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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic FX48, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and FX48 (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and FX48 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL9 was brought out 9 years after the FX48 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-PL9 grades versus the FX48 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic FX48

 E-PL9 FX48 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018January 2009Newer by 110 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Olympus E-PL9

 FX48 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic FX48

 E-PL9 FX48 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 features external 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 FX48 has measurements of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic FX48 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL9 and the FX48.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and FX48 is 85 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and FX48.

Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL9 because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Olympus E-PL9 will render extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern E-PL9 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Portrait photography camera
73
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
27
offers face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography details
Panasonic FX48 Street photography details
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
69
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography info
Panasonic FX48 Travel photography info
77
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
58
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic FX48 as a Landscape photography camera
80
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
33
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging features
Panasonic FX48 Vlogging features
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic socket
30
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic support
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic FX48 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic FX48
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FX40
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2018-02-08 2009-01-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/3000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 8.6 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 6.00 m
Flash options 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
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 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 grams (0.84 pounds) 150 grams (0.33 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $599 $325