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Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300

Portability
85
Imaging
56
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Samsung NX300 front
Portability
86
Imaging
63
Features
73
Overall
67

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
Samsung NX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 331g - 122 x 64 x 41mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Superseded the Samsung NX210
  • Successor is Samsung NX500
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 Overview

Following is a complete review of the Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Samsung. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the NX300 (20MP) is very comparable but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and NX300 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL9 was revealed 4 years after the NX300 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the E-PL9 matches up vs the NX300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Samsung NX300

 E-PL9 NX300 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018November 2013More modern by 52 months
Display resolution1040k768kCrisper display (+272k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung NX300 over the Olympus E-PL9

 NX300 E-PL9 
Display dimension3.3"3"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Samsung NX300

 E-PL9 NX300 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 offers external measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Samsung NX300 has dimensions of 122mm x 64mm x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6") and a weight of 331 grams (0.73 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-PL9 against the NX300.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and NX300 is 85 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL9 and NX300.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Samsung NX300 will produce more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern E-PL9 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography advice
Samsung NX300 Portrait photography advice
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
77
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Street photography information
Samsung NX300 Street photography information
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung NX300 as a Sports photography camera
69
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
no phase detect AF
73
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung NX300 as a Travel photography camera
77
has bluetooth
features focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
67
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (20MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography advice
Samsung NX300 Landscape photography advice
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
72
has manual focus
switch lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a good size (3.3")
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
Samsung NX300 Vlogging details
35
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
33
touchscreen capability
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic support
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Samsung NX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Samsung NX300
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Samsung NX300
General Information
Brand Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Samsung NX300
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2018-02-08 2013-11-24
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII DRIMe IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 121 247
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Available lenses 107 32
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3.3"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 768 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 8.6 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
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, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 gr (0.84 pounds) 331 gr (0.73 pounds)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 122 x 64 x 41mm (4.8" x 2.5" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 76
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 942
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 330 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $599 $750