• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 10.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 51,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GH5S advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.51 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
    11.7 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.5 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    120 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Panasonic GH5S

  • 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 60 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 600 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent video quality; Very good high ISO performance; Cinema 4K & UHD video up to 60p; Full HD up to 240p; 10-bit internal video recording; Tons of features & options for advanced/pro videographers.

  • 10MP resolution is limiting for still photos; No in-body image stabilization; Slower AF than GH5; Buffer clearing could be faster; No 6K Photo features due to sensor resolution.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic GX85
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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

Panasonic GH5S
Olympus E-PL8
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer video battery life
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic GH5
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GH5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer video battery life
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5S
Panasonic G9
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic G9
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer video battery life
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Panasonic GH5S
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $1998
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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