Olympus PEN EPL9 review - first looks
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2018
- First looks review of the Olympus PEN EPL9 by Gordon Laing.
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Another concise and clear video from GL. Well done! Love your work with Doug Kaye as well.
So cute and small yet such great performance. We live in good times.
Gordon. This is the type of review I always wanted from you. No offense to your podcast type of review but I always remember you reviewing cameras this way. Great review mate. been a follower since DSLR days, like more than 5 years ago I think. hope you make more reviews like this again.
Hi JC, thanks for following my videos since the early days! I like to do two types of reviews, an early first looks overview like this when i first get my hands on the camera, then a much more in-depth one when I've finished testing it, which I currently do with Doug in the podcast format. So there's both formats depending on which you prefer. I agree these ones are faster and nicer to look at, but they're brief and can't go into the detail I like to after I've completed my tests - these really are literally a first look. But i am trying to do both types of videos for each camera I review.
I'm glad that over the past year or two, you have gotten much more into making TH-cam videos. I hope you keep up these, as well as your podcasts.
Thanks for noticing! Yes, I'm going to try and do lots more videos going forward...
Nice to hear!
A little bit better than the EPL8, which was a little bit better than the EPL7, if you are considering this camera it is better to find a good deal on ELP7 as it is almost the same camera and has the same image quality
Your vids are always great!
Olympus is great in making stylish cameras. I love this one in white!
4 years later and I'm commenting on this. Firstly keep up the good work. I like your approach to these types of vids. Secondly I've had the epl9 for a few years now along with my Panasonic GO and an array of other smaller cameras. I think Olympus cameras made a mistake with the epl9 which is why it was quickly superceded by the epl10, a camera I've never understood, the epl9 is much better, but I think the epl9 may have stood on the toes of by the EP-7, so they wanted to get rid of it I love my epl-9. I take it everywhere with me. Yes the G9 is a better camera in most aspects (but the epl-9 is easier to use for pictures in almost pitch blackness due to the 'Live Time ' function, a totally under rated feature in my book. It's also better than the G9 in that it's lighter, therefore making the 3 axis stabilisation more than adequate. I find the weight of the G9 calls for its 5 axis stabilisation. The lack of a viewfinder can be problematic at times, but flipping out the screen at right angles and using my body as a sun shield, by leaning over the camera, is often enough to solve the problem. At only 16 mega pixels some would turn up their nose at this camera but here again Olympus, I think, made a mistake and put in the Truepic VIII processor, which I believe was also put into their then flagship, much more expensive model. The results are stunning pictures. As I say, I love it as it works for me, giving me either full control of the camera, working like an automatic camera or using the in built short cut programs, like 'Live Time' that ensure I have more time to get the shot rather than fiddling to set up the camera. I feel privileged to own one. I truly believe it beats the EP-7 in lots of ways. Lucky me.
Thanks for your detailed comment
Very nice. I love my EPL5. I use the panasonic 12-32 and 35-100 mini zooms and it makes for a very compact take everywhere combo.
Thank you for the above review...helps me decide which Olympus family to go for.
You're welcome Ivy! If you're buying it - or anything! - online, please do consider going through the links on my reviews at cameralabs.com thanks!
Thanks Mr. Laing. I like your reviews.
Thanks!
I got myself the E-PM1, and I love it. I've invested a bit on the Micro 4/3s format with lenses, batteries, blah blah blah. I had a go with the E-PL9 at my photography club, yes, it does not connect with the Olympus EVF-4, it does work well with any Optical Range Finder (which I adore).
Thanks for the great review! I know a lot of vloggers and none of them use Olympus cameras. Most of them use Panasonic for two simple reasons: mic input and no record limit. I honestly don't know why Olympus doesn't understand this. The G85 for example is much cheaper than the EM1II and offers more for vlogging. Why doesn't Olympus listen to vloggers?
Mad English TV ......That is why I really have my hopes up for the EM5 MkIII, whenever it is released. I am hoping many of these glaring short falls will be addressed. The EM 10 Mkiii came close.
Yeah! Fingers crossed for the EM5 MkIII! 😃 But I haven't seen any rumours about that yet. Hopefully it comes soon!
Well, let's keep in mind that Olympus has just recently started to give attention to the video aspects. Photo / stabilization was their main concern for the longest time, which they mastered to a good degree (especially the IBIS, world-class stuff). I would also say cameras such G85 offer that much more, but i can also see the appeal to this camera aswell, especially for those who are starting out.
The flippy screen below is good, many on-the-go handheld vloggers don't care for tripods anyway (selfish selfies). 4K picture with 5-axis IBIS, footage look nice and stable with face detect, almost no hunting on good light. IBIS kicking in nicely. Can record up to 29 minutes, so no unlimited option there. But really, in all honesty how many TRUE vloggers (on-the-fly types) even care of clips longer than few minutes, or even 10 minutes and beyond? There's even advantage to shorter clips, less to edit and easier to throw together for a montage. Sure, the added records time is advantageous, but is it really that necessary for the many of them?
No, this isn't the ultimate wowsers and nothing i would interested about, but i can see this appealing to many. To those who are not that tech / feature savvy, that just want a good performer. I think it's going to sell. 14-42mm for life!
Mad English TV maybe it’s not designed for vloggers in mind but the 180 degree monitor pullout to the bottom of the camera is a huge failure preventing tripod use.
Ah, yes.... because one needs the highest quality for "vlogging" lmao.... you clowns take that crap way too seriously.... you all think you're going to be the next walter cronkite lol
Thank you so much for video is help me so much , I just trying my camera.
The screen is better to be downward because that puts target users to raise camera little bit higher so when they take self portraits, they don't get ugly chin that you get when the screen is above and lens aims below. As well if you happen to look screen when taking photo instead lens, it looks more natural when photo shows you looking under than above viewer.
Still have my epl2. I pull it out ever once in a while. It's still a really good camera. Slightly dated but it produces some great images. In fact i'll be taking it to Disneyland soon.
Most knowledgeable guy on the internet about cameras -a walking encyclopedia - makes Wikipedia redundant and is more accurate by far. Best wishes and God bless!
Thanks John!
Weird to have a competitive attitude about Wikipedia.
Very nice intro video Gordon. But then, I like ALL the videos you and Doug produce. By the way, I love Brighton and go there quite regularly so I was wondering if you ever get involved in arranging photo walks?
The flip down screen is still weird. I used to have the ep-l5, flip up screen and it looked better, I think ;-)
good video with much information!
Thanks!
Looking at the pictures, I think you could mount the camera on a tripod using a straight bracket, which would shift the camera a few inches to the side. Perhaps you can check this idea and let people know if it works ok.
I've got an E-PL7 but found out it's not very robust when the screen cracked. The repair cost was half the price of a new body so I got a replacement off aliexpress but the touch function doesn't work. So I'm not sure if I should try to properly fix it or switch.
I'm interested in one unique feature of the Olympus line; the "live view" long exposure. Can you comment on any related improvements over previous models? I'd also like to be able to more easily transfer images, I understand that's much improved.
Also, the viewscreen quality looks much better in your video, on the E-PL7 it has quite poor contrast and is terrible under low light. Is this the case or is it just how the recording came out? I would love to see an OLED screen on a camera, but people don't seem to pay much attention to this level of detail.
I want to buy this camera mainly for video. I think the new high-end image processor can produce great video images. does it have kinda "s-log" flat image mode for color grading options?
Quite impressive I.S. when Gordon Vlogs with it.
There's no arguing with the Olympus IS system, it's the best in the business (although Panasonic has caught up with the G9)
Good overview as ever Gordon, this "entry level, low price point" sector seems quite crowded really without a particular "stand out" model and I wonder if that is really going to work out that well for these camera manufacturers.
Nice intro review. Where where you filming from?
The top of a hotel on the Strand in London opposite Waterloo bridge.
They removed the component port 😢
Was planning to get one for the video mode but I can‘t use my vf-4
Same here, it's a pity
Hi! Nicee video, but does this camera have a VF port?
I don't think so.
You can probably get a thin tripod mount for mirrorless that will fit but part of the screen will be blocked. Also how easy is it to adjust ISO on one of the semi automatic modes? I saw an article that said it is buried in the menus.
This is crazy. Olympus managed to make this a less capable vlogging camera than it's predecessors.
Removing the accessory port from the hot shoe not only removed the option for a view finder, but also removes the ability to add an external mic via the SEMA-1 adapter.
There seems to be a consensus among camera manufactures, to only include mic jacks on higher end models...and they cant understand why the G7 is so popular? Who cares about image stabilization if the audio is horrible?
The reason Olympus started flipping the screens down (since the E-PL7) is because of the hot shoe accessory port...if you remove that port, you may as well go back to flipping the screen back up so you can use it with tripods...
X100f or rx10iv or rx100v as first and always with you camera to learn photography?
Do you need the lens range of the RX10 or the pocketabilty of the RX100? I should mention this video was filmed with the RX100 V in 4k.
It seems like every camera mfg goes all out on a design then deletes or botches one main feature. I understand why the GH5s does not have IBIS. Is it a similar reason for the new Pen or just business as usual? It really is frustrating. Every camera seems to be a compromise that is not necessary when you look at everything a mfg has to offer throughout their product line.
P.S. You forgot to mention that it is ONLY 3 axis IBIS, not 5 axis.
Did you use internal mic for that vlogging video sample?
Yes I think so
Hard to compete against Canon M3. Because if dont care for 4K you can have external mic support for same money. Even for less.
will we see a full review? I can't find a single FULL review. Ty
Yes, there'll be a full review soon at cameralabs.com
A hotshoe to tripod mount adapter solves the upside-down problem.
It doesn't work with the viewfinder? Lame. I have an E-PL5 and a VF-4 viewfinder. I guess I won't be "upgrading" it to this camera.
This or Omd Em10 mark ii?
Depends on what you want. E-PL9 has a screen that will flip through 180 degrees if you vlog or take a load of selfies. EM10 mk II has an electronic viewfinder and 5-axis stabilisation which is IMHO a lot better than the 3-axis in the E-PL9; it also has 2 control dials making it easier to adjust settings compared to the E-PL9
@@cmartin_ok Thanks for responding on my 1 year old question , I already bought the Em10.2 😁😁
@@Flyinginthebluedream I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am. I got one a couple of years back and only a few weeks ago bought very cheaply a somewhat broken, used one that after a bit of TLC seems to be working perfectly apart from a broken on board flash. I think the previous owner must have dropped it
Switch from my panasonic GM1?
Depends what you want from an upgrade and how the GM1 isn't satisfying you?
Gordon Laing I use it as a small walkaround camera alongside my G80 which I’d rather not to carry around everywhere. Missing EVF, flippy screen for selfies, better video. Also tempted to try out a small Fuji for low light/JPEGs but I have many quality M43 lenses, and If I did I would want one of the X series for the sensor, and those are not tiny.
Well if you want an EVF, you can rule out the EPL9 as it doesn't have one! The GM series was the smallest MFT with an EVF and I hope they bring them back sometime. In the meantime, Panasonic's smallest with EVFs are the GX series. Then there's the PEN F but that's pretty expensive.
GM1 is somewhat "outdated", atleast when it comes to video / stabilization. Still, i find it's the camera i keep getting back to the most. The camera i take most pictures with, and great pictures it gives. I love the orange too, it pleases my soul. Size-wise, it's about as best it can get. I have small hands, so it's great for me (but still always add the Flipbac G3 additional grip) and because of the size / weight it simply stays along most often. Lovely little thing! For me, it's the camera that features the use of touch screen the best so far. Not the biggest fan typically (although they add great functionality on Panasonic's fully articulating screens when doing video etc.), but with this camera it simply rocks. It's so "on the face", on the reach of fingers. With m4/3 or vintage primes all the same. Somehow, i so enjoy the simple, point and shoot kind of take on it.
Out of what you mentioned: I take video with different (bigger) cameras, don't care about the (selfish) seflies and lack of EVF is fine for me. GM5 has the EVF, but it's quite tiny (doesn't exactly wow) and takes away from the LCD screen size. Tech is almost the same. I seem to prefer GM1 over it. Having said that, if you plan to keep the GM1 around nonetheless, one solution to the lack of viewfinder could be the ClearViewer -> www.clearviewer.com . It's often praised for many reasons, and it might be something truly to consider. I'm getting mine very soon after lot of consideration. Premium model for 3" screens is the way. You can use the Clearviewer on other cameras too, of course.
Anyways, enough of GM1 already :) Maybe those comment serve someone else better, who is about to buy a used GM1/GM5. They've been very cheap for quite a while now, great value for money i say. Ok, so there's many options out there, but as Gordon mentioned, GX-series could very well be the next leap and you'll get a proper upgrade for sure! GX85 / GX80, something to research into. Other brands / sensor sizes bring their own flavors, but since you have some good native lenses already, it makes the most sense, cost, size and so forth wise. Size and cost is something that m4/3 has always excelled and will keep on excelling. Great optical quality for many lenses too!
Seeing how Panasonic is pumping out their smaller LX- and GX-series, i'm pretty sure they'll get back to GM-series at some point. Eventhough there was mentions that the sales we not up to their expectations (which is a shame), i'm pretty sure it's still warmly in their hearts (as it does in many of ours), combining such great tech with functional, beneficial size. Another ultra tiny GM camera with the latest tech (and then some), some exciting new pancake lens on it (even wider and faster than 12-32 preferably, can it be done?) and fair price, and they can make it sell. The need / want isn't exactly going away. Alright then, have a good day and happy shooting!
My wife wants to buy a small camera for her Instagram easy to transfer images to smart phone without hassle.
essential features:
- big sensors (4/3 or APSC)
- touch screen (tab to focus and shoot)
- Articulating screen
- easy wifi setup with phone
- small so she can carry it in her hand bag
what is your suggestion? thanks in advance
does the screen need to face the subject? does she need 4k video or a mic input?
Thanks Gordon for reply. Good to have 4k but not a must. she is fine with tilt up or tilt down screen.
But does the screen have to be able to tilt to face her for selfies?
and would she be using it on a tripod with the screen facing her - for example, for vlogging?
I'd grab it if it had Android and a SIM card. ;-)
i was holding my breath while he was turning it around to the back and farted when I saw there was no viewfinder. :(
I don't know about a pure white camera. I can just see an aged version of this thing all dirty and yellowed over - blee-yuck.
Flipping down since e-pl7, can't mount on tripod for vlogging. Disappointing design.
Handheld vlogging to camera only!
You do know that there are tripod mounts that are about 1.5mm thick aluminium plates that allow you to mount the tripod to the side it?
You can as well attach camera on tripod via other means like from a hotshoe by using as well again a short adapter that is locked on hotshoe and then you mount it to tripod few cm behind the camera.
There are many, many different ways.
As well for video recording for TH-cam etc many should get more upset about screens use for framing, and start using a longer focal lengths like 45mm and put the camera at 2m distance and use WiFi remote connection to frame, adjust exposure, start/stop recording and control anyways the camera. Meaning, the flip-out screens are just terrible idea as the whole point of "selfie" and "vlogging" is that you do it blindly, without knowing what you are actually getting. You point the lens at you and you take the shots. That is the fun part in the whole thing! With film you didn't know what you got before developing the film. With digital you could playback the last shots. And that is fun when you noticed that your framing went little off or so. And that is as well reason why you use a wider focal length to ease you in framing (it is not the focal length that does perspective, it is the camera distance).
So turn that screen off, pair camera with the phone, and use it to control camera that is on tripod couple meters from you. You get far better looking video that way.
Well, I guess I'll be looking for a used second e-pl8 body as the price will be going down! The new epl9 is ugly and doesn't have an accessory port under the hot shoe. And the e-pl8 doesn't have a pathetic 'flash' taking up valuable real estate.
Uh, who wants usb charging in camera? Duh.
Who wants to carry around an AC charger and have to find a wall outlet just to recharge a camera? Duh.
Gordon Laing both are great perspective, id chhoose the ability of being able to charge with a powerbank on the go
The USB charging is a nice feature when you are traveling in hotels etc and you just want to charge the camera battery overnight. But that means you are totally hands-off from the camera when you charge and that means easily 3-4 hours. So it is just when you are sleeping, as when you are traveling, you can't charge it (even over power pack as you have cable). What makes it almost moot point. As you anyways carry a phone, laptop etc charger with you it doesn't really take space as you don't need the cable but you can share that one!
And if you are more serious for photography, you have at least two batteries so you can charge one on hotel when you take charged with you out. And you can't charge the battery then as camera is with you. So who is going to wake up middle of night to swap battery in camera for next day? Not many (I do).
BUT who ever first comes out with the USB jack in the battery itself, so you can connect battery straight to the USB, that is the winning one! Now you could leave the battery charging, use couple short cables to charge multiple batteries at time, charge battery in bag on the go while camera in pocket with other battery etc.
As long you can't recharge the battery out of the body, it is no good. If you need to bring a second battery, you don't need the capability recharge either for most cases.
Nice but I suspect that 43 has had it's day... Oh and those menus...and they've done that stupid Canon eos m 5 screen thing.... 😕😕😕
Already in 2009 when the e-p1 got out, it was supposedly, according to naysayers, the death knell for the 4/3 format sensor. Meanwhile, years after years, 4/3 is the only system that increases its market share in face of the onslaught of phone cameras, while APS-C and FF are bleeding their user base like there's no tomorrow (and let's face it, there probably isn't). When will people learn ?
m4/3 will keep on rocking and for many good reasons. I prefer Panasonic mostly. Size, optical quality, price, features, ease of use, reliability... What it offers in the range of smaller cameras / quality pancakes is still something that others simply cannot provide. Get the bigger sensor with bigger lenses and higher resolution. Get the smaller sensor with damn tiny lenses and great pictures in good-enough resolution. Both for best from both worlds. There's room for everyone, which is nice! More competition, more advancements, better prices, better products. Biggest advancements with m4/3 lately has been the standardization of 4K and next-tier stabilization, top the line stuff. Two hot topics in this time, and for good reasons. Have a good day now, happy shooting!
As long as Sony, Canon, and Panasonic think they can make $800 to $1400 compact cameras with a tiny 1" sensor, which people will buy, m4/3 sensor mount cameras will always have a place. Especially with Panasonic and Olympus both invested, and Sony making a lot of these great sensors as well.
alcoholic? hands shake )))))))))
No it's a medical condition. Do you think it's acceptable to go around publicly accusing people of being alcoholics just because they have a tremor?
What a stupid comment. Great video!
Micro 4/3 cameras are mostly irrelevant nowadays. Just go with a Canon G1XMkIII, M5, G7XII, G5X, SL2 or Sony RX100, 6000, 65000 or Fuji Xt20, xA5.
I'm actually very fond of MFT, as the lenses are generally smaller, lighter and sharper in the corners than APSC lenses. For me that's more important than having slightly better noise or DR at very high ISOs.
Maybe irrelevant to you, but not to many others. Sounds like the usual arrogance of (slightly) bigger sensor cultists. But anyways, to each their own. The same charm is still there, and the industry is moving forward, m4/3 included. Pioneering some, following along others. It's good to keep up the competition with healthy advancements. So it's good to have the smartphones, m4/3, APS-C, FF etc. pushing the envelope, each in their own fields. m4/3 still can offer something unique that many others can't. Small bodies and damn tiny lenses (pancakes especially), quality optics, truly affordable prices (especially on the used market), easy of use, reliability... Many aspects bring satisfaction. In my mind, the most natural upgrade for those who want to step-up from the smartphone world. RX100 too, for sure. Offering quality experiences that remains to satisfy with not much money.
Have a good day now! And whatever one uses to capture the glimpses of the world, have a good time shooting :)
no one else has IBIS that is as useful as Olympus. I will stick with my Pen-F, thanks.
Laurent L no thank you... i already got rid of my fuji gear years ago and got into the OMD system, I couldnt be happier.... as for sony lol you can keep that too
The EPL9 is essentially a poor man's PEN F (in a manner of speaking). Similar but of course not the same. $750 vs $1200. Depends on what you can afford sometimes.