• APS-C 337.5mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Canon 7D Mark II advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    216 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • 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
    20.2 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.5 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    26 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Canon 7D Mark II

  • 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
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    473g vs 1388g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 103 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon 7D Mark II

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; High ISO performance improved over predecessor; Excellent burst speeds (up to 10fps); Significantly improved buffer depths; 65-pt AF system; Dual Pixel CMOS AF; Can focus down to f/8 (great for teleconverters); 1080/60p video; Headphone and mic jacks; Rugged build quality.

  • Autofocus speed (AF shutter lag) slower than 7D and 70D; Mediocre battery life for a pro DSLR; Dynamic range at low to moderate ISOs not as good as competitors; Phase-detect AF did not perform as well as expected in our low-light AF tests; No built-in Wi-Fi; No autofocus for 1080/60p video.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 7D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 7D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Less shutter lag
Olympus E-PL9
Canon 7D
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 6D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Canon 6D
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 70D

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 70D
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-PL9
Canon 70D
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A77 II

Canon 7D Mark II
Sony A77 II
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Olympus E-PL9
Sony A77 II
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon D7200

Canon 7D Mark II
Nikon D7200
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Built-in GPS
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
Olympus E-PL9
Nikon D7200
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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