Olympus E-PL5 vs Olympus Stylus 9000: A Practical Comparison for the Photography Enthusiast

Choosing the right camera is always a balancing act - between sensor size and portability, manual control and automation, and price versus performance. Today, I’m diving into a detailed head-to-head review of two Olympus cameras separated by a few years and quite different design philosophies: the Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the Olympus Stylus 9000 (mju 9000). Both hold an enduring appeal in their respective categories - the PEN E-PL5 as an entry-level mirrorless with Micro Four Thirds flexibility, and the Stylus 9000 as a compact zoom with “point-and-shoot” simplicity.

Having extensively tested both models over the years across multiple real-world scenarios, I’ll guide you through their performance, handling, and suitability for a variety of photographic disciplines. The analysis leans heavily on practical field results backed by technical benchmarks typical of professional grading processes (think DxO Mark scores and autofocus reaction times). Whether you’re a street shooter craving stealth, a budding macro enthusiast, or a traveler seeking all-in-one convenience, this comparison aims to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s start by putting these cameras side-by-side physically.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Ergonomics and Handling

The PEN E-PL5 is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera with a 3-inch tilting touchscreen, designed to appeal to users seeking compact system flexibility without the bulk of a DSLR. The Stylus 9000, by contrast, is a svelte compact camera sporting a fixed 10× zoom lens and a fixed 2.7-inch non-touch screen.

The PEN’s body measures roughly 111x64x38 mm and weighs 325g with its battery - considerably larger but still pocketable if you don’t mind a snug fit. It offers a more substantial grip area and physical dials, granting superior handling for those accustomed to manual control.

The Stylus 9000 is even more pocket-friendly at 96x60x31 mm and 225g, emphasizing ultimate portability at the expense of extensive manual operation. Its slim fixed body makes it perfect for quick snapshots and travel when size and weight are the primary concerns.

Looking from above, the control layout differs significantly:

The E-PL5 features dedicated buttons and a mode dial allowing for selective ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation adjustments - a boon for enthusiasts who want tactile feedback and quick access. The Stylus 9000 relies mainly on a dial and menu navigation to toggle shooting modes, with no direct access to aperture or shutter priority modes.

Verdict: If you crave a more traditional photographic experience with physical controls and the ability to customize your shooting style, the E-PL5 is the clear winner here. For travelers or casual shooters valuing compactness and simplicity, the 9000’s pocketability is an advantage.

What’s Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality

Sensor technology profoundly influences the core image quality of any camera, affecting resolution, noise levels, dynamic range, and color fidelity. The Olympus E-PL5 bundles a 16-megapixel Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13 mm), while the Stylus 9000 sports a smaller 12-megapixel 1/2.3" CCD (6.08 x 4.56 mm) sensor.

From our controlled lab tests and real-world shooting, the gap in sensor size results in noticeable differences. The E-PL5’s sensor area is more than 8 times larger than the 9000’s, providing several advantages:

• Dynamic Range: The E-PL5 clocks in at a respectable 12.3 EV dynamic range (DxO Mark), allowing retention of highlight and shadow detail even in tricky lighting such as landscapes or backlit portraits. The Stylus 9000’s tiny sensor and CCD technology constraints result in much narrower dynamic range and the risk of blown highlights.

• Color Depth: The 22.8-bit color depth in the E-PL5 produces more natural, nuanced skin tones and easier color grading possibilities. The Stylus 9000, limited by older CCD tech, delivers flatter color profiles with less fidelity.

• ISO Performance: The E-PL5 shines in low light, achieving usable images up to ISO 1600–3200 with moderate noise, thanks to its larger sensor and CMOS architecture. The 9000 struggles beyond ISO 400; noise and detail loss manifest quickly.

Both cameras include an antialiasing filter that slightly softens images but reduces moiré artifacts - notably important when shooting textures or patterned fabrics.

Resolution-wise, the E-PL5’s larger sensor produces files of 4608×3456 pixels, versus 3968×2976 for the Stylus 9000. This extra pixel real estate translates to more versatility in cropping and large prints - valuable for portfolio work, landscapes, or studio portraits.

Looking Through the Digital Eye: Viewfinders and Screens

Neither camera features a built-in electronic viewfinder, an understandable omission given their class and price points. The PEN E-PL5, however, offers an optional electronic viewfinder (not packed), while the Stylus 9000 lacks this entirely.

Their LCDs demonstrate clear differences:

• The E-PL5 boasts a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with 460,000 dots - a significant bonus for composing awkward angles and quickly selecting focus points. Touch input facilitates faster, more intuitive control compared to hardware buttons alone. The screen is bright and favors outdoor legibility, though not as crisp or refined as newer models.

• The Stylus 9000 has a fixed 2.7-inch non-touch screen with 230,000 dots, which feels cramped and less visible in direct sunlight. Navigating menus relies solely on buttons, making adjustments slower.

Given these factors, image composition and menu navigation are far smoother on the E-PL5.

Autofocus and Performance: Keeping Subjects Sharp

The PEN E-PL5’s autofocus system is a contrast-detection type with 35 focus points and face detection enabled. The Stylus 9000 relies on a more rudimentary contrast detection with unspecified focus areas and no face detection.

In practical tests outdoors and indoors:

• The E-PL5 acquires focus quickly and reliably, even in dimmer conditions, aided by its touchscreen AF point selection and tracking capabilities. It supports continuous autofocus for moving subjects (useful for sports or kids on the move).

• The Stylus 9000’s autofocus is noticeably slower and occasionally hunts, especially under low light or low contrast scenes. Its lack of face detection means portraits often require manual composition care.

Continuous shooting speeds also differ significantly: the E-PL5 can capture 8 frames per second - respectable for burst-style action photography - while the Stylus 9000 does not offer continuous burst modes.

This performance championship leans heavily toward the E-PL5 for users tackling dynamic subjects.

Versatility in Lens and Shooting Modes

Micro Four Thirds lens compatibility remains one of Olympus’s great ecosystem strengths. The E-PL5 mounts any of the 107 available MFT lenses - including fast primes, macro optics, and professional telephotos - giving you tremendous creative freedom as your skills and needs evolve.

The Stylus 9000 uses a fixed 28–280mm (10× zoom) lens with an aperture range of f/3.2–5.9, limiting depth of field control and low-light effectiveness but offering robust reach in a compact package.

Neither camera offers built-in GPS, but the E-PL5 supports Eye-Fi wireless card connectivity, useful for instant image transfers - a feature lacking in the 9000.

For those who want to experiment with manual exposure, the E-PL5 includes full Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes, while the Stylus 9000 is confined to program-like automatic modes.

Image Stabilization: A Handy Helper

Both cameras incorporate sensor-based image stabilization:

• The PEN E-PL5 features sensor-shift stabilization integrated into the 16MP sensor, providing a decent buffer against handshake during handheld shooting, especially with longer lenses or in low light.

• The Stylus 9000 also offers sensor-shift stabilization but with less effectiveness due to the small sensor size.

In my experience, the E-PL5’s stabilization enabled me to capture sharp shots at shutter speeds 2–3 stops slower than usual, vastly improving usability indoors or in shadowy environments.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protection against dust or moisture.

The E-PL5’s body is plastic but has a solid feel and ergonomic heft that inspires confidence in daily use. The Stylus 9000’s extremely compact plastic shell feels more fragile by comparison.

Given Olympus’s legacy of durable OM-D professional cameras, it’s worth noting this entry-level Pen model does not carry that ruggedness, so cautious handling is advised.

Battery Life and Storage

The PEN E-PL5 uses a BLS-5 battery rated for about 360 shots per charge under CIPA standards. Real-world usage often yields higher counts if relying on optical or manual focus rather than continuous AF and the touchscreen.

The Stylus 9000’s battery life isn’t officially specified and is less predictable given its older design. It runs on proprietary cells less common today, arguably making spare batteries harder to source.

Storage-wise, both cameras accept SD cards, a standard format ensuring compatibility and ease of expanding storage.

Video Capabilities: Expectations Set Low

Neither camera is a powerhouse for video enthusiasts:

• The PEN E-PL5 records Full HD 1080p at 30 fps and offers H.264 and MPEG-4 codecs, adequate for casual video but lacking modern conveniences like 4K, microphone ports, or image stabilization optimizations for video.

• The Stylus 9000 maxes out at 640 x 480 resolution - essentially VGA by today’s standards - unsuitable for anything beyond strongly nostalgic clips.

If video is a priority, the PEN E-PL5 is the more sensible option, albeit with limited features compared to recent models.

Seeing Is Believing: Sample Images Comparison

Here’s a direct visual comparison of image samples from each camera under identical conditions (sunny outdoor, indoor portrait, and macro shot):

Olympus E PL5 front Olympus E PL5 screen back Olympus 9000 front Olympus 9000 screen back

Notice how the E-PL5 delivers superior detail, color fidelity, and dynamic range, especially in shadow recovery and skin tones, while the 9000’s shots appear softer, noisier, and crunchier under stress.

Performance Ratings Across Disciplines

Let’s break down their strengths and weaknesses by photography type, accompanied by their respective overall scores according to expert benchmarks and my own testing feedback:

Here’s a genre-specific view illustrating which camera shines in different photographic niches:

Diving Into Specific Photography Use Cases

Portrait Photography

The E-PL5’s larger sensor and face detection autofocus lend it a clear edge in rendering natural skin tones with pleasing bokeh effects achievable with fast prime lenses. Eye-detection AF, though not present, is partially compensated by responsive touch AF.

The 9000 struggles to isolate subjects and produce creamy background separation; its smaller sensor dictates more depth of field and less subject separation.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range matters a lot here. The PEN’s wide exposure latitude captures better shadow and highlight detail, essential for high-contrast scenes like sunsets. The Stylus 9000 suffers washed-out skies and clogged shadows.

Weather sealing is absent in both, so expect cautious use in inclement conditions.

Wildlife and Sports

Here, burst rate and autofocus speed count. The PEN’s 8 fps shooting and face tracking outperform the 9000’s limited single-shot autofocus and no continuous mode.

Paired with telephoto MFT lenses, the PEN can perform capably in wildlife and sports contexts, whereas the 9000’s modest zoom limits reach and focus agility.

Street Photography

Compactness and discretion benefit the Stylus 9000, which is extremely pocketable and quiet. The PEN is more conspicuous but still small enough for candid shooting, with superior control.

Low-light capabilities strongly favor the PEN; the 9000’s high noise and slow AF in dim marches decisively against it.

Macro Photography

The PEN’s ability to use specialized macro lenses combined with focus peaking and tilting screen makes close-up photography more accessible and rewarding.

The 9000’s 1cm macro mode is handy but lacks manual focus refinement and depth of field control.

Night and Astro Photography

Low noise at high ISO helps the E-PL5 deliver cleaner night shots. Its manual exposure modes and longer shutter speeds allow astrophotographers to experiment.

The 9000’s ISO ceiling and noise levels, plus limited shutter speed range, restrict its night capabilities.

Video

As noted, the PEN’s 1080p video with reasonable compression is adequate for amateurs, lacking advanced features or audio input.

The 9000’s video functionality is minimal and outdated.

Travel Photography

The Stylus 9000’s pocket-size and zoom lens make it a convenient traveler’s camera for casual photography.

The PEN, though bulkier, offers versatility via interchangeable lenses that prepare you for varied conditions but at the cost of weight and carrying more gear.

Professional Work

Neither camera replaces professional-grade gear, but the PEN’s RAW shooting, manual control, and image quality make it a reasonable backup or enthusiast professional choice.

The 9000’s limitations make it unsuitable for professional workflows.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Olympus PEN E-PL5: A versatile entry-level mirrorless system camera that blends good image quality, powerful autofocus, and manual controls in a compact design. Suited to enthusiasts and semi-pros who want creative control, good low-light performance, and adaptability through lenses. Its main drawbacks are lack of built-in EVF and weather sealing.

Olympus Stylus 9000: A portable, easy-to-use compact zoom ideal for casual shooters prioritizing convenience and simple point-and-shoot experiences. It’s best for casual travel snapshots and daylight scenes but falls short in demanding photographic situations.

If your budget and size constraints allow, the E-PL5 is the stronger, more flexible performer, especially if image quality and shooting control are important. The Stylus 9000 is a nice secondary compact for travel or daily carry with minimal fuss.

I hope this comparison helps you understand each camera’s place in Olympus’s lineup and guides you to the best choice aligned with your photographic goals.

Happy shooting!