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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
80
Imaging
55
Features
75
Overall
63
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Olympus E-M10 III
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 410g - 122 x 84 x 50mm
  • Announced August 2017
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M10 II
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M10 IV
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
  • Announced February 2018
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL9, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both created by Olympus. The resolution of the E-M10 III (16MP) and the E-PL9 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M10 III was introduced 5 months earlier than the E-PL9 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M10 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-M10 III matches up against the E-PL9 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 III over the Olympus E-PL9

 E-M10 III E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-M10 III

 E-PL9 E-M10 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL9

 E-M10 III E-PL9 
AnnouncedAugust 2017February 2018Similar age
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution1040k1040kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M10 III has got external measurements of 122mm x 84mm x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL9 has measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

See the Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL9 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M10 III compared to the E-PL9.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-M10 III and E-PL9 is 80 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by going over specifications. The photograph underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M10 III and E-PL9.

Plainly, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you can expect similar quality of images but you have to take the age of the products into consideration.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
77
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competition in class (410 grams)
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes touch to focus
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography features
69
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect AF
69
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M10 III
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
67
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
heavier than competition in class (410g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
77
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Landscape photography camera
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging factors
32
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
heavier than competition in class (410 grams)
35
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M10 III and Olympus E-PL9
 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IIIOlympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III Olympus PEN E-PL9
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2017-08-31 2018-02-08
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 121
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.6 frames per second 8.6 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.80 m (at ISO 100) 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash options Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill-in, manual, off Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 410g (0.90 pounds) 380g (0.84 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 84 x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") 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 330 shots 350 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-50 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $650 $599