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Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3

Portability
86
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-F3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
57
Features
60
Overall
58

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 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
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL7
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL9
Sony NEX-F3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 314g - 117 x 67 x 42mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-C3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-3N
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-PL8 versus Sony NEX-F3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-PL8 (16MP) and the NEX-F3 (16MP) is pretty similar but the E-PL8 (Four Thirds) and NEX-F3 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The E-PL8 was revealed 4 years later than the NEX-F3 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-PL8 grades vs the NEX-F3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Sony NEX-F3

 E-PL8 NEX-F3 
RevealedSeptember 2016August 2012More recent by 50 months
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-F3 over the Olympus E-PL8

 NEX-F3 E-PL8 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL8 and Sony NEX-F3

 E-PL8 NEX-F3 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL8 features outer measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") with a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs) while the Sony NEX-F3 has dimensions of 117mm x 67mm x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 314 grams (0.69 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL8 versus Sony NEX-F3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PL8 compared to the NEX-F3.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PL8 and NEX-F3 is 86 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-PL8 and NEX-F3.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The E-PL8 includes the tinier sensor which will make getting bokeh harder. The more modern E-PL8 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-F3 Portrait photography details
72
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PL8
Street photography with Sony NEX-F3
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
76
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography information
Sony NEX-F3 Sports photography information
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
has no phase detect auto focus
53
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery pack (470 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-F3 Travel photography details
71
boasts focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
good battery pack (470 shots)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Landscape photography advice
Sony NEX-F3 Landscape photography advice
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (470 shots)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-F3 Vlogging factors
35
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
27
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone socket
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Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony NEX-F3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL8 and Sony NEX-F3
 Olympus PEN E-PL8Sony Alpha NEX-F3
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL8 Sony Alpha NEX-F3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2016-09-19 2012-08-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 16000
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
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 Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 357 grams (0.79 lbs) 314 grams (0.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") 117 x 67 x 42mm (4.6" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 1114
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 470 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $500 $470