• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Nikon Z6

  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 67 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    487g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon Z6 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
    ~ 5.94 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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 dots on screen
    2100k vs 1037k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.5 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
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL8

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.

  • Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL7

Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL7
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
Nikon Z6
Olympus E-PL7
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to 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
Nikon Z6
Panasonic GX85
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon Z6
Olympus E-PL9
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony A7 III

Olympus E-PL8
Sony A7 III
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1665
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon Z6
Sony A7 III
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen
  • $1665
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon EOS R

Olympus E-PL8
Canon EOS R
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $1583
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z6
Canon EOS R
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1583
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
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