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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and GF1 (12MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was announced 8 years after the GF1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-PL9 scores against the GF1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GF1

 E-PL9 GF1 
IntroducedFebruary 2018October 2009More modern by 102 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-PL9

 GF1 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF1

 E-PL9 GF1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL9 comes with exterior 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) whilst the Panasonic GF1 has specifications of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the GF1.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and GF1 is 85 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The pic underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and GF1.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should anticipate the Olympus E-PL9 to provide more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The more modern E-PL9 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF1
73
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW files
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography information
Panasonic GF1 Street photography information
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
supports touch focus
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography info
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography info
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (380 shots)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
77
supports bluetooth
supports touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
59
better than average battery life (380 per charge)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography features
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging highlights
35
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
25
provides face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2018-02-08 2009-10-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
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 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 6.00 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, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 380 gr (0.84 lb) 385 gr (0.85 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 54
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.3
DXO Low light score not tested 513
Other
Battery life 350 shots 380 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $599 $400