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Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
89
Imaging
60
Features
65
Overall
62
Canon EOS M front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced July 2012
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
Photography Glossary

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Canon M versus Olympus E-PL9, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Canon and Olympus. The image resolution of the M (18MP) and the E-PL9 (16MP) is very close but the M (APS-C) and E-PL9 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The M was unveiled 6 years before the E-PL9 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the M matches up against the E-PL9 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon M over the Olympus E-PL9

 M E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Canon M

 E-PL9 M 
LaunchedFebruary 2018July 2012Newer by 67 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Canon M and Olympus E-PL9

 M E-PL9 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution1040k1040kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon M has got exterior measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL9 has measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Check out the Canon M versus Olympus E-PL9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the M versus the E-PL9.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the M and E-PL9 is 89 and 85 respectively.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching specs. The picture here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M and E-PL9.

All in all, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M with its larger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Canon M will render extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged M will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
76
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
73
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon M
Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
72
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon M
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
55
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon M Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography advice
63
includes touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
77
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography advice
66
has manual focus
change lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (230 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
80
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
37
touchscreen functionality
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
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Canon M vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Olympus E-PL9
 Canon EOS MOlympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Olympus
Model Canon EOS M Olympus PEN E-PL9
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-07-23 2018-02-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 5 TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 31 121
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF-M Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 23 107
Focal length multiplier 1.6 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 8.6fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 298g (0.66 lb) 380g (0.84 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 827 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 350 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $510 $599