• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-5 II advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C 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
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    203 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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 Pentax K-5 II

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $1450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    487g vs 1200g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 6.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5 II

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL8

Review Excerpt

  • Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Sharp, detailed images with very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.

  • Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7000

Pentax K-5 II
Nikon D7000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-PL8
Nikon D7000
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5 II
Pentax K-30
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL8
Pentax K-30
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon T4i

Pentax K-5 II
Canon T4i
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-PL8
Canon T4i
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-5 II
Panasonic GX85
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
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

Pentax K-5 II
Olympus E-PL9
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
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