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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL8
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The E-PL9 was revealed 6 years later than the Q and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the E-PL9 scores vs the Q when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Pentax Q

 E-PL9 Q 
IntroducedFebruary 2018June 2011More recent by 81 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-PL9

 Q E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax Q

 E-PL9 Q 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL9 comes with exterior dimensions 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 Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL9 versus Pentax Q in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the E-PL9 versus the Q.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and Q is 85 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by seeing specifications. The visual below may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and Q.

To sum up, the 2 cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL9 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PL9 will produce extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more modern E-PL9 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q Portrait photography advice
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
45
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography highlights
Pentax Q Street photography highlights
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography advice
Pentax Q Sports photography advice
69
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
77
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
57
lighter than competition in class (180g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (230 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL9
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
51
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL9
Vlogging with Pentax Q
35
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Pentax Q
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Pentax Q
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Pentax Q
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2018-02-08 2011-06-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 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 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Total lenses 107 8
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 8.6fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) 5.60 m
Flash options 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, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380g (0.84 lbs) 180g (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life 350 shots 230 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $599 $695