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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
84
Overall
75
Nikon Z30 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Released June 2022
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL8
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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

Here is a thorough review of the Nikon Z30 versus Olympus E-PL9, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the Z30 (21MP) and E-PL9 (16MP) and the Z30 (APS-C) and E-PL9 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The Z30 was introduced 4 years later than the E-PL9 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z30 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Z30 matches up versus the E-PL9 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Olympus E-PL9

 Z30 E-PL9 
RevealedJune 2022February 2018Fresher by 54 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Nikon Z30

 E-PL9 Z30 

Common features in the Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-PL9

 Z30 E-PL9 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display sizing3.00"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution1040k1040kEqual display resolution
Touch display Easily navigate

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z30 comes with external measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") having a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL9 has proportions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z30 versus Olympus E-PL9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the Z30 against the E-PL9.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z30 and E-PL9 is 79 and 85 respectively.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the Z30 and E-PL9.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z30 having a larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Nikon Z30 will offer more detail using its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more recent Z30 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z30 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography details
82
manual focus
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z30 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL9 Street photography advice
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
has focus via touch
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (405g)
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z30 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
76
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
69
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z30 Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography details
78
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (405 grams)
77
has bluetooth
provides focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z30
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL9
80
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.00")
megapixel count decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
no image stabilization
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z30 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
74
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic socket
no image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (405g)
35
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of mic port
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Nikon Z30 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z30 and Olympus E-PL9
 Nikon Z30Olympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Z30 Olympus PEN E-PL9
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2022-06-29 2018-02-08
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 204800 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 209 121
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 35 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3.00" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames per second 8.6 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off 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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 405g (0.89 lbs) 380g (0.84 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 photographs 350 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $650 $599