• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX3000 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Less expensive
    $529 vs $650 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More pixels
    20.3 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Samsung NX3000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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
  • 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 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX3000

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL8

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-M1

Samsung NX3000
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL8
Fujifilm X-M1
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $993
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A6000

Samsung NX3000
Sony A6000
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL8
Sony A6000
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon EOS M3

Samsung NX3000
Canon EOS M3
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PL8
Canon EOS M3
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Samsung NX3000
Panasonic GX85
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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 NX3000
Olympus E-PL9
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
Compare Other Cameras?