Anyone used the Oly E-pl9?

Hi, I'm thinking of replacing my Oly E-p3 (a great camera that I really enjoy using) with a newer model.

However, I'm slightly annoyed by the choices I get from Olympus. The pen F is just to expensive, I could afford it but I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around with such expensive camera where I live. On the other hand the e-pl9 seems very entry-level, no control dials at all.. There is obviously no mid-range model, except for the om-d line, but I would really like a pen camera, it is less pro looking and rather onobtrusive.

So I would like to ask anyone who used the e-pl9 about the ergonomics. Does it dequire a lot of menu diving to adjust parameters in PASM modes? Is the "super panel" accessible? Is exposure compensation easy to access? Will it frustrate me after using the e-p3 that has near perfect ergonomics and interface?

Thanks for any help.

JoostL wrote:

MaciekPruski wrote:

Hi, I'm thinking of replacing my Oly E-p3 (a great camera that I really enjoy using) with a newer model.

However, I'm slightly annoyed by the choices I get from Olympus. The pen F is just to expensive, I could afford it but I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around with such expensive camera where I live. On the other hand the e-pl9 seems very entry-level, no control dials at all.. There is obviously no mid-range model, except for the om-d line, but I would really like a pen camera, it is less pro looking and rather onobtrusive.

So I would like to ask anyone who used the e-pl9 about the ergonomics. Does it dequire a lot of menu diving to adjust parameters in PASM modes? Is the "super panel" accessible? Is exposure compensation easy to access? Will it frustrate me after using the e-p3 that has near perfect ergonomics and interface?

Thanks for any help.

A couple of years ago I replaced my E-P3 with an E-PL7. Much better IQ, better stabilisation, 0 sec. anti-shock setting (among others) made it a great step up. The PL7 probably isn't available anymore, but if you can get your hands on a PL8 rather than a PL9 I think that is the better option. The PL8 is the last model with an accessory port (should you one day want to add a viewfinder), whereas the PL9 seems to be "dumbed down" to make it easier for users stepping up from a smartphone or a compact camera. If you're accustomed to an E-P3 you may find these changes frustrating, hence my vote for the PL8. It's probably cheaper than the PL9, too!

The E-PL7 and E-PL8 are quite similar, other than cosmetics, from one another.   And both of them have the ability to take an EVF - a feature Olympus removed from the E-PL9.   Very little was added to the E-PL9 from those other two cameras.   IMHO, the PL8 and PL7 are superior.

The other choice which is good is the E-P5.  It's main advantage compared to the E-PL models is it has a 2nd control dial, and superior IBIS.  Clean used examples of all of these cameras should sell for between $200 and $300 for the body.