISO 400. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

There are a variety of nice autofocus features as well. You can change the size of the single-point autofocus area mode, for example, and you can create custom AF area configurations through the Custom Multi focus group mode. The G95 also includes Face/Eye detect autofocus. One of my favorite aspects of the camera is the Touchpad AF, which allows you to use the touchscreen to move the autofocus point around the frame even when you are shooting through the electronic viewfinder.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 156mm (312mm equiv.), f/4.6, 1/640s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In lower light, the G95 proved to be a capable camera. Even with the somewhat slow 100-400mm lens, which is an f/6.3 lens at its telephoto end, the G95 focused quickly and accurately in dim conditions. Continuous autofocus performance was also good, although the contrast-detect system has a slight tendency to wobble. This can be a bit distracting while shooting, although it rarely results in focus misses.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 156mm (312mm equiv.), f/4.6, 1/400s, ISO 2000. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Performance

The G95 offers strong overall shooting performance. The camera is snappy and agile in the field. The G95 can shoot full-resolution images at up to 9 frames per second when using AF-S and 6 frames per second when using continuous autofocus. The camera's speeds are solid for the camera class, although I do wish that it could record more raw images, as buffer depth is around 30 raw frames when shooting at 9 fps. You can record many more JPEG images in a burst, however, so if you need to record an extended sequence of action, you'll need to shoot JPEG only.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 400mm (800mm equiv.), f/8, 1/500s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Another important aspect of performance with the G95 is its 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 image stabilization system, which works really well. There are occasionally instances when the viewfinder image can move quite a bit as the stabilization kicks in, but it's a small price to pay when the resulting image is stable and sharp. This effect was most prevalent with the 100-400mm lens I used and was not nearly as noticeable with the shorter lenses.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 318mm (636mm equiv.), f/5.8, 1/500s, ISO 2000. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

It's also important to consider performance in the context of powering on the camera, playing back images and navigating menus. In all of these regards, the G95 performed well, although sometimes playback was a bit sluggish when trying to view 4K videos. Overall, however, the G95's performance is very good.

Video

As mentioned earlier, Panasonic is aggressively positioning the G95 as a hybrid camera. Expectations should be tempered slightly, though, as this camera is not as full-featured as a GH5. However, it offers a lot more in the video realm than the G85 did at a similar price point. Some of the G95's video features include 4:2:2 8-bit recording over HDMI, Cinelike gamma, zebra patterns, a center marker and custom settings for autofocus speed/tracking. Something that the G95 does uniquely in Panasonic's MFT lineup is offer V-Log L pre-installed, meaning that users who enjoy grading their video and getting the most out of the sensor can do so right out of the box. Previously, the V-Log L was a paid firmware upgrade option for the GH5 and GH4 cameras.

Panasonic G95 4K Video #1 3840 x 2160 video at 29.97 frames per second. 100-400mm lens, ISO 200, 1/125s. Download Original (201 MB .MP4 File)

A really nice feature when using the G95, which applies perhaps even more for video than stills in many cases, is the articulating display. This makes it very useful for vloggers who need to see their framing and focus while in front of the camera, but it is also useful when shooting from lower angles.

Looking more at specific video features, the G95 can record 4K UHD (3,820 x 2,160) video at up to 30 frames per second, which is competitive for cameras in this category. The camera does a really nice job producing high-quality 4K footage with good exposure, impressive color and a solid dynamic range. At lower ISO settings in particular, video is crisp and detailed.

Panasonic G95 4K Video #2 3840 x 2160 video at 29.97 frames per second. 100-400mm lens, ISO 400, 1/125s. Download Original (196 MB .MP4 File)

One downside of the 4K recording is that the camera does crop the footage a bit, something that the G9, which is certainly a more stills-oriented camera, does not do. With that said, quality is definitely impressive, thanks in part to the 100Mbps bit rate for 4K video recording.

Panasonic G95 4K Video #3 3840 x 2160 video at 29.97 frames per second. 100-400mm lens, ISO 3200, 1/30s. Download Original (190 MB .MP4 File)

When looking at autofocus performance, the G95 is quite impressive. The contrast-detect autofocus system does a good job of being able to keep up with moving subjects and smoothly switching focus planes without much wobbling or indecision. Even in low light and when using slower lenses, autofocus speeds are generally pretty quick.

Panasonic G95 4K Video #4 3840 x 2160 video at 29.97 frames per second. 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens, ISO 200, 1/2000s. Download Original (403 MB .MP4 File)

In addition to high-resolution video, the G95 also does high-speed video. You can record Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) video at up to 120 frames per second, which allows for 4x slow motion when played back at 30fps. This mode uses manual focus, though, which can be a little bit challenging at times but still works well.

Panasonic G95 High Speed Video 1920 x 1080 video recorded at 120 frames per second, played back 4x slow-motion at 30 fps. 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens, ISO 200, 1/1000s. Download Original (128 MB .MP4 File)

Further, for handheld video shooting, the G95 is a really nice choice thanks to the built-in image stabilization system. The video below was shot handheld using the 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens and also shows off continuous autofocus performance.

Panasonic G95 4K Video #5 3840 x 2160 video at 29.97 frames per second. 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens, ISO 200, 1/320s. Handheld. Download Original (444 MB .MP4 File)

Overall, while I am not a primary video user, I am impressed by the video quality, performance and overall features of the Panasonic G95. I think that it offers a lot of performance and value for its price. The camera is easy to use while still offering many more advanced options and settings, which I think is an important balance to strike.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 280mm (560mm equiv.), f/7.1, 1/500s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the Field

When using the G95, there are many nice aspects of the camera which stood out. The articulating display in particular proved very useful. It works well not only for recording video as I mentioned above, but it is also very useful when shooting from low angles on a tripod. Rather than needing to bend down, I could easily compose the scene while upright and use the touchscreen to move the focus point around and evaluate captured images. Further, the G95 offers very good controls. The buttons and dials are all conveniently arranged and work well for quickly changing camera settings. The body design, in general, is very nice and an makes for an enjoyable experience.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 400mm (800mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/640s, ISO 500. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 400mm (800mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/500s, ISO 500. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 400mm (800mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/500s, ISO 1600. This image has been cropped. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

For shooting wildlife images, the G95 is a solid option. It has reasonably fast shooting speeds, even with continuous autofocus. While 6 fps isn't blazingly quick, it's plenty fast for many situations. Further, the autofocus system is fast, accurate and offers good coverage across the image area. This makes it easier to focus on subjects near the edge of the frame, which is very useful. The G95 also performs well in low light, both with respect to autofocus, but also when considering the overall image quality.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm lens at 60mm (120mm equiv.), f/5.6, 1/10s, ISO 200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Panasonic Leica DG 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens at 8mm (16mm equiv.), f/2.8, 20s, ISO 6400. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm lens at 23mm (46mm equiv.), f/7.1, 1/50s, ISO 200. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

When doing landscape photography, the G95 is also a good choice despite its small sensor size. The 20-megapixel sensor delivers good image quality with impressive resolving capabilities for a Micro Four Thirds camera. Further, the sensor produces flexible raw files, which allow for pretty good recovery of shadow and highlight detail which may be lost in scenes with wide dynamic range.

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm lens at 60mm (120mm equiv.), f/6.3, 0.8s, ISO 250. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 400mm (800mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/1000s, ISO 2500. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Another important consideration for both wildlife and landscape photography is that the G95 offers weather sealing and is a quite compact, lightweight camera body. Further, the Micro Four Thirds system in general is compact, including the Panasonic 100-400mm zoom lens (200-800mm equivalent) I used. It is much smaller and lighter than similar lenses on APS-C or full-frame camera systems. This is also the case with wide-angle zoom lenses, which are nice options for landscape photography.

Overall, using the Panasonic G95 in the field was a very positive experience. The camera is well-designed, has good features and offers impressive all-around performance.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 400mm (800mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/500s, ISO 640. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Panasonic G95 Field Test Summary

A very good all-around compact camera

What I liked:

• Intelligent camera body design
• Very useful articulating display
• Good image quality
• Impressive autofocus and performance
• Many features, both for still photography and video

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 400mm (800mm equiv.), f/6.3, 1/640s, ISO 1250. This image has been cropped. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I didn't like:

• Somewhat shallow raw buffer depth
• Not available as a body only purchase

The Panasonic G95 is a really nice all-around Micro Four Thirds camera, offering a wide range of features at a good price point. The camera is well-designed, has good image quality, performance and a wide-ranging feature set. I enjoyed shooting with the G95 and really appreciate how it fits into Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds camera system as a whole.

Panasonic Leica DG 100-400mm f/4-6.3 lens at 318mm (636mm equiv.), f/5.8, 1/500s, ISO 250. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.