Olympus E-PL8 vs Samsung NX5

The following is a thorough assessment of the Olympus E-PL8 and Samsung NX5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the NX5 (15MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and NX5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL8 was introduced 6 years after the NX5 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-PL8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the E-PL8 grades versus the NX5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus PEN E-PL8 & Samsung NX5. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL8 Gallery & Samsung NX5 Gallery.

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. 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 Samsung NX5 has measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

See the Olympus E-PL8 and Samsung NX5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the E-PL8 and the NX5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL8 and NX5 is 86 and 80 respectively.

Quite often, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL8 and NX5.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL8 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Olympus E-PL8 will offer more detail using its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more recent E-PL8 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.