Olympus's stylish MFT compact — the PEN E-PL9 with flip-down selfie screen and art filters.
The Olympus PEN E-PL9 was released in 2018 as a stylish, compact Micro Four Thirds camera targeting social media-savvy photographers. The flip-down touchscreen enables selfies and vlogging. Art filters provide creative JPEG processing. The PEN design aesthetic provides a fashionable alternative to conventional camera designs.
Image quality from the 16.1MP Live MOS sensor is good with Olympus's colour science. In-body 3-axis stabilisation. 4K video at 30fps — unusual for this price class in 2018. Bluetooth and WiFi for smartphone sharing. The phase-detect AF is functional. Art filters and creative modes provide instant JPEG effects.
Micro Four Thirds mount — full MFT lens compatibility. Weight is approximately 332 grams body only — compact. Build quality is attractive with a clean design. The flip-down screen is specifically designed for selfies. Built-in flash. The PEN E-PL series prioritises style and social media features over professional capability.
Available at low prices. Check touchscreen and AF. A stylish entry to MFT with selfie capability. Best for casual photographers and social media users wanting better quality than smartphones. The art filters add creative fun. The MFT lens ecosystem provides upgrade options. Modern smartphones have narrowed the gap significantly.