Olympus PEN-F vs Canon G9X Mark II

Cameras
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Olympus PEN-F vs Canon G9X Mark II

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

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

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G9X Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G9X Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G9X Mark II.
Compare Canon G9X Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G9X Mark II conclusion.

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Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Canon G9X Mark II

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 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 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
PEN-F test data on DxO Mark G9X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

894 vs 522 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

330 vs 235 shots
Capture more photos
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.4 fps vs 8.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
39 vs 20 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G9X Mark II advantages over Olympus PEN-F

Less expensive
$449 vs $999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Fast startup
~1.30 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Lighter weight
206g vs 434g
Lighter weight
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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

Common Weaknesses

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

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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.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

Impressive image quality; Improved JPEGs and good high ISO quality for its class; Compact camera body; Fast maximum aperture; Reliable autofocus; Improved performance.
No tilting display; No viewfinder; Lens is not very wide; Slow buffer clearing; Mediocre battery life.
Read our Canon G9X Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon S100

Olympus PEN-F

Canon S100

$999
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$429
1/1.7 inch

Slower slow-motion
Built-in GPS

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Canon S100

Canon G9X Mark II

Canon S100

$449
1 inch

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$429
1/1.7 inch

More telephoto lens reach
Built-in GPS

Compare Canon G9X Mark II vs Canon S100

Compared to Canon G9X

Olympus PEN-F

Canon G9X

$999
4/3

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$369
1 inch

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Canon G9X

Canon G9X Mark II

Canon G9X

$449
1 inch

Fast startup
Built-in Bluetooth

$369
1 inch

Less expensive
Bigger RAW buffer

Compare Canon G9X Mark II vs Canon G9X

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Canon G9X Mark II

Panasonic GX85

$449
1 inch

Less expensive
NFC

$598
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon G9X Mark II vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Canon G9X Mark II

Olympus E-PL8

$449
1 inch

NFC
Built-in Bluetooth

$599
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G9X Mark II vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL9

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

Canon G9X Mark II

Olympus E-PL9

$449
1 inch

NFC
Integrated ND filter

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G9X Mark II vs Olympus E-PL9

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