Clicky

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
86
Imaging
55
Features
76
Overall
63
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 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
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL9
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Introduced July 2013
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax MX-1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") boast different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The E-PL8 was introduced 3 years after the MX-1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL8 grades against the MX-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax MX-1

 E-PL8 MX-1 
IntroducedSeptember 2016July 2013More modern by 40 months
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus E-PL8

 MX-1 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax MX-1

 E-PL8 MX-1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL8 features physical dimensions of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax MX-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-PL8 compared to the MX-1.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and MX-1 is 86 and 84 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing a spec sheet. The image here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PL8 and MX-1.

Clearly, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 using its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Olympus E-PL8 will offer you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-PL8 should have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography details
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography details
73
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
42
has manual focus
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.7")
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Street photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Street photography highlights
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
65
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (391g)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL8
Sports photography with Pentax MX-1
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
has no phase detect AF
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (290 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography highlights
72
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
good battery pack (290 per charge)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography features
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography features
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
55
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (290 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/1.7")
missing Time Lapse function
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Vlogging camera
36
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
33
decently wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Pentax MX-1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PL8 Pentax MX-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2016-09-19 2013-07-01
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 81 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 357 gr (0.79 pounds) 391 gr (0.86 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life 350 images 290 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $500 $400