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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Revealed February 2020
  • Older Model is Olympus E-M1 II
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Released July 2011
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX9V, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and HX9V (16MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and HX9V (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-M1 III was revealed 8 years after the HX9V which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-M1 III grades vs the HX9V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Sony HX9V

 E-M1 III HX9V 
ReleasedFebruary 2020July 2011More modern by 105 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Olympus E-M1 III

 HX9V E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX9V

 E-M1 III HX9V 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-M1 III has got physical dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Sony HX9V has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX9V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the E-M1 III versus the HX9V.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and HX9V is 67 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The image underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and HX9V.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-M1 III having a larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-M1 III will render more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The fresher E-M1 III is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Portrait photography with Sony HX9V
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
39
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M1 III
Street photography with Sony HX9V
78
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (245g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography factors
Sony HX9V Sports photography factors
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography factors
Sony HX9V Travel photography factors
79
weather proof
has bluetooth
comes with touch focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competition (245g)
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Sony HX9V Landscape photography information
81
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
49
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Sony HX9V
79
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone socket
33
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (245 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Sony HX9V
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIISony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2020-02-11 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic IX BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 9
Cross type focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 60.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, 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 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580g (1.28 lb) 245g (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 420 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLH-1 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 Single
Retail pricing $1,800 $328