Olympus E-M1X vs Olympus E-PL8: A Tale of Two Micro Four Thirds Cameras

When Olympus announced their E-M1X in early 2019, many eyebrows were raised - it wasn't just another proper mirrorless camera; it was Olympus’s boldest attempt to build a professional-grade workhorse around the venerable Micro Four Thirds system. On the other hand, the E-PL8, released a few years earlier in 2016, catered more to beginners and casual shooters who wanted the Micro Four Thirds charm in an approachable, stylish package.

Putting these two side by side is like comparing a rugged off-road truck to a zippy city hatchback. Both live in the same ecosystem but serve very different drivers - even if the underlying DNA (the sensor size and mount) is shared. After countless hours of shooting with these cameras across a range of scenarios, here’s a thorough, no-nonsense comparison to help you decide which Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera suits your style, workflow, and budget.

Size Matters: The Wrestling Match of Ergonomics and Portability

Let's start with the most immediately obvious difference: size and handling. The Olympus E-M1X is a tank - swinging in at 997 grams, it’s essentially Olympus’s take on a professional DSLR-sized mirrorless body, packed with dual TruePic VIII processors, dual batteries, and a rugged, SLR-style chassis.

The E-PL8, by contrast, is light and airy - a mere 357 grams with a classic rangefinder-style design that emphasizes portability and ease of use.

Feel wise, the E-M1X boasts a beefy grip that practically envelops your hand, offering stability for heavy telephoto lenses or all-day shooting, especially in demanding conditions. Its robust build is complemented by environmental sealing that protects against dust and splashes - a key feature for the professional on the move.

The E-PL8’s ultra-compact body appeals to photographers who prefer a more discreet and travel-friendly setup. It’s easy to slip into a purse or small bag, making it perfect for street photography or casual snapshots.

The size difference isn’t just physical weight; it's a fundamental design philosophy. The E-M1X encourages you to take your time to frame, shoot, and explore complex subjects. The E-PL8 is more about spontaneity and simplicity.

Beauty in Your Hands: Control Layout and Top-Panel Insight

Controls are where these cameras show their contrasting intentions.

Olympus equipped the E-M1X with an extensive top panel full of dedicated dials and buttons - aperture, shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, and drive mode are directly at your fingertips. This dedicated control layout lets you stay immersed in shooting without endlessly navigating menus. Olympus wisely avoided clutter by integrating dual TruePic VIII processors to power high-speed functionalities smoothly.

In contrast, the E-PL8 keeps it simple with fewer physical controls and a focus on touchscreen operation. The top panel is minimalist, reflecting its entry-level, user-friendly design.

For seasoned shooters who relish manual exposure tweaking on the fly, the E-M1X is a dream. Its controls are illuminated just enough to use in dim conditions (though not as aggressively as some competitors). Beginners might find the array slightly intimidating but will appreciate the camera’s responsiveness once learned.

The E-PL8’s interface encourages learning and experimentation via touchscreen menus and simple dials, but lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder (though one can be added externally).

Peering into the Heart: Sensor Technology and Image Quality

Both cameras share the Micro Four Thirds sensor size but differ in resolution and processing.

The E-M1X sports a 20MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor with an anti-aliasing filter, paired with Olympus’s advanced Dual TruePic VIII processors. This combo is optimized for higher resolution output, excellent color rendition, and robust noise control at high ISOs.

The E-PL8 integrates a slightly older 16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor, also with an AA filter but with the simpler TruePic VII processor. While competent for casual photography, it lacks the computational firepower to push the boundaries on image clarity and ISO performance.

In practical use, the E-M1X delivers crisp, finely detailed images even at ISO 3200 and beyond - with noise well-controlled and colors accurate yet vibrant. This Sensor + Dual-Processor combo allows shooting RAW files with ample flexibility for professional post-processing workflows.

The E-PL8 suffices for social media shots, day-to-day usage, or hobbyist prints up to moderate sizes. However, its image quality can falter in tricky lighting or when asked to deliver fine detail at higher ISOs.

If you’re into pixel-peeping or need professional stoplight stops from your sensor, the E-M1X is the clear technical victor.

Eye on the Prize: Autofocus Systems in Action

Autofocus speed and precision are often what separates an amateur shot from a keeper, especially for wildlife, sports, and street photographers.

The E-M1X boasts an advanced 121-point hybrid autofocus system blending phase-detection and contrast detection points, enabling rapid focusing with considerable accuracy. It features face detection and eye detection capabilities tailored for humans but - curiously - lacks dedicated animal eye autofocus.

The E-PL8 offers 81 contrast-detection AF points but lacks phase detection, resulting in slower and occasionally hunt-prone focus performance in low-light or challenging conditions.

In my hands-on experience, the E-M1X feels like lightning when tracking fast-moving subjects such as birds mid-flight or players on a soccer field. The 60fps continuous burst mode amplifies this advantage, capturing moments imperceptible to the naked eye.

By contrast, the E-PL8’s 8fps continuous shooting and slower autofocus make it better suited to more static subjects or deliberate composition.

Seeing Is Believing: Displays and Viewfinders

A quality EVF and LCD are critical to composition and reviewing shots.

The E-M1X impresses with its 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder sporting 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification - a joy to frame through and especially appreciated when shooting outdoors or under bright sunlight.

The E-PL8 lacks a built-in EVF, relying solely on its 3-inch 1.037M-dot tilting touchscreen LCD. While the screen is bright and responsive, absence of an integrated EVF limits precise eye-level shooting, which professionals often prefer.

That said, the E-PL8’s touchscreen offers a more intuitive experience for beginners who like to tap to focus or browse images quickly.

The E-M1X’s articulating screen improves shooting flexibility - from low to high angles - beneficial in macro and landscape work.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras use the Micro Four Thirds lens mount, which is one of the most mature and diverse systems available, boasting over 100 native lenses from Olympus and Panasonic - a huge strength for the system at large.

Given the E-M1X’s professional orientation, users often pair it with Olympus’s premium PRO lenses, including speedy telephotos and ultra-sharp primes, which fully exploit the camera’s autofocus and image quality capabilities.

The E-PL8 is perfectly happy with the standard kit lenses and smaller primes. It’s also an excellent match for Olympus’ pancake-style lenses that complement its small footprint.

Endurance Test: Battery Life and Storage Options

Battery life distinguishes enthusiast cameras from professionals. Olympus’s E-M1X houses dual batteries rated for approximately 870 shots per charge, which translates to a full day of intensive shooting without panicking about power.

The E-PL8 offers about 350 shots per charge - acceptable for casual use but likely to disappoint power users who take extended trips or forget to pack spares.

Both cameras use SD cards, but the E-M1X features dual slots - a professional-standard perk allowing simultaneous backup storage for security on critical shoots.

Connectivity and Convenience: Wireless Features and Ports

The E-M1X is fully future-proofed with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, HDMI output, microphone and headphone jacks, and USB Power Delivery charging. This means it can be tethered, scouted, filmed with external audio, and charged on the go - all invaluable for professional workflows.

The E-PL8 has built-in Wi-Fi but lacks Bluetooth and GPS, and no audio jacks limit video shooting options. USB connectivity tops out at version 2.0, which is slower for data transfer.

Ready for Action: Performance Across Photography Genres

Let’s talk specifics with a practical lens on how each camera performs in popular photographic niches.

Portrait Photography

The E-M1X’s superior autofocus eye detection excels here, providing sharp focus on eyes even with complex lighting. Its 20MP sensor yields beautiful skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh when using Olympus’s fast primes. Image stabilization further helps maintain sharp images handheld. The E-PL8’s 16MP chip offers decent skin tones but its autofocus is less reliable at locking on fine facial details, resulting in more misses.

Landscape Photography

Thanks to better resolution and dynamic range, the E-M1X shines in landscape capture. Weather sealing lets you shoot in diverse conditions without worry, and high-resolution files facilitate large prints or detailed crops. Although the E-PL8 has a decent sensor, it isn’t sealed against elements and resolution is lower, making it best for casual outdoor snaps rather than serious landscape work.

Wildlife Photography

The E-M1X’s 60fps burst and fast AF tracking make it formidable for wildlife. Crop factor of 2.1× helps telephoto reach, and robust construction endures rugged locations. The E-PL8, with limited burst speed and less precision autofocus, is less suited to fleeting moments.

Sports Photography

Again, the E-M1X’s speed and accuracy come to the fore here, capturing fast-paced action with impressive consistency. The E-PL8 simply can’t keep up - slower buffer, fewer focusing points, and a max shutter speed of 1/4000s restrict high-action shooting.

Street Photography

The E-PL8’s stealthy size combined with tilting screen (handy for shooting selfies or low angles) is ideal. Its silent shutter mode makes it less intrusive. The larger and heavier E-M1X is less suited for discrete street work but can still perform if you can carry the bulk.

Macro Photography

Both cameras feature 5-axis sensor stabilization, vital for handheld macro. The E-M1X’s articulating screen and more precise focus bracketing/stacking (which the E-PL8 lacks) offer a big advantage for critical macro shooters.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light capabilities and high-ISO performance favor the E-M1X, with cleaner images up to ISO 3200 and modest exposure noise. The E-PL8 can manage casual night scenes but may struggle under demanding astro conditions.

Video Capabilities

The E-M1X offers 4K video at 24p with high bitrates, microphone/headphone jacks, and advanced stabilization - perfect for serious video creators. The E-PL8 maxes out at 1080p 30p with no external audio options, suited to casual filming only.

Travel Photography

This depends on personal preferences. The E-PL8’s compactness and weight make it an easier carry-on for travel photography. The E-M1X offers versatility and durability but requires commitment to lugging heavier gear.

Professional Work

For professionals, reliability, and workflow integration matter. The E-M1X’s rugged build, dual card slots, robust battery setup, high-res files, and connectivity options make it a workhorse capable of handling demanding jobs. The E-PL8 serves better as a lightweight backup or a casual shooter for less critical work.

Wrapping It Up with Some Visual Flair

To make your decision easier, here’s a gallery displaying actual sample images from both cameras, showcasing the E-M1X's crisp details and vivid color rendering alongside the E-PL8’s softer and less detailed output.

Olympus E M1X front Olympus E M1X screen back Olympus E PL8 front Olympus E PL8 screen back

Below is a summary graphic rating overall camera performance across multiple factors (speed, image quality, ergonomics, video, and so forth).

And lastly, a breakdown across key photography types to highlight strengths.

Final Thoughts: Which Olympus Camera Should You Carry Home?

If I had to place a wager, the Olympus E-M1X stands proudly in the pro mirrorless arena. Its robust construction, advanced autofocus, superior image quality, and pro-grade features make it a versatile all-rounder capable of handling everything from wildlife safaris and sports arenas to corporate shoots and demanding landscape sessions. It’s not cheap, nor light, but for professionals who demand dependability and performance above all else, it’s a powerhouse.

The Olympus E-PL8 is the perfect digital pet for those starting their photographic journey or anyone wanting a fun, simple, and highly portable camera that still allows creative freedom within the Micro Four Thirds system. It excels as a casual travel companion or street camera that won’t draw too much attention or intimidate with complexity.

In short:

• Want a camera that’s a serious workhorse with top-tier speed, durability, and image quality? E-M1X is your friend.
• Looking for a budget-friendly, compact, and user-friendly camera to explore photography with some style? Go with the E-PL8.

Both cameras embody Olympus’s commitment to excellent optics and solid image stabilization - but they cater to very different photographers. The choice ultimately comes down to your budget, workflow requirements, and shooting intent.

Whether it's the muscle-packed Olympus E-M1X or the pocket-friendly E-PL8, Micro Four Thirds offers gear capable of producing stellar images - you just need to pick the right tool for your photographic adventure. Happy shooting!