The territory of advanced point-and-shoot cameras has proven to be much more fertile than we expected, but in this new entry we have decided to escape from there for a while and accept once again the hospitality of mirrorless cameras. Today we welcome the Olympus PEN E-PL9, a camera that is easy to handle, full of effects, with support for recording 4K video, and a wide variety of compatible accessories. Perhaps some details in its specifications may surprise you a bit, however, numbers can be deceiving.
The return to the mirrorless space has immediate benefits. In these last weeks we were able to see that advanced ultra-compact cameras do a decent job when incorporating lenses, as long as we are aware of their limitations. At the end of the day, the flexibility of interchangeable lenses is unbeatable for some users, and if you are one of them, you are in the right place. With a mirrorless you will essentially get the best of both worlds, and the impressive competition among manufacturers translates into cameras with a price-performance ratio that in the past we could only dream of. The Olympus PEN E-PL9 is a good example of this. At first glance it seems like an “old” model, but we already know enough not to make that mistake.
Olympus PEN E-PL9: Transforming Casual Photography
Announced originally in February 2018, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 has a 16.1 effective megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor, accompanied by version 8 of the TruePic processor. ISO sensitivity extends from 200 to 6,400 with a Boost in both directions of 100-25,600, and the shutter speed goes from 1/4000 to 60 seconds, or 1/16000 to 60 sec. under silent/electronic mode. Its LCD screen is three inches, the resolution reaches 1.04 million dots, it has touch support and is tilting in two directions: 80 degrees up, or 180 degrees down for “selfie mode”. Like many of its direct rivals, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 lacks an electronic viewfinder, but if you come from a smartphone (a device this mirrorless seeks to replace), it will not be a traumatic absence.
Personally, I think Olympus continues to hit the mark with the retro style of its cameras, and the PEN E-PL9 demonstrates it with force, without sacrificing build quality. The autofocus system is based on contrast detection, with a total of 121 points, and also includes three-axis image stabilization in the body. In general terms, you can let the camera do the heavy lifting, prioritize a focus point by touching the screen, or activate a “group of 9 areas”, which is actually a 3 x 3 grid. The final burst performance of the Olympus PEN E-PL9 depends on shooting conditions and the natural speed of the card, but the manufacturer reports 8.6 FPS in High and 4.8 FPS in Low. The buffer size is set by the card’s capacity when shooting in JPEG, while the limit for RAW is about 14 images.
The interface of the Olympus PEN E-PL9 is dominated by two dials on the top, the built-in pop-up flash, and the hot shoe. The mode dial features entries for Full Auto, Programmable Auto “P”, Aperture Priority “A”, Shutter Priority “S”, Manual “M”, video recording, an entry called “ART” that enables the use of artistic filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale Color, Light Tone, Antique B&W, Pinhole, Diorama, Cross Process, Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Posterization, Watercolor, Vintage, Partial Color, No Bleach, and Instant Film), “AP” for secondary adjustments, and “SCN” that takes us to scenes. The Olympus PEN E-PL9 gives the feeling of being a “too Instagrammer” camera with its automatic values and effects, but its advanced modes deserve a closer look. The manual is available in Spanish, and it does not exceed 200 pages. Olympus did a good job with that text.
And the answer is yes, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 can record 4K video. In fact, its support is 4Kp30, p25, and p24 at 100 megabits per second (29 minutes or 4 GB per file). Doubts about the sensor size are perfectly reasonable, and Olympus could have eliminated that anxiety at the root with a small jump to 20 MP (the Canon EOS M100 reaches 24 MP, although it does not record 4K), but the final quality of images and video does not disappoint (you will have to pay double for a Sony DSC-RX100 V or the Sony Alpha A6300 if you want things like oversampling). Apparently, Olympus did its performance tests with a UHS-II card that writes at 90 MB/s. Technically you do not need to reach that level, but it is evident that the mirrorless enjoys fast cards. The Olympus PEN E-PL9 brings no surprises in terms of connectivity. The combination of WiFi n and Bluetooth 4.0 is more than enough to transfer images to your phone or use the remote control mode, but reviews of the official app tend to be negative. Patience.
Accessories for Olympus PEN E-PL9
The price of the Olympus PEN E-PL9 varies greatly depending on details like color, but at this moment you can get the brown edition with a 14-42 lens for just 495 euros. That number makes it very competitive, and at the same time it eases the budget for accessories. Where do we start?
Batteries and Power
With an approximate performance of 350 shots per charge, the battery of the Olympus PEN E-PL9 is not necessarily weak, but it is always a good idea to have backup nearby. The good news is that the original camera charger does not exceed 60 euros, and a compatible Gloxy BLS-5 module asks for no more than 20 euros. With a couple of extra batteries, any energy deficit in the Olympus PEN E-PL9 should be eliminated at the root.
Tripods and Supports
We did not find too many difficulties regarding tripods and supports either. The Olympus PEN E-PL9 weighs 380 grams (with battery and memory card), and if in the future you decide to expand your lens selection, all a tripod for Olympus PEN E-PL9 has to do is accompany that decision. Our two recommendations are almost a benchmark: First, the Gloxy GX-T6662A with 1.62 meters maximum height, 10 kilograms load limit, and a formidable price-to-specs ratio. Second, the Clampod Takeway T1. Compact, easy to carry, it grips onto anything, you can use it with smartphones or GoPro-style cameras, and it supports a maximum of 40 kilograms.
Backpacks and Bags
The Olympus PEN E-PL9 is one of those cameras you can carry alone without problems, or with a good repertoire of accessories. Regardless of the route you choose, everything goes through a good backpack or bag, and the truth is we can help. On the backpack side, nothing better than a Gloxy Pro AW, available in three different sizes, with a padded and customizable interior, includes a dedicated tripod support, and an external rain cover that protects it from the whims of the weather. Now, if you only need a bag, then it is hard to go wrong with the Delta 400a Fancier. Shoulder style, two colors to choose from, its interior can also be modified, and with 30 euros on the label, there is not much more to add. The product SKU is "GloxyPRO,Fancier400a".
Flashes
The relationship between a photographer and light will always be complicated, but the underlying goal does not change: Whenever necessary, we must tip the scales in our favor. The built-in flash of the Olympus PEN E-PL9 is compact and effective, however, it is not a bad decision to introduce an external unit into the equation. The Meike MK-320 flash is an excellent introductory model, with guide number 32, three working modes, diffuser, stand, and bag. On the other end, an official cannon. The Olympus FL-600R has a “commander mode” that can trigger secondary wireless flashes without firing itself, but it will also work as a slave if you want. A strong investment, though justified for many users.
Lenses
The 14-42 that accompanies the Olympus PEN E-PL9 will cover the vast majority of “casual” situations in which the manufacturer expects you to use this mirrorless. That said, why not break the rules with a good pair of lenses? The Tamron 14-150 f3.5-5.8 Di III is a robust wild card for those who decide to buy only the camera body (something not so reasonable with current prices) or supplement the kit lens. You can do almost everything with it, from landscapes and interiors to portraits and product photography. On the other hand, the Gloxy 500-1000 telephoto lens is a great option for nature and astrophotography lovers, and the best part is that it does not leave a hole in your pocket. The product SKU is "IM712001934,0713562188".
If those 495 euros hold for long enough, the Olympus PEN E-PL9 will disappear from online stores. I definitely recommend you hurry, because if we set aside the sensor detail, we are looking at a mirrorless of 550-600 euros, and it loses a lot of competitiveness at those levels. Good luck!
