Features
Lens Features
Software

Features

Olympus PEN: In 1959, Olympus introduced the PEN, a camera with the photographic optics of an SLR (single-lens reflex) camera with the size and simplicity of a point-and-shoot camera. The PEN was re-introduced in 2009 as the fully digital E-P1 with interchangeable lenses and multimedia capabilities with simple controls. The new PEN E-PL9 features a 3" Touch Screen monitor and fast 8.6 fps sequential shooting. This kit includes the E-PL9 body, the M. Zuiko Digital 14-42mm lens, a 16 GB SDHC memory card, and a custom Olympus bag and matching strap.

M.Zuiko Digital Lenses: The camera has a Micro Four Thirds lens mount, and is compatible with Olympus M.Zuiko Digital lenses. The M.Zuiko 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ lens is included with the camera.

Recording Media: You can record still images and movies onto SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards including UHS-I compatible cards. Class 10 cards or better are recommended for movie recording. UHS-I U3 cards should be used when recording 4K or high speed movies. Eye-Fi cards, with built-in wireless LAN functionality, are also compatible. A Sandisk 16 GB UHS-I card is included.

Image Pickup Device: The PEN E-PL9 uses a 4/3" Live MOS sensor (17.3mm x 13.0mm) with approximately 17.2-million total pixels and 16.05-million effective pixels. The Live MOS sensor is complimented by Olympus' TruePic VIII Image Processor for clear, true-to-life images.

Dust Reduction System: The E-PL9's built-in Dust Reduction System helps to eliminate unwanted spots on your images. When you turn on the camera, the patented Supersonic Wave Filter silently vibrates, shaking off and collecting dust particles that may accumulate on the sensor.

3" Tilting Touch LCD: You can use the camera's 3" Tilting Touch LCD monitor for framing your shots and viewing your digital pictures and videos. The 3:2 LCD has approximately 1,037,000 dots, and can tilt upward to 80° for shooting from low angles and downward to 180° for overhead shots and self-portraits. It also features an electrostatic capacitance touch screen, with touch shutter release and many other touch controls. The monitor brightness is adjustable from -7 to +7.

Image Recording Formats: The E-PL9 records digital still images in JPEG format, as well as RAW uncompressed images. RAW images can be processed into JPEG files in the camera or using downloadable Olympus Viewer 3 software. You can record up to 30 seconds of audio with still images in WAV format. Movies are recorded in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 with 16-bit PCM stereo audio at a 48 kHz sampling rate.

Still Image File Sizes: The PEN E-PL9 allows you to shoot still images in 3 sizes (Small, Middle, Large) with your choice of 4 compression modes: Super Fine (1/2.7 compression), Fine (1/4), Normal (1/8), and Basic (1/12). RAW images can be recorded only in 4608 x 3456 resolution with lossless compression (approximately 1/1.5 compression). The available image sizes for each aspect ratio are as follows:

Movie Modes: Movies can be recorded in 4K, Full HD, and HD in MOV format with MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video at 60, 30, and 24 fps with stereo PCM audio. The following recording modes are available:

• 4K:
  • Frame Size: 3840 x 2160
  • Frame Rate: 30p, 25p, 24p
• Full HD:
  • Frame Size: 1920 x 1080
  • Frame Rate: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p
  • Bit Rate (Compression Ratio): Super Fine, Fine, Normal
• HD:
  • Frame Size: 1280 x 720
  • Frame Rate: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p
  • Bit Rate (Compression Ratio): Super Fine, Fine, Normal

Bluetooth + Wi-Fi: The E-PL9 can connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Using the Olympus Image Share (OI.Share) application you can download images from the camera to a smartphone, or shoot remotely from the smartphone. The Olympus Image Palette (OI.Palette) app can be used for further image processing, while the Olympus Image Track (OI.Track) app is for adding GPS tags to your images. The Olympus apps are compatible with Android devices running 4.4 and up, and with Apple iPhone/iPad/iPod touch with iOS 9.0 and later.

Image Stabilization: The E-PL9 utilizes 3-axis, mechanical (sensor shift-type) image stabilization to automatically compensate for camera shake in low-light situations or when using a telephoto lens. With image stabilization on, the effect is equivalent to 3 EV steps (Olympus in-house measurements). You can choose from the following stabilization modes:

• Still Images:
  • S-IS Off: Image stabilizer is off.
  • S-IS On: The camera detects the panning direction and applies the appropriate image stabilization.
• Movies:
  • M-IS Off: Image stabilizer is off.
  • M-IS1: The camera uses both sensor shift (VCM) and electronic correction.
  • M-IS2: The camera uses sensor shift (VCM) correction only. Electronic correction is not used.

Shooting Modes: Using the top-mounted Mode Dial, you can choose from the following shooting modes:

• Auto: A full auto mode in which the camera automatically optimizes settings for the current scene.
• Program Shooting: The camera meters the subject's brightness and automatically adjusts the aperture and shutter speed for best results.
• Aperture Priority: You can set the aperture manually, and the camera sets the shutter speed automatically.
• Shutter Priority: You can set the shutter speed manually between 1/4000 to 60 seconds, and the camera sets the aperture automatically.
• Manual: You set both the shutter speed and aperture manually. In this mode, you can shoot with long exposure times (Bulb and Time Modes).
• Art Filter: You can select from the following Art Filters: Pop Art (2 versions), Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color (2 versions), Light Tone, Grainy Film (2 versions), Pin Hole (3 versions), Diorama (2 versions), Cross Process (2 versions), Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone (2 versions), Key Line (2 versions), Watercolor (2 versions), Vintage (3 versions), Partial Color (3 versions), Bleach Bypass (2 versions), and Instant Film.
• Scene Modes: You can select from the following Scene Modes: Portrait, e-Portrait, Portrait + Landscape, Portrait + Nightscape, Children, Nightscape, Hand-Held Starlight, Fireworks, Light Trails, Sport, Panning, Landscape, Sunset, Beach & Snow, Panorama, Backlight HDR, Candlelight, Silent, Macro, Nature Macro, Documents, and Multi Focus Shot.
• Movie Shooting Modes: You can shoot movies in Standard mode or 4K, as well as Clips, and High-speed. Available movie effects include Art Fade, Old Film, Multi-echo, One-shot Echo, and Movie Tele-converter.
• Advanced Photo (AP): After rotating the mode dial to AP, you can choose from these advanced settings: Live Composite, Live Time, Multiple Exposure, HDR, Silent, Panorama, Keystone Compensation, AE Bracketing, and Focus Bracketing.

Picture Modes (Processing Options): The camera lets you select image tones to create unique image effects. For each picture mode, you can fine-adjust the image parameters, such as contrast and sharpness. The Picture Modes include:

• iEnhance: produces more impressive-looking pictures matched to the scene mode
• Vivid: produces vivid colors
• Natural: produces natural colors
• Muted: produces flat tones
• Portrait: produces beautiful skin tones
• Monochrome: produces black and white tones
• Custom: lets you select one of the above modes, set the parameters, and register the setting.
• e-Portrait: produces smooth skin textures (not for bracket photography or movies)
• Color Creator: provides a color finish set in Color Creator
• Art Filter: choose an art filter (listed above in Shooting Modes) to obtain the desired effect

Focus Modes: The PEN E-PL9 uses automatic focusing and manual focusing. You can select Single-AF (when shutter pressed halfway), Continuous-AF (always focusing), or Manual (turning the focus ring). You can also fine-adjust the focus manually by turning the focus ring after AF is performed in the S-AF mode (S-AF+MF). If you have a moving subject, you can use the AF Tracking feature (C-AF+TR). In this mode, the camera will track and maintain focus on the subject while the shutter button is held halfway.

Auto-Focus Target: The camera has 121 Contrast Detection Auto-Focus points (11 vertical columns x 11 horizontal rows) for focusing on the subject. In the All-Target AF mode, the camera automatically chooses from the full set of 121 AF targets. In the Single-Target AF mode, you can manually select one AF target for accurately focusing on the subject after composing the shot. In the 9 Target mode, the camera automatically chooses from the targets in the selected nine-target group.

ISO Settings: The sensitivity can be set automatically or manually. You can set the default and upper limits for Auto ISO. The manual ISO sensitivity ranges from Low (about ISO 100),  and ISO 200 to 25600, with 1/3 EV steps.

White Balance: Color reproduction depends upon light conditions. You can choose from 4 options for setting the white balance:

• Auto: For General Use, used for most light conditions
• Preset: You can choose from the following presets:
  • 5300K: for shooting outdoors on a clear day, for sunset/sunrise, or fireworks
  • 7500K: for shooting outdoors in the shadows on a clear day
  • 6000K: for shooting outdoors on a cloudy day
  • 3000K: for shooting under a tungsten light
  • 4000K: for shooting under fluorescent lighting
  • 4500K: for shooting under a neutral white fluorescent lamp
  • 5500K: for flash shooting
• Custom: Color temperature set in the custom white balance menu (between 2000K and 14000K)
• One-Touch: Color temperature set by the one-touch WB method

Sequential Shooting: In addition to shooting single frames, the E-PL9 can also shoot multiple images for as long as the shutter button is pressed. When Sequential H is selected, pictures are taken at up to about 8.6 frames per second (fps). In Sequential L mode, images are taken at about 4.8 fps. Focus, exposure, and white balance are fixed at the value for the first shot in each series. When shooting RAW images, the maximum number of recordable pictures is 14 frames in Sequential L and 13 frames in Sequential H. There is no limit when shooting JPEG photos.

Self-Timer: The Self-Timer lets you take pictures after a preset amount of time. You can choose from 2 seconds or 12 seconds. Self-timer Custom lets you set the number of frames to be shot (1-10), length of delay (1-30 seconds) and interval between shots (0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds).

Bulb/Time Shooting: The PEN E-PL9 can take extra long exposures with Bulb and Time photography. When the camera is set to Bulb, the shutter remains open as long as the shutter button stays pressed. When set to Time, the shutter opens when the shutter release is pressed fully and closes when the shutter release is pressed fully a second time. Use of a tripod and remote shutter release (through OI.Share) are recommended for Bulb and Time Photography.

Interval Shooting: You can take a series of photos over a period of time. You can shoot 1 to 999 shots at intervals of 1 second to 24 hours. You can also delay the start of the interval timer up to 24 hours. You can convert the series of pictures into a time-lapse movie.

Flash Modes: The E-PL9 has a built-in pop-up flash. You can select from several flash modes: Auto, Fill in flash, Red-eye reduction flash, Slow synchronization (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain) with Red-eye reduction, Slow synchronization (2nd curtain), Manual, and Flash off. You can also manually set the intensity of the flash between -3.0EV to +3.0EV. With the included 14-42mm lens, the minimum flash distance at which vignetting occurs is 1 meter (39"). The camera has a hot shoe for attaching an optional external flash unit.

Metering Modes: There are 5 ways to measure the subject brightness:

• Digital ESP: Camera measures light levels and calculates the differences in 324 separate areas of the image.
• Center-Weighted Average: Camera provides the average metering between the subject and background lighting, placing more weight on the subject in the center.
• Spot: Camera meters a very small area (about 2% of the frame) around the center of the subject.
• Spot with Highlight Control: If overall background is bright, the camera shifts toward over-exposure so white areas don't turn gray.
• Spot with Shadow Control: If overall background is dark, the camera shifts toward under-exposure so black areas don't turn gray.

Multiple Exposures: The E-PL9 can overlay multiple frames and save the result as a single image. You can overlay an image while taking a picture, or overlay a recorded (RAW) image in playback mode.

Photo Playback: You can play back images one at a time, or in an index display of 25. You can also display images recorded on the memory card by date (calendar display). While in single image playback, the image can be magnified to 2x, 3x, 5x, 7x, 10x, or 14x for a closer look.

Playback On TV: The PEN E-PL9 allows you to play back your still images or movies on a TV. The camera has a Micro HDMI (Type D) connector for playback on an HDTV with an optional Micro HDMI-to-HDMI cable. You can set the HDMI output resolution to 4K, 1080p, 720p, or 480p (576p for PAL).

HDMI Control: When HDMI Control is set to "On", the camera can be operated by a TV remote control when it is connected to the TV via HDMI. The TV must support HDMI control. During single-frame playback, you can display or hide the information display and the index display.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer, regardless of brand.

Power Options: The E-PL9 is powered by the supplied BLS-50 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (7.2 volts, 1210mAh, 8.5Wh). The battery charges in approximately 3 hours 30 minutes in the supplied BCS-5 battery charger. The BLS-50 battery is good for approximately 350 shots or 80 minutes of video on a single charge.

Lens Features

Lens Overview: This PEN E-PL9 includes the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ wide angle 3x zoom lens. The lens is equipped with a Micro Four Thirds mount. Designed for shooting movies, the lens features MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) technology, which gives you virtually silent auto focusing, even during zooming. The lens features the following specifications:

Software

Olympus Workspace Software: The E-PL9 does not come with software in the box. You can download Olympus Workspace software at no charge from the Olympus website. (Workspace replaced the Viewer 3 software on April 1, 2019.) The new Workspace software helps you import images and videos taken by the camera, and lets you view, edit, and manage your photos. It has a new customizable layout to improve your workflow, and allows advanced RAW processing and editing for pro photographers. The Olympus Workspace software is compatible with the following operating systems:

• Windows 10
• Windows 8/8.1
• Windows 7 (SP1)
• Mac OS X v10.9 - 10.11 / macOS v10.12 - 10.14

USB Mass Storage Class: The camera supports USB Mass Storage Class, allowing you to transfer images to a computer with the provided USB cable. The following operating systems are compatible with the USB connection:

• Windows 10
• Windows 8/8.1
• Windows 7 (SP1)
• Mac OS X v10.8 - 10.11 / macOS v10.12 - 10.14