Table of Contents
amazon Olympus Pen E-PL8 reviews
Advanced design
Historically, the Pen has always had its own beauty, since the first E-Px was released in 2009 and most recently the E-PL7, E-PL8. They are not just cameras but also a fashion accessory, based on an eye-catching and elegant design. Compared with other models in the same price range, rare machines have high-end designs such as the E-PL8.
On looks, the E-PL8 looks very compact with dimensions of 117 x 68 x 38mm. The body (battery and memory card) weighs only 374g, with a “kit” lens not more than 0.5kg. Users can wear the machine on the neck or shoulder for a long time without getting tired, easily put in the backpack, bag …
Despite its lightweight, the E-PL8 is still very sturdy. The body is well finished with high quality materials. While the aluminum casing provides a firm grip, the leather on the front gives a luxurious look. There are 3 skin colors to choose from: black, white, brown; They are very beautiful and suitable for women.
The back of the machine is a 3-inch screen supports tilting, with a maximum opening angle of 180 degrees down and 80 degrees up. This makes it easy to take selfie, or shoot at different low angles. On the right side of the screen are the navigation keys, movie recording … these keys are relatively small and will be difficult to press for people with big fingers.
At the top of the machine are two rounds, used to select the shooting program and adjust the priority parameters. Inside the priority adjustment dial is the shutter button, next to the on / off button. Hot-shoe ports allow users to add flash and accessories such as the viewfinder. The connection ports are located at one side. The bottom of the machine is where the battery and memory card are inserted.
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Olympus PEN E-PL8 Mirrorless Camera w/ 14-42mm IIR Lens Black & 32GB Bundle: Buy it now
Easy to use, many features
Configuration of E-PL8 is almost not upgraded. It still uses the 16MP micro-four-thirds resolution sensor format and TruePic VII image processor similar to previous generations. The sensor is supported by a 3-axis vibration-proof system, offering a range of 200-25,600 light-sensitive areas, with a shortest exposure time of 1 / 4000s. The focus system of the machine includes 81 points to identify the contrast.
Experience shows that the photos from the E-PL8 quite good. In the default mode, the picture is vividly clear with soft contrast and bright colors. The machine offers over 20 shooting contexts available for the user to choose from, including: portrait, landscape, night, close up, sunrise / sunset, party … There are also up to 14 filters Art, with familiar names such as Pop Art, Soft Focus, Cross Process …
Working with the E-PL8 is a bit difficult because of the limited rotation of the adjustment. Compensating 3-inch LCD screen allows for selecting focus point very quickly through touch. This screen has a resolution of 1.04 million colors, the ability to display outdoors is relatively good. The focus speed of the machine is quite good, the lag when the machine on / off about 1 second. The anti-shake system in the camera body works well, worthy of Olympus pride.
The E-PL8 also inherits the company’s distinctive Live / Bulb composite features. There is also a customizable layout mode, which allows users to tell their story in pictures. Besides, the “Clip 2s” feature is also very interesting, it helps to merge several short clips into one complete video with fade transition effects and modern background music. Unfortunately, the best video quality of E-PL8 is only full-HD / 30fps.
Built-in Wi-Fi connection for sharing images, remote control and GPS geotagging via smartphone.
The E-PL8’s battery life is about 350 images or 90 minutes of video on a single charge – a good level compared to its compact size. Charging must be done through a dedicated battery charger included with the unit, without charging directly through the USB port.
Sensor and Image Quality
At the heart of the Olympus Pen E-PL8 is a 16.1-megapixel Micro Four Thirds Live MOS sensor. While it may not offer the same resolution as some APS-C or full-frame sensors, the Micro Four Thirds format has its advantages, including a compact camera body and a wide range of compatible lenses. The sensor is paired with the TruePic VII image processor, which together deliver impressive image quality.
The 16.1-megapixel resolution provides detailed and sharp images, suitable for a variety of photographic genres, from portraits to landscapes. The camera’s color reproduction is excellent, with vibrant and accurate colors that are characteristic of Olympus’s renowned color science. The E-PL8 also offers a range of picture modes and art filters, allowing users to experiment with different looks and creative effects.
In good lighting conditions, the E-PL8 performs exceptionally well, producing images with minimal noise and excellent dynamic range. The camera’s ISO range of 200-25600 provides flexibility for shooting in different lighting scenarios. While higher ISO settings do introduce some noise, the images remain usable, especially when noise reduction is applied in post-processing.
The in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system is another notable feature of the E-PL8. It compensates for camera shake, allowing you to capture sharp images at slower shutter speeds and in low-light conditions. This is particularly useful for handheld shooting and enhances the overall image quality.
Autofocus and Performance
The Olympus Pen E-PL8 features a contrast-detection autofocus system with 81 focus points. While it may not be as fast or sophisticated as the hybrid autofocus systems found in some competitors, it performs well in most situations. The autofocus is quick and accurate in good lighting conditions, making it suitable for everyday photography.
In low-light conditions, the autofocus can struggle a bit, particularly with moving subjects. However, for static subjects or scenes with adequate lighting, the autofocus is reliable. The E-PL8 also includes face and eye detection autofocus, which is particularly useful for portrait photography and ensures that your subjects’ eyes are in sharp focus.
The camera’s continuous shooting speed is 8.5 frames per second, which is impressive for a camera in this class. This allows you to capture fast-moving subjects, such as children or pets, with relative ease. The buffer capacity is sufficient for short bursts, making the E-PL8 suitable for action and sports photography.
User Interface and Controls
The Olympus Pen E-PL8 boasts a user-friendly interface that combines physical controls with touchscreen functionality. The top plate features a mode dial, a command dial, and a hot shoe for external accessories, such as a flash or microphone. The mode dial allows quick access to different shooting modes, including full manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program mode.
The rear control dial and the function buttons can be customized to suit your shooting style, providing quick access to frequently used settings. The camera’s menus are well-organized and easy to navigate, thanks to the intuitive touchscreen interface. You can use the touchscreen to select focus points, navigate menus, and review images with ease. The touch-to-focus and touch-to-shoot functionality add an extra layer of convenience for composing shots.
Video Capabilities
The Olympus Pen E-PL8 is capable of recording Full HD (1080p) video at up to 30 frames per second. While it doesn’t offer 4K video recording, the Full HD footage is of good quality, with accurate colors and smooth motion. The camera provides manual control over exposure settings during video recording, allowing you to adjust aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to achieve the desired look.
The tilting LCD screen is particularly useful for vlogging, as it allows you to see yourself while recording. The camera also includes a built-in microphone, but for better audio quality, you can attach an external microphone to the hot shoe. It’s worth noting that the E-PL8 lacks a dedicated microphone input, so you would need to use an adapter if you wish to use an external microphone.
The E-PL8 also offers various video features, including time-lapse recording and the ability to apply art filters to your videos. These features add to the creative possibilities and make the camera a versatile tool for both photography and videography.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Olympus Pen E-PL8 includes built-in Wi-Fi, allowing you to connect the camera to your smartphone or tablet. The Olympus Image Share (OI.Share) app lets you remotely control the camera, transfer images, and geotag your photos using your mobile device’s GPS. This makes it easy to share your photos on social media or back them up to your cloud storage.
The camera uses a rechargeable BLS-50 battery, which provides a decent battery life for a compact mirrorless camera. Olympus rates the battery life at approximately 350 shots per charge, which is sufficient for a day of casual shooting. However, if you plan to shoot extensively or record video, it’s a good idea to carry a spare battery.
Lenses and Accessories
The Olympus Pen E-PL8 is compatible with Micro Four Thirds lenses, giving you access to a wide range of high-quality lenses. The camera is typically bundled with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ lens, which is a versatile zoom lens suitable for everyday photography. The lens offers optical image stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and improve image sharpness, particularly in low-light conditions.
For those looking to expand their creative possibilities, Olympus offers a variety of prime and zoom lenses, including wide-angle, macro, and telephoto options. The E-PL8’s compact size and lightweight design make it an excellent companion for Olympus’s compact prime lenses, such as the M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 or the M.Zuiko Digital 45mm f/1.8.
In addition to lenses, Olympus offers a range of accessories, including external flashes, hand grips, and remote shutters. The camera’s hot shoe allows you to attach an external flash for improved lighting, while the built-in pop-up flash provides a convenient option for fill light in a pinch.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact and Stylish Design: The retro-inspired design and compact size make the E-PL8 an attractive and portable camera that is easy to carry around.
- Tilting Touchscreen: The 180-degree tilting LCD touchscreen is perfect for selfies and vlogging, and the touch functionality adds convenience for navigating menus and adjusting settings.
- In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS): The built-in 3-axis image stabilization system helps reduce camera shake, allowing for sharper images, especially in low-light conditions and when shooting handheld.
- Good Image Quality: The 16.1-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor and TruePic VII image processor produce high-quality images with vibrant colors and good dynamic range.
- User-Friendly Interface: The combination of physical controls and touchscreen functionality makes the camera easy to use, even for beginners.
- Built-In Wi-Fi: The built-in Wi-Fi allows for easy image transfer and remote control via the Olympus Image Share app.
- Art Filters and Picture Modes: The E-PL8 offers a variety of creative options, including art filters and picture modes, allowing users to experiment with different looks and effects straight out of the camera.
- Compatibility with Micro Four Thirds Lenses: The camera is compatible with a wide range of high-quality Micro Four Thirds lenses, providing versatility for different types of photography.
Cons
- Limited Autofocus Performance in Low Light: The contrast-detection autofocus system can struggle in low-light conditions, particularly with moving subjects.
- No 4K Video Recording: The lack of 4K video recording might be a drawback for users looking to shoot high-resolution video.
- No Electronic Viewfinder (EVF): The E-PL8 lacks an electronic viewfinder, which might be a deal-breaker for some photographers who prefer composing shots through a viewfinder.
- Limited Manual Control in Video Mode: While the camera offers manual control over exposure settings during video recording, it lacks some advanced video features found in higher-end models.
- No Dedicated Microphone Input: The absence of a dedicated microphone input limits audio recording options for video enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Olympus Pen E-PL8 is a stylish and capable mirrorless camera that offers a good balance of performance, image quality, and user-friendly features. Its compact and elegant design, combined with a tilting touchscreen and in-body image stabilization, make it an excellent choice for beginners and casual photographers. The camera’s film simulation modes and compatibility with a wide range of Micro Four Thirds lenses add to its versatility, allowing users to explore different creative possibilities.
While the E-PL8 has some limitations, such as its autofocus performance in low light and lack of 4K video recording, it still provides excellent value for its price. For those who prioritize portability, ease of use, and high-quality images, the Olympus Pen E-PL8 is a solid choice. However, if you require more advanced features, such as faster autofocus, 4K video, or an electronic viewfinder, you might want to consider alternatives like the Olympus Pen E-PL9, Panasonic Lumix GX85, or Sony A6000.
Overall, the Olympus Pen E-PL8 is a capable and stylish mirrorless camera that delivers great results for everyday photography and provides a fun and engaging shooting experience for both novice and experienced photographers. Its blend of retro design and modern technology makes it a delightful addition to any photographer’s kit, and its compact size ensures that it can easily accompany you on all your photographic adventures.