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Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D3S

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 and the Nikon D3S are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in November 2017 and October 2009. The G9 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D3S is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (G9) and a full frame (D3S) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 20.2 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 12.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Panasonic G9
versus
Nikon D3S
Panasonic G9   Nikon D3S
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Micro Four Thirds lenses Nikon F mount lenses
20.2 MP – Four Thirds sensor 12.1 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/60p Video 720/24p Video
ISO 200-25,600 ISO 200-12,800 (100 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (3680k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 921k dots
Swivel touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
20 shutter flaps per second 11 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge4200 shots per battery charge
137 x 97 x 92 mm, 658 g 160 x 157 x 88 mm, 1240 g
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Check G9 offers at
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Check D3S offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 and the Nikon D3S? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Panasonic G9 and the Nikon D3S. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D3S
Compare G9 versus D3S top
Comparison G9 or D3S rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3S is considerably larger (89 percent) than the Panasonic G9. Moreover, the D3S is substantially heavier (88 percent) than the G9. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (G9) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3S). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Panasonic G9, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the G9 gets 400 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BLF19 battery, while the D3S can take 4200 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL4a power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the D3S has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the G9, Panasonic provides the DMW-BGG9 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on ebay). The power pack in the G9 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic G9 137 mm 97 mm 92 mm 658 g 400 Y Nov 2017 1,699ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 Y Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D3 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1300 g 4300 Y Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3X 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1260 g 4400 Y Dec 2008 7,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D4 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1340 g 2600 Y Jan 2012 5,999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-M1 II 134 mm 91 mm 67 mm 574 g 440 Y Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-M1 III 134 mm 91 mm 69 mm 580 g 420 Y Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic G9 II 134 mm 102 mm 90 mm 658 g 390 Y Sep 2023 1,899 amazon.com
11.
 
Panasonic G85 128 mm 89 mm 74 mm 505 g 330 Y Sep 2016 899ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GH4 133 mm 93 mm 84 mm 560 g 500 Y Feb 2014 1,499ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GH5 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 725 g 410 Y Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic GH5 II 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 727 g 400 Y May 2021 1,699 amazon.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH5s 139 mm 98 mm 87 mm 660 g 440 Y Jan 2018 2,499 amazon.com
16.
 
Panasonic GX8 133 mm 78 mm 63 mm 487 g 330 Y Jul 2015 1,199ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GX9 124 mm 72 mm 47 mm 407 g 260 n Feb 2018 849ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The G9 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 67 percent) than the D3S, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic G9 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Nikon D3S a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D3S is 282 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the G9 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the D3S offers a 3:2 aspect.

Panasonic G9 and Nikon D3S sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Panasonic G9 offers a higher resolution of 20.2 megapixels, compared with 12.1 MP of the Nikon D3S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.34μm versus 8.43μm for the D3S). However, it should be noted that the G9 is much more recent (by 8 years) than the D3S, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the G9 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic G9 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the G9 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3S are 21.3 x 14.2 inches or 54.1 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.2 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.4 inches or 36 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the D3S, the G9 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (80.6MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3S are ISO 200 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-102400.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

G9 versus D3S MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic G9 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.112.8113874
2.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
3.
 
Nikon D3 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2229081
4.
 
Nikon D3X Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none24.713.7199288
5.
 
Nikon D4 Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/30p24.713.1296589
6.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
7.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
8.
 
Olympus E-M1 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.712.8131280
9.
 
Olympus E-M1 III Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.313.1135676
10.
 
Panasonic G9 II Four Thirds 25.0 5776 43365.7K/60p23.413.5171078
11.
 
Panasonic G85 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.812.565671
12.
 
Panasonic GH4 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.212.879174
13.
 
Panasonic GH5 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.913.080777
14.
 
Panasonic GH5 II Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/60p23.713.1113679
15.
 
Panasonic GH5s Four Thirds 9.9 3680 27004K/60p23.112.8115474
16.
 
Panasonic GX8 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.512.680675
17.
 
Panasonic GX9 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.112.8116374
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the G9 provides a higher video resolution than the D3S. It can shoot video footage at 4K/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the G9 has an electronic viewfinder (3680k dots), while the D3S has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the G9 has a higher magnification than the one of the D3S (0.83x vs 0.70x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic G9, the Nikon D3S, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Panasonic G93680 Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
2.
 
Nikon D3Soptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
3.
 
Nikon D3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D3Xoptical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D4optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
6.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Olympus E-M1 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
9.
 
Olympus E-M1 III2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
10.
 
Panasonic G9 II3680 n3.0 / 1840 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Panasonic G852360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Panasonic GH42359 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s Y n
13.
 
Panasonic GH53680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
14.
 
Panasonic GH5 II3680 n3.0 / 1840 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
15.
 
Panasonic GH5s3680 n3.2 / 1620 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n n
16.
 
Panasonic GX82360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
17.
 
Panasonic GX92760 n3.0 / 1240 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that differentiates the G9 and the D3S is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The G9 reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the D3S offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

The G9 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the D3S does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the G9 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic G9 and the Nikon D3S both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The G9 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D3S uses Compact Flash cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 and Nikon D3S and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic G9Ystereo / monoYYfull3.0Y-Y
2.
 
Nikon D3SYstereo / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Nikon D3Y- / ---mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D3XY- / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D4Ymono / monoYYmicro2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
7.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y--
9.
 
Olympus E-M1 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
10.
 
Panasonic G9 IIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
11.
 
Panasonic G85Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Panasonic GH4Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
13.
 
Panasonic GH5Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
14.
 
Panasonic GH5 IIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
15.
 
Panasonic GH5sYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
16.
 
Panasonic GX8Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
17.
 
Panasonic GX9Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y

It is notable that the G9 has a microphone port, which is missing on the D3S. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the G9 and the D3S have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D3S was replaced by the Nikon D4, while the G9 was followed by the Panasonic G9 II. Further information on the features and operation of the G9 and D3S can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic G9 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D3S Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Panasonic G9 or the Nikon D3S – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (20.2 vs 12.1MP) with a 27% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 720/24p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.83x vs 0.70x).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 921k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (20 vs 11 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (137x97mm vs 160x157mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 582g or 47 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (67 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 8 years of technical progress since the D3S launch.

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Arguments in favor of the Nikon D3S:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (4200 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in October 2009).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G9 is the clear winner of the match-up (25 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

G9 25:05 D3S

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic G9 and the Nikon D3S place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the G9 or the D3S perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic G9..+ +5/585/1005/55/5 Nov 2017 1,699ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D3......+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3X......86/1004/55/5 Dec 2008 7,999ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D4........4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 5,999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-M1 II5/5+ +5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 1,999ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-M1 III5/5..5/583/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2020 1,799ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic G9 II5/5..4.5/587/100..4.5/5 Sep 2023 1,899 amazon.com
11.
 
Panasonic G85..+ +..84/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2016 899ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic GH45/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Feb 2014 1,499ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic GH54.5/5+ +..85/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2017 1,999ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic GH5 II4.5/5..4.5/585/1004.5/55/5 May 2021 1,699 amazon.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH5s....4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2018 2,499 amazon.com
16.
 
Panasonic GX85/5+..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2015 1,199ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GX94/5+4/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 849ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D3S

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Panasonic G9 Nikon D3S
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date November 2017 October 2009
    Launch Price USD 1,699 USD 5,199
    Sensor Specs Panasonic G9 Nikon D3S
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 36.0 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 860.4 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels 12.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3888 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.34 μm 8.43 μm
    Pixel Density 8.96 MP/cm2 1.40 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/60p Video 720/24p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 25,600 ISO 200 - 12,800 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 102,400 ISO
    Image Processor Venus 10 EXPEED
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 82
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 23.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 12.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 3253
    Screen Specs Panasonic G9 Nikon D3S
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.83x 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 3680k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Panasonic G9 Nikon D3S
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 20 shutter flaps/s 11 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy200 000 actuations300 000 actuations
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/32000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Panasonic G9 Nikon D3S
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port full HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Panasonic G9 Nikon D3S
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Panasonic DMW-BLF19 Nikon EN-EL4a
    Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge4200 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 137 x 97 x 92 mm
    (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.6 in)
    160 x 157 x 88 mm
    (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in)
    Camera Weight 658 g (23.2 oz) 1240 g (43.7 oz)
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