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

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 530 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.8 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.8 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    21 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Panasonic GH4

  • Slower slow-motion
    120 fps vs 96 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 83 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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  • Body Only (Black)
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  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.

  • High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GH3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $798
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GH3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-M1
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-M1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • NFC
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic G7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GH4
Panasonic GX85
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH4 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

Panasonic GH4
Olympus E-PL8
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GH4 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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