• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX200 advantages over Olympus E-PL9

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Olympus E-PL9 advantages over Samsung NX200

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 6.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL9

Review Excerpt

  • Sleek, more professional camera design; faster autofocus system and burst modes; solid performance at high ISOs despite the bump up in megapixels.

  • Significantly more expensive than previous model; slow buffer clearing with RAW images; with kit lens attached, camera becomes less portable.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • More pixels
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-PL9
Sony NEX-C3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-PL9
Sony NEX-5N
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Samsung NX200
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL9
Sony NEX-5R
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung NX200
Panasonic GX85
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic GX85
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Samsung NX200
Olympus E-PL8
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PL8
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
Compare Other Cameras?