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Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Key Specs

Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-M5 II
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
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Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-M5 versus Olympus E-PL9, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are built by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-M5 (16MP) and the E-PL9 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-M5 was introduced 6 years before the E-PL9 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-M5 grades versus the E-PL9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Olympus E-PL9

 E-M5 E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-M5

 E-PL9 E-M5 
LaunchedFebruary 2018April 2012Newer by 70 months
Screen resolution1040k610kCrisper screen (+430k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-M5 and Olympus E-PL9

 E-M5 E-PL9 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M5 enjoys outer dimensions of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL9 has proportions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-M5 versus Olympus E-PL9 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-M5 compared to the E-PL9.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M5 and E-PL9 is 81 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The image here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M5 and E-PL9.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs but you have to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The more aged E-M5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography information
71
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Street photography information
Olympus E-PL9 Street photography information
82
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
weather proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
84
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides touch to focus
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography features
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
does not have phase detect AF
69
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-M5
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
66
weather proof
comes with focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
77
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
73
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
missing Time Lapse function
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M5 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging factors
34
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic socket
35
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
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Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M5 and Olympus E-PL9
 Olympus OM-D E-M5Olympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M5 Olympus PEN E-PL9
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-04-30 2018-02-08
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 35 121
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 610 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 9.0fps 8.6fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 425 grams (0.94 pounds) 380 grams (0.84 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 826 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 shots 350 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $799 $599