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Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Samsung NX3000 front
Portability
89
Imaging
63
Features
62
Overall
62

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL8
(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
  • Launched September 2016
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL7
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL9
Samsung NX3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 230g - 117 x 66 x 39mm
  • Announced May 2014
  • Replaced the Samsung NX2000
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL8 versus Samsung NX3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the NX3000 (20MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and NX3000 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-PL8 was brought out 2 years after the NX3000 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-PL8 grades versus the NX3000 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Samsung NX3000

 E-PL8 NX3000 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016May 2014More modern by 29 months
Screen resolution1037k461kCrisper screen (+576k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Samsung NX3000 over the Olympus E-PL8

 NX3000 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Samsung NX3000

 E-PL8 NX3000 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-PL8 enjoys outside 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) and the Samsung NX3000 has proportions of 117mm x 66mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL8 versus Samsung NX3000 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the E-PL8 vs the NX3000.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and NX3000 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The image below may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL8 and NX3000.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-PL8 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Samsung NX3000 will deliver more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent E-PL8 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung NX3000 as a Portrait photography camera
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
77
focusing manually
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Street photography camera
Samsung NX3000 as a Street photography camera
84
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
81
tilting screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (230 grams)
great ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-PL8
Sports photography with Samsung NX3000
67
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
56
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung NX3000 as a Travel photography camera
71
provides focus via touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (230g)
MP count decent (20MP)
missing Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung NX3000 Landscape photography highlights
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging advice
Samsung NX3000 Vlogging advice
35
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone socket
34
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (230 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone support
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Samsung NX3000
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Samsung NX3000
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Samsung NX3000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2016-09-19 2014-05-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 81 35
Cross type focus points - 1
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Total lenses 107 32
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (30p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 gr (0.79 lbs) 230 gr (0.51 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 117 x 66 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 shots 370 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - B740
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2-30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $897