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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 Key Specs

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
  • Launched September 2016
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL9
Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SH-2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 Overview

Below is a complete review of the Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both created by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the SH-3 (16MP) is very close but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and SH-3 (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The E-PL8 was unveiled 8 months later than the SH-3 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the E-PL8 grades against the SH-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus SH-3

 E-PL8 SH-3 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016February 2016More recent by 8 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Olympus E-PL8

 SH-3 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus SH-3

 E-PL8 SH-3 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL8 features outside measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Olympus SH-3 has measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 in the latest Camera and 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 using at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the E-PL8 versus the SH-3.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and SH-3 is 86 and 88 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and SH-3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor measurements. The E-PL8 features the larger sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult. The fresher E-PL8 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL8
Portrait photography with Olympus SH-3
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
44
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL8
Street photography with Olympus SH-3
84
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
provides touch focus
good high ISO (25,600)
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competition (271g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography info
Olympus SH-3 Sports photography info
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
no phase detect auto focus
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
provides tracking focus
good battery life (380 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography features
Olympus SH-3 Travel photography features
71
provides touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
74
good battery life (380 shots)
lighter than competition (271g)
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography features
Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography features
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
55
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 shots)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SH-3 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus SH-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus SH-3
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Olympus Stylus SH-3
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Olympus Stylus SH-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-09-19 2016-02-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 81 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames/s 11.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357 gr (0.79 lb) 271 gr (0.60 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 350 pictures 380 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $500 $579