A Promising Concept Held Back by Missing Essentials

At this stage in my career, what you might charitably call an “industry veteran”, teaching myself new tricks can feel a bit like training a chicken how to abseil – it’s cruel, and may well end in tears.

Currently, I’m trying to get to grips with a new camera: the Panasonic Lumix S9. I wanted to love this camera; indeed I was convinced I was going to love this camera. It seemed like the answer to my prayers.

The Promise

I have a bad back, and the weight of digital equipment is a constant bugbear. Reading the specs, I thought salvation was at hand: a full-frame compact that only weighs 403g had me salivating. I even had visions of ditching my current system and pivoting to Panasonic.

But almost immediately, it became clear that this was not the camera for me: there’s no viewfinder – the thing you put your eye up to – which is a non-negotiable feature.

What Works

Firstly, let me tell you what I like about the Lumix S9. I love the size, weight, and the fact that it’s a full-frame camera. It looks good, too.

But that doesn’t compensate for not being able to see what I’m shooting, essentially blinding me in what is perhaps the most visual of visual mediums.

Missing the Mark

In fairness, I suspect this camera was never intended for the likes of me. It feels like a content creation device for influencers, vloggers, YouTubers and suchlike. It plays to the strengths of folks who prioritise flip-out screens, lightweight setups, and video features over the ergonomics of traditional stills. But even so, it feels like a work in progress.

While you may call me old fashioned, creating photographs is still my number one priority when judging a new camera.

The Verdict

If I were being generous, the S9 feels like a half-stride toward something great. If Panasonic ever releases an “S9 Mark II” with an optional EVF (a clip-on hot-shoe accessory would be perfect), it could be a game-changer for hybrid shooters. Until then, it remains an expensive but niche device.

With an RRP of £1,499 for the body only, it’s far from cheap.

A Better Alternative?

My advice to content creators on a budget is to ditch the camera altogether and go for a smartphone with a good camera. Something like the Vivo V30 5G would be a logical choice. Unlike the S9, which offers detachable lens options, the V30 Pro follows the flagship smartphone trend with a versatile triple-camera array. Unlike many rivals, it packs a hefty 50MP resolution across all three sensors — a rarity even in today’s market.

In partnership with the excellent German lens maker Zeiss, the setup includes a primary wide-angle lens (23mm equivalent), an ultra-wide (15mm equivalent), and a dedicated 2x telephoto (50mm equivalent) for crisp portrait shots. For those needing extra reach, digital zoom stretches up to 20x, though with the usual trade-offs in quality. As expected, it also boasts 4K video up to 60fps.

The worst thing about the V30 Pro is its availability, but you can source devices on eBay for around £550. At that price, it’s a steal. The real contender would be the Honor 200 Pro at £499, although its ultrawide lens, f/2.2, AF is only 12MP.

Final Thoughts

It feels strange reviewing a camera and telling you to buy a smartphone instead – from chickens learning to abseil to turkeys voting for Christmas. But the Lumix S9 is, sadly, a Curate’s egg that I cannot recommend.