Lumix G9 Burst Modes – Everything you need to know

The Lumix G9 burst modes will help you capture even the fastest moving subjects at their decisive moment.

Using the Super High Burst modes (SH1 and SH2) you get video speed capture.
And, unlike with 6K Video mode, you can shoot raw files in these burst modes.

Video 1 – Setting up the Burst Modes of the Lumix G9

In this video I show you how to set up the various burst modes and give you examples of pictures taken using burst mode.

Lumix G9 Burst Modes – The numbers and what you need to know

This video is a follow up to the one above.

In the video cover:

Burst speed
Focus modes
File sizes
File types

The Lumix G9 is capable of shooting large jpgs and also raw files in the Super High Speed Burst modes. Yes, you heard that right. There are some limitations of course, but they are easy to work around.

With large sizes and ultra high burst modes, you’re sure to fill up your memory card fast! Now I know why they included two memory card slots in this camera!

You can download the pdf of the expanded owner’s manual from the Panasonic website.

There are also burst mode charts in the hard copy of the owner’s manual that comes with the camera. In my English version that’s on page 48 and 114.

Let’s look at the numbers in the chart

Lumix G9 Burst Modes chart

Lumix G9 Burst modes

Seeing the numbers is one thing, but how do these burst modes translate to your photography practice?

I shoot in AFS mode most of the time — even with sports and action because the auto focus on the G9 is SO fast that I don’t have too many situations where I miss focus on a shot in one of my burst sequences.
If the focus locks on in shot 1 it will still be locked on in shot 60.
If you’re shooting in AFF mode, then the 20fps might seem limiting. But there aren’t very many situations that I personally find myself shooting in, where I need more than 20fps.
And if you’re averse to using the electronic shutter because of the distortion, shoot using the mechanical shutter at 12fps and you’ll be covered for most of your shooting situations.
Mechanical vs Electronic shutter: When a moving subject is recorded using the electronic shutter, the subject may appear distorted [page 199 pdf]
In my experience, the distortion hasn’t been a problem so far. Because I shoot skateboarding mostly with the Lumix 7-14mm (f/4) lens, I expect a fair degree of optical distortion anyhow.

Practical Considerations

Upon reviewing my skateboarding action photos in LR, I noticed that many of the photos were so close in composition and content that I didn’t really need 60fps to capture the decisive moment.
When shooting faster sports such as motor racing or capturing other ultra high speed subjects you may indeed need 60fps, but I’m very happy with 20fps.
Plus at 20fps the files take up only up a third of the space as the 60 fps on my memory cards and my computer hard drive.
There is a bit of a time lag while the photos are being dumped to the memory card. So make sure you get the fastest memory cards available to speed up that writing process. However, even at that, you will likely still have to wait several seconds for the writing.
As mentioned you will likely fill up both those memory cards quickly if you shoot SH2 and large jpgs or raw files if you’re on a big photo shoot.

Using the SHI and SH2 Burst modes of the Lumix G9 adds a whole new dimension to your action photography. Personally I love them!

Don’t take my word for it, test the Lumix G9 Burst Modes for yourself.

As usual I highly recommend testing them out for yourself before doing an important shoot. You want to compare things like focus, image distortion and downloading time.