Olympus Pen E-P7 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus Pen E-P7
63
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9
62
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus Pen E-P7 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 are two compact Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. The E-P7 is the smaller, lighter body to carry: announced in 2021, it measures 118 x 69 x 38 mm and weighs 337 g, against 124 x 72 x 47 mm and 450 g for the 2018 GX9. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2021 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
July 9, 2021 | February 13, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 118 x 69 x 38 mm | 124 x 72 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 337 g | 450 g |
| Optics | 63/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-P7 gives you far more autofocus positions for placing focus on an off-centre subject, with 121 AF points against 49 on the GX9. The sensor specifications match instead: both use a 20 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor behind the shared Micro 4/3 mount, so your Micro 4/3 lenses fit either body and both give the same 20 MP of cropping room. The GX9 is the stronger choice for eye-level shooting in bright light, pairing its 2,760,000-dot electronic viewfinder with 9 fps burst, while the E-P7 shoots at 8.7 fps and relies on its rear screen alone. Both offer in-body stabilisation for sharper handheld work at slow speeds, and both top out at a 1/4000 second shutter. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3888 | 5184 x 3888 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.4 | 17.3 x 13 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
8.7 fps045 | 9 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VII | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
1210300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 276000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record 4K video and support frame rates up to 60 fps, giving either body room for half-speed playback of fast action on a 30 fps timeline. Built-in timelapse on both simplifies sunset and cloud sequences without extra gear. The one editing difference is file format: the GX9 also records AVCHD alongside MPEG-4 and MOV, which matters if your archive or older editor expects it. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4, AVCHD, MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GX9 offers a sharper screen for checking focus on the spot, with 1,240,000 dots against the E-P7's 1,040,000 on the same 3-inch display. Both screens tilt and respond to touch, so waist-level and low-angle framing work on either body. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both handle phone transfer and remote release, and each carries a built-in flash. Neither has GPS or weather sealing, so geotagging and rain shooting need external solutions. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 12400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 35/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-P7 moves large 4K clips off its card faster after a shoot, because it supports UHS-II SD cards while the GX9 supports UHS-I. Its BLS-50 battery is also rated for 360 shots against 260 shots for the GX9's lithium-ion pack, under their respective test conditions. Both carry a single SD slot and charge over USB, so topping up from a power bank between locations works on either camera. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLS-50 | Lithium-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
360 shots1505000 | 260 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 if you shoot street or travel scenes outdoors and want a 2,760,000-dot electronic viewfinder for stable eye-level framing. Choose the Olympus Pen E-P7 if you prefer a lighter 337 g body for all-day carrying, 121-point autofocus coverage for spontaneous candid shooting, a 360-shot rated battery, and UHS-II cards for faster 4K clip offloads.
Both deliver 20 MP stills from Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensors, share the Micro 4/3 mount, and record 4K video, with 60 fps as each camera's maximum frame rate. Your existing lenses and workflow carry over either way.