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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8

Portability
68
Imaging
60
Features
93
Overall
73
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
Portability
86
Imaging
55
Features
76
Overall
63

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 574g - 134 x 91 x 67mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-M1
  • Updated by Olympus E-M1 III
Olympus E-PL8
(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
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Launched September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL9
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the E-M1 II (20MP) and E-PL8 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-M1 II was released at a similar time to the E-PL8 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-M1 II grades versus the E-PL8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 II over the Olympus E-PL8

 E-M1 II E-PL8 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus E-M1 II

 E-PL8 E-M1 II 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL8

 E-M1 II E-PL8 
LaunchedSeptember 2016September 2016Similar generation
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution1037k1037kThe same display resolution
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 II provides exterior measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 574 grams (1.27 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL8 has specifications of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-M1 II and the E-PL8.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 II and E-PL8 is 68 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at specifications. The photograph below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-M1 II and E-PL8.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus E-M1 II to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively.

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography information
76
manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL8 Street photography advice
78
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
weather proofing
lighter than competitors (574 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features focus via touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography advice
75
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery (350 shots)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Travel photography details
Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography details
72
lighter than competitors (574g)
weather proofing
boasts focus by touch
MP count decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery (350 CIPA)
72
features focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II Landscape photography details
Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography details
76
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery (350 per charge)
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M1 II as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL8 as a Vlogging camera
79
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone port
lighter than competitors (574g)
36
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no microphone port
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Olympus E-M1 II vs Olympus E-PL8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 II and Olympus E-PL8
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIOlympus PEN E-PL8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Olympus PEN E-PL8
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2016-09-19 2016-09-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VIII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.4 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 226.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 64 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 121 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 60.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.10 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM, 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MOV, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 574 gr (1.27 lbs) 357 gr (0.79 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 91 x 67mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.6") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 1312 not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 350 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLH-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Dual One
Price at launch $1,700 $500