• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 30.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.36 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    30.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 5D Mark IV

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.

  • JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV
Nikon D810
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-PL9
Nikon D810
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark IV
Pentax K-1
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL9
Pentax K-1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon 5D Mark IV
Panasonic GX85
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon 5D Mark IV
Olympus E-PL8
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
Compare Other Cameras?