• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot A590 IS
  • Olympus PEN E-PL8
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Olympus E-PL7
E-PL7 vs E-PL8
Successor:   Olympus E-PL9
E-PL8 vs E-PL9
General
Model Number: A590 IS E-PL8
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $179.99 $649.99
Street Price: $219.00 $599.00
Date Available: 2008-03-30 2016-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 7.8 oz (221 g)
includes batteries
17.2 oz (487 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 3.7 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(94 x 66 x 41 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: CCD Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Sony
Effective Megapixels: 8.0 16.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.5 inch 4/3
Sensor size: 24.7104mm2 (5.76mm x 4.29mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.76 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type:   RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:   Fixed
Self-Cleaning: No Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 1832 (6.0 MP, 16:9),
2592 x 1944 (5.0 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
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 2.2) JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.0 8.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (20)
320x240 (30)
160x120 (15)
1920x1080 (30p (24 or 16Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (12 or 8Mbps))
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) 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
HD Video Out: Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a Micro Four Thirds
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (7 elements in 5 groups, 2 aspherical) Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 140mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 5.8 - 23.2mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 4.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.6 (wide) / f/5.5 (tele) - f/8.0 f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 45 cm to Infinity
17.7 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 5 - 45 cm
2.0 - 17.7 in
 
Filter Thread: n/a 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: up to 4x 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9- or 1-point Contrast Detect with Face Detect 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: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom Optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 115,000 dots 1,036,800 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   25600
Minimum ISO (native):   200
ISO Settings: Auto, High ISO Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 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, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (4), Kelvin
Shutter Speed Range: 1/2000 - 15 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot Metering (frame is fixed to the center), Face Detect 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: Easy mode, Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Night Scene, Sunset, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium 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: 1 to 30 seconds 2, 12, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Flash On, Flash 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): n/a 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 11 ft./3.5m (W), 7.2 ft./2.2m (T) Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/500 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a 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: No Yes
Uncompressed Format:   12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) 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: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Wi-Fi or Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): DC Input 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): 0.98  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
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): 1.0 8.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited  
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): 0.51 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.70 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.260 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.92 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.068 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.3 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 10.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 450 shots (NiMH AA) 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   90 minutes
Battery Form Factor: 2 x AA Proprietary BLS-50
Usable Battery Types: Alkaline disposable, NiMH rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 2 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary BLS-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: ZoomBrowser EX / ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch, Drivers OLYMPUS Viewer 3 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS); Motion Detection technology consolidates motion information for both the camera and the photographic subject and determines whether the subject has moved and what if any adjustments to focus or exposure needs to be made; Hi-ISO Auto function that works together with Motion Detection Technology to reduces the effect of blur in low light shooting situations by automatically changing and balancing the ISO sensitivity along with the shutter speed. Available in black, white or brown.