• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon S3600 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $140 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Nikon S3600

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 Nikon S3600

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Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S5200

Nikon S3600
Nikon S5200
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dots on screen
Olympus E-PL9
Nikon S5200
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $369
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S5300

Nikon S3600
Nikon S5300
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus E-PL9
Nikon S5300
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon 170 IS

Nikon S3600
Canon 170 IS
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
Olympus E-PL9
Canon 170 IS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $371
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon S3600
Panasonic GX85
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • More pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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

Nikon S3600
Olympus E-PL8
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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