Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FH8

Comparing the Olympus PEN E-P2 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8: An Expert’s In-Depth Look for Photography Enthusiasts

When deciding between two very different cameras like the Olympus PEN E-P2 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8, it’s easy to get stuck on specs alone. But as someone who’s held, tested, and shot with thousands of cameras across genres, I know that real-world performance, user experience, and long-term value matter far more than just numbers on a page. Today, I’ll walk you through a comprehensive comparison based on extensive hands-on testing and technical understanding, covering all major photography needs - from portraits and landscapes to wildlife and even video.

These two cameras couldn’t be more different in design philosophy and target audience: the E-P2 is a pioneer mirrorless system camera rooted firmly in Four Thirds sensor technology with interchangeable lenses, while the FH8 is a compact point-and-shoot ideal for casual users on a budget. But which one genuinely serves your photography style and goals better? Let’s break it down.

Size and Ergonomics: Your Camera as a Constant Companion

First impressions matter, and one of the most immediate considerations is how these cameras feel in your hands throughout a shoot. The Olympus E-P2 embraces a rangefinder-style mirrorless design, giving you a relatively compact but thoughtfully ergonomic body for serious photography.

At 121x70x36 mm and a weight of 355 grams, the E-P2 presents a robust yet manageable form factor that balances portability and control. The magnesium alloy body (not weather-sealed, mind you) feels sturdy and allows for solid grip with dedicated dials and buttons positioned for intuitive access. While not the lightest mirrorless out there, I appreciate the balance it strikes between pocketability and handling comfort - crucial for longer shooting sessions or travel.

Compare that with the Panasonic FH8’s diminutive 96x57x19 mm dimensions and featherweight 123-gram frame. This is truly a pocket-friendly compact designed for casual snaps - slipping into a jacket pocket or purse with ease. However, the trade-off is evident: the control layout is minimized, and ergonomics reflect the ‘grab and shoot’ mindset rather than sustained use. If you prefer a camera that disappears in your hand and you’re fine with limited manual control, the FH8 is unparalleled here.

Design and Control Layout: Who’s Driving the Bus?

Moving beyond size, how you interact with a camera directly impacts your shooting efficiency and creativity. The Olympus E-P2 offers a more traditional camera experience with manual exposure modes (including aperture and shutter priority), exposure compensation, custom white balance, and an option for external electronic viewfinders.

The control layout on the E-P2 is relatively straightforward, featuring PASM mode dial, dedicated shutterspeed/aperture dials, and menu buttons that respond well to quick adjustments - incredibly helpful when working in dynamic shooting environments. One downside: the fixed “HyperCrystal LCD” rear screen at 3 inches with 230k pixels serves well for composing but is not touchscreen or articulating, which modern users might miss.

By contrast, the Panasonic FH8 foregoes traditional manual controls entirely. There’s no PASM or exposure compensation, restricting you to automatic shooting modes controlled by the processor’s algorithms. The 3-inch TFT LCD with similar 230k resolution is fixed, and the camera entirely lacks any viewfinder. If you want simple operation with minimal fuss, the FH8’s layout fits a casual user perfectly but won’t satisfy the enthusiast who desires creative control or on-the-fly tweaks.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

No camera comparison is complete without delving into the sensor - the very core of image fidelity. The Olympus PEN E-P2 utilizes a Four Thirds system CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm, yielding a surface area of approximately 225 mm². It sports 12 megapixels native resolution (4032x3024), complete with an anti-aliasing filter that reduces moiré patterns effectively.

In practical testing, this sensor delivers solid image quality, with excellent color depth (approximately 21.5 bits DxO measured) and dynamic range (around 10.4 EV). The top native ISO is 6400, and the E-P2 keeps noise levels manageable up to ISO 800–1600, beyond which grain becomes noticeable but still usable depending on printing size and subject matter. The TruePic V image processor handles noise reduction and detail retention efficiently for a camera of its generation (2010).

The Panasonic FH8 uses a much smaller 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring just 6.08 x 4.56 mm (approximately 27.7 mm²) but packs in 16 megapixels, meaning it pushes pixels into a smaller area. Being a CCD rather than CMOS sensor changes the image characteristics - typically, CCDs excel in color rendition but suffer more with noise and low light performance.

In daylight conditions, the FH8 produces pleasing images with decent sharpness and vibrant colors, but under low light or higher ISOs, noise and loss of detail are quickly apparent. ISO ceiling again is 6400, but usable sensitivity realistically caps around 400. The smaller sensor size dramatically limits dynamic range and depth-of-field control compared to the E-P2, ultimately restricting creative possibilities.

Overall image quality substantially favors the Olympus E-P2, especially if you value clean ISO performance, better detail retention, and more flexibility in post-processing. But the FH8 succeeds as a quick-snap point-and-shoot for everyday memories without fuss.

Autofocus and Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

How well a camera locks focus directly impacts your ability to capture fleeting moments - in portraiture, wildlife, or sports photography alike.

The Olympus E-P2 features an 11-point contrast-detection autofocus system with face detection, continuous AF, and selectable focus areas. It lacks phase-detection autofocus, which means focusing speed might not be as rapid as the latest models but performs respectably for its class and era. I found it responsive enough for studio portraits and casual action shots but a bit sluggish for fast wildlife or sports tracking, where speed and predictive tracking excel.

By contrast, the Panasonic FH8 packs 23 contrast-detection AF points, plus face detection and AF tracking. While still limited by sensor speed and processing, its AF is surprisingly nimble for a compact, able to acquire focus reliably in good lighting. However, its continuous shooting speed is just 1 fps, limiting its utility for action sequences.

Neither camera suits serious sports or high-speed wildlife photography, but for portraits, street, and everyday shooting, the E-P2’s selective AF and face detection feels more precise and dependable.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Ready for the Elements?

Neither camera offers environmental sealing or weather-proofing. The Olympus E-P2’s metal body does give a reassuring ruggedness unmatched by the plastic housing of the Panasonic FH8, which is very much a casual pocket camera. Neither are dustproof, waterproof, nor shockproof, so cautious handling in rough conditions is advisable.

Display and Viewfinder Experience

Both cameras have fixed 3-inch LCDs with 230,000 pixels resolution, but the technology differs slightly: the E-P2’s “HyperCrystal LCD” features an anti-reflective coating intended to improve outdoor visibility. However, I still found it less bright in direct sunlight compared to newer displays.

The absence of an electronic viewfinder on both models means composing purely via LCD. For bright outdoor shooting, this can be tricky, though you can attach an optional external EVF on the Olympus if you crave that stability and eye-level framing.

Versatility and Lens Ecosystem: Expanding Your Creative Toolbox

A standout strength of the Olympus E-P2 is its Micro Four Thirds mount compatibility. This means access to over a hundred native lenses - wide-angle, telephoto, primes, macros from Olympus, Panasonic, Sigma, and others - plus third-party adapters for legacy glass. You truly invest in a system that grows with your photographic ambitions, whether you want creamy portraits or wide landscapes.

The Panasonic FH8’s fixed 24-120 mm equivalent zoom lens (F2.5-6.4) is versatile for everyday snapshots but lacks the depth-of-field control and optical quality variations available with interchangeable lenses. Its macro focus as close as 4 cm is handy but can’t match dedicated macro lenses.

Battery Life and Storage Convenience

The Olympus E-P2’s battery life rated at about 300 shots per charge feels fair for a mirrorless but runs shorter by today’s standards. It uses a proprietary BLS-1 battery, which was a reliable performer but requires spares for demanding use.

The Panasonic FH8 manages approximately 260 shots per battery cycle but benefits from smaller, less power-hungry internals. It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus internal storage, though internal capacity is limited and likely best reserved for emergencies.

Video Capabilities: Modest but Useful

Both cameras support HD video recording at 1280 x 720 30p. The Olympus captures video in Motion JPEG format, while the Panasonic encodes MPEG-4. Sound recording is built-in but neither offers microphone inputs or headphone monitoring, limiting audio quality control.

Video autofocus on the E-P2 can be somewhat slow and noisy, typical of early mirrorless models. The FH8’s AF is quicker but constrained by its basic sensor and codec. Neither camera is designed for serious video work, but casual clips and family moments are well handled.

Performance Ratings at a Glance

To synthesize the analysis, let’s look at an objective performance rating summary compiled from hands-on testing data, including DxOMark scores and practical field trials.

Olympus E-P2 registers commendable color fidelity, dynamic range, and ISO performance for its era and category. The Panasonic FH8, while capturing more pixels on paper, falls short in sensor size and low light noise.

Photography Genres: Which Camera Excels Where?

How do these two cameras perform across specific photography types? Here’s my expert assessment, factoring in system capabilities, ergonomics, and image quality:

• Portrait Photography: The E-P2 wins hands down due to better AF face detection, interchangeable lenses (enabling wider apertures and flattering depth-of-field), and cleaner high-ISO skin tones. The FH8’s small sensor and slower lens limit subject separation and detail.

• Landscape Photography: E-P2 again shines with superior dynamic range, extensive lens options for ultra-wide fields of view, and higher resolution files. FH8’s sensor lacklustre performance results in flat, less detailed images.

• Wildlife Photography: Neither camera is ideal due to burst limitations and AF speed. E-P2’s ability to swap longer telephoto lenses makes it marginally better.

• Sports Photography: Neither supports high frame rates or advanced autofocus tracking, but E-P2’s selective AF modes and manual controls afford better chances if required.

• Street Photography: FH8’s compact size and quiet operation provide stealth advantages. The E-P2 is bigger but still manageable if you prefer a bit more control.

• Macro Photography: E-P2’s lens options include dedicated macro primes with stabilization, surpassing FH8’s fixed lens close focus.

• Night and Astro Photography: E-P2’s cleaner ISO performance and manual exposure modes make it far better suited.

• Video: Both suitable for casual clips only, with E-P2 offering slightly better flexibility.

• Travel Photography: FH8 excels for light travel, easy carry and snapshots; E-P2 is a better all-around hybrid if you want creative control.

• Professional Work: E-P2’s RAW support, lens system, and manual exposure modes outperform FH8’s limited capabilities.

Final Recommendations: Match Your Camera to Your Needs and Budget

So, which camera should you pick?

If you are a photography enthusiast or professional prioritizing image quality, flexibility, creative control, and future growth, the Olympus PEN E-P2 is a solid investment despite its older tech. It offers high-quality images, decent manual controls, and access to a broad array of lenses. The trade-off is size, price, and a learning curve.

Conversely, if you want a genuinely budget-friendly, lightweight point-and-shoot for casual everyday photos, family outings, or social use - without fussing over settings or changing lenses - the Panasonic Lumix FH8 is a perfectly fine choice. It can deliver decent images in good light and goes anywhere effortlessly.

Look carefully at your priorities - do you want to expand and learn photography, or just document your life simply? The E-P2 is a gateway to a serious photographic journey, the FH8 a compact memory keeper. Either way, knowing these differences ensures your next camera purchase will be thoughtful and rewarding.

Wrapping Up

In this comparison, I’ve covered everything from sensor technology, autofocus capabilities, ergonomics, to practical usability across genres. The Olympus PEN E-P2’s strength is in creative potential and image quality, supported by a robust system lens ecosystem. The Panasonic FH8 favors convenience, size, ease of use, and affordability at the cost of limitations in control and performance.

Whichever you choose, both have their place, and understanding the full picture equips you to make the best decision for your photographic goals. Happy shooting!

Olympus E P2 front Olympus E P2 screen back Panasonic FH8 front Panasonic FH8 screen back