Canon 1Ds vs Olympus E-PL9

The Canon EOS-1Ds and the Olympus PEN E-PL9 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, 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 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 15.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 1Ds		Olympus E-PL9
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
11 MP, Full Frame Sensor		15.9 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
no Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-1,250		ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
Optical viewfinder		No viewfinder, LCD framing
2.0 LCD, 120k dots		3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second		8.6 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		not weather sealed
600 shots per battery charge		350 shots per battery charge
156 x 158 x 80 mm, 1265 g		117 x 68 x 39 mm, 380 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1Ds and the Olympus PEN E-PL9? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 1Ds and the Olympus E-PL9 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-PL9 can be obtained in four different colors (black, brown, blue, white), while the 1Ds is only available in black.

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 compare the optics available 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. As can be seen in the images above, the 1Ds has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 1Ds	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1265 g	600	Y	Sep 2002	8,999
2.		Olympus E-PL9	117 mm	68 mm	39 mm	380 g	350	n	Feb 2018	599
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	158 mm	168 mm	83 mm	1440 g	2850	Y	Jan 2020	6,499
4.		Canon 1D X Mark II	158 mm	168 mm	83 mm	1530 g	1210	Y	Feb 2016	5,999
5.		Canon 1D C	158 mm	164 mm	83 mm	1545 g	1120	Y	Apr 2012	14,999
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	156 mm	157 mm	80 mm	1230 g	1500	Y	Oct 2009	4,999
7.		Canon 1D Mark III	156 mm	157 mm	80 mm	1155 g	2200	Y	Feb 2007	4,499
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	150 mm	160 mm	80 mm	1385 g	1800	Y	Aug 2007	7,999
9.		Canon 1D Mark II N	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1565 g	1200	Y	Aug 2005	3,999
10.		Canon 5D	152 mm	113 mm	75 mm	895 g	400	Y	Aug 2005	3,299
11.		Canon 1D Mark II	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1535 g	1200	Y	Jan 2004	4,499
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	156 mm	158 mm	80 mm	1215 g	1200	Y	Sep 2004	7,999
13.		Olympus E-PL10	117 mm	68 mm	39 mm	380 g	350	n	Oct 2019	599
14.		Olympus E-M10 III	122 mm	84 mm	50 mm	410 g	330	n	Aug 2017	649
15.		Olympus E-PL8	115 mm	67 mm	38 mm	357 g	350	n	Sep 2016	549
16.		Olympus E-M10 II	120 mm	83 mm	47 mm	390 g	320	n	Aug 2015	649
17.		Olympus E-M10	119 mm	82 mm	46 mm	396 g	320	n	Jan 2014	699
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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 93 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

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras 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 megapixels, compared with 11 MP of the 1Ds. This megapixels 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.

The resolution advantage of the Olympus E-PL9 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the E-PL9 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 1Ds are 20.3 x 13.5 inches or 51.6 x 34.3 cm for good quality, 16.3 x 10.8 inches or 41.3 x 27.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.5 x 9 inches or 34.4 x 22.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS-1Ds has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1250, which can be extended to ISO 50-1250. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus PEN E-PL9 are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 1Ds	Full Frame	11.0	4064	2704	none	21.8	11.0	954	63
2.		Olympus E-PL9	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	4K/60p	24.2	14.5	3248	91
4.		Canon 1D X Mark II	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	4K/60p	24.1	13.5	3207	88
5.		Canon 1D C	Full Frame	17.9	5184	3456	4K/24p	..	..	..	..
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	APS-H	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	22.8	12.0	1320	74
7.		Canon 1D Mark III	APS-H	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.7	11.7	1078	71
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Full Frame	21.0	5616	3744	none	24.0	12.0	1663	80
9.		Canon 1D Mark II N	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.2	975	66
10.		Canon 5D	Full Frame	12.7	4368	2912	none	22.9	11.1	1368	71
11.		Canon 1D Mark II	APS-H	8.2	3504	2336	none	22.3	11.1	1003	66
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	Full Frame	16.6	4992	3328	none	23.3	11.3	1480	74
13.		Olympus E-PL10	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
14.		Olympus E-M10 III	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Olympus E-PL8	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
16.		Olympus E-M10 II	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	23.1	12.5	842	73
17.		Olympus E-M10	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.8	12.3	884	72

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. 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

Beyond 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 table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon 1Ds and Olympus E-PL9 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 1Ds	optical	Y	2.0	120	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0	n	n
2.		Olympus E-PL9	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.6	Y	Y
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	optical	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	n
4.		Canon 1D X Mark II	optical	Y	3.2	1620	fixed	Y	1/8000s	16.0	n	n
5.		Canon 1D C	optical	Y	3.2	1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	14.0	n	n
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
7.		Canon 1D Mark III	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
9.		Canon 1D Mark II N	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.5	n	n
10.		Canon 5D	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0	n	n
11.		Canon 1D Mark II	optical	Y	2.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.3	n	n
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	optical	Y	2.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	4.0	n	n
13.		Olympus E-PL10	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.6	Y	Y
14.		Olympus E-M10 III	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.6	Y	Y
15.		Olympus E-PL8	optional	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	Y
16.		Olympus E-M10 II	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	Y
17.		Olympus E-M10	1440	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	Y

One feature that is present on the 1Ds, but is missing on the E-PL9 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the E-PL9 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Olympus E-PL9 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The 1Ds writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the E-PL9 uses SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-1Ds and Olympus PEN E-PL9 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 1Ds	Y	-	-	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-
2.		Olympus E-PL9	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon 1D X Mark II	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 1D C	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	Y	stereo	-	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 1D Mark III	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	Y	mono	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon 1D Mark II N	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
10.		Canon 5D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 1D Mark II	Y	-	-	-	-	-	1.1	-	-	-
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Olympus E-PL10	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
14.		Olympus E-M10 III	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Olympus E-PL8	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
16.		Olympus E-M10 II	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
17.		Olympus E-M10	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the E-PL9 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the 1Ds does not provide wifi capability.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1Ds (unlike the E-PL9) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 1Ds and the E-PL9 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The 1Ds was replaced by the Canon 1Ds Mark II, while the E-PL9 was followed by the Olympus E-PL10. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Olympus websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Canon 1Ds better than the Olympus E-PL9 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS-1Ds:

• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• 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.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• 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.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• 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.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (117x68mm vs 156x158mm) 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.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• 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.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (93 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 15 years and 4 months of technical progress since the 1Ds launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the E-PL9 is the clear winner of the contest (19 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1Ds and the Olympus E-PL9 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 1Ds or the E-PL9 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 1Ds	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2002	8,999
2.		Olympus E-PL9	..	+	..	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2018	599
3.		Canon 1D X Mark III	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4/5	Jan 2020	6,499
4.		Canon 1D X Mark II	..	..	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	5,999
5.		Canon 1D C	..	..	..	..	..	Apr 2012	14,999
6.		Canon 1D Mark IV	5/5	..	89/100	..	..	Oct 2009	4,999
7.		Canon 1D Mark III	..	..	..	..	..	Feb 2007	4,499
8.		Canon 1Ds Mark III	..	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	Aug 2007	7,999
9.		Canon 1D Mark II N	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2005	3,999
10.		Canon 5D	..	88/100	+ +	o	..	Aug 2005	3,299
11.		Canon 1D Mark II	..	..	+ +	..	..	Jan 2004	4,499
12.		Canon 1Ds Mark II	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2004	7,999
13.		Olympus E-PL10	..	..	77/100	..	4/5	Oct 2019	599
14.		Olympus E-M10 III	..	+	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2017	649
15.		Olympus E-PL8	..	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2016	549
16.		Olympus E-M10 II	4.5/5	+ +	80/100	5/5	5/5	Aug 2015	649
17.		Olympus E-M10	4/5	..	80/100	5/5	5/5	Jan 2014	699
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date 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? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Canon 1Ds vs Olympus E-PL9

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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