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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL9 was brought out 4 years after the K-50 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-PL9 grades versus the K-50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Pentax K-50

 E-PL9 K-50 
LaunchedFebruary 2018November 2013More modern by 52 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Olympus E-PL9

 K-50 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax K-50

 E-PL9 K-50 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 features physical 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 Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax K-50 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the K-50.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and K-50 is 85 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specifications. The picture underneath might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and K-50.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 has the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field tougher. The more modern E-PL9 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
73
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography factors
Pentax K-50 Street photography factors
84
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
features touch to focus
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than competition in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography info
Pentax K-50 Sports photography info
69
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
77
has bluetooth
features touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
56
weather proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
bad battery power (410 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (650 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography factors
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
74
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
Pentax K-50 Vlogging details
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (650g)
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax K-50
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Pentax K-50
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2018-02-08 2013-11-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 8.6 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 gr (0.84 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 410 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $599 $610