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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 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
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL9
Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 Overview

Below is a complete comparison of the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic XS1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the XS1 (16MP) is very similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and XS1 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.

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The E-PL8 was announced 3 years later than the XS1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-PL8 grades versus the XS1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Panasonic XS1

 E-PL8 XS1 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016January 2013More recent by 46 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Olympus E-PL8

 XS1 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic XS1

 E-PL8 XS1 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL8 has outside dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) and the Panasonic XS1 has dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic XS1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the E-PL8 against the XS1.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and XS1 is 86 and 97 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The photograph here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL8 and XS1.

Clearly, both of those cameras feature the identical resolution but different sensor measurements. The E-PL8 has got the larger sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field easier. The fresher E-PL8 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Portrait photography camera
72
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic XS1 as a Sports photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
no phase detect autofocus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography factors
Panasonic XS1 Travel photography factors
71
includes focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography info
Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography info
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
39
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging factors
Panasonic XS1 Vlogging factors
35
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
31
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic XS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Panasonic XS1
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2016-09-19 2013-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 81 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.40 m
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 357g (0.79 lbs) 103g (0.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6")
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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $500 $130