Olympus's stylish MFT compact — the PEN E-PL9 with flip-down selfie screen and art filters.
The Olympus PEN E-PL9 is a mid-range lifestyle mirrorless camera from Olympus's PEN range, introduced in 2018. It balances compact form factor with genuine photographic capability within the Micro Four Thirds system, targeting fashionable and travel-oriented photographers.
The E-PL9 uses a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor with 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, captures 4K video in short clips (30-second limit), includes a built-in popup flash, offers Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, and features a tilting touchscreen LCD. There is no electronic viewfinder socket.
The 5-axis IBIS system is shared with higher-end Olympus OM-D bodies and provides meaningful stabilisation even with non-stabilised kit lenses. The absence of an EVF and the 4K video clip-length restriction are the primary limitations for serious photographers. Bluetooth pairing with smartphones enables convenient image transfer.
Test the 5-axis IBIS by verifying steady handheld shots at slow shutter speeds across multiple stabilisation settings. Check the tilting LCD hinge for smooth operation. Confirm Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity with a smartphone app. Verify the built-in flash pops up and fires reliably.