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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
42
Overall
40

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 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
  • Released September 2016
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL9
Olympus TG-860
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 224g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Renewed by Olympus TG-870
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Olympus E-PL8 versus Olympus TG-860, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Waterproof and both of them are manufactured by Olympus. The resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the TG-860 (16MP) is fairly close but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and TG-860 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL8 was brought out 20 months later than the TG-860 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus TG-860 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-PL8 matches up vs the TG-860 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Olympus TG-860

 E-PL8 TG-860 
ReleasedSeptember 2016February 2015More recent by 20 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-860 over the Olympus E-PL8

 TG-860 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus TG-860

 E-PL8 TG-860 
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys physical dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Olympus TG-860 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 224 grams (0.49 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-PL8 versus Olympus TG-860 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL8 vs the TG-860.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and TG-860 is 86 and 91 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching specs. The photograph here will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and TG-860.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact MP but not the same sensor measurements. The E-PL8 contains the larger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh simpler. The fresher E-PL8 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography advice
Olympus TG-860 Portrait photography advice
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography features
Olympus TG-860 Street photography features
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
69
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus TG-860 as a Sports photography camera
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
48
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proof
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL8
Travel photography with Olympus TG-860
71
has touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (21mm)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography features
Olympus TG-860 Landscape photography features
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
47
decently wide (21mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PL8
Vlogging with Olympus TG-860
35
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
33
decently wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus TG-860 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Olympus TG-860
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-860
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Waterproof
Released 2016-09-19 2015-02-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS 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 alias 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 data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 81 -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 21-105mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.7
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 8.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 1600)
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Yes
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 grams (0.79 pounds) 224 grams (0.49 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photos 300 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - Li-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $500 $279