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

007peter wrote:

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

I just got an EPL7.  Found a great deal on a new one and had to try it.  One thing that bothers me is it doesn't really feel comfortable in the hand.  The camera is kind of heavy for its size and not being very tall it wants to rotate in your hand.  Now if the the EPL8 is sturdier and has metal top I'm guessing it is even heavier.  The front grip looks even worse than the EPL7.  To me these things would seem to add to the problem already present inthe EPL7.  How is the handling?

I have been surprised how my GM1 handles so much better and is more comfortable to hold than the EPL7.  Despite lack of any grip the camera is light enough and the surfaces are grippy enough that you just sort of hold it by pinching the body between your thumb and other fingers.  Sounds uncomfortable but it isn't.