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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2003
  • Renewed by Olympus E-3
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase 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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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-PL9, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-PL9 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was manufactured 15 years before the E-PL9 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the E-1 scores versus the E-PL9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-PL9

 E-1 E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-1

 E-PL9 E-1 
RevealedFebruary 2018November 2003Fresher by 172 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution1040k134kClearer screen (+906k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PL9

 E-1 E-PL9 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-1 enjoys physical measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") and a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL9 has dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-PL9 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-1 versus the E-PL9.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and E-PL9 is 59 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizing simply by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and E-PL9.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Olympus E-PL9 to produce extra detail due to its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The older E-1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography highlights
46
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (5 megapixels)
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (735 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
84
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography information
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography details
47
lighter than competition in class (735 grams)
environment proofing
no Time Lapse function
low MP (5 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
77
has bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
tiny screen (1.8 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
80
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
35
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PL9
 Olympus E-1Olympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-1 Olympus PEN E-PL9
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2003-11-29 2018-02-08
Physical type Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VIII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 2560 x 1920 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 121
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 8.6 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lb) 380 grams (0.84 lb)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 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 - 350 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $1,700 $599