• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.5 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Samsung NX Mini advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Less expensive
    $549 vs $650 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    269g vs 487g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.5 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Samsung NX Mini

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 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
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 73 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Olympus E-PL8

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J3
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect
Olympus E-PL8
Nikon J3
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon J4

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J4
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Higher-res screen
Olympus E-PL8
Nikon J4
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini
Nikon J5
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • On-sensor phase detect
Olympus E-PL8
Nikon J5
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung NX Mini
Panasonic GX85
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Samsung NX Mini
Olympus E-PL9
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
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