Clicky

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Old Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both built by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and SP-820UZ (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

The E-PL9 was introduced 5 years after the SP-820UZ which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-PL9 scores versus the SP-820UZ in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-PL9 SP-820UZ 
IntroducedFebruary 2018August 2012More modern by 67 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Olympus E-PL9

 SP-820UZ E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SP-820UZ

 E-PL9 SP-820UZ 
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 has outside dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Olympus SP-820UZ has measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL9 against the SP-820UZ.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and SP-820UZ is 85 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The image here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and SP-820UZ.

As you can plainly see, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PL9 will offer you more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer E-PL9 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers touch to focus
37
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than average (485 grams)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
69
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
33
long zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent megapixels (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography details
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography details
77
connects via bluetooth
offers touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
55
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than average (485 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography info
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography info
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
35
really wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging information
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging information
35
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly display
no mic jack
25
really wide (22mm)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic port
heavier than average (485g)
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2018-02-08 2012-08-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface 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 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 22-896mm (40.7x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.4-5.7
Macro focus range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 15.00 m
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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video 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 lbs) 485 grams (1.07 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $599 $299