Lumix S9: My Camera Review After a Year

After a year with the Lumix S9, it’s become one of my favorite cameras. In this five-minute review, I share what I enjoy about it and why I keep reaching for it.

As a filmmaker, I spend plenty of time thinking about cameras, lenses, and image quality. But there’s another quality I value: how much a camera makes me want to pick it up and film. The S9 has been that kind of camera for me. Small enough to bring along, with an image that makes taking it worthwhile.

A Camera I Want to Carry

Some cameras require a little negotiation before leaving the house. What lenses do I need? How much equipment am I bringing? Am I actually going out to film, or just going out?

I appreciate the S9 because it makes that decision easier. I can take it with me without turning the whole day into a production. That matters when I’m spending time with my daughter or simply noticing something I’d like to capture.

It’s easy to focus on what a camera can do under ideal conditions. I’m equally interested in whether I’ll have it with me when something worth filming happens.

Living with the Limitations

The S9 has its compromises. Its simple body and limited physical controls won’t suit everyone, and neither will the lack of a viewfinder. These are things to consider when deciding whether it fits the way you work.

For me, though, the overall experience has made it a camera I keep returning to. After a year, that means more than my first impressions did. The novelty wears off, and you find out whether you still want to use it.

Watch the Full Review

This is a personal review from a filmmaker’s perspective: what it’s been like to live with the Lumix S9, what I appreciate about it, and why I think it deserves more attention.

The full review is about five minutes long. You can watch it below.