• 2/3 inch 58.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Fujifilm X20 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    250 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/1000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Fujifilm X20

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 2/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.20 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 56 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X20
Fujifilm X10
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
Olympus E-PL9
Fujifilm X10
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax WG-3

Fujifilm X20
Pentax WG-3
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Thinner
Olympus E-PL9
Pentax WG-3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof

Compared to Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X20
Fujifilm X30
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus E-PL9
Fujifilm X30
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Fujifilm X20
Panasonic GX85
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Fujifilm X20
Olympus E-PL8
  • $499
  • 2/3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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