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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Old Model is Pentax K-1
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax K-1 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) have different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL9 was announced at a similar time to the K-1 II which means that they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL9 matches up versus the K-1 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Pentax K-1 II

 E-PL9 K-1 II 
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Olympus E-PL9

 K-1 II E-PL9 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax K-1 II

 E-PL9 K-1 II 
IntroducedFebruary 2018February 2018Similar generation
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 provides outer measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 II has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax K-1 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL9 and the K-1 II.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and K-1 II is 85 and 55 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at specifications. The image here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and K-1 II.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-1 II will give extra detail with its extra 20MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs more aggressively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography advice
73
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
86
has manual focus
great sensor resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proof
very good high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL9
Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
69
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect auto focus
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (670 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
Travel photography with Pentax K-1 II
77
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
does not offer selfie friendly display
53
environment proof
great sensor resolution (36MP)
bad battery power (670 CIPA)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL9
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1 II
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
bad battery power (670 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
35
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing external microphone socket
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax K-1 II
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL9 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2018-02-08 2018-02-22
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 819200
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 121 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/200s
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 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 380g (0.84 pounds) 1010g (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 670 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One Dual
Launch cost $599 $1,737