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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Launched March 2015
  • Older Model is Olympus SH-1
  • Updated by Olympus SH-3
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SH-2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the SH-2 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and SH-2 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL9 was brought out 2 years later than the SH-2 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-PL9 matches up vs the SH-2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus SH-2

 E-PL9 SH-2 
LaunchedFebruary 2018March 2015Fresher by 36 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Olympus E-PL9

 SH-2 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SH-2

 E-PL9 SH-2 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL9 has got external dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Olympus SH-2 has specifications of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SH-2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the E-PL9 against the SH-2.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and SH-2 is 85 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through technical specs. The photograph here should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and SH-2.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL9 uses the bigger sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF simpler. The fresher E-PL9 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography information
Olympus SH-2 Portrait photography information
73
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
44
megapixel count good (16MP)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Olympus SH-2
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (271g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Sports photography camera
69
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography features
Olympus SH-2 Travel photography features
77
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
74
good battery pack (380 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
includes touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography info
Olympus SH-2 Landscape photography info
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
55
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging features
Olympus SH-2 Vlogging features
35
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic support
35
fairly wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (271g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SH-2
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2018-02-08 2015-03-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames per second 11.5 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
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 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 lb) 271 gr (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 photographs 380 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $599 $399