First impressions is a little inaccurate as I have been selling these for close on 5 years, but in my home, with my needs addressed, this is a new camera.
Looking fully sick with its Smallrig handle, this is the business.
Very first impression, after using EM1 mk2 and EM1x cameras is that it is closer to an EM1x than a mk2. The nubbin control and general feel as well and the heft put into the “hard pro” category, so this is my EM1x for video.
Operationally it feels much nicer for video. This is a true hybrid, where the Olympus tended to need to be a more traditional stills camera with (good) video added on, as the G9 was on launch.
The menu is a dream, deep and comprehensive, but I have had to find out what some of the features actually are :). Setting up the custom menus was easier than with Olympus and that is (1) with 10 years of Oly use and (2) not reading the instructions (yet). I like that.
The G9 will be set up purely as a video camera, which is why I bought it, so the C1-5 and base settings will be cemented in soon (a firmware package is available to up the video specs and adding an off board recorder like the Ninja V would also boost its potential)
C1 will be my better standard settings, .MOV, 8 bit 4-2-0 4k 30p 150mbs in Cinelike-D, contrast reduced. This will basically match the OSMO at its top settings in look and quality.
C2 will likely be the base settings I will need just for daily grabs for socials, which are lower resolution than the best possible, but fast to process and transfer. This looks like it will be 1080 30/60p in Natural mode with sharpness and saturation dropped.
C3 (1) will be for slo-mo or hand holding (then slo-mo). This is up in the air at the moment as I have to compare 1080 at 180 frames to 4k at 60.
C3 (2) is a straight out of camera set, for shooting and handing over without processing. This will be like C-2, but without flattening.
C3 (3) will be my maximum setting. 10 bit 4-2-2, 4k 30p Hybrid Log Gamma. I doubt it will be used much, but 5 custom settings allows me to be prepared.