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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • 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
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL8
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax K-x, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL9 was introduced 8 years after the K-x which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the E-PL9 grades versus the K-x when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 E-PL9 K-x 
LaunchedFebruary 2018December 2009More modern by 99 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

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

 K-x E-PL9 

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

 E-PL9 K-x 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 comes with external dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax K-x in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL9 vs the K-x.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and K-x is 85 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL9 and K-x.

Plainly, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Olympus E-PL9 will deliver extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger E-PL9 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL9
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
73
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography features
Pentax K-x Street photography features
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports touch focus
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
69
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery life (1,900 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-x Travel photography factors
77
connects via bluetooth
supports touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
54
good battery life (1,900 shots)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
80
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL9
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
35
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax K-x
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Pentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Pentax K-x
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2018-02-08 2009-12-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 121 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 8.6 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 16.00 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, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 gr (0.84 pounds) 580 gr (1.28 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life 350 images 1900 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $599 $600