• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Panasonic GF2 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    367g vs 487g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Panasonic GF2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 2.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF3
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GF3
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF3X
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GF3X
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GF5
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GF5
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GF2
Panasonic GX85
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX85
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GF2
Olympus E-PL9
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF2 vs Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PL9

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