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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Announced January 2019
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL8
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Olympus E-M1X versus Olympus E-PL9, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-M1X (20MP) and E-PL9 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1X was launched 12 months later than the E-PL9 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1X 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 quick overview of how the E-M1X matches up against the E-PL9 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Olympus E-PL9

 E-M1X E-PL9 
AnnouncedJanuary 2019February 2018Fresher by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-M1X

 E-PL9 E-M1X 
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL9

 E-M1X E-PL9 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1X features outside measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL9 has proportions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-M1X versus Olympus E-PL9 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M1X vs the E-PL9.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1X and E-PL9 is 54 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The graphic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1X and E-PL9.

All in all, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M1X to resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The fresher E-M1X provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1X
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
76
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
73
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Street photography factors
Olympus E-PL9 Street photography factors
67
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers touch to focus
weather proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
heavier than competition (997g)
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-M1X
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
80
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (870 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
69
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M1X
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
68
great battery (870 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (997 grams)
77
connects via bluetooth
includes focus via touch
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography details
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great battery (870 per charge)
two card slots
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1X as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
68
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic socket
heavier than competition (997 grams)
35
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
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Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1X and Olympus E-PL9
 Olympus OM-D E-M1XOlympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1X Olympus PEN E-PL9
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2019-01-24 2018-02-08
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Dual TruePic VIII TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 64 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 121
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 60.0fps 8.6fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video 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-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 997g (2.20 pounds) 380g (0.84 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") 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 870 photographs 350 photographs
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media - SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots Two One
Price at launch $2,999 $599