Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-r
86 Imaging
53 Features
76 Overall
62
67 Imaging
52 Features
52 Overall
52
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs
(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
- Announced September 2016
- Superseded the Olympus E-PL7
- Newer Model is Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
- Announced March 2011
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Here, we are reviewing the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-r, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and K-r (12MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe E-PL8 was unveiled 5 years after the K-r which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-PL8 matches up versus the K-r with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL8 & Pentax K-r. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery & Pentax K-r Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax K-r
| E-PL8 | K-r | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | September 2016 | March 2011 | More modern by 68 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 921k | Crisper display (+116k dot) | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Olympus E-PL8
| K-r | E-PL8 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-r
| E-PL8 | K-r | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More accurate focus | |||
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display sizing | |
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-PL8 has got exterior measurements 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-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).
Check out the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K-r in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the E-PL8 and the K-r.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and K-r is 86 and 67 respectively.
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and K-r.
As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Olympus E-PL8 will result in greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more modern E-PL8 will have an edge in sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K-r Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Pentax K-r | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model | Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Pentax K-r |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Announced | 2016-09-19 | 2011-03-11 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | TruePic VII | Prime II |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 372.9mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Peak resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 2848 |
| Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
| Highest enhanced ISO | - | 25600 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Min enhanced ISO | 100 | 100 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 81 | 11 |
| Cross focus points | - | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
| Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Screen resolution | 1,037 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Screen tech | - | TFT LCD monitor |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 96% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 8.0fps | 6.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | - | 1/180s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | None |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Optional |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 357 grams (0.79 pounds) | 598 grams (1.32 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 72 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.4 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 755 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 images | 470 images |
| Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | D-LI109,4 x AA |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $500 | $1,100 |