Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S1H

The Olympus PEN E-PL9 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2018 and May 2019. Both the E-PL9 and the S1H are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a Four Thirds (E-PL9) and a full frame (S1H) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 15.9 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 24 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		Panasonic S1H
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Micro Four Thirds lenses		Leica L mount lenses
15.9 MP, Four Thirds Sensor		24 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		6K/30p Video
ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)		ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 204,800)
No viewfinder, LCD framing		Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.2 LCD, 2330k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
8.6 shutter flaps per second		9 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
350 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
117 x 68 x 39 mm, 380 g		151 x 114 x 110 mm, 1052 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus PEN E-PL9 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Olympus E-PL9 and the Panasonic S1H is provided 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 width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The E-PL9 can be obtained in four different colors (black, brown, blue, white), while the S1H 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 Panasonic S1H is considerably larger (116 percent) than the Olympus E-PL9. Moreover, the S1H is substantially heavier (177 percent) than the E-PL9. It is noteworthy in this context that the S1H 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. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the E-PL9 gets 350 shots out of its BLS-50 battery, while the S1H can take 400 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLJ31 power pack. The power pack in the S1H can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. 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.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Olympus E-PL9	4.6 in	2.7 in	1.5 in	13.4 oz	350	n	Feb 2018	599
	Panasonic S1H	5.9 in	4.5 in	4.3 in	37.1 oz	400	Y	May 2019	3,999
	Leica SL2-S	5.7 in	4.2 in	3.3 in	32.8 oz	510	Y	Dec 2020	4,895
	Olympus E-PL10	4.6 in	2.7 in	1.5 in	13.4 oz	350	n	Oct 2019	599
	Olympus E-M10 III	4.8 in	3.3 in	2.0 in	14.5 oz	330	n	Aug 2017	649
	Olympus E-PL8	4.5 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	12.6 oz	350	n	Sep 2016	549
	Olympus E-M10 II	4.7 in	3.3 in	1.9 in	13.8 oz	320	n	Aug 2015	649
	Olympus E-M10	4.7 in	3.2 in	1.8 in	14.0 oz	320	n	Jan 2014	699
	Olympus E-PL7	4.5 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	12.6 oz	350	n	Aug 2014	599
	Olympus E-PL6	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.5 in	11.5 oz	360	n	May 2013	599
	Olympus E-PL5	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.5 in	11.5 oz	360	n	Sep 2012	599
	Olympus E-PM2	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.3 in	9.5 oz	360	n	Sep 2012	499
	Olympus E-PL3	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.5 in	11.0 oz	300	n	Jun 2011	599
	Panasonic S5	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.2 in	25.2 oz	440	Y	Sep 2020	1,999
	Panasonic S1	5.9 in	4.3 in	3.8 in	35.9 oz	400	Y	Feb 2019	2,499
	Panasonic S1R	5.9 in	4.3 in	3.8 in	35.8 oz	380	Y	Feb 2019	3,699
	Sigma fp	4.4 in	2.8 in	1.8 in	14.9 oz	280	Y	Jul 2019	1,899
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Metric

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The E-PL9 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 85 percent) than the S1H, 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus E-PL9 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Panasonic S1H a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the S1H is 276 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 S1H offers a 3:2 aspect.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 24MP, the S1H offers a higher resolution than the E-PL9 (15.9MP), but the S1H nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 3.76μm for the E-PL9) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the S1H is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 3 months) than the E-PL9, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic S1H implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the S1H for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 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.

Unlike the E-PL9, the S1H has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (96MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

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 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

	Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
	Olympus E-PL9	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic S1H	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Leica SL2-S	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
	Olympus E-PL10	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Olympus E-M10 III	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Olympus E-PL8	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
	Olympus E-M10 II	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	23.1	12.5	842	73
	Olympus E-M10	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.8	12.3	884	72
	Olympus E-PL7	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.7	12.4	873	72
	Olympus E-PL6	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
	Olympus E-PL5	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.8	12.3	889	72
	Olympus E-PM2	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.7	12.2	932	72
	Olympus E-PL3	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	1080/60i	20.9	10.3	499	52
	Panasonic S5	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
	Panasonic S1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.5	3333	95
	Panasonic S1R	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	26.4	14.1	3525	100
	Sigma fp	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..	..

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the S1H provides a better video resolution than the E-PL9. It can shoot movie footage at 6K/30p, while the Olympus is limited to 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the S1H has an electronic viewfinder (5760k dots), which can be very helpful 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 Panasonic S1H, and comparable 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
	Olympus E-PL9	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.6	Y	Y
	Panasonic S1H	5760	Y	3.2	2330	swivel	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
	Leica SL2-S	5760	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
	Olympus E-PL10	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.6	Y	Y
	Olympus E-M10 III	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.6	Y	Y
	Olympus E-PL8	optional	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	Y
	Olympus E-M10 II	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	Y
	Olympus E-M10	1440	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	Y
	Olympus E-PL7	optional	n	3.0	1037	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	Y
	Olympus E-PL6	optional	n	3.0	460	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	Y
	Olympus E-PL5	optional	n	3.0	460	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	Y
	Olympus E-PM2	optional	n	3.0	460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	Y
	Olympus E-PL3	optional	n	3.0	460	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.5	n	Y
	Panasonic S5	2360	n	3.0	1840	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	7.0	n	Y
	Panasonic S1	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
	Panasonic S1R	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
	Sigma fp	none	n	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The E-PL9 has one, while the S1H 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 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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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 Panasonic S1H 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.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the E-PL9 and the S1H write their files to SDXC cards. The S1H features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the E-PL9 only has one slot. The S1H supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the E-PL9 can use UHS-I 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 Olympus PEN E-PL9 and Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H 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
	Olympus E-PL9	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Panasonic S1H	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
	Leica SL2-S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
	Olympus E-PL10	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
	Olympus E-M10 III	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Olympus E-PL8	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Olympus E-M10 II	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Olympus E-M10	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Olympus E-PL7	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Olympus E-PL6	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-PL5	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-PM2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Olympus E-PL3	Y	stereo	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Panasonic S5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
	Panasonic S1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
	Panasonic S1R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
	Sigma fp	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	-	-	-

It is notable that the S1H has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The E-PL9 lacks such a headphone port.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Panasonic S1H (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 S1H are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The E-PL9 replaced the earlier Olympus E-PL8, while the S1H does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Olympus and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Olympus E-PL9 or the Panasonic S1H – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Arguments in favor of the Olympus PEN E-PL9:

• More compact: Is smaller (117x68mm vs 151x114mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 672g or 64 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (85 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in February 2018).

Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 15.9MP), which boosts linear resolution by 25%.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (6K/30p vs 4K/30p).
• 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 electronic 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 (2330k vs 1040k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (400 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
• More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
• 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.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 3 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the S1H is the clear winner of the contest (24 : 5 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.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus E-PL9 and the Panasonic S1H place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the E-PL9 and the S1H in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Olympus E-PL9	+	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2018	599
	Panasonic S1H	..	90/100	..	..	..	May 2019	3,999
	Leica SL2-S	..	..	..	..	..	Dec 2020	4,895
	Olympus E-PL10	..	77/100	..	..	4/5	Oct 2019	599
	Olympus E-M10 III	+	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2017	649
	Olympus E-PL8	..	..	4.5/5	..	4/5	Sep 2016	549
	Olympus E-M10 II	+ +	80/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Aug 2015	649
	Olympus E-M10	..	80/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2014	699
	Olympus E-PL7	+	..	5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Aug 2014	599
	Olympus E-PL6	..	..	..	..	..	May 2013	599
	Olympus E-PL5	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	599
	Olympus E-PM2	..	77/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499
	Olympus E-PL3	+ +	72/100	4.5/5	..	4/5	Jun 2011	599
	Panasonic S5	+ +	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	Sep 2020	1,999
	Panasonic S1	+ +	88/100	4.5/5	..	4/5	Feb 2019	2,499
	Panasonic S1R	..	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	3,699
	Sigma fp	..	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	Jul 2019	1,899
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, 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? 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.

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Specifications: Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic S1H

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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