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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Boost 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 GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Launched December 2013
  • Renewed by Panasonic GM5
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the GM1 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was released 4 years after the GM1 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PL9 scores versus the GM1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GM1

 E-PL9 GM1 
LaunchedFebruary 2018December 2013Newer by 51 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k1036kClearer screen (+4k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Olympus E-PL9

 GM1 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GM1

 E-PL9 GM1 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. 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) while the Panasonic GM1 has dimensions of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GM1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL9 and the GM1.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and GM1 is 85 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specifications. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and GM1.

Plainly, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels and you can expect similar quality of photographs though you should take the age of the products into consideration. The newer E-PL9 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography info
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
65
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Panasonic GM1
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
has touch to focus
77
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
lighter than others in class (204g)
good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GM1 Sports photography highlights
69
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
lack of phase detect AF
48
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/500 seconds)
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography information
Panasonic GM1 Travel photography information
77
connects via bluetooth
has touch to focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
lighter than others in class (204 grams)
comes with touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery power (230 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL9
Landscape photography with Panasonic GM1
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
69
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (230 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GM1 as a Vlogging camera
35
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
35
touchscreen functionality
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (204g)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GM1
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2018-02-08 2013-12-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
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 16 megapixel
Anti alias 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 4592 x 3448
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 1,036 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/500 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.6 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 4.00 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, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/50 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380g (0.84 lbs) 204g (0.45 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 660
Other
Battery life 350 shots 230 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $599 $750