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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH5
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 Overview

The following is a thorough overview of the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GH4, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the GH4 (16MP) is fairly close and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was revealed 4 years after the GH4 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the E-PL9 grades against the GH4 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GH4

 E-PL9 GH4 
RevealedFebruary 2018February 2014Newer by 49 months
Display resolution1040k1036kCrisper display (+4k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Olympus E-PL9

 GH4 E-PL9 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GH4

 E-PL9 GH4 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL9 provides outer dimensions 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 GH4 has specifications of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GH4 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-PL9 vs the GH4.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and GH4 is 85 and 66 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The picture here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and GH4.

All in all, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos although you have to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher E-PL9 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Panasonic GH4
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
71
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GH4 as a Street photography camera
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
71
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
weather sealing
lighter than competition (560g)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Panasonic GH4
69
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
no image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH4 as a Travel photography camera
77
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
77
lighter than competition (560g)
weather sealing
has focus by touch
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography features
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging information
Panasonic GH4 Vlogging information
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
71
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic socket
lighter than competition (560g)
no image stabilization
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GH4
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2018-02-08 2014-02-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Venus Engine IX
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 49
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,036k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - OLED
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.67x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 17.00 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 4096x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 380g (0.84 lb) 560g (1.23 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 791
Other
Battery life 350 shots 500 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot))
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $599 $1,500