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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF3
  • Successor is Panasonic GF6
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and GF5 (12MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was introduced 5 years after the GF5 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the E-PL9 grades against the GF5 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GF5

 E-PL9 GF5 
IntroducedFebruary 2018April 2012More modern by 72 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k920kClearer screen (+120k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Olympus E-PL9

 GF5 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF5

 E-PL9 GF5 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL9 enjoys physical dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF5 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL9 versus the GF5.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and GF5 is 85 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing technical specs. The pic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and GF5.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You should expect the Olympus E-PL9 to produce extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher E-PL9 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography features
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW files
55
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
low megapixels (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Street photography camera
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
provides focus by touch
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography details
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography details
69
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
low fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
Travel photography with Panasonic GF5
77
connects via bluetooth
provides focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
61
provides focus by touch
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography features
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
59
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging features
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging features
35
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
32
built-in touchscreen
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GF5
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2018-02-08 2012-04-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 160
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 6.30 m
Flash settings 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
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
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, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 380g (0.84 lb) 267g (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 50
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.0
DXO Low light score not tested 573
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 360 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $599 $600