I’m going to share a bit about why I went looking for a new camera, with some initial reactions. In another yet to be written, I’ll add some comments on the first few days of carrying the new camera on our morning walks.

For more than a decade, I’ve used a series of Canon EOS-M cameras as my primary every day, walk-around camera, upgrading along thje way to the later models as they were introduced. The M cameras are relatively small, easy to carry, and with a largest sensor except for full-frame cameras, providing excellent image quality. The cameras APS-C sensor was the same used in Canon’s single lens reflex cameras of the time, including one introduced the same year the first M camera came out. Over time, I’ve gotten very comfortable with the size and feel, as well as the available lenses. But nearly five years ago, Canon stopped adding to the M line when it introduced its first R system full-frame cameras, and then expanded the R system to include several APS-C cameras that competed directly with the M cameras.

The end was near. Finally, last year Canon announced it was discontinuing support for its M cameras. Although not unexpected, this was not good news for users like myself. Suddenly it’s an oprhaned line of cameras. Of course, we can continue to use our M cameras until they die. My thought, though, is that if I’m going to have to change in the intermediate future, why not do it now and enjoy the latest technology while I still can?

After a year of mentally shopping around, comparing this and that aspect of different brands and camera types now on the market, I recently responded to a sale and bought a Panasonic S9 camera. This is a full frame camera introduced earlier this year, with a larger sensor than the smaller APS-C, which has a number of advantage including, theoretically at least, possibly better picture quality.

I ended up with the S9 because it is considered one of the smallest full-frame interchangeable lens cameras available, and it cost $1,000 less than the comparable Sony.

The camera has been much criticized by online reviewers for lacking several things, including an electronic viewfinder, a “hot shoe” connector for a flash or a microphone, and for its “electronic shutter.” Honestly, I think those criticisms were by people who spend their time reading camera specifications rather than taking photos.

My Canon M cameras also lacked a viewfinder. At first, I thought this was going to be a problem, so paid more to get an accessory viewfinder. Well, it turns out it has rarely been used. When I wore glasses, they would get in the way of the viewfinder. And, later, I just got used to composing a photo using the camera’s rear screen, as you would with an iPhone. I liked that this camera offered most of the features of its “big brother,” the S5ii, incuding what was described as improved autofocus from earlier Panasonic cameras. And the price was right, not too much to wager on what is really a test run. Perhaps not the best case for going forward, but it made sense to me.

I started with the S9 and Panasonic’s own 20-60mm zoom lens.

After unboxing, charging the battery (which charges in the camera, which doesn’t come with an external battery charger), and scanning quickly through the user guide, I attached a Domke camera strap followed by the zoom lens, and held the new camera in my hand for the first time.

Disappointment. Although many of the reviews mention its compact size, it is actually larger and bulkier than I had hoped. It only weighs a few ounces more than my current M6ii, but it has more mass. It feels bigger than it is, perhaps. The lens is much larger in diameter than the M6 lens, and the S9 just feels bigger and heavier than I had expected. It’s possible that it just balances differently than the Canon, and I’ll get used to the feeling after carrying it for a few weeks. I hope so.

But, bottom line, it is not a small, svelt piece of equipment. This will not fit in a pocket, no matter how hard you try.

Here are a couple of photos of the S9 and the Canon m6ii side by side.

Here’s another comparison, the S9 compared to the nearly 13-year old Sony RX1, which is also a full frame camera. I really like the Sony, but it is showing its age. It is slow to focus, which makes chasing dogs and cats difficult, although it can produce excellent photos. Sony still sells its higher-resolution successor, the RX1ii, for over $3,000. I do browse online looking at used copies, but keep hoping I can find something similar that doesn’t have a fixed lense (although the RX1’s fixed lens is really excellent).

Back to my first moments with the S9. The zoom lens is very stiff and takes more pressure to turn, whether to zoom closer to the subject or back out to a wide angle view. I’m guessing this is because the camera and lens are weather sealed, which is good, but it’s still another thing that will take a bit of getting used to.

I quickly discovered several little things that bothered me. For example, to extend the zoom lens on the S9 requires rotating the zoom ring the opposite direction from the Canon, so muscle memory from long Canon use makes me have to think each time I zoom want to zoom in or out. I have to think about it instead of just doing it. Learning curve!

Perhaps the biggest problem I’ve found so far is the incredibly bad implementation of the camera’s rear screen which, without a viewfinder, is a big part of using this camera.

A reviewing site I rely on (DPReview.com) described it as 3.0″ 1.84M dots, fully articulating. Well, turns out the “fully articulating” part isn’t really correct.

When taken out of the box, the screen is turned around so that the active side is facing the camera and protected from accidental damage. So to you it, you flip it out to the left of the camera itself, flip it over, and then move it over into place on the camera back.

Here’s the issue that I very quickly ran into. Trying to take a photo from a low angle, I naturally tried to angle the screen up a bit in order to preview the photo.

But Panasonic’s implementation of the articulating mechanism doesn’t allow this, unlike the Canon cameras I’ve been using. On the S-9, you would have to flip the screen out from the camera body, like in this photo, before it will swivel up or down. This is awkward at best. I’m trying to pretend that it’s not a big issue, as I have many cameras with fixed rear screens and have adjusted to using them. But it’s just that the “fully articulating” description left me expecting more.

Next up: First few days in use