Olympus PEN-F vs E-PL8 vs E-P5

twood0202 wrote: The PEN-F looks nice but is awfully expensive (~$1000). The E-PL8 (~$550) doesn't seem to have great reviews.

I'm probably the only the DPR members here with an actual hands-on experience on E-PL8, and let me tell you, this camera has the same Solid-As-The-Rock feel as PEN-F.  I was lucky enough to have all these camera on the same display table for hands-on comparison:

• Olympus E-M10 II
• Olympus PEN-F
• Olympus E-PL8
• Olympus E-PL7
• Panasonic GF8
• Fuji X-A3

Immediately Olympus PEN-F and E-PL8 stands out.  They have the most Solid-As-The-Rock feel compare to the rest. Even though one is a $1100 camera vs a $550 camera, both share the same METAL TOP (instead of a painted white plastic on older e-PL7).  In fact, they're very close in SIZE as well.  If you closed your eyes, E-PL8 feel like a mini-Pen-F in person.  I'm a Panasonic guy but even I have to concede that Olympus today just make better camera (build wise) than Panasonic.  What I'm trying to say is don't dismissed E-PL8 unless you have an actual handson experience on it.

My 2 disappointment are Panasonic GF8 and Fuji X-A3.  Both are plastic camera and feel it too.  I"m a Panasonic Guy (had GF2, GX1, older metal build GF6), so the newer cheaper plastic camera is a step backwards.  Fuji X-A3 is much larger than I like, I'm particularly disgusted by its Painted-Silver-On-Plastic (which will scratch easily).  I much prefer the older Fuji X-A1 with black paint and heavy black rubber texture to prevent from scratching.

I found a used E-P5 for sale around $380 which seems more appealing, although I find it hard to believe that camera (or at least touch screen) technology hasn't improved substantially since it was released in 2013. Is the E-P5 still competitive or would I regret that body in a couple years?

Wow $380 for E-P5 is a great deal.  Before Pen-F, EP3/EP5 are the jewel in Olympus lineup.  I would be happy with either Pen-F, E-PL8, or e-P5.

In fact, since SENSOR performace is the same, you might as well save money and buy the E-P5