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

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Differences

Panasonic GX7 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.7 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Panasonic GX7

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1100 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 54 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    14 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (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

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

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
  • 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 Panasonic GX7
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  • Body Only
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Buy the Olympus E-PL9
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
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  • Body Only (White)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Brown)
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Review Excerpt

  • Sharp retro design and solid build; High resolution, tiltable electronic viewfinder and LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Very good video quality, recording Full HD at frame rates up to 60p; Fast autofocusing and all-around performance; Robust Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, including remote shooting when paired with a smart device

  • Weak built-in flash; No external mic or headphone jack for video recording; Some poor results when shooting in Creative Panorama mode

  • Read our Panasonic GX7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M10
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Fast startup
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-M10
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to Olympus E-M5 II

Panasonic GX7
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Panasonic GX7 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-M5 II
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX7
Panasonic GX85
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX7 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 GX7
Olympus E-PL8
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic GX7 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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