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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S 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
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Revealed January 2018
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic GH5S, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and GH5S (10MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was manufactured 2 months later than the GH5S so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the E-PL9 matches up vs the GH5S in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL9 GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Olympus E-PL9

 GH5S E-PL9 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k1040kSharper display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GH5S

 E-PL9 GH5S 
RevealedFebruary 2018January 2018Similar age
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL9 has external dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Panasonic GH5S has sizing of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") and a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic GH5S in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the GH5S.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and GH5S is 85 and 62 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The photograph below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and GH5S.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-PL9 to offer more detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
62
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GH5S Street photography highlights
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
68
screen articulates
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography factors
Panasonic GH5S Sports photography factors
69
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect AF
56
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/16,000s)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Travel photography camera
77
has bluetooth
offers focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
61
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GH5S Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
63
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Vlogging camera
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have microphone socket
68
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic socket
no image stabilization
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GH5S
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2018-02-08 2018-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
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 3680 x 2760
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 160
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 225
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 1,620k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 4096x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 380 gr (0.84 lbs) 660 gr (1.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
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 440 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Card slots Single 2
Pricing at release $599 $2,498