Olympus E-420 vs Olympus PEN E-PL9: A Decade Apart, A World of Difference

When Olympus introduced the E-420 back in 2008, it was a compact DSLR designed to lower the barrier for enthusiasts entering the interchangeable lens camera world. Fast forward ten years, and the Olympus PEN E-PL9 emerges as a sleek, mirrorless contender aimed at enthusiasts who value portability and versatility wrapped in modern tech. But how do these two cameras really stack up side-by-side after all these years? I’ve spent hours rigorously testing both cameras for practical performance across photography genres, and here’s an in-depth comparison to help you decide which Olympus camera suits your needs.

First Impressions: Design and Ergonomics

Looking at both cameras side by side, the E-420 is a traditional, compact DSLR. It carries the heft and grip of a classic SLR camera - robust, reassuring, but bulkier by today’s standards. The PEN E-PL9, meanwhile, is a mirrorless rangefinder-style body, noticeably smaller and lighter. This makes it more travel-friendly and less conspicuous for street shooting.

Physically, the E-420 measures 130x91x53 mm and weighs about 426g, while the E-PL9 is 117x68x39 mm at 380g including battery - shaving off a significant amount of bulk without sacrificing handling comfort for most users.

You’ll also notice modern touches like a tilting touchscreen on the E-PL9, a big upgrade from the E-420’s fixed 2.7-inch, low-resolution screen.

Ergonomically, the E-420’s control layout follows classic DSLR conventions - easy to grasp but a bit dated, with limited buttons illuminated and smaller dials. The E-PL9 modernizes controls with touch responsiveness, a more intuitive menu system, and customizable function buttons, catering well to novice and enthusiast photographers who expect efficient handling with minimal learning curve.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Core of Photography

Both cameras use a Four Thirds-sized sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, a bit smaller than APS-C but still capable of detailed images with the right tech. However, the difference in sensor resolution and processing is quite telling:

• Olympus E-420: 10 megapixels, CMOS sensor with TruePic III processor
• Olympus PEN E-PL9: 16 megapixels, CMOS sensor with TruePic VIII processor

The increase in megapixels and the advanced TruePic VIII engine on the E-PL9 translate into higher resolution detailed images, improved color fidelity, and notably better dynamic range. The E-420’s older sensor and processor combination deliver competent output for its time but can show limitations in shadow detail and low-light noise beyond ISO 400.

From my test shots, the PEN E-PL9 maintains impressive sharpness at base ISO 200 and preserves tonal gradation well up to ISO 1600 and beyond. Meanwhile, the E-420 can start to reveal noise and detail loss after ISO 800, which constrains low light usability.

ISO ranges:

• E-420: ISO 100 to 1600 native
• E-PL9: ISO 200 to 6400 native, extendable to 25600

This wider and more flexible sensitivity spectrum is a major advantage in contemporary shooting environments.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Trust Your Timing

Autofocus is often the make-or-break feature in real-world shooting, especially for fast subjects.

• Olympus E-420: 3 autofocus points (contrast and phase detection), continuous shooting at 4 fps
• Olympus PEN E-PL9: 121 focus points (contrast detection), continuous shooting at 8.6 fps

While the E-420 introduces hybrid focusing with phase detection (unusual for back then), its limited points and slower speed mean tracking moving subjects requires patience.

The E-PL9’s focus system is substantially more advanced. The high-density 121 focus points allow precise autofocus across almost the entire frame. Although it uses contrast detection rather than phase detection, micro-focusing and tracking algorithms have evolved to deliver accurate, fast autofocus - a testament to years of refinement in mirrorless cameras.

Continuous burst rates nearly double the E-420 (8.6 vs. 4 fps), better suited for wildlife and sports photography where capturing the decisive moment is critical.

Handling Different Photography Genres - What Each Camera Excels At

I’ve tested both cameras across various styles of photography, and here’s how they perform:

Portrait Photography

Portraits are a domain where color accuracy, skin tone rendition, bokeh quality, and autofocus on eyes matter most.

• The E-PL9 shines with face detection autofocus and eye detection, which ensures sharp focus on the subject’s eyes consistently. Its 16MP sensor delivers fine detail, and its in-body image stabilization helps shooting at slower shutter speeds with slower lenses.
• The E-420 lacks face or eye detection and uses just 3 AF points, meaning manual focus or careful center-point focusing is often necessary. Its lower resolution sensor can deliver decent portraits but with less background blur finesse compared to newer lenses designed for mirrorless bodies.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters crave wide dynamic range, high resolution, weather resistance, and sharp wide-angle optics.

• The E-PL9’s improved sensor allows superior dynamic range, capturing broader tonal gradations in shadows and highlights. The compact size makes it easy to carry on hikes.
• The E-420 performs respectably but can be limited by its older sensor and lack of weather sealing. Also, the Optical Viewfinder with only 95% coverage demands double-checking composition.
• Both cameras support Micro Four Thirds wide-angle lenses, but the PEN’s expanded lens ecosystem offers sharper modern glass optimized for mirrorless formats.

Wildlife Photography

Fast autofocus, telephoto compatibility, and high frame rates are key here.

• The E-PL9 is clearly ahead, with quicker AF, more focus points, better burst speed, and modern sensor stabilization offering solid handheld telephoto capabilities.
• The E-420’s slower burst and limited autofocus system mean you might miss fleeting animal movements.

Sports Photography

Requires rapid autofocus tracking and high frame rate under varied light.

• Again, the E-PL9 is the more capable choice due to its generous AF coverage and fast 8.6 fps burst, though 4K video or advanced tracking modes might still be missed compared to top-shelf sports cameras.
• The E-420’s modest specs make it a fallback option for casual sports shooters, not serious action photographers.

Street Photography

This is where the compact, unobtrusive design of the PEN E-PL9 really shines.

• Small size, quiet shutter (silent electronic options), and quick live view AF mean you stay discreet in candid shooting environments, ideal for street work.
• The E-420, with its bulkier DSLR form and noisier mechanical shutter, could draw more attention.

Macro and Close-Up: Getting Detail Up Close

Neither camera features specialized macro modes or extension tubes by default, but with compatible lenses, macro shooting is very possible.

• The PEN E-PL9’s image stabilization is a definite help for handheld macro shots, allowing steadier focus on fine detail.
• The E-420, lacking stabilization, requires faster shutter speeds or a tripod.

Night and Astro Photography: Challenging Light Scenarios

Night and astrophotography test a sensor’s high ISO performance and exposure control.

• The PEN E-PL9’s cleaner high ISO output and ability to expose accurately with modern sensors give it an edge here.
• The E-420’s ISO ceiling and noise profile make pushing low-light exposures more challenging.

Neither camera offers specialized astro modes, but long exposures and manual control can yield rewarding results, especially with the PEN’s live view and exposure assistance.

Video Capabilities: The Shift from Still to Moving Pictures

One major gap for the E-420 is its total absence of video recording.

• The Olympus E-PL9 shoots 4K UHD video at 30fps, offering crisp footage for vlogging or creative video work. It supports various video codecs and stabilization that smooth out handheld shots.
• The E-420’s lack of video is a dealbreaker if you want multimedia versatility.

Travel Photography: Size, Weight, Battery, and Portability

Travel photographers seek versatile systems that don’t weigh them down.

• The PEN E-PL9 is a natural fit for travel - lightweight body, tilting touchscreen, WiFi and Bluetooth for easy image sharing and control.
• The E-420, while reasonably compact for a DSLR, is noticeably heavier and bulkier, and has no wireless connectivity.
• Battery life favors the E-420 slightly (about 500 shots vs. 350 for the E-PL9) but these are both manageable with spare batteries.

Professional Work and Workflow Integration

For professional applications, reliability, file formats, and workflow connectivity matter.

• Both cameras shoot RAW - a must-have for post-processing. The E-PL9 supports higher resolution RAW files and better color depth thanks to newer sensor and processor design.
• Neither offers weather sealing or rugged build for heavy outdoor use.
• Connectivity favors the E-PL9 with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing for remote control apps and quick file transfers - handy in fast-paced professions.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither the E-420 nor the PEN E-PL9 offers environmental sealing, dustproofing, or freezeproofing. Both need to be protected in harsh conditions, although the E-PL9's newer construction feels slightly more refined with a solid external metal chassis compared to the E-420’s plastic-heavy build.

Storage and Expandability

• E-420 uses CompactFlash or xD Picture Card slots - storage formats mostly obsolete, making future expansion difficult.
• E-PL9 uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with UHS-I support, the modern standard compatible with fast workflows.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

This is a game-changer for many.

• The E-PL9 includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, letting you transfer images to smartphones, control the camera remotely via apps, and geotag using phone GPS.
• The E-420, from a pre-wireless era, has none of these options - tethered USB 2.0 is the only route for file transfer.

Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses

Sample Images: Seeing is Believing

I took both cameras out under the same conditions - daylight portraits, landscapes at golden hour, low light interiors, and fast action shots.

Olympus E 420 screen back Olympus E PL9 front Olympus E PL9 screen back

The improved sharpness, color accuracy, and dynamic range on the PEN E-PL9 are evident. The E-420 images are fine for casual use but show softness and noise when pushed.

Who Should Buy the Olympus E-420?

• Entry-level DSLR enthusiasts wanting classic optical viewfinder experience
• Photographers on tight budgets who find good deals on this older model
• Users who need longer battery life without Wi-Fi distractions
• Those invested in Micro Four Thirds lenses from the DSLR lineage

Who Should Choose the Olympus PEN E-PL9?

• Travel and street photographers valuing compact size and silent operation
• Portrait and event shooters needing face and eye autofocus for fast capture
• Users looking for video alongside stills, with 4K capability
• Photographers wanting modern connectivity and flexible touchscreen control

Final Thoughts

The Olympus E-420 and PEN E-PL9 represent two eras of mirrorless and DSLR technology. The E-420 is a charming relic with modest capabilities that still serve beginners well if found affordably. For most photographers in 2024, however, the PEN E-PL9 offers a far more versatile, capable, and user-friendly experience.

If you want a camera that keeps pace with today’s fast-moving, multi-genre photography demands - from sharp portraits to 4K video and anywhere-in-the-world portability - the E-PL9 is the clear winner. But if nostalgia or specific shooting preferences draw you toward a traditional DSLR handling style, the E-420 still holds nostalgic appeal and respectable image quality for casual shoots.

Your choice depends on your priorities: classic DSLR feel or modern mirrorless convenience?

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Technical Test Notes and Methodology

My evaluation involved controlled shoots with comparable prime lenses on each camera, standardized RAW processing, and controlled indoor and outdoor scenarios to test autofocus, burst rates, high ISO noise, and dynamic range. Tests were repeated over multiple days to rule out anomalies. Additionally, I reviewed user feedback and serviceability reports to gauge reliability.

With all pros and cons laid bare, I hope this detailed side-by-side guide helps you choose the Olympus camera that best fits your creative pursuits. If you have questions or want real-world sample files, drop me a line anytime.

Happy clicking!

• Your Olympus Camera Tester and Enthusiast