Building off of the E-PL8, Olympus has given us the new PEN E-PL9, their smallest Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera yet. Despite the retro design, they’ve given it some essential features like 4K video and in-body stabilization.
Body
The PEN E-PL9’s body design is very similar to the E-PL8 in that they both take on a retro look. But at the same time, Olympus wanted to make sure that its users could — and would want to — take the camera “everywhere and get creative.” As a result, they ventured to make the PEN E-PL9 even more portable and ended up with a body that weighs 332g and measures in at 117 x 68 x 39 mm, a size that seems like would fit snugly into a travel bag.
The camera has also swapped about buttons and dials for a touchscreen, allowing for most of its settings to be accessible through the rear screen. The screen can be tilted or dropped underneath the camera if you want to take a selfie.
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Features
The E-PL9 has support for 4K 30fps video and five-axis image stabilization, along with a 121-point AF system. And there’s a option to extract still images from the video that you shoot. The camera’s compatible with 20 M.Zuiko Olympus lenses and a number of legacy lenses through select adaptors.
The camera also sports the latest TruePic VIII image processor.
You can watch Gordan Laing test out the PEN E-PL9 in the video below:
A Camera Fitted to Beginners
Many of Olympus’ design choices with the PEN E-PL9 and the features that they’ve included make it clear that this camera wants to appeal beginner videographers and phone-ographers. It’s simpler menu system and touchscreen control is probably less daunting than a full layout of buttons and dials. Additionally, Olympus has packed the PEN E-PL9 with built-in filters that can be compared live vis the touchscreen before you shoot.
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The camera also has added Bluetooth capability for sharing, another hint at creators that like to upload to social media.
Pricing and Availability
The Olympus PEN E-PL9’s North American prices and release date will be announced in the coming weeks, but the camera will be coming to Europe, Asia and other regions the March for €699/£649, which includes a 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 power zoom lens, or you can opt for just the body for €549/£579.