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Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5

Portability
55
Imaging
82
Features
83
Overall
82
Nikon Z8 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
Portability
81
Imaging
51
Features
70
Overall
58

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 Key Specs

Nikon Z8
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.20" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 910g - 144 x 119 x 83mm
  • Released May 2023
Olympus E-M5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
  • Announced April 2012
  • Later Model is Olympus E-M5 II
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Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Nikon Z8 and Olympus E-M5, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the Z8 (46MP) and E-M5 (16MP) and the Z8 (Full frame) and E-M5 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The Z8 was launched 11 years after the E-M5 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a full comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the Z8 scores against the E-M5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z8 over the Olympus E-M5

 Z8 E-M5 
AnnouncedMay 2023April 2012More modern by 135 months
Display dimensions3.20"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2089k610kClearer display (+1479k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Nikon Z8

 E-M5 Z8 

Common features in the Nikon Z8 and Olympus E-M5

 Z8 E-M5 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon Z8 offers external dimensions of 144mm x 119mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 910 grams (2.01 lbs) while the Olympus E-M5 has specifications of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z8 and Olympus E-M5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the Z8 vs the E-M5.

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z8 and E-M5 is 55 and 81 respectively.

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z8 and E-M5.

Clearly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Z8 because of its larger sensor will make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon Z8 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 30MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The fresher Z8 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z8
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5
89
has manual focus
amazing MP (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
70
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z8 Street photography details
Olympus E-M5 Street photography details
72
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than average in class (910g)
82
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z8 Sports photography features
Olympus E-M5 Sports photography features
81
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
low max shutter speed (1/ seconds)
bad battery life (330 shots)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z8 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-M5 as a Travel photography camera
61
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
amazing MP (46MP)
bad battery life (330 CIPA)
more heavy than average in class (910g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
66
environment sealing
offers focus via touch
good resolution (16MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z8 Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography advice
83
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.20")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (46MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
bad battery life (330 CIPA)
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z8
Vlogging with Olympus E-M5
33
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (7680 x 4320 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
more heavy than average in class (910 grams)
34
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Nikon Z8 vs Olympus E-M5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z8 and Olympus E-M5
 Nikon Z8Olympus OM-D E-M5
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z8 Olympus OM-D E-M5
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2023-05-10 2012-04-30
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VI
Sensor type Stacked CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 46 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 8256 x 5504 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 64 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 32 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 493 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 46 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.20 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,089 thousand dot 610 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.58x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed - 1/4000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 30.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 7680x4320 1920x1080
Video format H.264, H.265 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 910g (2.01 pounds) 425g (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 119 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 98 71
DXO Color Depth score 26.3 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 14.2 12.3
DXO Low light score 2548 826
Other
Battery life 330 photos 360 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c BLN-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail price $3,999 $799