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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL8
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-C3
  • Renewed by Sony NEX-3N
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus E-PL9 versus Sony NEX-F3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is fairly close but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and NEX-F3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL9 was released 5 years after the NEX-F3 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-PL9 matches up vs the NEX-F3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Sony NEX-F3

 E-PL9 NEX-F3 
RevealedFebruary 2018August 2012More modern by 67 months
Display resolution1040k920kSharper display (+120k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Olympus E-PL9

 NEX-F3 E-PL9 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-F3

 E-PL9 NEX-F3 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL9 has got external dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-F3 has dimensions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL9 versus Sony NEX-F3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL9 versus the NEX-F3.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL9 and NEX-F3 is 85 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to see the gap in sensor sizes just by researching specifications. The pic underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and NEX-F3.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with the identical megapixels but not the same sensor sizes. The E-PL9 includes the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field more difficult. The more modern E-PL9 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-F3 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Sony NEX-F3
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
supports focus by touch
76
screen tilts
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography features
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography features
69
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
53
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (470 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography factors
77
supports bluetooth
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
69
great battery (470 CIPA)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (470 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging details
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging details
35
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic support
27
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic jack
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Sony NEX-F3
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2018-02-08 2012-08-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias 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 16000
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 121 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
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 speed 8.6 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.60 m (at ISO 200) -
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, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 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 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380 gr (0.84 pounds) 314 gr (0.69 pounds)
Physical dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1114
Other
Battery life 350 images 470 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $599 $470