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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Released January 2014
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Overview

Here is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-850 iHS, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Waterproof and both are designed by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the TG-850 iHS (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL9 was revealed 4 years later than the TG-850 iHS and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-PL9 matches up against the TG-850 iHS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 E-PL9 TG-850 iHS 
ReleasedFebruary 2018January 2014Fresher by 50 months
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Olympus E-PL9

 TG-850 iHS E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-850 iHS

 E-PL9 TG-850 iHS 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 offers exterior measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Olympus TG-850 iHS has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-850 iHS in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the TG-850 iHS.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and TG-850 iHS is 85 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL9 and TG-850 iHS.

As you have seen, each of these cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL9 has the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field less difficult. The newer E-PL9 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
35
good resolution (16MP)
features face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography advice
Olympus TG-850 iHS Street photography advice
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography info
Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography info
69
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
no phase detect autofocus
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery (330 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Travel photography camera
77
supports bluetooth
supports focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
72
good battery (330 per charge)
weather proofing
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (21mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography info
Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography info
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
50
fairly wide (21mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
weather proofing
good battery (330 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
Olympus TG-850 iHS Vlogging details
35
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external mic support
33
fairly wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus TG-850 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Olympus TG-850 iHS
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Introduced 2018-02-08 2014-01-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4616 x 3464
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 121 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 1/2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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 -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Yes
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 380 gr (0.84 pounds) 218 gr (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
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 photographs 330 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $599 $250