• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony RX1R advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Sony RX1R

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 5.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.6 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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

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 panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Significantly sharper, more detailed JPEG images than those from the RX1; JPEG processing appears to minimize moire and aliasing artifacts; Same price as the RX1; Full-frame, 24-megapixel compact camera with fast Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs.

  • More prone to moire, aliasing and false color than the RX1; Only subtle improvement in sharpness in RAW files; Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX1

Sony RX1R
Sony RX1
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus E-PL9
Sony RX1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R
Sony RX1R II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus E-PL9
Sony RX1R II
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony RX1R
Panasonic GX85
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Sony RX1R
Olympus E-PL8
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Sony RX1R
Zeiss ZX1
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-PL9
Zeiss ZX1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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