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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL9
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Introduced May 2012
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The E-PL8 was launched 4 years later than the K-01 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-PL8 matches up versus the K-01 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax K-01

 E-PL8 K-01 
IntroducedSeptember 2016May 2012More recent by 53 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus E-PL8

 K-01 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-01

 E-PL8 K-01 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL8 offers 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 Pentax K-01 has dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-01 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the E-PL8 against the K-01.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and K-01 is 86 and 76 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and K-01.

As you can see, both of those cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL8 uses the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF trickier. The fresher E-PL8 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography information
72
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography information
Pentax K-01 Street photography information
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has focus by touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
heavier than competition (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-01 Sports photography factors
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
has no phase detect AF
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
71
has focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
65
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than competition (561g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography highlights
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition (561 grams)
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Pentax K-01
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2016-09-19 2012-05-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 81 81
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 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) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 357g (0.79 lbs) 561g (1.24 lbs)
Dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 350 photos 540 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $500 $899