• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 750.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon S9900 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    289g vs 434g
    Lighter weight

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Nikon S9900

  • 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.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.4 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 5 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 6400 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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 Nikon S9900

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX50V

Nikon S9900
Sony HX50V
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
Olympus PEN-F
Sony HX50V
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Sony WX500

Nikon S9900
Sony WX500
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
Olympus PEN-F
Sony WX500
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $348
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Sony HX80

Nikon S9900
Sony HX80
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in GPS
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus PEN-F
Sony HX80
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $368
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon S9900
Panasonic GX85
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Nikon S9900
Olympus E-PL8
  • $280
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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