Clicky

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced July 2020
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
  • Announced February 2018
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL8
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Nikon Z5 versus Olympus E-PL9, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. There exists a significant gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and E-PL9 (16MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and E-PL9 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor sizes.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The Z5 was launched 2 years after the E-PL9 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the Z5 scores against the E-PL9 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Olympus E-PL9

 Z5 E-PL9 
AnnouncedJuly 2020February 2018Newer by 30 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Nikon Z5

 E-PL9 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-PL9

 Z5 E-PL9 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display resolution1040k1040kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z5 has got physical dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL9 has dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z5 versus Olympus E-PL9 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the Z5 vs the E-PL9.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z5 and E-PL9 is 62 and 85 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The pic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Z5 and E-PL9.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Z5 featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z5 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more modern Z5 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
85
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography features
Olympus E-PL9 Street photography features
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than average in class (675g)
84
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (470 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
69
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z5
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
68
great battery (470 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
megapixel count decent (24MP)
more heavy than average in class (675 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
77
has bluetooth
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Landscape photography camera
86
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great battery (470 shots)
2 card slots
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
34
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average in class (675 grams)
35
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Nikon Z5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Olympus E-PL9
 Nikon Z5Olympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z5 Olympus PEN E-PL9
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2020-07-20 2018-02-08
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 273 121
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 15 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.5 frames/s 8.6 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 @ 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
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675g (1.49 lb) 380g (0.84 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 pictures 350 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots Dual 1
Price at launch $1,399 $599