Clicky

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Announced November 2011
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic 3D1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and 3D1 (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and 3D1 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The E-PL9 was introduced 6 years later than the 3D1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-PL9 grades versus the 3D1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic 3D1

 E-PL9 3D1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018November 2011More recent by 77 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Olympus E-PL9

 3D1 E-PL9 
Screen dimension3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic 3D1

 E-PL9 3D1 
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL9 comes with exterior dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") having a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Panasonic 3D1 has proportions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic 3D1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL9 versus the 3D1.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and 3D1 is 85 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and 3D1.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL9 with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PL9 will give extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger E-PL9 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic 3D1 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
27
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography features
Panasonic 3D1 Street photography features
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus by touch
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic 3D1 Sports photography highlights
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
30
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography factors
Panasonic 3D1 Travel photography factors
77
supports bluetooth
provides focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
59
supports focus by touch
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (200 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.9)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography features
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
36
really wide (25mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging advice
Panasonic 3D1 Vlogging advice
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone support
34
really wide (25mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic 3D1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic 3D1
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2018-02-08 2011-11-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS 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 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.9-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3.5 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1300s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 gr (0.84 pounds) 193 gr (0.43 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9")
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 200 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $599 $670