Fujifilm X30 vs Olympus E-PL9

Cameras
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Fujifilm X30 vs Olympus E-PL9

2/3 inch 58.1mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X30 Review.
How does it shoot? Fujifilm X30 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the X30.
Compare Fujifilm X30 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Fujifilm X30 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.

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Differences

Fujifilm X30 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

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
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

470 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/1000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Doesn't require an AA filter
Yes vs No
A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
11.4 fps vs 8.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Fujifilm X30

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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
39 mm vs 60 mm
Thinner
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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 15 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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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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Read X30 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL9 User Reviews

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Buy the Fujifilm X30

Fuji X30 (Silver)

Fuji X30 (Silver)
Fuji X30 (Black)

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Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Brown)
Body Only (White)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Brown)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (White)

All E-PL9 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality for its class; Very good optical performance from the bright f/2-2.8 4x lens; Quick autofocus, even in very low light; Fast burst modes; EVF fixes the flaws of optical viewfinder in X20; Tilting high-res LCD screen; Excellent feel in the hands; Very good battery life.
Top shutter speed is only 1/1000s when lens is wide open; No built-in ND filter; 28mm eq. may not be wide enough for some; Shallow buffer depths; Default NR processing a bit heavy-handed.
Read our Fujifilm X30 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 Fujifilm X10

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X10

$499
2/3 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

$599
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X10

Olympus E-PL9

Fujifilm X10

$700
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$599
2/3 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Fujifilm X10

Compared to Fujifilm X20

Fujifilm X30

Fujifilm X20

$499
2/3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$499
2/3 inch

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Fujifilm X20

Olympus E-PL9

Fujifilm X20

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
2/3 inch

Less expensive
Slower slow-motion

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Fujifilm X20

Compared to Nikon P7800

Fujifilm X30

Nikon P7800

$499
2/3 inch

Slower slow-motion
Focus peaking

$500
1/1.7 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Nikon P7800

Olympus E-PL9

Nikon P7800

$700
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$500
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Nikon P7800

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Fujifilm X30

Panasonic GX85

$499
2/3 inch

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Panasonic GX85

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

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Fujifilm X30

Olympus E-PL8

$499
2/3 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$599
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Fujifilm X30 vs Olympus E-PL8

Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-PL8

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$599
4/3

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL8

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