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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 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
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic FS15, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and FS15 (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and FS15 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL9 was introduced 9 years later than the FS15 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-PL9 grades against the FS15 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic FS15

 E-PL9 FS15 
RevealedFebruary 2018January 2009More recent by 111 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Olympus E-PL9

 FS15 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic FS15

 E-PL9 FS15 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL9 offers physical measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Panasonic FS15 has proportions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic FS15 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL9 against the FS15.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and FS15 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and FS15.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-PL9 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Olympus E-PL9 will offer you extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The newer E-PL9 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Panasonic FS15
73
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography information
Panasonic FS15 Street photography information
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FS15 as a Sports photography camera
69
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
Travel photography with Panasonic FS15
77
connects via bluetooth
offers focus by touch
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL9
Landscape photography with Panasonic FS15
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
28
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL9
Vlogging with Panasonic FS15
35
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (29mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing external microphone support
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic FS15
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Ultracompact
Revealed 2018-02-08 2009-01-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 29-145mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 8.6fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) -
Flash modes 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 Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 380g (0.84 lb) 136g (0.30 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" 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 pictures -
Battery style 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $599 $180