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Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8

Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74
Nikon Z fc front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
Portability
86
Imaging
55
Features
76
Overall
63

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 Key Specs

Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Announced June 2021
Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL9
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Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Nikon Z fc and Olympus E-PL8, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z fc (21MP) and E-PL8 (16MP) and the Z fc (APS-C) and E-PL8 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z fc was announced 4 years after the E-PL8 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the Z fc grades versus the E-PL8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Olympus E-PL8

 Z fc E-PL8 
ReleasedJune 2021September 2016More modern by 59 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Nikon Z fc

 E-PL8 Z fc 

Common features in the Nikon Z fc and Olympus E-PL8

 Z fc E-PL8 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z fc offers physical measurements of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") and a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL8 has proportions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z fc and Olympus E-PL8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the Z fc and the E-PL8.

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z fc and E-PL8 is 79 and 86 respectively.

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Z fc and E-PL8.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Z fc with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Nikon Z fc will offer greater detail with its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger Z fc will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z fc Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography highlights
82
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
73
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z fc Street photography information
Olympus E-PL8 Street photography information
74
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (445g)
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
has focus by touch
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z fc
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL8
68
sensor resolution is decent (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (300 per charge)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z fc Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography factors
72
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
low battery power (300 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (445g)
72
has focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z fc Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography features
75
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (300 shots)
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z fc Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging details
74
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has mic support
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (445g)
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic support
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Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z fc and Olympus E-PL8
 Nikon Z fcOlympus PEN E-PL8
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z fc Olympus PEN E-PL8
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2021-06-28 2016-09-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5568 x 3712 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 209 81
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 21 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 445g (0.98 lb) 357g (0.79 lb)
Dimensions 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 350 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $949 $500