Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3
79 Imaging
50 Features
31 Overall
42


88 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-H Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Launched July 2007
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
- Launched September 2011
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL2

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview
Below, we will be contrasting the Leica M8 and Olympus E-PL3, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Olympus. The image resolution of the M8 (10MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the M8 (APS-H) and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor size.

The M8 was introduced 5 years earlier than the E-PL3 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the M8 grades against the E-PL3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Leica M8 and Olympus PEN E-PL3. The whole galleries are viewable at Leica M8 Gallery and Olympus E-PL3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Olympus E-PL3
M8 | E-PL3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Leica M8
E-PL3 | M8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2011 | ![]() | July 2007 | Newer by 50 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M8 and Olympus E-PL3
M8 | E-PL3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Leica M8 provides exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL3 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).
Contrast the Leica M8 and Olympus E-PL3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the M8 against the E-PL3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the M8 and E-PL3 is 79 and 88 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking specifications. The picture underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and E-PL3.
To sum up, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The M8 using its bigger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PL3 will give you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged M8 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications
Leica M8 | Olympus PEN E-PL3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Olympus |
Model | Leica M8 | Olympus PEN E-PL3 |
Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2007-07-31 | 2011-09-20 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Truepic VI |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-H | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 27 x 18mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 486.0mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 |
Maximum resolution | 3936 x 2630 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 2500 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 59 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.3 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | - | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 6.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 591 grams (1.30 lb) | 313 grams (0.69 lb) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 59 | 52 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.1 | 20.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light score | 663 | 499 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 shots | 300 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $4,400 | $399 |