• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Canon EOS M

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 4.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL9
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  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.

  • Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.

  • Read our Canon EOS M Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-C3

Olympus E-PL9
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Olympus E-PL9
Sony NEX-5N
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

Olympus E-PL9
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon EOS M
Panasonic GX85
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Panasonic GX85

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

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Canon EOS M
Olympus E-PL8
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL8

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