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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
82
Imaging
68
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Revealed November 2017
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Leica CL versus Olympus E-PL9, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Olympus. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the CL (24MP) and E-PL9 (16MP) and the CL (APS-C) and E-PL9 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The CL was brought out 2 months before the E-PL9 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the CL grades vs the E-PL9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Olympus E-PL9

 CL E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Leica CL

 E-PL9 CL 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Leica CL and Olympus E-PL9

 CL E-PL9 
LaunchedNovember 2017February 2018Same generation
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution1040k1040kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica CL enjoys outside dimensions of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") along with a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL9 has measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Look at the Leica CL 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 change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the CL and the E-PL9.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the CL and E-PL9 is 82 and 85 respectively.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes purely by going through technical specs. The picture here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the CL and E-PL9.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The CL because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Leica CL will produce extra detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively.

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica CL
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
72
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
lack of manual focus
73
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica CL as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
73
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
very good high ISO (50,000)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers focus via touch
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Sports Comparison

Leica CL Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography advice
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/25,000 seconds)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (220 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
69
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica CL Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography advice
66
boasts focus by touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
77
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica CL Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography info
68
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (50,000)
saves RAW files
lack of manual focus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
33
touchscreen enabled
features face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Olympus E-PL9
 Leica CLOlympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Make Leica Olympus
Model type Leica CL Olympus PEN E-PL9
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2017-11-21 2018-02-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6014 x 4014 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 50000 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 49 121
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 30 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/25000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 8.6 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 403 grams (0.89 lbs) 380 grams (0.84 lbs)
Physical dimensions 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 350 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $3,799 $599