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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Announced July 2015
  • Replaced the Panasonic GX7
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GX8, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the GX8 (20MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was released 2 years later than the GX8 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL9 matches up versus the GX8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GX8

 E-PL9 GX8 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018July 2015More recent by 32 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Olympus E-PL9

 GX8 E-PL9 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GX8

 E-PL9 GX8 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution1040k1040kExact same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL9 comes with outside measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Panasonic GX8 has proportions of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") having a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GX8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL9 against the GX8.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and GX8 is 85 and 74 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements simply by looking at specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and GX8.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Panasonic GX8 to give extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent E-PL9 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography information
Panasonic GX8 Portrait photography information
73
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
75
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography information
Panasonic GX8 Street photography information
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
80
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus by touch
weather proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Panasonic GX8
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect AF
68
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
terrible battery pack (330 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic GX8 Travel photography highlights
77
has bluetooth
has focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
73
weather proofing
offers focus by touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery pack (330 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GX8 Landscape photography highlights
80
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
76
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging factors
Panasonic GX8 Vlogging factors
35
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
81
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic jack
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GX8
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2018-02-08 2015-07-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 49
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.77x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.6 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 380 grams (0.84 lb) 487 grams (1.07 lb)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 806
Other
Battery life 350 shots 330 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $599 $898