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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic SZ8, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is pretty close but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL9 was announced 4 years later than the SZ8 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the E-PL9 scores versus the SZ8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Panasonic SZ8

 E-PL9 SZ8 
ReleasedFebruary 2018January 2014Fresher by 50 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Olympus E-PL9

 SZ8 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic SZ8

 E-PL9 SZ8 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 has got physical dimensions 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 SZ8 has dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL9 versus Panasonic SZ8 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 dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the E-PL9 and the SZ8.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and SZ8 is 85 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching a spec sheet. The graphic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and SZ8.

Clearly, both of the cameras have the same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The E-PL9 comes with the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler. The younger E-PL9 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
73
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features focus by touch
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
77
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have selfie friendly screen
67
lighter than average (159g)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography information
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
42
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
35
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic port
32
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Panasonic SZ8
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2018-02-08 2014-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
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
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max boosted ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 121 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
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) 159g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $599 $275