Canon 5D Mark III vs Olympus E-PL9

Cameras
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Canon 5D Mark III vs Olympus E-PL9

35mm 864.0mm²
22.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark III Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark III.
Compare Canon 5D Mark III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark III conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL9 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL9.

Succeeded by the Canon 5D Mark IV
Compare 5D Mark III vs 5D Mark IV

Succeeded by the Olympus E-PL10
Compare E-PL9 vs E-PL10

Compare CANON 5D MARK IV vs OLYMPUS E-PL10

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark III advantages over Olympus E-PL9

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 6.25 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

950 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More pixels
22.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Canon 5D Mark III

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
39 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.6 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 63 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
8.6 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL9 User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Superb still and video image quality; Powerful, fast, and accurate AF system with loads of cross-type points, loads of configurability and great frame coverage; Rugged, weather-sealed body with great control layout and user-interface configurability.
Dynamic range is limited by noise in deep shadows; Somewhat heavy-handed noise suppression and sharpening at default settings. (Shooting RAW avoids both.); No AF illuminator.
Read our Canon 5D Mark III Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Olympus E-PL9, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Olympus E-PL9 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

$2139
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 6D

Olympus E-PL9

Canon 6D

$700
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1699
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

$2139
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2499
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Olympus E-PL9

Canon 5D Mark IV

$700
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Sony A850

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A850

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$2219
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A850

Olympus E-PL9

Sony A850

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$2219
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800E

Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800E

$2139
35mm

Bigger pixels
More cross-type AF points

$2212
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Nikon D800E

Olympus E-PL9

Nikon D800E

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2212
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Sony A99

Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A99

$2139
35mm

Lens selection
Fast startup

$1998
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon 5D Mark III vs Sony A99

Olympus E-PL9

Sony A99

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

$1998
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony A99

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