Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2
86 Imaging
44 Features
62 Overall
51


86 Imaging
47 Features
42 Overall
45
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 356g - 114 x 72 x 37mm
- Revealed September 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
- Launched April 2010
- Previous Model is Olympus E-P1
- Successor is Olympus E-P3

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2 Overview
On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-P2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the 1 AW1 (14MP) and the E-P2 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the 1 AW1 (1") and E-P2 (Four Thirds) have different sensor sizing.

The 1 AW1 was launched 3 years after the E-P2 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the 1 AW1 scores against the E-P2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus PEN E-P2. The complete galleries are available at Nikon 1 AW1 Gallery and Olympus E-P2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 AW1 over the Olympus E-P2
1 AW1 | E-P2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2013 | ![]() | April 2010 | Newer by 42 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Nikon 1 AW1
E-P2 | 1 AW1 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-P2
1 AW1 | E-P2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither includes Touch display |
Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 AW1 features outside measurements of 114mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") along with a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) while the Olympus E-P2 has dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).
Check the Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-P2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the 1 AW1 compared to the E-P2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 AW1 and E-P2 is 86 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The pic below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 AW1 and E-P2.
To sum up, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 1 AW1 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Nikon 1 AW1 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The younger 1 AW1 should have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-P2 Specifications
Nikon 1 AW1 | Olympus PEN E-P2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Olympus |
Model | Nikon 1 AW1 | Olympus PEN E-P2 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2013-09-19 | 2010-04-22 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | EXPEED 3A | TruePic V |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Peak resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4032 x 3024 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 135 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 13 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 60.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 5.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Fill flash, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye w/slow sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/60 seconds | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 640 x 240 (400 fps), 320 x 120 (1200 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 356g (0.78 lb) | 355g (0.78 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 72 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 51 | 56 |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.2 | 21.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.9 | 10.4 |
DXO Low light score | 428 | 505 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photographs | 300 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | EN-EL20 | BLS-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC card |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $0 | $799 |