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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
76
Features
92
Overall
82

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 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
  • Released September 2016
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic S5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.0" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 714g - 133 x 97 x 82mm
  • Released August 2020
  • Refreshed by Panasonic S5 II
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic S5, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a huge gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and S5 (24MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and S5 (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The E-PL8 was launched 4 years before the S5 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-PL8 grades versus the S5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Panasonic S5

 E-PL8 S5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 over the Olympus E-PL8

 S5 E-PL8 
ReleasedAugust 2020September 2016More recent by 47 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k1037kSharper display (+803k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic S5

 E-PL8 S5 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3.0"Equal display measurement
Touch display Easily navigate

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL8 has outer dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) and the Panasonic S5 has sizing of 133mm x 97mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 714 grams (1.57 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic S5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL8 against the S5.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and S5 is 86 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The visual here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and S5.

As you can tell, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-PL8 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic S5 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older E-PL8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic S5 Portrait photography factors
72
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
85
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S5 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
78
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment proof
good high ISO (51,200)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL8
Sports photography with Panasonic S5
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
no phase detect AF
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography features
Panasonic S5 Travel photography features
71
has touch to focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
79
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL8
Landscape photography with Panasonic S5
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
86
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is decent (3.0 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging info
Panasonic S5 Vlogging info
35
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
79
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone jack
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic S5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic S5
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2016-09-19 2020-08-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 81 225
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Leica L
Available lenses 107 31
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3.0"
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dot 1,840 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 secs
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 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 gr (0.79 lb) 714 gr (1.57 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 133 x 97 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures 440 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Storage slots 1 Two
Price at launch $500 $1,999