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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1

Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
 
Sony ZV-E1 front
Portability
80
Imaging
66
Features
89
Overall
75

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 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
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL8
Sony ZV-E1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 1920 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 483g - 121 x 72 x 54mm
  • Launched March 2023
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Olympus E-PL9 versus Sony ZV-E1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL9 (16MP) and ZV-E1 (12MP) and the E-PL9 (Four Thirds) and ZV-E1 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL9 was manufactured 6 years before the ZV-E1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL9 scores vs the ZV-E1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL9 ZV-E1 
Display resolution1040k1037kCrisper display (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony ZV-E1 over the Olympus E-PL9

 ZV-E1 E-PL9 
LaunchedMarch 2023February 2018More modern by 62 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL9 and Sony ZV-E1

 E-PL9 ZV-E1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"3.00"Equivalent display measurement
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL9 provides exterior dimensions of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Sony ZV-E1 has proportions of 121mm x 72mm x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 483 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-PL9 versus Sony ZV-E1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the E-PL9 vs the ZV-E1.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL9 and ZV-E1 is 85 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing technical specs. The image below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL9 and ZV-E1.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL9 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Olympus E-PL9 will result in extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged E-PL9 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography highlights
Sony ZV-E1 Portrait photography highlights
73
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
71
you can focus manually
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL9
Street photography with Sony ZV-E1
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers focus via touch
84
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
lighter than competitors in class (483 grams)
very good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 as a Sports photography camera
Sony ZV-E1 as a Sports photography camera
69
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
71
quiet mode (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery pack (570 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/ seconds)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL9
Travel photography with Sony ZV-E1
77
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
79
good battery pack (570 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (483 grams)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
selfie friendly screen
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Landscape photography features
Sony ZV-E1 Landscape photography features
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery pack (570 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL9 Vlogging information
Sony ZV-E1 Vlogging information
35
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no external microphone support
85
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 1920 resolution)
includes external mic port
lighter than competitors in class (483g)
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Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-E1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL9 and Sony ZV-E1
 Olympus PEN E-PL9Sony ZV-E1
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL9 Sony ZV-E1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2018-02-08 2023-03-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VIII -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 6400 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 409600
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 40
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 121 759
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 195
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3.00"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs -
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.6fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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 no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XA3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x1920
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 380g (0.84 lbs) 483g (1.06 lbs)
Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 121 x 72 x 54mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 570 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $599 $2,198