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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
Portability
86
Imaging
55
Features
76
Overall
63

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 Key Specs

Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-P2
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P5
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
  • Released September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL9
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PL8, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both sold by Olympus. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-P3 (12MP) and E-PL8 (16MP) but they use the exact same sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-P3 was unveiled 6 years prior to the E-PL8 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the E-P3 matches up versus the E-PL8 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Olympus E-PL8

 E-P3 E-PL8 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus E-P3

 E-PL8 E-P3 
ReleasedSeptember 2016August 2011Fresher by 62 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k614kClearer screen (+423k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL8

 E-P3 E-PL8 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-P3 has got outside measurements of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL8 has measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P3 versus Olympus E-PL8 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the E-P3 compared to the E-PL8.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-P3 and E-PL8 is 86 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing technical specs. The photograph below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P3 and E-PL8.

As you can tell, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Olympus E-PL8 to provide greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older E-P3 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL8
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL8 Street photography advice
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
supports touch to focus
no moving screen
84
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography information
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Travel photography info
Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography info
60
supports touch to focus
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
72
supports focus by touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P3 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL8 as a Landscape photography camera
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
no Timelapse function
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P3 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging factors
35
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone jack
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-P3 vs Olympus E-PL8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P3 and Olympus E-PL8
 Olympus PEN E-P3Olympus PEN E-PL8
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-PL8
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-08-17 2016-09-19
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VI TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS 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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 81
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 614k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (@ ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels) no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 369 gr (0.81 lbs) 357 gr (0.79 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 51 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 536 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 photos 350 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-5 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $0 $500