• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A99
  • Olympus PEN E-PL8
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Olympus E-PL7
E-PL7 vs E-PL8
Successor: Sony A99 II
A99 vs A99 II
Olympus E-PL9
E-PL8 vs E-PL9
General
Model Number: A99 E-PL8
Alternate Model Number(s): SLT-A99V  
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $2799.99 $649.99
Street Price: $1,998.00 $599.00
Date Available: 2012-10-15 2016-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 29.2 oz (828 g)
includes batteries
17.2 oz (487 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.8 x 4.4 x 3.1 in.
(147 x 111 x 78 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: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony Sony
Effective Megapixels: 24.3 16.1
Sensor Format: 35mm 4/3
Sensor size: 855.62mm2 (35.80mm x 23.90mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.97 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 89  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 25.0  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 14.0  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 1,555  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
2640 x 1760 (4.6 MP, 3:2),
2640 x 1488 (3.9 MP, Other),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 976 (1.7 MP, Other),
12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other),
2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other)
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 2.3), 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Continuous-mode frames/second: 5.9 8.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​28Mbps/​PS or 60i/​24Mbps/​FX or 60i/​17Mbps/​FH or 24p/​24Mbps/​FX or 24p/​17Mbps/​FH)
1440x1080 (30p/​12Mbps)
640x480 (30p/​3Mbps)
1920x1080 (30p (24 or 16Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (12 or 8Mbps))
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) Micro Four Thirds
Lens: n/a Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual):   14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 1.4x / 2x 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Dual Phase-detection: 19 points (11 points cross type) CCD line sensors, 102 assist points focal plane phase-detection sensors; Wide (auto, 19 points), Zone, Spot, Local selectable 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: EVF / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF type; 1.3cm (0.5-inch) 2,359K-dot XGA OLED, ~100% coverage, 0.71x magnification, 22mm eyepoint at -1 diopter (CIPA standard), -4 to +3 diopter, eye sensor. Optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: 2,359,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.71x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.71x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,228,800 dots (307,200 px) 1,036,800 dots
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 16.7x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: Yes No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 25600 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 100 200
ISO Settings: Auto (100-6400 with selectable limits), 100-25600 in 1/3 EV steps, extendable down to ISO 50; Multi-frame NR up to ISO 51200 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 WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, AWB micro adjustment Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (4), Kelvin
Shutter Speed Range: 1/8000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot 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: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Sweep Panorama, Telezoom Continuous Priority AE 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: 2, 10; 3 or 5 frames after 10s seconds 2, 12, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/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: n/a Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Multi Interface Shoe, PC-Sync terminal Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: Yes No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 14-bit RAW (ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Movie File Format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio :Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC 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: Yes No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired Wi-Fi or Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): Type-C HDMI Mini Connector (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV H); Wired Remote Terminal, External Stereo Micophone Jack, External Stereo Headphone Jack, DC Input, Vertical Grip connector, Sync Terminal, Multi Interface Shoe, Built-in GPS 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): 0.50  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.56  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.58  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 5.9 8.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 17  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.9  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 18  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.9  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 13  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.13 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.081 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.055 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full AF lag, Wide-area AF mode = 0.125s Prefocused shutter lag with Electronic First Curtain Off = 0.108s  
Startup Time: 0.7 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.1 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 500 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 410 shots  
Battery Life, Video:   90 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary BLS-50
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BLS-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter 4, Remote Camera Control 3) OLYMPUS Viewer 3 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.5 +); PMB is Windows only  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 24.3MP full-frame image sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, dual phase-detect AF, 200K shutter, AVCHD 2.0 video, hi-res OLED EVF, articulating 1.3M-dot LCD, 6 fps bursts at full resolution, up to 10 fps Tele-zoom mode, two card slots (SD/MS, SD), real-time Full HD video out via HDMI, built-in GPS. Available in black, white or brown.