Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax K200D

On this page, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K200D, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and K200D (10MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and K200D (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL8 was launched 8 years later than the K200D and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K200D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the E-PL8 grades against the K200D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL8 and Pentax K200D. The complete galleries are provided at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery and Pentax K200D Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys external measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax K200D has proportions of 134mm x 95mm x 74mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 2.9") with a weight of 690 grams (1.52 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax K200D in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL8 vs the K200D.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and K200D is 86 and 61 respectively.

Often, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing specs. The graphic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL8 and K200D.

All in all, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The E-PL8 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Olympus E-PL8 will show more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The younger E-PL8 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.