Olympus Pen E-PL9

amazon Olympus Pen E-PL9 reviews

Machine specifications

– 16.1-megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor

– Having Micro Four Thirds lens mount

– 3-axis sensor-shift (movement of the sensor the time)

– 3-inch flip touch screen

– 4K video recording ability at 30/25/24fps

– FullHD 60p video recording, stereo sound-ISO100 to ISO25600 (extended)-

– Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection

– Continuous shooting at 8.5fps-HDR, Focus Peaking-There are

– 31 Art Filters-Black/silver, white/silver, coffee brown/silver

Unpacking

As usual with the exterior, there’s some information about Olympus Pen E-PL9; my main impression on opening it, had it been book manuals as are most interior stuff. If one has time to do nothing, flecking through a book about 2cm thick could take care of it, at least kill some time.

And here is our protagonist Olympus Pen E-PL9.

Many upgrades fit the market such as higher video recording capability 30/25/24p-4K or Full HD 60p. Improved from the previous E-PL8, the focus system is up to 121 instead of just 81 with the other cameras.

Next, change the exterior; there is an upgrade in the E-PL8 and back to an even older design that is the E-PL7, in which the grip has a similarity to create a firmer grip position. Compared to older versions, this one has an advantage of being fitted with a flash already on the camera body.

The interface system has also been changed with many similarities with the E-M1 II. Still, with fewer options, the interface is intuitive and easy to change the appropriate customizations according to the user’s needs.

Unlike the E-PL8, which includes only Wi-Fi, the E-PL9 has added Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for speedier and easier connectivity.

where can you get a Olympus Pen E-PL9 online

Olympus PEN E-PL9 Kit with 14-42mm EZ Lens, Camera Bag, and Memory Card (Onyx Black): Buy it now

Olympus PEN E-PL9 Body Only with 3-Inch LCD (Pearl White): Buy it now

Olympus PEN E-PL9 Body only with 3-Inch LCD (Honey Brown): Buy it now

User Interface & Controls

The interfaces and controls for the E-PL9 camera are user-friendly in the right measure- enough touch functionality and enough physical buttons too. The mode dial along with the power switch, shutter button and customizable function button is placed on the top plate. The mode dial encircles the shooting modes such as Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Scene Modes, and Art Filters.

The back panel is dominated by a 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots resolution. The screen can be tilted up at an 80-degree angle and down by 180 degrees, making it useful for selfies and vlogging. The touch screen of the E-PL9 is responsive, offering touch focusing, touch shutter, and navigation through the menu of the camera. Some people may find the lack of an internal viewfinder disadvantageous, as it functions excellently in bright sunlight.

Sensor and Image Quality

The 16.1-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, really, is the same sensor as in the E-PL8. Despite being outdated in sensor technology, the E-PL9 has great image quality, with excellent color quality, dynamic range, and detail.

By virtue of the TruePic VIII image processor borrowed from Olympus’s flagship OM-D series, this camera gives a boost in image quality and speed of image processing. The native ISO range of this new model is 200 – 6400 (extensible to 100 – 25600), which is broad enough for shooting in different lighting conditions. Noise performance is fairly impressive up to ISO 3200; images remain relatively clean and detailed. At higher ISOs, there is more noticeable noise, but not so much that it’s unmanageable in post-processing.

Probably the best feature of the E-PL9, the in-body image stabilization works on a 3-axis system, compensating for camera shake to deliver sharper images even when shooting in poor lighting conditions or using longer focal lengths. Compared to the 5-axis stabilization of higher-end models, this system is not quite as advanced, but it certainly beats a camera with no stabilization system at all.

Autofocus Performance

The focus system of E-PL9 is a contrast detect autofocus senses with a total of 121 focusing points, thus making very wide coverage. In good light, autofocus performance is fast and accurate enough for everyday photography. In low light, AF speed is just a little slower but still good enough.

It also includes face and eye detection AF, which are very useful for portraiture. The camera helps perfectly lock onto the face and eyes of subjects. For further control, the touch screen allows the users to manually select any focus point, which is quite convenient while shooting at difficult scenarios or to have very shallow depth of field.

Capabilities Related to Video

The Olympus Pen E-PL9 is indeed a capable video camera. Features a 4K video recording option at 30, 25, and 24 frames per second, as well as Full HD and HD. And, video 4K, that looks really sharp and detailed, true in color, and dynamic in range. The in-body image stabilizer works well to smooth the handheld footage while reducing camera shake.

In addition to that, it also features several advanced video features like a mode dial dedicated for video, manual exposure control, and Art Filters in video mode. More than that, the lack of microphone input hampers more serious videographers in need of high-quality audio.

The flip-down screen of the E-PL9 is a good feature for easy framings and to check recording condition. The size and weight of the camera are meant to make the portability more obvious in travel and vlog-type videos.

Connectivity and Battery Life

Connectivity comes in the form of built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Olympus Image Share app makes it easy to transfer photos and videos to a smartphone or tablet and control the camera remotely. Bluetooth further connects the camera and mobile device, thus keeping a constant connection for easy sharing of pictures in the midst of social networking.

It has rated battery life of approximately 350 shots per charge, which is quite good for a camera of this size. If you are going to shoot for a long time, you better take a spare battery with you. The camera also charges through the USB port, allowing charging even when you are traveling.

Easy to Use

Olympus designed this camera to be very easy to use for beginners, as well as for more seasoned photographers. It has an intuitive user interface with a well-organized menu system available on it so that accessing even the most well-known features is straightforward. The Super Control Panel, accessible directly through the touchscreen interface, offers speedy one-push access to commonly-used settings, therefore, adjustments are fast and simple.

For all the newbies, particularly interesting, is the Advanced Photo, or AP, mode. This is the part that allows the user to get those more complicated pictures, such as long exposures, HDR, panoramas, and multiple exposures, very easily. Each of the modes includes on-screen guides to assist users towards the right outcomes.

Art Filters and Creative Features

One feature of Olympus Pen series is an overwhelming amount of Art Filters and creative shooting modes that the camera could support. The E-PL9 has 16 Art Filters inside: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Diorama are only a few among the many you can explore and experiment with on still and moving images, thus making each work unique and making it a touch more creative.

A similar variety of Scene modes can be found in the camera, for example, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Sports, and so on. The Scene modes take care of setting parameters that apply for those matchless occasions. For those who enjoy in-camera editing, the E-PL9 provides all settings for saturation, contrast, and other image parameters on the camera itself.

Lenses and Expandability

The vast panorama of additional lenses follows the footsteps of a versatile E-PL9 camera that can fall in line with varied shooting conditions within the Micro Four Thirds system. It makes no difference whether one is interested in portraiture with a prime lens, wide-angle scenery vistas, or even telephoto distance for wildlife; the Micro Four Thirds mount will handle it all.

The E-PL9 operates not only with Olympus’s huge M.Zuiko catalog, but also the lenses of other manufacturers including Panasonic and Sigma. The very small size of Micro Four Thirds lenses combines perfectly with the portable design of the E-PL9, earning its respect as a camera for the mobility-obsessed photographer.

Comparison with Competitors

The mirrorless scene seems to be crowded with contenders for Olympus Pro E-PL9, with the Panasonic Lumix GX85, Fujifilm X-A5, and Sony Alpha a6000 among its competitors. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses, which means that it lovingly depends on user preference and requirements.

E-PL9 is certainly superior in terms of style and poise over the Panasonic Lumix GX85, with additional Art Filter options. In terms of “seriousness,” the GX85 still holds ground with a higher-resolution EVF and 5-axis stabilization.

The Fujifilm X-A5 features a larger APS-C sensor, which ensures better low-light performance, and is also higher in resolution at 24.2 megapixels, although it can only record at 4K at 15 frames per second. In contrast, E-PL9 offers one of the easiest gateways to photography along with many creative paths to explore.

Though older, the Alpha a6000 is still hugely popular for its lightning-fast autofocus and burst shooting capabilities. By contrast, it lacks 4K video capture and in-body image stabilization, both of which are Achilles’ heels of the E-PL9.

Value for Money

The Olympus Pen E-PL9 was a great value. It represents a stylish yet performance-oriented camera packed with creative features – all at a sensible price. Compact, easy to use, and full of Art Filters, the E-PL9 is a natural choice for the beginner and casual photographer. Beyond a great image quality, it also allows more advanced users to dabble with Micro Four Thirds lens options.

Although the E-PL9 may not possess the latest sensor technology or the highest resolution, it consistently delivers reliable results across different shooting conditions. 4K video was an appreciated addition for enhanced usability, and improved autofocus performance is yet another reason to grab it if you are considering an entry-level mirrorless camera.

Advantages:

– Has a cute ergonomic shape that is very compact.
– Great image quality.
– 3-axis in-body stabilization for still shots and videos.
– 4K videos.
– Very simple UI.
– Abundant Art Filters and creative features.
– Plenty of Micro Four Thirds lenses available.
– Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Disadvantages:

– No integrated viewfinder.
– No microphone jack, as such.
– Can go with an extra couple of hours of battery for prolonged shooting.
– Slow AF system in low light.