Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A580
85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64
64 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A580 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
- Released February 2018
- Succeeded the Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Launched May 2011
- Old Model is Sony A100
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On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony A580, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively close but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and A580 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe E-PL9 was manufactured 6 years after the A580 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-PL9 grades vs the A580 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL9 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL9 Gallery & Sony A580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Sony A580
| E-PL9 | A580 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2018 | May 2011 | More modern by 82 months | |
| Screen resolution | 1040k | 922k | Crisper screen (+118k dot) | |
| Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Olympus E-PL9
| A580 | E-PL9 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony A580
| E-PL9 | A580 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen sizing | |
| Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL9 offers outer dimensions 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 Sony A580 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Look at the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony A580 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the E-PL9 and the A580.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and A580 is 85 and 64 respectively.
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and A580.
Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL9 has the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field trickier. The more modern E-PL9 will have a benefit in sensor tech.
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A580 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Sony |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 |
| Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Released | 2018-02-08 | 2011-05-26 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic VIII | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Min boosted ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 121 | 15 |
| Cross focus points | - | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Total lenses | 107 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Tilting | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
| Continuous shooting rate | 8.6 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | 7.60 m (at ISO 200) | 12.00 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 380 grams (0.84 lb) | 599 grams (1.32 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 80 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.3 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 1121 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 images | 1050 images |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | One | 2 |
| Retail pricing | $599 | $848 |