• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 855.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon L840 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Less expensive
    $300 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 740 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Nikon L840

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 96 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 7.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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 Nikon L840

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL8

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon L830

Nikon L840
Nikon L830
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Shoots 60p video
Olympus E-PL8
Nikon L830
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon P530

Nikon L840
Nikon P530
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus E-PL8
Nikon P530
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon B500

Nikon L840
Nikon B500
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
Olympus E-PL8
Nikon B500
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon L840
Panasonic GX85
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 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

Nikon L840
Olympus E-PL9
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 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
Compare Other Cameras?