• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony RX10 II advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/3200 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.2 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    29 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Sony RX10 II

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 102 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 44 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build quality; Superb viewfinder; Excellent image and video quality for its class; Bright and versatile zoom lens; Very fast autofocus; Great burst performance and depth; Incredible slow-motion capabilities; Really intuitive Wi-Fi image transfer; Good battery life.

  • Expensive compared to its nearest competitors; Less zoom reach than rivals; Soft in corners wide-open; Slow buffer clearing; Small rear control dial has poor tactile feedback; Long delay to render each high frame-rate movie; No tilt/swivel or touch on the LCD panel.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Sony RX10 II
Sony RX10
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-PL9
Sony RX10
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10 II
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Top deck display
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic FZ1000
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $773
  • 1 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Sony RX10 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure
Olympus E-PL9
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • External Mic Jack

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony RX10 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
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

Sony RX10 II
Olympus E-PL8
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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