Nikon D500 vs Olympus E-PL9

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Nikon D500 vs Olympus E-PL9

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APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL9 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL9.

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Differences

Nikon D500 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

Larger sensor
APS-C 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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1240 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
2359k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
20.9 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
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.2 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.2 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 14 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Nikon D500

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
Longer video battery life
80 vs 50 minutes
Capture more video
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
39 mm vs 81 mm
Thinner
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL9 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D500

Body Only

Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens

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Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Brown)
Body Only (White)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Brown)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (White)

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Review Excerpt

Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Olympus E-PL9, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Olympus E-PL9 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

Olympus E-PL9

Pentax K-3 II

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

Olympus E-PL9

Sony A68

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A68

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon D500

Panasonic GX85

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$598
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Nikon D500 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

Nikon D500

Olympus E-PL8

$1598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D500 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

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D500

Pentax KP

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax KP

Olympus E-PL9

Pentax KP

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Pentax KP

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