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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 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
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic FH6, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the FH6 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and FH6 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The E-PL9 was launched 6 years after the FH6 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FH6 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-PL9 scores versus the FH6 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic FH6

 E-PL9 FH6 
LaunchedFebruary 2018January 2012More modern by 75 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Olympus E-PL9

 FH6 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic FH6

 E-PL9 FH6 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 has exterior dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH6 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic FH6 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL9 and the FH6.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and FH6 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and FH6.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL9 will show more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer E-PL9 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FH6 Portrait photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
33
good MP (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Panasonic FH6
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (119g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography factors
Panasonic FH6 Sports photography factors
69
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography details
Panasonic FH6 Travel photography details
77
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
70
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (119 grams)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography advice
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
41
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FH6 as a Vlogging camera
35
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
32
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (119 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FH6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic FH6
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2018-02-08 2012-01-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 8.6 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 4.60 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
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 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 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 grams (0.84 lb) 119 grams (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 photos 280 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $599 $129