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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(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
Olympus SZ-12
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus SZ-12

 E-PL9 SZ-12 
IntroducedFebruary 2018January 2012More modern by 75 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper 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 size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

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

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (226g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography features
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
69
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
Travel photography with Olympus SZ-12
77
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly screen
65
lighter than others (226 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography info
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography info
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
40
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
bad battery pack (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging advice
Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
35
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than others (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SZ-12
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Olympus 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