• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-PL2 advantages over Panasonic ZS8

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.42 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.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic ZS8 advantages over Olympus E-PL2

  • Less expensive
    $280 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 280 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.24 vs 0.43 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL1

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

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL1

Panasonic ZS8
Olympus E-PL1
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Olympus E-PL1

Compared to Panasonic ZS10

Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS10
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS10

Panasonic ZS8
Panasonic ZS10
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $214
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Panasonic ZS10

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-P3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-P3

Panasonic ZS8
Olympus E-P3
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PL2
Olympus E-PL3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Less shutter lag

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic ZS8
Olympus E-PL3
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Olympus E-PL2
Panasonic ZS15
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Olympus E-PL2 vs Panasonic ZS15

Panasonic ZS8
Panasonic ZS15
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
  • $273
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen

Compare Panasonic ZS8 vs Panasonic ZS15

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