• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Panasonic GX9

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.5 fps vs 9.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GX9 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Less expensive
    $798 vs $999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.62x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 43 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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 Olympus PEN-F
Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Black)
All PEN-F Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX9
Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-60mm lens (Silver)
All GX9 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

  • Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

  • Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.

  • Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.

  • Read our Panasonic GX9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More pixels
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • External Mic Jack

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX9
Panasonic GX85
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer video battery life
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL9
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-PL9
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-PL9

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