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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and both are sold by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the E-PM2 (16MP) is very well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was announced 4 years after the E-PM2 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-PL9 matches up versus the E-PM2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-PL9 E-PM2 
IntroducedFebruary 2018May 2013More modern by 58 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kCrisper display (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-PL9

 E-PM2 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-PL9 E-PM2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 provides outside measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM2 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL9 vs the E-PM2.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and E-PM2 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and E-PM2.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same MP and you should expect similar quality of images but you might want to consider the production date of the products into consideration. The younger E-PL9 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus via touch
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Sports photography camera
69
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
77
connects via bluetooth
has focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
66
features touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography factors
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2018-02-08 2013-05-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 35
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 380 gr (0.84 pounds) 269 gr (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 932
Other
Battery life 350 shots 360 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $599 $448