Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-3
86 Imaging
54 Features
76 Overall
62
59 Imaging
64 Features
85 Overall
72
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs
(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
- Previous Model is Olympus E-PL7
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Revealed April 2014
- Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
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Here is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe E-PL8 was manufactured 2 years later than the K-3 and that is quite a big 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 Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the E-PL8 grades against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN E-PL8 & Pentax K-3. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery & Pentax K-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax K-3
| E-PL8 | K-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2016 | April 2014 | Fresher by 30 months | |
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-PL8
| K-3 | E-PL8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-3
| E-PL8 | K-3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | More accurate focusing | |||
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 1037k | Identical screen resolution | |
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison
When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL8 has physical 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 Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Take a look at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL8 compared to the K-3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and K-3 is 86 and 59 respectively.
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The visual underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and K-3.
Plainly, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-PL8 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-3 will resolve more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The newer E-PL8 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Pentax K-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Pentax K-3 |
| Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
| Released | 2016-09-19 | 2014-04-10 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | TruePic VII | Prime III |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6016 x 4000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
| RAW format | ||
| Lowest boosted ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Number of focus points | 81 | 27 |
| Cross focus points | - | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
| Number of lenses | 107 | 151 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3.2 inches |
| Resolution of display | 1,037 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shooting rate | 8.0fps | 8.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash settings | no built-in flash | Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video file format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 357 grams (0.79 lb) | 800 grams (1.76 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 80 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.4 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 1216 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 pictures | 560 pictures |
| Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | D-LI90 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Card slots | Single | Two |
| Retail cost | $500 | $639 |