It’s Not a GoPro. It’s a G-Pro, and It Shoots Better Video !

7 minutes read time

Let’s start with the basics: the Lumix G90, G91, G95 and even the newer G97 are, for the most part, the same camera wearing different hats. Market-dependent names, a few minor tweaks, but under the hood? Practically identical. Panasonic’s naming convention? A mess. Try comparing models on Camera Decision — if you’re in Belgium, you’ve probably got a G90 or G91, but good luck finding it in the dropdown. Only the G95 shows up. Confused yet? Welcome to the club.

Well… I expanded my collection (let’s call it that instead of “hoarding”) and added a Lumix G90 to the G81 I already own.

So why did I, someone who owns an OM System OM-1 Mark II and a few other Olympus flagships, decide to pick up a G90 — a camera the internet often dismisses with a casual shrug?

Simple. Video.
That’s why I originally picked up the G81. It was dirt cheap, built like a tank, and the perfect way to dip a toe into Panasonic’s hybrid waters.

‘The G81 and G90 side by side — the G90 is slightly larger, but cleverly shaped so they can share the same battery grip and rig. Weight difference? Just 40 grams’

But there was another reason. I had already started dabbling in video on Olympus: first the E-PL6, then the E-PL9, followed by the E-M10 Mark III — and even Olympus’s idea of an action cam, the Tough TG. And sure, it worked… but not the way I wanted it to.

Basically, I was looking for a GoPro on steroids. A G-Pro, if you will — with interchangeable lenses.
After testing quite a few cameras, I landed on something that checked all the boxes: a slightly oversized GoPro in disguise — the Lumix G81. 😎
And it worked. Really well.

In other words: my G81 and G90 are basically G-Pro Action Cams — just with knobs, dials, and proper lenses.

At first, the UI felt like trying to pilot a Klingon warbird with IKEA instructions. Really, Emily (yes, you — Micro Four Nerds) — this is what you call better than Olympus’s interface? Bold choice. But hey, give it time and even this cryptic puzzle starts to make sense.

‘More buttons and a chunkier grip for better handling and added stability’

But alright, in all fairness — this is completely normal. It’s what I always say when people switch from, say, Adobe Lightroom to RawTherapee: suddenly everything’s “too complicated,” the learning curve is “too steep,” and “it doesn’t work like I’m used to.” Well… yes. That’s exactly the point. On my first test outing, I spent literal minutes stabbing at buttons like a chimpanzee with a calculator — total frustration. Once home, I asked ChatGPT, and boom: solved in seconds. And now? Now I change that setting just as quickly as on any Olympus or OM System camera. Because, like with everything: once you know it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Ok, let’s move one – Panasonic’s fanbase isn’t just loyal by accident. There’s logic in the layout and intent in the design — especially if you shoot video. Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: spec-wise, the G90 looks like a rerun of the G81. Same 4K30p max. Same general vibe. So why bother?

The Real-World Upgrades

• 20MP Sensor – More isn’t always better, but when I’m filming and end up snapping stills, it’s nice to have a bit more crop wiggle room.
• Improved ergonomics – Bigger grip, extra top buttons (ISO, WB, EV comp), and a proper front dial. The video button is finally finger-friendly — no more stabbing at it with a fingernail (slightly bigger and raised)
• Brighter OLED screen & better EVF – Easier to see outdoors, and as someone who wears glasses, the EVF alone is a reason to upgrade.
• Extra crop in 4K? Yep. But if you’re into wildlife like me, that’s a feature, not a bug. It turns my 100–300mm into something close to a 375mm equivalent. Light setup, big reach.
• Unlimited 4K recording – No more 29m59s cut-off. I don’t often need it, but when I do, it’s there.
• V-LogL included – Built-in flat profile. No extra cost like on the GH5.
• Headphone jack – A rare luxury in this price range. When I’m not using an external recorder, this is a lifesaver.
• Micro-USB charging – Not as sexy as USB-C on the G97, but I can charge it while cycling from point A to B.
• 120fps in Full HD – Versus 60fps on the G81. Slow-mo is always fun.
• Same battery, same grip – Uses the same DMW-BLC12E battery as the G81 and works with the DMW-BGG1 grip. Nice bonus if you already own one.
• Weather-sealed – Dust and splash resistance isn’t just marketing fluff — it helps when you’re crawling through the undergrowth.

‘Note the slightly raised video button on the G90 — unlike the G81, where it’s recessed enough that you almost need a fingernail to get it to respond’

Two Bodies, One Workflow

Here’s where it gets practical: my G81 now travels with the 12–60mm, while the G90 carries the 100–300mm. Both are light, compact, and live full-time in my bike panniers. That way, I’m always ready — whether the subject’s three meters away or halfway across a field.

But every now and then, someone asks: “Why on earth would you carry an extra camera — even two — when you already have an OM System OM-1 Mark II?”
Well, I’ve said it before: setting up for video is more than just flipping a switch.

Panasonic knows video. Stick a G81 or G90 in a cage with a side grip and a top handle, and you’re basically holding a poor man’s cinema rig. That’s the point: one setup finely tuned for wildlife stills, long tele lens and all — and a second rig built just for video. Because trying to do both on the same body? That just doesn’t work.

Besides, 75% of my outings are by e-mountainbike — not hiking with a photo backpack, where this setup would be way too heavy. So think of it as a mobile photo-video studio on stealthy electric wheels, quietly gliding through the woods, my G-Pro’s ready for any kind of action… and ready to shoot the moment it strikes.

So… Is It Worth It?

If you’re expecting the G90 to be a baby GH5, you’re going to be disappointed. But that’s the wrong mindset. These cameras aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel — they’re about refining it. Panasonic didn’t forget to read your wishlist — they just built something practical, reliable, and reasonably priced.

And yeah, it “only” records in 4:2:0 8-bit. Now, unless you’re shooting and grading for Netflix — it’s fine. Really.
Not convinced? Sure, I’ve seen all those videos and reviews too, comparing the quality — and yes, on your laptop screen it does look sharper and more detailed. Put them side by side, and you’ll definitely pick the 10-bit footage…

But… I’ve also compared standalone YouTube uploads — and once you’re watching on a phone or even a laptop screen, those pixel-peeping 10-bit dreams kind of fade. You actually have to look twice to tell the difference. So, do you really need it? Or is 8-bit simply good enough?

Well, for me, it was.
Sure — the GH5 might be the “better” video camera on paper. But it’s also more complex, more expensive, bulkier, and heavier.

The actual GoPro Hero? Costs about the same, has no interchangeable lenses — and honestly? My G-Pro’s footage just looks better 😎

The OSP Verdict

For just under €400, I got a hybrid workhorse with real-world usability. If you’re like me — someone who cares more about shooting than pixel bragging rights — this is a seriously smart buy. It’s not the camera reviewers love. It’s the one they underestimate.

Here are some of the very first shots taken with the new G-Pro Lumix G90 — more are definitely on the way. I’ve already captured some video footage as well, and you’ll be able to find it all in La Gallerie as it grows :