Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony HX9V

The following is a extensive analysis of the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony HX9V, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Sony. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and HX9V (16MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and HX9V (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor size.

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The E-PL1 was launched 14 months prior to the HX9V making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the E-PL1 matches up vs the HX9V for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-PL1 Gallery and Sony HX9V Gallery.

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL1 comes with outside dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Sony HX9V has sizing of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL1 vs Sony HX9V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL1 against the HX9V.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and HX9V is 86 and 91 respectively.

More often than not, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The pic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL1 and HX9V.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony HX9V will give you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.