Olympus PEN E-PL9 Review
In this comprehensive Olympus PEN E-PL9 review, we will cover the most important aspects of company's newest Compact System Camera, including key features, body and handling, performance and image quality. You can also find the additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the E-PL9.
The Olympus PEN E-PL9 is a camera designed for enthusiast photographers that was revealed to the public on 04/05/2018 and is equipped with an 4/3 sensor. When it comes to the price(buy Olympus PEN E-PL9 from Amazon), the Olympus PEN E-PL9 costs $599.33 for body-only and joins company’s 4/3 camera line up with a 16.1MP Live MOS sensor.
The combination of 16.1-MP sensor and latest image processing engine in a compact and affordable body is bound to be a tempting prospect for both new and existing users. Before going into the details of the Olympus PEN E-PL9 view, let's take a quick look at a summary of the features list. Then we can look deeper to the main features such as build quality, handling, ergonomics, performance and image quality.
| Introduction and Key Features | Body and Handling | Performance and Image Quality | Conclusions | Questions and Answers (FAQ) |
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Key Features
Let's take a look at the features of this Compact System Camera at a glance before going into the Olympus PEN E-PL9 review. In this way, you get a preliminary idea. Check it out!
Sensor
16.1-megapixel 4/3 Live MOS
ISO
AUTO ISO: 100 (Low) - 25600 (Customizable, Default 100-1600); Manual ISO: 100 (Low), 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable
AF System
High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 121 points / All target, Group target (9 areas), Single target (normal), Single target (small); Eye detection with left/right/nearest priority
Video
4K UHD up to 3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p)
Shutter speed
1/16000 - 60 sec
Continuous Shooting Speed
8.6 frames per second
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Dimensions
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5 in. (117 x 68 x 39 mm)
Weight
16.7 oz (473 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Continue reading... Olympus PEN E-PL9 Full Specifications
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Body and Handling
Compared with the predecessors, The Olympus PEN E-PL9 has a deeper grip, as well as an improved texture. You can certainly notice the larger area for your hand between the lens and grip, and this makes the camera more comfortable to hold. The dimensions of the E-PL9 are 4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5 in. (117 x 68 x 39 mm) and the camera weighs 16.7 oz (473 g) includes batteries, kit lens for body-only.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Viewfinder
The E-PL9 has a No / LCD viewfinder. The viewfinder has magnification, which is a 35mm equivalent of magnification. The 3.0-inch 1,036,800 dots LCD screen feels solid and looks good with good colour and clear text. The LCD has an articulating screen which is useful for shooting at awkward angles, as well as being useful for video work. The touch-screen is very responsive, making it quick and easy to change settings and you can use it to scroll through the menus and change settings.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Battery
The camera uses the Proprietary BLS-50 battery. It is backward compatible and offers per charge according to CIPA ratings. As usual with CIPA ratings, you may get many more than this with better use of LCD and OVF combination.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Memory Card Slot
By default, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 doesn't come with a memory card. Some retailers put together bundles that do include one, but chances are that you'll need to pick up an SD card separately.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 supports only one card slot. You can use SD / SDHC / SDXC type memory cards. The technical difference between those two specifications are in the filesystem they're formatted with, but the practical difference is that cards 32GB and smaller will be labeled SDHC and cards 64GB and larger will be labeled SDXC.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Connectivity
On the side, you'll find Micro HDMI (Type-D), Micro-B USB 2.0 port. The camera can output clean HDMI, in case you want to record video to an external recorder. For sending captured images the camera offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When it comes to GPS we have to say the camera has built-in support.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Performance and Image Quality
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - AF System
The AF system of the Olympus PEN E-PL9 is High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 121 points / All target, Group target (9 areas), Single target (normal), Single target (small); Eye detection with left/right/nearest priority. This is ideal for working with long lenses and teleconverters. The low-light working range of the autofocus system is rated for +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps.
Autofocus system of the E-PL9 includes metering modes like Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - ISO Sensitivity
Native ISO sensitivity range of Olympus PEN E-PL9 starts from 200 to 25600. The camera’s full ISO rates are as follows AUTO ISO: 100 (Low) - 25600 (Customizable, Default 100-1600); Manual ISO: 100 (Low), 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Video Features
The Olympus PEN E-PL9 can record 4K UHD video at up to 3840x2160 (30p/25p/24p). However, since it’s captured from a 3840 x 2160 pixel area at the centre of the sensor, it a provides a detailed footage. The camera is also capable of Full HD video (1920 x 1080) capture at up to 60 fps. The E-PL9 can create movies right in the camera.
Olympus PEN E-PL9 - Conclusions
The Olympus PEN E-PL9 is a great all round performer, which is well-suited to a range of photography subjects that the average enthusiast is likely to tackle. The camera is also smaller and lighter, arguably making it a better option for traveling.
If you regularly shoot in low light environments or high ISO speeds, and want to be able to record 4K UHD video, then the Olympus PEN E-PL9 will be a great choice.
Overall, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 is a great all-round enthusiast camera for those looking for their next step up Mirrorless with excellent image quality, and reliable performance.
What is the sensor technology found in the E-PL9?
The camera comes with an 4/3 image sensor and is a Live MOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor).
What is the native ISO sensitivity range of the E-PL9?
The camera has a native ISO sensitivity from 200 to 25600.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with flash?
The E-PL9's flash sync speed is 1/250.
What is the buffer size for RAW and JPEG shooting?
Buffer size for RAW is approximately 14, while the JPEG shooting is Unlimited.
What battery does Olympus PEN E-PL9 use?
The camera uses the Proprietary BLS-50, which is a Lithium-ion rechargeable.
What is the battery life of Olympus PEN E-PL9?
Shoot all day and well into the night with up to approximately per charge (CIPA standard).
Notes About Olympus PEN E-PL9 Review
Specific assessments of the cameras should be instructive in revealing the technical characteristics of the cameras. For example, in practice, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 review should convey various details about usage, response, and overall viewing quality to the user. User comments, such as those found on Amazon, can sometimes give information about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
As users, you should pay attention to the reviews made by experts. That's why we find it important to include the correct and expert opinions on the Olympus PEN E-PL9 review.