Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12
85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64


89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- 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
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Introduced January 2012

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SZ-12, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively close but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and SZ-12 (1/2.3") offer different sensor measurements.

The E-PL9 was announced 6 years after the SZ-12 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.
Before getting into a full comparison, here is a short view of how the E-PL9 matches up against the SZ-12 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL9 & Olympus SZ-12. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL9 Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus SZ-12
E-PL9 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2018 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 75 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+580k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Olympus E-PL9
SZ-12 | E-PL9 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SZ-12
E-PL9 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 has outer measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Compare the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SZ-12 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the SZ-12.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and SZ-12 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through specifications. The pic underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL9 and SZ-12.
Plainly, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PL9 will render more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher E-PL9 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Olympus |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Olympus SZ-12 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2018-02-08 | 2012-01-10 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VIII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Maximum enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 200 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 121 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/3.0-6.9 |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1700 secs |
Max silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.6fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 7.60 m (at ISO 200) | - |
Flash settings | 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 |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
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 | 380 grams (0.84 pounds) | 226 grams (0.50 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photos | 220 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $599 | $350 |