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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic S2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very well matched but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") boast different sensor size.

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The E-PL9 was released 6 years after the S2 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL9 grades versus the S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic S2

 E-PL9 S2 
IntroducedFebruary 2018January 2012More modern by 75 months
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Olympus E-PL9

 S2 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic S2

 E-PL9 S2 
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL9 has external measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the S2.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL9 and S2 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The pic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL9 and S2.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-PL9 will give more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer E-PL9 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography advice
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
33
MP count decent (14MP)
features face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography details
Panasonic S2 Street photography details
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with touch focus
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (112 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
69
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery life (280 CIPA)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
77
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
70
great battery life (280 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (112 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography info
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography info
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
41
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery life (280 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging factors
Panasonic S2 Vlogging factors
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic support
32
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (112g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic S2
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2018-02-08 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 8.6 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 3.30 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 reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380g (0.84 lbs) 112g (0.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 280 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $599 $109