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Olympus E-PL9 vs Nikon D5

The Olympus PEN E-PL9 and the Nikon D5 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in February 2018 and January 2016. The E-PL9 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D5 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (E-PL9) and a full frame (D5) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 20.7 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-PL9
versus
Nikon D5
Olympus E-PL9   Nikon D5
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Micro Four Thirds lenses Nikon F mount lenses
15.9 MP – Four Thirds sensor 20.7 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600) ISO 100-102,400 (50 - 3,280,000)
No viewfinder, LCD framing Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.2" LCD – 2359k dots
Tilting touchscreen Fixed touchscreen
8.6 shutter flaps per second 14 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
350 shots per battery charge3780 shots per battery charge
117 x 68 x 39 mm, 380 g 160 x 159 x 92 mm, 1415 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus PEN E-PL9 and the Nikon D5? 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.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-PL9 and the Nikon D5. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-PL9 can be obtained in four different colors (black, brown, blue, white), while the D5 is only available in black.

Size Olympus E-PL9 vs Nikon D5
Compare E-PL9 versus D5 top
Comparison E-PL9 or D5 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D5 is considerably larger (220 percent) than the Olympus E-PL9. Moreover, the D5 is substantially heavier (272 percent) than the E-PL9. It is noteworthy in this context that the D5 is splash and dust-proof, 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 Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-PL9) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D5). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Olympus E-PL9, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the E-PL9 gets 350 shots out of its Olympus BLS-50 battery, while the D5 can take 3780 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL18a power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the D5 has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL9 117 mm 68 mm 39 mm 380 g 350 n Feb 2018 599ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1530 g 1210 Y Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D6 160 mm 163 mm 92 mm 1270 g 3580 Y Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon D4S 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1350 g 3020 Y Feb 2014 6,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PL10 117 mm 68 mm 39 mm 380 g 350 n Oct 2019 599ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-M10 III 122 mm 84 mm 50 mm 410 g 330 n Aug 2017 649ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-PL8 115 mm 67 mm 38 mm 357 g 350 n Sep 2016 549ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 II 120 mm 83 mm 47 mm 390 g 320 n Aug 2015 649ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-M10 119 mm 82 mm 46 mm 396 g 320 n Jan 2014 699ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-PL7 115 mm 67 mm 38 mm 357 g 350 n Aug 2014 599ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-PL6 111 mm 64 mm 38 mm 325 g 360 n May 2013 599ebay.com
15.
 
Olympus E-PL5 111 mm 64 mm 38 mm 325 g 360 n Sep 2012 599ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-PM2 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 269 g 360 n Sep 2012 499ebay.com
17.
 
Olympus E-PL3 110 mm 64 mm 37 mm 313 g 300 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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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 91 percent) than the D5, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to 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 Olympus E-PL9 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Nikon D5 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D5 is 281 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the E-PL9 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the D5 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Olympus E-PL9 and Nikon D5 sensor measures

With 20.7MP, the D5 offers a higher resolution than the E-PL9 (15.9MP), but the D5 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.44μm versus 3.76μm for the E-PL9) due to its larger sensor. However, the E-PL9 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 1 month) than the D5, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon D5 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the D5 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.9 x 18.6 inches or 71 x 47.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 22.4 x 14.8 inches or 56.8 x 37.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.6 x 12.4 inches or 47.3 x 31.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-PL9 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Olympus PEN E-PL9 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D5 are ISO 100 to ISO 102400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-3280000.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

E-PL9 versus D5 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-PL9 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.112.8116274
2.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.5320788
4.
 
Nikon D6 Full Frame 20.7 5568 37124K/30p25.314.3288695
5.
 
Nikon D4S Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/60p24.413.3307489
6.
 
Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.5295693
7.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
8.
 
Olympus E-PL10 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.313.1132476
9.
 
Olympus E-M10 III Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.112.8112074
10.
 
Olympus E-PL8 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p23.012.6103073
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 II Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p23.112.584273
12.
 
Olympus E-M10 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.388472
13.
 
Olympus E-PL7 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.712.487372
14.
 
Olympus E-PL6 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.512.071768
15.
 
Olympus E-PL5 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.388972
16.
 
Olympus E-PM2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.712.293272
17.
 
Olympus E-PL3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.910.349952
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D5 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Olympus E-PL9, the Nikon D5, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-PL9none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.6/s Y Y
2.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D6optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D4Soptical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
6.
 
Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Olympus E-PL10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.6/s Y Y
9.
 
Olympus E-M10 III2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.6/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus E-PL8optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Olympus E-M101440 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Olympus E-PL7optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
14.
 
Olympus E-PL6optional n3.0 / 460 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
15.
 
Olympus E-PL5optional n3.0 / 460 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
16.
 
Olympus E-PM2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
17.
 
Olympus E-PL3optional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The E-PL9 has one, while the D5 does not. While the built-in flash of the E-PL9 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The E-PL9 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the D5 does not have a selfie-screen.

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 and the Nikon D5 both have 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 E-PL9 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D5 uses Compact Flash or XQD cards. The D5 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the E-PL9 only has one slot.

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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 Olympus PEN E-PL9 and Nikon D5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-PL9Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
4.
 
Nikon D6Ystereo / monoYYmini3.1Y-Y
5.
 
Nikon D4SYmono / monoYYmini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
7.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-PL10Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
9.
 
Olympus E-M10 IIIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Olympus E-PL8Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Olympus E-M10Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
13.
 
Olympus E-PL7Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
14.
 
Olympus E-PL6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
15.
 
Olympus E-PL5Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Olympus E-PM2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Olympus E-PL3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
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It is notable that the E-PL9 offers wifi support, while the D5 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D5 (unlike the E-PL9) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the E-PL9 and the D5 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D5 was replaced by the Nikon D6, while the E-PL9 was followed by the Olympus E-PL10. Further information on the features and operation of the E-PL9 and D5 can be found, respectively, in the Olympus E-PL9 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D5 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Olympus E-PL9 better than the Nikon D5 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Arguments in favor of the Olympus PEN E-PL9:

  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (117x68mm vs 160x159mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 1035g or 73 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • 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 (91 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 1 month of technical progress since the D5 launch.

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon D5:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (20.7 vs 15.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 16%.
  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2359k vs 1040k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 8.6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (3780 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2016).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D5 is the clear winner of the contest (20 : 12 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

E-PL9 12:20 D5

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-PL9 and the Nikon D5 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the E-PL9 and the D5 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.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-PL9..+....4.5/54/5 Feb 2018 599ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II....4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 5,999ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D6....4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2020 6,499 amazon.com
5.
 
Nikon D4S5/5......4.5/54.5/5 Feb 2014 6,499ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 1,999ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PL10....4/577/100..4/5 Oct 2019 599ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-M10 III..+5/580/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2017 649ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-PL8........4.5/54/5 Sep 2016 549ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 II4.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Aug 2015 649ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-M104/5....80/1005/55/5 Jan 2014 699ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-PL74/5+....5/54/5 Aug 2014 599ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-PL6............ May 2013 599ebay.com
15.
 
Olympus E-PL53/5+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 599ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-PM23/5....77/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 499ebay.com
17.
 
Olympus E-PL33/5+ +..72/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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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. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Olympus E-PL9 vs Nikon D5

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Olympus E-PL9 Nikon D5
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date February 2018 January 2016
    Launch Price USD 599 USD 6,499
    Sensor Specs Olympus E-PL9 Nikon D5
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 35.9 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 858.01 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 43.1 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels 20.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels 5588 x 3712 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.76 μm 6.44 μm
    Pixel Density 7.08 MP/cm2 2.42 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 102,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 50 - 3,280,000 ISO
    Image Processor TruePic VIII EXPEED 5
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 88
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 25.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 12.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 2343
    Screen Specs Olympus E-PL9 Nikon D5
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.72x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 2359k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Olympus E-PL9 Nikon D5
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 8.6 shutter flaps/s 14 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF or XQD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Olympus E-PL9 Nikon D5
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Olympus E-PL9 Nikon D5
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Olympus BLS-50 Nikon EN-EL18a
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge3780 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 117 x 68 x 39 mm
    (4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5 in)
    160 x 159 x 92 mm
    (6.3 x 6.3 x 3.6 in)
    Camera Weight 380 g (13.4 oz) 1415 g (49.9 oz)
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