Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax Q
86 Imaging
54 Features
76 Overall
62
93 Imaging
35 Features
47 Overall
39
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax Q 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
- Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL7
- Newer Model is Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax Q Mount
- 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
- Revealed June 2011
- New Model is Pentax Q10
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Its time to look a little more in depth at the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the E-PL8 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe E-PL8 was brought out 5 years after the Q which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PL8 matches up vs the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL8 & Pentax Q. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery & Pentax Q Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Pentax Q
| E-PL8 | Q | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2016 | June 2011 | More modern by 64 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display resolution | 1037k | 460k | Crisper display (+577k dot) | |
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-PL8
| Q | E-PL8 |
|---|
Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Pentax Q
| E-PL8 | Q | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very exact focusing | |||
| Display size | 3" | 3" | Same display dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Lack of selfie screen |
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-PL8 provides outside measurements 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 Q has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).
Check the Olympus E-PL8 versus Pentax Q in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL8 and the Q.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL8 and Q is 86 and 93 respectively.
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching a spec sheet. The picture below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and Q.
As you can see, both of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Olympus E-PL8 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The younger E-PL8 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Pentax Q Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Pentax Q | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
| Model type | Olympus PEN E-PL8 | Pentax Q |
| Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
| Released | 2016-09-19 | 2011-06-23 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | TruePic VII | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
| Minimum native ISO | 200 | 125 |
| RAW format | ||
| Minimum enhanced ISO | 100 | - |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detect AF | ||
| Contract detect AF | ||
| Phase detect AF | ||
| Total focus points | 81 | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax Q |
| Total lenses | 107 | 8 |
| Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 1,037 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter speed | 8.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Custom WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | 5.60 m |
| Flash options | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash sync | - | 1/2000 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| 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 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
| Video data format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 357 gr (0.79 lb) | 180 gr (0.40 lb) |
| Physical dimensions | 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | not tested | 47 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.1 |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | 189 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 pictures | 230 pictures |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | - | D-LI68 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at release | $500 | $695 |