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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Announced November 2003
  • Replacement is Olympus E-3
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
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL9
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Overview

Lets look closer at the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-PL8, former is a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-PL8 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was announced 13 years before the E-PL8 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-1 scores against the E-PL8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-PL8

 E-1 E-PL8 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus E-1

 E-PL8 E-1 
IntroducedSeptember 2016November 2003More modern by 155 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution1037k134kCrisper screen (+903k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PL8

 E-1 E-PL8 
Manual focus More precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 comes with exterior measurements of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") along with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL8 has specifications of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-PL8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-1 compared to the E-PL8.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the E-1 and E-PL8 is 59 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to see the gap in sensor sizes just by seeing specs. The pic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-1 and E-PL8.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus E-PL8 to provide more detail with its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged E-1 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography info
46
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (5MP)
72
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL8 Street photography highlights
57
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lighter than others in class (735 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
84
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography features
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL8 as a Travel photography camera
47
lighter than others in class (735 grams)
weather proofing
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
comes with touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography details
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
screen is somewhat small (1.8")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (5MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging features
9
no video shooting
35
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-PL8
 Olympus E-1Olympus PEN E-PL8
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus PEN E-PL8
Class Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2003-11-29 2016-09-19
Body design Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 2560 x 1920 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 3 81
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 1.8 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 134 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 735 gr (1.62 pounds) 357 gr (0.79 pounds)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 350 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $1,700 $500