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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
33
Overall
36

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL9
(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
Sony W730
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Sony W730

 E-PL9 W730 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018January 2013Fresher by 62 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W730 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
34
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Sony W730
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
67
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (122 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography information
Sony W730 Sports photography information
69
silent mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography advice
Sony W730 Travel photography advice
77
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
71
lighter than competition in class (122g)
supports focus by touch
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
Sony W730 Landscape photography features
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
38
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W730 as a Vlogging camera
35
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
34
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (122 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Sony W730
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Sony 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