• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Sony A7 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 59 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    487g vs 930g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL8
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  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (White)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)
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  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (White)
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.

  • (Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).

  • Read our Sony A7 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7

Olympus E-PL8
Sony A7
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony A7

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-PL8
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Sony A7 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A7 II 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

Sony A7 II
Olympus E-PL9
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7 II 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

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7 II vs Sony A7 III

Olympus E-PL8
Sony A7 III
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Sony A7 III

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