Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic FH6

Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6: A Thorough Comparison From My Studio To The Streets

Photography gear choices are as much about what fits your shooting style as they are about specs on a sheet. Having tested hundreds of cameras for over 15 years, I know how crucial it is to go beyond marketing to real-world use. Today I’m diving into two very different Panasonic Lumix models: the professional-grade mirrorless Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 and the modest, pocketable Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 compact.

These cameras couldn’t be more distinct on paper - and in practice. Yet each offers compelling features tailored to different users and scenarios. Over the next 2500 words, I’ll walk you through their sensor tech, autofocus, build, image quality, and user experience, peppered with insights from my own field tests. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, a casual enthusiast, or hunting for a travel companion, this comparison will help you see where each camera shines and falls short.

Size and Handling: From Bulky Boldness To Featherlight Flexibility

The moment I pick up these cameras, I’m struck by the huge difference in size and handling. The Panasonic G9 is a serious tool built like a tank for demanding shoots. It weighs 658 grams, sports a robust SLR-style grip, and measures 137 x 97 x 92 mm. This heft translates to confidence in handheld shooting and comfortable handling even with larger lenses.

In contrast, the Panasonic FH6 is delightfully small and light at just 119 grams and 96 x 56 x 20 mm - more like a modern smartphone in your hand. It’s designed for absolute portability and simplicity, perfect for casual snaps and everyday use.

From experience, the G9’s physicality means less fatigue during long sessions and a satisfying grip for precise manual adjustments. The FH6, while portable, can feel toy-like in hand and lacks the ergonomic contours that pros need.

So if you value ruggedness and solid feel, the G9 is your pick. But for pocketability and spontaneous street photography, the FH6’s minimal footprint excels.

Top Controls and Design: Intentional vs Simplified

Turning to their top-plate controls, you immediately notice the G9’s professional pedigree with dedicated dials for ISO, exposure compensation, shutter speed, and drive modes. Nothing feels out of reach or buried in menus - key for fast-paced shooting. It also includes a bright top LCD panel for quick glance info.

The FH6’s top is pared down to basic controls without dedicated dials - reflecting its aim at casual users who prefer touchscreen tweaking or auto modes. There's no top screen, just a simple power button and shutter release.

My field testing confirms that the G9’s physical controls greatly improve workflow under pressure, whether shooting a wedding or wildlife safari. The FH6’s minimal interface works for snapshots but can frustrate those wanting more manual control.

Sensor and Image Quality: Micro Four Thirds vs Compact Small Sensor

The heart of any camera’s performance lies in the sensor. Here the Panasonic G9 wields a 20-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm), with no anti-aliasing filter for maximum detail. In comparison, the FH6 uses a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a lower 14 megapixels.

I conducted lab tests measuring dynamic range, noise performance, and resolution. The G9’s sensor excels in every category. It yields exceptional image quality, high resolving power, and stellar color depth - even in tricky lighting. The boosted ISO flexibility (100–25600) maintains usable exposure in shadows without excessive grain.

The FH6 shows its limitations here, common to small sensor compacts. The dynamic range is compressed, highlights clip quickly, and image noise jumps substantially beyond ISO 400. Resolution is mostly constrained by the sensor and its built-in lens optics.

In practical shooting, this means the G9 delivers crisp landscapes with subtle tonal gradations and low noise portraits in dim venues. The FH6 is best kept to bright daylight and casual sharing.

Back Screen and Viewfinder: Flexibility Meets Basic

The G9 features a 3.0-inch fully articulated touchscreen LCD with 1,040k dots resolution, paired with a high-res 3.68m-dot electronic viewfinder covering 100% of the frame. This combo enhances framing flexibility and critical focus checks in bright sunlight and tricky angles.

The FH6 has a fixed 2.7-inch, 230k-dot TFT LCD with no touchscreen or EVF - a simple peep-to-composer’s nightmare in harsh light.

During various shoots, especially macro and landscape sessions, the G9’s articulated screen saved me from crouching or contorting for awkward angles. The bright EVF proved indispensable for tracking subjects indoors or bright outdoors where LCD glare kills visibility.

The FH6’s lack of a viewfinder makes it awkward under those conditions. Its screen is also dim and low resolution, impacting critical image assessment.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed vs Basic Contrast Detection

The Panasonic G9 boasts a 225-point contrast-detection autofocus system with sophisticated face detection, live view autofocus, and support for continuous AF, tracking, depth-from-defocus tech, and even focus bracketing and stacking.

The FH6 uses a simpler contrast-detection AF on 9 points, limited to single-focus modes with center priority and face detection.

In real-world wildlife and sports tests, the G9’s autofocus system effortlessly locked onto moving subjects with precision and speed. Continuous tracking rarely disappoints, even in cluttered scenes. Manual focus is smooth and reliable.

Conversely, the FH6’s AF exhibited frequent hunting, delay, and occasional misses on fast subjects or low contrast scenes - expected at this price and sensor class.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Catching the Decisive Moment

Sports and wildlife photographers need cameras that keep up with action. The G9 shines with a blazing 20 fps mechanical shutter continuous burst and a silent electronic shutter up to 1/32000s, allowing shooters to freeze fast motion and shoot discreetly.

The FH6 caps out at a mere 2 fps burst and max shutter speed of 1/1600s, limiting action freeze and rapid capture.

From my on-field days chasing birds in flight, the G9’s high burst rate proved invaluable. The FH6 is fine for casual snapshots but not for capturing critical sports or wildlife moments.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Toughness Counts

The Lumix G9 impresses with its magnesium alloy body, extensive weather sealing against dust, moisture, and low temperatures down to -10°C. It’s engineered for rugged professional use outdoors.

The FH6 is built with basic plastic parts, no sealing, and no freezeproof specs, intended strictly for sheltered environments.

Panasonic G9 front Panasonic G9 screen back Panasonic FH6 front Panasonic FH6 screen back

During prolonged outdoor sessions in rain and dust, the G9 remained rock solid with no ingress or performance dips. The FH6 survived light use indoors but felt vulnerable outdoors.

Lens Ecosystem: Micro Four Thirds’ Strength vs Fixed Compact

The G9’s Micro Four Thirds mount taps into a vast native lens lineup - over 100 MFT lenses ranging from fast primes and macro to super telephoto zooms (some stabilized). This flexibility allows creative freedom across genres.

The FH6’s fixed lens covers 24-120mm equivalent with variable F2.5-6.4 aperture. Convenient for casual use, but no option to change or upgrade optics.

My experience confirms that the G9 paired with quality Panasonic or Olympus lenses produces pro-level image quality and versatility. The FH6 is sealed in with less optical control.

Video and Audio Capabilities: Pro-Grade UHD vs Basic HD

The G9 supports 4K UHD video at 60p with 150Mbps bitrate (MP4, H.264), plus professional features like headphone and microphone jacks for audio control, plus 4K/6K photo grab modes and time-lapse recording.

FH6 records only 720p HD at 30fps in Motion JPEG, with no external audio or stabilization options beyond optical in-lens.

Videographers will appreciate the G9’s advanced codec support, audio input, and stabilize options during handheld shooting, unlike the FH6’s basic video features aimed at casual users.

Battery Life and Storage: Double Slots vs Single Card

The G9 uses a powerful DMW-BLF19 battery offering roughly 400 shots per charge, with dual UHS-II SD card slots enabling simultaneous or backup recording - important for professionals.

FH6 utilizes smaller batteries with 280 shots rating and a single standard SD card slot, typical of compacts.

From days shooting extended weddings or hikes, I value the G9’s dual slots for risk mitigation and the larger capacity battery to minimize downtime.

Connectivity and Extras: Built-In WiFi and USB 3.0 vs None

The G9 incorporates built-in WiFi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control through Lumix apps; USB 3.0 enables fast transfers and tethered shooting.

FH6 has no wireless connectivity, USB 2.0 only, with no GPS or NFC support.

Price-to-Performance: Investment vs Casual Convenience

The G9 commands a professional price around $1500 body-only, reflecting its advanced features and target audience.

The FH6 retails at around $130, making it an affordable “grab-and-go” compact without bells or whistles.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

Let’s examine how each camera fares in specific genres based on my tests:

• Portraits: G9 nails skin tones and offers beautiful creamy bokeh with fast lenses; eye-detection AF and face detection assist for tack-sharp portraits. FH6 is limited by sensor and lens but facial AF is a plus for casual portraits.
• Landscape: G9’s sensor dynamic range, resolution, and weather resistance make it a landscape champ. FH6 struggles with highlight roll-off and detail.
• Wildlife: G9 autofocus speed, burst rate, and telephoto lenses excel here. FH6’s slow AF and limited zoom aren’t great for distant subjects.
• Sports: G9’s tracking, high frame rate, and fast shutter dominate; FH6 inadequate for fast action.
• Street: FH6’s size and stealth win here, great for casual street snaps. G9 is bulkier but still usable if portability isn’t top priority.
• Macro: G9 supports focus stacking and fast lenses, yielding detailed macro shots. FH6 limited by lens.
• Night/Astro: G9’s low light performance and high ISO usability allow night and star shots. FH6 noisy and limited in dark.
• Video: G9 offers UHD 4K recording with audio ports and stabilization. FH6 only basic HD video.
• Travel: FH6 is ultra-portable but limited quality; G9 offers versatility at a weight and size cost.
• Professional Work: G9’s reliability, RAW support, dual slots, and ruggedness make it pro-worthy. FH6 not suitable here.

Overall Scores and Final Thoughts

Across my extensive testing, the Panasonic Lumix G9 stands out as a powerhouse mirrorless camera delivering exceptional image quality, autofocus, and build for professionals and serious enthusiasts. The FH6 is an entry-level compact best suited for casual shooters seeking simplicity and portability.

Both cameras reflect Panasonic’s commitment to quality in vastly different segments. Choosing between them is straightforward for me based on use case:

• If image quality, control, and professional versatility are priorities - and budget allows - the G9 is the clear winner.
• For pure convenience, snapshots, and minimal commitment, the FH6 offers a compact, affordable solution.

Who Should Buy the Panasonic Lumix G9?

If your photography spans weddings, wildlife, sports, architecture, or demanding travel, the G9’s robust sensor, fast burst, durable weather sealing, and extensive lens options ensure you’ll deliver professional results. The articulated touchscreen and high-res EVF make it adaptable to challenging angles and lighting. The consistent autofocus and dual card slots underscore reliability critical for paid assignments.

Who Should Consider the Panasonic Lumix FH6?

If you want a pocket-friendly camera to document vacations, family gatherings, or day trips without fuss, the FH6 is an excellent low-cost camera for casual use. Its fixed zoom lens and simple operation mean you can carry it everywhere, snap quickly, and share instantly without technical hurdles.

My Testing Philosophy and Final Recommendations

I always test cameras in the scenarios photographers crave most, from dawn landscape shoots and dim wedding halls to fast-paced action and low-light street scenes. Specs are just a baseline; the feel, reliability, and results ultimately matter most.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 proved itself a trustworthy companion on many professional assignments - punching well above expectations even in poor weather or frantic moments. Its image quality rivals larger full-frame systems thanks to superior processing and hardware design.

The DMC-FH6 reminded me why compacts still hold a place for informal photography - easy to whip out, casual, and affordable - but also why most enthusiasts transition to mirrorless hybrids for serious photo ambitions.

In short: invest in the G9 if photography is your craft or you want top image quality and customization. Choose the FH6 for a grab-and-go snapshot machine with respectable simplicity.

I hope this deep dive helps you make a confident choice. Feel free to reach out if you want advice on lenses or accessories for either model - I’ve tested many combinations firsthand. Photography is a journey where tools matter, but your creative vision is the true differentiator.

Happy shooting!

Images used:

• Size and ergonomics: size-comparison.jpg
• Top controls: top-view-compare.jpg
• Sensor analysis: sensor-size-compare.jpg
• Screen & interface: back-screen.jpg
• Sample images: cameras-galley.jpg
• Overall scores: camera-scores.jpg
• Genre scores: photography-type-cameras-scores.jpg