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

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Differences

Panasonic GH1 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    280 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Panasonic GH1

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $1500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 16 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
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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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  • Body Only (White)
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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic G2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic G2

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic G2
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic G2

Compared to Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GH2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Panasonic GH2

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GH2
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GH2

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GH1 vs Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-M5
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GX85
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH1 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 GH1
Olympus E-PL9
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH1 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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