Olympus PEN E-PL8 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100: A Detailed Expert Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Selecting a camera that matches your creative ambitions as well as technical requirements can be challenging, especially when two very different designs - the Olympus PEN E-PL8 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 - offer unique advantages. Drawing from over 15 years of experience testing cameras across genres, this in-depth analysis decodes the practical usability, technical specifications, and nuanced performance of these two units. Our intent is to provide photography enthusiasts and professionals an authoritative basis to choose between an entry-level mirrorless system (Olympus) and a lens-style, smartphone-dependent compact (Sony).

Understanding the Core Design Philosophies

Olympus E-PL8 is designed as an entry-level mirrorless camera with a classic rangefinder body style, targeting users who demand more creative control, lens interchangeability, and a tactile shooting experience. It features a Micro Four Thirds mount compatible with an extensive lens ecosystem.

Sony QX100, by contrast, is a lens-style compact camera engineered to offer advanced imaging capabilities paired with a smartphone interface via Wi-Fi or NFC. It is essentially a standalone lens/sensor unit without a dedicated viewfinder or LCD screen, relying on a connected device for framing and controls - a unique approach for casual or travel photography leveraging smartphone convenience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Resolving the Tradeoffs

The imaging sensor is the heart of any camera, and here Olympus and Sony diverge fundamentally.

Insights from Testing Methodology:

• The Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor benefits from a larger surface area (nearly double Sony’s 1” sensor) allowing more efficient photon gathering, resulting in typically reduced noise levels and better dynamic range, especially under low-light conditions.
• The Sony 1” sensor, while physically smaller, incorporates backside illumination (BSI) technology, which improves its quantum efficiency and thus enhances performance relative to its size class.
• Despite a higher megapixel count on the Sony (20MP vs 16MP), in practical field tests the Olympus produces cleaner images with better highlight and shadow retention at higher ISO settings above 1600.
• The Olympus E-PL8’s native ISO starting at 200 and extendability up to 25600 offers versatility across lighting conditions, whereas the Sony QX100’s ISO maxes at 6400, limiting its practical use for night or astro photography.

Autofocus Systems and Their Practical Impact

Autofocus (AF) performance drastically influences usability across various photography disciplines.

The Olympus PEN E-PL8 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 81 focus points spread across the frame, augmented with face and eye-detection algorithms effective for portraits, where precise eye focus is paramount. Continuous AF tracking proves reliable in static and moderately dynamic situations, though it is outpaced by hybrid phase-detection systems found in higher-end cameras.

The Sony QX100’s autofocus is more rudimentary, restricted to contrast detection, with focus point quantity unspecified but limited by design. It includes face detection but lacks more advanced continuous or tracking AF features. AF control is mediated via the connected smartphone interface, which introduces latency and some operational friction.

Testing results confirm:

• The E-PL8 offers markedly superior AF accuracy and speed for wildlife and sports photography, where minimizing focus hunting and lag is critical.
• The QX100 is more suited for casual portraiture or street settings with relatively static subjects.

Physical Design, Build, and Ergonomics

Physical handling and button layout affect the speed and comfort of shooting, especially in fast-paced or professional environments.

The Olympus E-PL8 sports traditional ergonomics with an intuitive layout of physical buttons and mode dials. Its compact yet substantial size affords a confident grip, avoiding common shortcomings of ultra-compact bodies that may cause handling instability during long shoots. The tilting touchscreen LCD enhances compositional flexibility, particularly for selfies or low-angle shots.

Conversely, the Sony QX100 is extremely small and lightweight at 179g but is primarily a lens unit rather than a standalone camera. Without an integrated screen or viewfinder, it requires a tethered smartphone app which controls all exposure and compositional parameters via touchscreen. This approach can impede quick adjustments or shot framing, especially in bright outdoor illumination where smartphone screens suffer from glare.

LCD and Viewfinder Experience

The interface through which a photographer interacts with the camera during capture is intangible but profoundly influences creative output.

The E-PL8’s bright, high-resolution tilting touchscreen facilitates precise autofocus point selection, menu navigation, and quick settings changes - a particularly valuable feature for video and macro work. The optional external EVF, though not bundled, is an advantageous addition for bright conditions or traditionalists preferring eye-level composition.

On the other hand, the QX100 relies exclusively on the connected smartphone’s screen for live view and control. This indirect interface can introduce lag, inconsistent tactile feedback, and less accurate autofocus area selection. Furthermore, smartphone-dependent touchscreen responsiveness often varies significantly across models and operating systems, adding a layer of user experience uncertainty.

Lens Systems and Optical Flexibility

One of the defining differences between these cameras lies in their lens capabilities.

The Olympus E-PL8’s native Micro Four Thirds mount unlocks access to an extensive lens library, from ultra-wide primes to sensitive macro and super-tele photo optics, providing versatility across genres. This modularity allows photographers to adapt their setup for portrait, landscape, wildlife, and macro specialties optimally.

By contrast, the Sony QX100 features a fixed 28-100mm equivalent f/1.8-4.9 zoom lens with optical image stabilization. While fairly fast at the wide end, the aperture narrows substantially on telephoto reach, limiting depth of field control especially for portraits and low light. The fixed optics constrain creative perspectives and preclude lens swaps for specialty scenarios but simplify portability since the QX100 functions as a compact all-in-one.

Performance in Specific Photography Disciplines

Portrait Photography

• Olympus E-PL8: Delivers clean skin tones and reliable eye-detection AF, affording precise focus on critical facial features. The combination of 16MP sensor and MFT lenses offers sufficient bokeh to isolate subjects effectively.
• Sony QX100: The large 1” sensor and fast f/1.8 lens edge produce appealing subject separation but limited focal length flexibility. Reliance on smartphone framing affects candid captures and quick composition tweaks.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus E-PL8: Advantageous due to high dynamic range, sensor size, and interchangeable lenses with dedicated wide-angle options. Lack of environmental sealing requires caution in challenging environments.
• Sony QX100: Limited zoom range and smaller sensor constrain resolution and tonal latitude. Compact size appeals to travelers prioritizing weight over image perfection.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Olympus E-PL8: Superior continuous autofocus tracking and 8 fps burst rate facilitate reasonably effective action captures at moderate speed. Lens ecosystem supports telephoto reach.
• Sony QX100: Limited autofocus features and slower shutter speed max (1/2000s) reduce efficacy for fast subjects. Compactness favors casual rather than professional work.

Street Photography

• Olympus E-PL8: Slightly larger form and moderately loud shutter may impact discretion but tilting screen aids in creative angles and candid shots.
• Sony QX100: Extremely portable and inconspicuous. Smartphone interface adds delay but blends with natural phone use, reducing suspicion.

Macro Photography

• Olympus E-PL8: Supports focus stacking (with external software) and superior focusing precision. Compatibility with dedicated macro lenses ensures optical excellence.
• Sony QX100: Close focusing (5cm) suffices for casual macro but limited magnification and manual focus clumsiness limit precision.

Night and Astrophotography

• Olympus E-PL8: Strong high-ISO performance and 5-axis sensor stabilization enhance handheld low-light shooting. Timelapse modes integrate well for nighttime sequences.
• Sony QX100: ISO capped at 6400; lower sensor area challenges noise control. Absence of timelapse reduces astrophotography flexibility.

Video Capabilities

The Olympus E-PL8 offers smooth, stabilized Full HD video with manual exposure control modes, suitable for amateur videographers. The absence of dedicated audio input/output ports limits professional workflows but aligns with the entry-level market positioning.

The Sony QX100 supports Full HD video at 30 fps but lacks stabilization modes beyond optical in the lens and offers no user controls beyond smartphone app basic settings.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery life for the Olympus PEN E-PL8 is respectable at an estimated 350 shots per charge, with the advantage of standard SD card storage facilitating easy workflows.

The QX100’s 200-shot battery endurance is moderate, considering its smartphone dependency reduces power demands variably. Storage compatibility with microSD cards is convenient for compactness but may impact writing speed depending on card grade.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

• Olympus E-PL8: Integrated Wi-Fi supports remote shooting, image transfer, and app control. No Bluetooth or NFC limits pairing convenience.
• Sony QX100: Built-in Wi-Fi plus NFC streamlines smartphone coupling. However, absence of Bluetooth may hinder some devices.

Both cameras lack GPS and professional tethering options, underscoring their market focus.

Price-Performance and Value Proposition

Field Sample Images and Performance Scores

The attached sample gallery illustrates real-world image quality nuances between the two cameras under comparable conditions.

Olympus E PL8 front Olympus E PL8 screen back Sony QX100 front Sony QX100 screen back

A comprehensive scoring chart based on our multi-dimensional testing methodology further quantifies each camera’s performance.

Genre-specific scores reveal the differing fortes of each model.

Final Recommendations by User Type

Conclusion

The Olympus PEN E-PL8 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 exemplify two distinct approaches to contemporary photography tools. The E-PL8’s flexibility, modularity, and well-rounded performance mark it as the stronger contender for users seeking serious creative control and more reliable autofocus, particularly in professional and enthusiast contexts. Its robust sensor and lens ecosystem deliver superior results across genres, notably in portraits, landscapes, and action photography.

In contrast, the Sony QX100 appeals primarily to casual or travel photographers prioritizing ultra-compact form and smartphone connectivity. While its 1” sensor affords impressive image quality in its size category, its operational constraints, lack of RAW support, and limited manual controls restrict deeper photographic exploration. Consequently, it excels as a convenient secondary device rather than a primary system.

Photography enthusiasts evaluating either model must weigh ergonomic preferences, optical needs, and workflow priorities carefully. Both cameras fulfill specific niches efficiently; however, when performance, creative latitude, and future-proofing are paramount, the Olympus PEN E-PL8 emerges as the more comprehensive and enduring photographic partner.