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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 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
  • Launched September 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Panasonic FZ40, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is very similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and FZ40 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL8 was unveiled 6 years later than the FZ40 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL8 matches up vs the FZ40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Panasonic FZ40

 E-PL8 FZ40 
ReleasedSeptember 2016July 2010Fresher by 76 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Olympus E-PL8

 FZ40 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic FZ40

 E-PL8 FZ40 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys exterior dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has proportions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Panasonic FZ40 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the E-PL8 versus the FZ40.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and FZ40 is 86 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading technical specs. The visual below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL8 and FZ40.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-PL8 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PL8 will offer greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics much more aggressively. The younger E-PL8 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
supports RAW files
46
manual focus
good MP (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography advice
84
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
51
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography highlights
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
does not have phase detect auto focus
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography details
71
offers touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
54
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (494g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography highlights
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
51
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging factors
35
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
no microphone jack
23
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (494g)
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic FZ40
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Make Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2016-09-19 2010-07-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 9.50 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357 grams (0.79 lbs) 494 grams (1.09 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $500 $420