• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
  • Olympus PEN E-PL8
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Olympus E-PL7
E-PL7 vs E-PL8
Successor: Panasonic GH2
GH1 vs GH2
Olympus E-PL9
E-PL8 vs E-PL9
General
Model Number: GH1 E-PL8
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1499.95 $649.99
Street Price: $1,315.22 $599.00
Date Available: 2009-06-15 2016-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.8 oz (930 g)
includes batteries
17.2 oz (487 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.9 x 3.5 x 1.8 in.
(124 x 90 x 45 mm)
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5 in.
(117 x 68 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 4/3
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.98 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 64  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.6  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.6  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 772  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4128 x 2752 (11.4 MP, 3:2),
4352 x 2448 (10.7 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2928 x 1952 (5.7 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 1728 (5.3 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2064 x 1376 (2.8 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1504 x 1504 (2.3 MP, 1:1)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF v2.21), RAW JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Continuous-mode frames/second: 2.5 8.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (24/​25)
1280x720 (60/​50/​30)
848x480 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (30p (24 or 16Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (12 or 8Mbps))
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264), MJPEG MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Panasonic 14-140mm f/4-5.8 ASPH Lumix G VARIO HD MEGA O.I.S Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 280mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 140mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 10.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/4.0 - 22 (wide) / f.5.8 - 22 (tele) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 62.0mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x or 4x 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast detection with Face detect, AF tracking, 23-area, 1 area High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 81-area multiple AF; All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target (normal/small); Eye detection with left/right/nearest priority
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.44M dots, 100%, 1.4x mag., 17.5mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter Optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.40x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 1,036,800 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   25600
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Intelligent ISO AUTO ISO: 100 (Low) - 25600 (Customizable, Default 100-1600); Manual ISO: 100 (Low), 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1, White Set 2, Color Temperature Setting Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (4), Kelvin
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Close-up, Night Portrait, Sunset, Party, Baby 1,2, Pet Scene (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D*, Underwater wide/macro, Custom Mysets 1-4 *3D lens(H-FT012 by Panasonic) only, still only); Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Water Color, Vintage, Partial Color); Gradation (Auto, Normal, High Key, Low Key); Multiple Exposure (2 frames); HDR1/2 (4 frames)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 12, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.0 m / 36.1 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Movie File Format: AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264), MJPEG MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional DMW-RSL1 cable remote Wi-Fi or Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): 2.5mm stereo mic jack, remote socket, DC input, mini HDMI Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB/Remote connector, Accessory Port 2, Built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.66  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.66  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 5  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 2.5 8.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 12  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.34 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.32 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.118 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.66 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.084 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.8 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 2.3 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 320 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   90 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary 7.2v 1250mAh Proprietary BLS-50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BLS-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PhotofunStudio 3.1 HD, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0 SE, USB Driver OLYMPUS Viewer 3 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Basically a G1 with HD movie recording added. Available in black, white or brown.