• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.83 inch 36.9mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Nokia N8

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.83 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 1/5 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nokia N8 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    12 mm vs 41 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    691k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster shutter
    1/5000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nokia N8

Review Excerpt

  • We haven’t finished our review of the Nokia N8, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Nokia N8 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Pentax A40

Olympus E-PL1
Pentax A40
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax A40

Nokia N8
Pentax A40
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $300
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Pentax A40

Compared to Pentax S12

Olympus E-PL1
Pentax S12
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax S12

Nokia N8
Pentax S12
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $280
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nokia N8 vs Pentax S12

Compared to Olympus E-P2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P2

Nokia N8
Olympus E-P2
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1100
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nokia N8 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Nokia N8
Olympus E-PL2
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nokia N8 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

Nokia N8
Olympus E-P3
  • $549
  • 1/1.83 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nokia N8 vs Olympus E-P3

Compare Other Cameras?