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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 front
Portability
90
Imaging
55
Features
70
Overall
61

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 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
  • Announced February 2018
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX850
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 Overview

Below is a thorough overview of the Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the GX850 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL9 was unveiled 14 months later than the GX850 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-PL9 scores versus the GX850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic GX850

 E-PL9 GX850 
IntroducedFebruary 2018January 2017More recent by 14 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX850 over the Olympus E-PL9

 GX850 E-PL9 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GX850

 E-PL9 GX850 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution1040k1040kIdentical display resolution
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 offers 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 GX850 has measurements of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-PL9 versus the GX850.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and GX850 is 85 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the difference between sensor measurements just by reading through technical specs. The visual below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL9 and GX850.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of images although you might want to consider the age of the products into consideration. The more modern E-PL9 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography info
Panasonic GX850 Portrait photography info
73
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
66
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GX850 Street photography highlights
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
80
screen tilts
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Panasonic GX850
69
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect AF
52
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
no image stabilization
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
Travel photography with Panasonic GX850
77
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
79
has focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
Panasonic GX850 Landscape photography features
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery life (210 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging factors
Panasonic GX850 Vlogging factors
35
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
73
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
no image stabilization
no microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic GX850
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2018-02-08 2017-01-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine
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 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 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 49
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/500 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction
Hot shoe
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 / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 gr (0.84 lb) 269 gr (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 586
Other
Battery life 350 shots 210 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2, 10 sec, 3 images/10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) microSD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $599 $548