• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 8.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.19 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 103 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • 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 Sony HX300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Super-versatile 50x optical zoom lens helps you capture everything from wide-angle cityscapes to zoomed in portraits from what feels like a mile away; Still quite light and portable considering the powerful lens; Comfortable and ergonomic design; Full HD video recording at up to 60p, with good quality.

  • Relatively small, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor delivers average image quality that degrades quickly at high sensitivities; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped; Slow camera to use overall.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm S1

Sony HX300
Fujifilm S1
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-PL9
Fujifilm S1
  • $449
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm S9400W

Sony HX300
Fujifilm S9400W
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus E-PL9
Fujifilm S9400W
  • $449
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compared to Sony HX400V

Sony HX300
Sony HX400V
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Olympus E-PL9
Sony HX400V
  • $449
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony HX300
Panasonic GX85
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $449
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony HX300
Olympus E-PL8
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $449
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
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