• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Sony RX100 VA

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer video battery life
    80 vs 35 minutes
    Capture more video
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 233 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony RX100 VA advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Slower slow-motion
    1000 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    23.9 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    23.9 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    103 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to 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

Sony RX100 VA
Panasonic GX85
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to 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

Sony RX100 VA
Olympus E-PL8
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Sony RX100 V

Olympus E-PL9
Sony RX100 V
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 VA
Sony RX100 V
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
  • $998
  • 1 inch

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony RX100 V

Compared to Olympus E-PL10

Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL10
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Newer

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Olympus E-PL10

Sony RX100 VA
Olympus E-PL10
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Olympus E-PL10

Compared to Sony ZV-1

Olympus E-PL9
Sony ZV-1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • NFC

Compare Olympus E-PL9 vs Sony ZV-1

Sony RX100 VA
Sony ZV-1
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash
  • $800
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX100 VA vs Sony ZV-1

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