Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730
85 Imaging
55 Features
78 Overall
64


96 Imaging
39 Features
33 Overall
36
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
- Released February 2018
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
- 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
- Announced January 2013

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Overview
On this page, we are analyzing the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony W730, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL9 (16MP) and the W730 (16MP) is fairly close but the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and W730 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

The E-PL9 was revealed 5 years later than the W730 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony W730 being a Compact camera.
Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a simple summary of how the E-PL9 grades vs the W730 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL9 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL9 Gallery and Sony W730 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Sony W730
E-PL9 | W730 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2018 | ![]() | January 2013 | Fresher by 62 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+810k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Olympus E-PL9
W730 | E-PL9 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony W730
E-PL9 | W730 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL9 comes with outside measurements of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) while the Sony W730 has sizing of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") having a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).
See the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony W730 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL9 compared to the W730.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and W730 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL9 and W730.
As you can see, the two cameras have the same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PL9 includes the larger sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult. The newer E-PL9 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Sony |
Model | Olympus PEN E-PL9 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2018-02-08 | 2013-01-08 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VIII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 121 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 25-224mm (9.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.3-6.3 |
Macro focus distance | - | 5cm |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 2.7 inch |
Display resolution | 1,040k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD display |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 8.6 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 7.60 m (at ISO 200) | 2.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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 | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 3840x2160 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 380 grams (0.84 lb) | 122 grams (0.27 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") | 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 240 images |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-BN |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $599 | $138 |