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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
86
Imaging
55
Features
76
Overall
63
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

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
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL7
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL9
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus E-PM2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras and they are both manufactured by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the E-PM2 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-PL8 was brought out 3 years later than the E-PM2 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the E-PL8 grades versus the E-PM2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-PL8 E-PM2 
IntroducedSeptember 2016May 2013More recent by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-PL8

 E-PM2 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-PL8 E-PM2 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL8 comes with exterior dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM2 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus E-PM2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL8 compared to the E-PM2.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and E-PM2 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by going through specifications. The visual below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and E-PM2.

To sum up, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP and you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you would want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The more modern E-PL8 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL8
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PM2
73
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
71
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography information
Olympus E-PM2 Street photography information
84
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography features
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography features
72
provides focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
66
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography information
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
74
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL8
Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
36
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
36
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2016-09-19 2013-05-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 107 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357 grams (0.79 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 932
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 360 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $500 $448