• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX400 IS advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Canon SX400 IS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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 190 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1600 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX400 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SX510 HS

Canon SX400 IS
Canon SX510 HS
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus E-PL9
Canon SX510 HS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compared to Canon SX410 IS

Canon SX400 IS
Canon SX410 IS
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Canon SX410 IS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compared to Canon SX420 IS

Canon SX400 IS
Canon SX420 IS
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Canon SX420 IS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Canon SX400 IS
Panasonic GX85
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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

Canon SX400 IS
Olympus E-PL8
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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