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Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II

Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67
Olympus PEN-F front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Announced January 2016
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Older Model is Sony A99
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Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the PEN-F (Four Thirds) and A99 II (Full frame) feature different sensor size.

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The PEN-F was released 7 months earlier than the A99 II which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the PEN-F scores vs the A99 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Sony A99 II

 PEN-F A99 II 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Olympus PEN-F

 A99 II PEN-F 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016January 2016Fresher by 7 months
Screen resolution1229k1037kCrisper screen (+192k dot)

Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Sony A99 II

 PEN-F A99 II 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully articulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus PEN-F enjoys external dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 II has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the PEN-F and the A99 II.

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the PEN-F and A99 II is 84 and 57 respectively.

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the PEN-F and A99 II.

As you can see, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The PEN-F featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A99 II will show more detail as a result of its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older PEN-F will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Portrait photography factors
Sony A99 II Portrait photography factors
75
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
86
focusing manually
resolution is great (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Street photography factors
Sony A99 II Street photography factors
84
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus PEN-F as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Sports photography camera
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
low battery pack (330 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (490 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus PEN-F
Travel photography with Sony A99 II
75
provides touch to focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly display
low battery pack (330 shots)
70
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
resolution is great (42MP)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery power (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography advice
Sony A99 II Landscape photography advice
76
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (330 CIPA)
82
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery power (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus PEN-F Vlogging highlights
Sony A99 II Vlogging highlights
78
selfie friendly display
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
missing external mic socket
78
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone port
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Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus PEN-F and Sony A99 II
 Olympus PEN-FSony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model Olympus PEN-F Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-01-27 2016-09-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 80 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 81 399
Cross focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.62x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 427 gr (0.94 lbs) 849 gr (1.87 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 74 92
DXO Color Depth score 23.1 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 13.4
DXO Low light score 894 2317
Other
Battery life 330 images 490 images
Battery form Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model BLN-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots Single Two
Retail price $1,000 $3,198