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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9

Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 front
Portability
62
Imaging
60
Features
90
Overall
72

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL1s
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL3
Panasonic G9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 658g - 137 x 97 x 92mm
  • Announced November 2017
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic G9, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL2 (12MP) and G9 (20MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL2 was revealed 7 years prior to the G9 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-PL2 grades against the G9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Panasonic G9

 E-PL2 G9 

Reasons to pick Panasonic G9 over the Olympus E-PL2

 G9 E-PL2 
AnnouncedNovember 2017February 2011More recent by 82 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic G9

 E-PL2 G9 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL2 has got physical dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Panasonic G9 has specifications of 137mm x 97mm x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6") having a weight of 658 grams (1.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic G9 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the E-PL2 vs the G9.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL2 and G9 is 85 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL2 and G9.

As you can see, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic G9 to produce greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older E-PL2 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic G9 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
76
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL2
Street photography with Panasonic G9
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
75
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography factors
Panasonic G9 Sports photography factors
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (280 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
70
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low battery life (400 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic G9 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery power (280 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
70
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery life (400 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography information
Panasonic G9 Landscape photography information
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (280 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
76
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery life (400 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic G9 as a Vlogging camera
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
76
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic G9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL2 and Panasonic G9
 Olympus PEN E-PL2Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL2 Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-02-11 2017-11-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 225
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.83x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 362 gr (0.80 pounds) 658 gr (1.45 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 137 x 97 x 92mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 573 not tested
Other
Battery life 280 shots 400 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Two
Launch cost $0 $1,500