Olympus Pen E-PL10 vs Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Olympus Pen E-PL10
58
SCORE
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 20 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9
62
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus Pen E-PL10 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 are compact mirrorless cameras built around the Micro Four Thirds format, so lenses are shared between them. The E-PL10, announced in 2019, is the smaller and lighter body at 117 x 68 x 39 mm and 380 g. The GX9, from 2018, measures 124 x 72 x 47 mm and weighs 450 g, so the Olympus slips more easily into a jacket pocket. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 17, 2019 | February 13, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 117 x 68 x 39 mm | 124 x 72 x 47 mm |
| Camera weight | 380 g | 450 g |
| Optics | 57/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GX9 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and larger prints, with 20 megapixels against 16 on the E-PL10. It also offers an electronic viewfinder with 2,760,000 dots for eye-level framing in bright light, while the E-PL10 has no viewfinder and relies entirely on its rear screen. The E-PL10 answers with the faster maximum burst, 14 frames per second against 9 on the GX9, useful for a toddler mid-laugh or birds lifting off. Its 121 autofocus points also outnumber the GX9's 49. The two do match on in-body stabilisation for handheld shooting, a 1/4000 second top shutter speed and the 200 to 25600 standard ISO range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 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. |
17.3 x 13 | 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. |
14 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 VIII | 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 ComparisonVideoFor 4K clips of family days out or travel scenes, both cameras record 4K and both offer frame rates up to 60 fps. Each includes a built-in timelapse mode as well, handy for clouds crossing a valley or a city sunset. The file formats differ: the GX9 offers AVCHD alongside MPEG-4 and MOV, while the E-PL10 offers MPEG-4 and MOV. Since both share MPEG-4 and MOV, the AVCHD option is the only split between them. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesChecking focus after a shot is crisper on the GX9, whose 3-inch screen offers 1,240,000 dots against 1,037,000 on the E-PL10. That extra density helps when confirming a portrait's eyes are sharp at full magnification. The two also match on touch control, a flipping screen for selfies and low-angle work, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for sending photos to a phone, and a built-in flash for indoor fill. Neither camera has GPS, and neither is weather sealed. | ||
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. |
10370001150001500000 | 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 | 21/100 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E-PL10 has the higher rated battery life, at 350 shots against 260 for the GX9. The GX9 answers with USB charging, so a power bank can top it up while travelling. The E-PL10 does not support USB charging. Both cameras accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards at UHS-I speed, and each has a single slot. Cards you already own for one camera therefore work in the other, though neither offers a second slot for overflow or backup. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I 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. |
350 shots1505000 | 260 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Pick the Lumix DC-GX9 if you shoot landscapes, streets or travel and value eye-level framing: its electronic viewfinder, 20-megapixel sensor and higher-resolution rear screen reward careful composition and cropping. Pick the Pen E-PL10 for moving subjects, since 14 fps with 121 autofocus points suits a sprinting dog or a dancer mid-spin, and its 350-shot rating beats the GX9's 260. Either way, your Micro 4/3 lenses work on both.