• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer video battery life
    105 vs 80 minutes
    Capture more video
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    1440k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    240 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Sony A9

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 63 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 364 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A9
Body Only
All A9 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Brown)
  • Body Only (White)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Brown)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (White)
All E-PL9 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.

  • Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.

  • Read our Sony A9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-PL9
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony A9
Panasonic GX85
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A9 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

Sony A9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A9 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

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A9
Sony A7R III
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A7R III

Olympus E-PL9
Sony A7R III
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2151
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A7R III

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9
Sony A9 II
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer

Compare Sony A9 vs Sony A9 II

Olympus E-PL9
Sony A9 II
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A9 II

Compare Other Cameras?