Canon 1Ds versus Olympus E-PL9

The Canon EOS-1Ds and the Olympus PEN E-PL9 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in September 2002 and February 2018. The 1Ds is a DSLR, while the E-PL9 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (1Ds) and a Four Thirds (E-PL9) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 11 megapixel, whereas the Olympus provides 15.9 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon 1Ds vs Olympus E-PL9

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1Ds and the Olympus E-PL9. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the 1Ds – represents the basis for the calculations across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-PL9 is considerably smaller (68 percent) than the Canon 1Ds. Moreover, the E-PL9 is substantially lighter (70 percent) than the 1Ds. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 1Ds is splash and dust resistant, while the E-PL9 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can find an overview of optics for the two cameras in the Canon EF Lens Catalog (1Ds) and the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-PL9). Mirrorless cameras, such as the E-PL9, have moreover the advantage that they can use many lenses from other systems via adapters, as they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance.

Concerning battery life, the 1Ds gets 600 shots out of its NP-E3 battery, while the E-PL9 can take 350 images on a single charge of its BLS-50 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 1Ds»	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	44.6 oz	600	Y	Sep 2002	8,999	-		Canon 1Ds
	Olympus E-PL9«	4.6 in	2.7 in	1.5 in	13.4 oz	350	n	Feb 2018	549			Olympus E-PL9
	Canon 1D X Mark II« »	6.2 in	6.6 in	3.3 in	54.0 oz	1210	Y	Feb 2016	5,999			Canon 1D X Mark II
	Canon 1D C« »	6.2 in	6.5 in	3.3 in	54.5 oz	1120	Y	Apr 2012	14,999	-		Canon 1D C
	Canon 1D Mark IV« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	43.4 oz	1500	Y	Oct 2009	4,999	-		Canon 1D Mark IV
	Canon 1Ds Mark III« »	5.9 in	6.3 in	3.1 in	48.9 oz	1800	Y	Aug 2007	7,999	-		Canon 1Ds Mark III
	Canon 1D Mark III« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	40.7 oz	2200	Y	Feb 2007	4,499	-		Canon 1D Mark III
	Canon 5D« »	6.0 in	4.4 in	3.0 in	31.6 oz	400	Y	Aug 2005	3,299	-		Canon 5D
	Canon 1D Mark II N« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	55.2 oz	1200	Y	Aug 2005	3,999	-		Canon 1D Mark II N
	Canon 1Ds Mark II« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	42.9 oz	1200	Y	Sep 2004	7,999	-		Canon 1Ds Mark II
	Canon 1D Mark II« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	54.1 oz	1200	Y	Jan 2004	4,499	-		Canon 1D Mark II
	Nikon D2Xs« »	6.2 in	5.9 in	3.4 in	44.2 oz	3800	Y	Jun 2006	4,699	-		Nikon D2Xs
	Olympus E-M10 III« »	4.8 in	3.3 in	2.0 in	14.5 oz	330	n	Aug 2017	649			Olympus E-M10 III
	Olympus E-PL8« »	4.5 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	12.6 oz	350	n	Sep 2016	549	-		Olympus E-PL8
	Olympus E-PL7« »	4.5 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	12.6 oz	350	n	Aug 2014	599	-		Olympus E-PL7
	Olympus E-PL6« »	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.5 in	11.5 oz	360	n	May 2013	599	-		Olympus E-PL6
	Olympus E-PL5« »	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.5 in	11.5 oz	360	n	Sep 2012	599	-		Olympus E-PL5
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The E-PL9 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 94 percent) than the 1Ds, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon 1Ds vs Olympus E-PL9

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1Ds features a full frame sensor and the Olympus E-PL9 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-PL9 is 74 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor in the 1Ds has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-PL9 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the E-PL9 offers a higher resolution of 15.9 megapixel, compared with 11 MP of the 1Ds. This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.76μm versus 8.83μm for the 1Ds). However, it should be noted that the E-PL9 is much more recent (by 15 years and 4 months) than the 1Ds, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The E-PL9 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1Ds does not. The highest resolution format that the E-PL9 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison: Canon 1Ds vs Olympus E-PL9

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 1Ds has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the E-PL9 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 1Ds and Olympus E-PL9 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, the E-PL9 features an electronic shutter, which makes silent shooting and higher burst speeds possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (flickering).

The E-PL9 is a current model that online retailers, such as amazon, will have in stock. In contrast, the 1Ds has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 1Ds was succeeded by the Canon 1Ds Mark II.

Review summary: Canon 1Ds vs Olympus E-PL9

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 1Ds or the Olympus E-PL9 – has the upper hand? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS-1Ds:

• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image framing and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Has an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (600 versus 350) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in September 2002).

Advantages of the Olympus PEN E-PL9:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (15.9 vs 11MP), which boosts linear resolution by 18%.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 120k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8.6 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (117x68mm vs 156x157.6mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 885g or 70 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology build-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (94 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 15 years and 4 months of technical progress since the 1Ds launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-PL9 is the clear winner of the contest (15 : 6 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the 1Ds and the E-PL9 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 1Ds»	-	HiRec	-	-	-	Sep 2002	8,999	-		Canon 1Ds
	Olympus E-PL9«	Rec	-	4.5/5	-	4/5	Feb 2018	549			Olympus E-PL9
	Canon 1D X Mark II« »	-	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	5,999			Canon 1D X Mark II
	Canon 1D C« »	-	-	-	-	-	Apr 2012	14,999	-		Canon 1D C
	Canon 1D Mark IV« »	-	89/100	-	5/5	-	Oct 2009	4,999	-		Canon 1D Mark IV
	Canon 1Ds Mark III« »	-	HiRec	4.5/5	-	-	Aug 2007	7,999	-		Canon 1Ds Mark III
	Canon 1D Mark III« »	-	-	-	rev	-	Feb 2007	4,499	-		Canon 1D Mark III
	Canon 5D« »	88/100	HiRec	rev	rev	-	Aug 2005	3,299	-		Canon 5D
	Canon 1D Mark II N« »	-	-	-	-	-	Aug 2005	3,999	-		Canon 1D Mark II N
	Canon 1Ds Mark II« »	-	HiRec	-	-	-	Sep 2004	7,999	-		Canon 1Ds Mark II
	Canon 1D Mark II« »	-	HiRec	-	rev	-	Jan 2004	4,499	-		Canon 1D Mark II
	Nikon D2Xs« »	-	-	-	rev	-	Jun 2006	4,699	-		Nikon D2Xs
	Olympus E-M10 III« »	Rec	80/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Aug 2017	649			Olympus E-M10 III
	Olympus E-PL8« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4/5	Sep 2016	549	-		Olympus E-PL8
	Olympus E-PL7« »	Rec	-	5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2014	599	-		Olympus E-PL7
	Olympus E-PL6« »	-	-	-	-	-	May 2013	599	-		Olympus E-PL6
	Olympus E-PL5« »	HiRec	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	599	-		Olympus E-PL5

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored. If you cannot find the camera you are interested in, kindly get in touch, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.

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