Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL8
67 Imaging
61 Features
96 Overall
75
86 Imaging
54 Features
76 Overall
62
Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
- Revealed February 2020
- Superseded the Olympus E-M1 II
(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
- Released September 2016
- Old Model is Olympus E-PL7
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL9
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Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus E-PL8, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are built by Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and E-PL8 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (Four Thirds).
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe E-M1 III was released 3 years after the E-PL8 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-M1 III scores vs the E-PL8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Photography Glossary Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL8 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III & Olympus PEN E-PL8. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 III Gallery & Olympus E-PL8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Olympus E-PL8
| E-M1 III | E-PL8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2020 | September 2016 | More modern by 42 months | |
| Display type | Fully Articulated | Tilting | Fully Articulating display | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus E-M1 III
| E-PL8 | E-M1 III |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Olympus E-PL8
| E-M1 III | E-PL8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | More precise focusing | |||
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display dimensions | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 1037k | Exact same display resolution | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL8 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M1 III features outside dimensions of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL8 has measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-M1 III versus Olympus E-PL8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-M1 III and the E-PL8.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and E-PL8 is 67 and 86 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL8 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The image below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-M1 III and E-PL8.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Olympus E-M1 III to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images way more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.
Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Olympus E-PL8 Specifications
| Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Olympus PEN E-PL8 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Olympus |
| Model | Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III | Olympus PEN E-PL8 |
| Type | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Revealed | 2020-02-11 | 2016-09-19 |
| Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic IX | 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 | 20MP | 16MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 25600 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 200 |
| RAW files | ||
| Minimum enhanced ISO | 64 | 100 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detection AF | ||
| Contract detection AF | ||
| Phase detection AF | ||
| Number of focus points | 121 | 81 |
| Cross focus points | 121 | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Total lenses | 107 | 107 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch display | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dots | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | - |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 60 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Max silent shutter speed | 1/32000 secs | - |
| Continuous shutter rate | 60.0fps | 8.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
| Flash options | Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual | no built-in flash |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
| Microphone support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.1 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 | 580 grams (1.28 lb) | 357 grams (0.79 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") | 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 | 420 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 (UHS-II on first slot) | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Card slots | Two | 1 |
| Price at release | $1,800 | $500 |