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Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
86
Imaging
44
Features
62
Overall
51
Nikon 1 AW1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 AW1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 356g - 114 x 72 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2013
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL2
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Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the 1 AW1 (14MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is very similar but the 1 AW1 (1") and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor size.

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The 1 AW1 was manufactured 2 years after the E-PL3 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the 1 AW1 scores against the E-PL3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 AW1 over the Olympus E-PL3

 1 AW1 E-PL3 
ReleasedSeptember 2013September 2011More modern by 25 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Nikon 1 AW1

 E-PL3 1 AW1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-PL3

 1 AW1 E-PL3 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 AW1 provides external dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") with a weight of 356 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL3 has dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

See the Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the 1 AW1 and the E-PL3.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the 1 AW1 and E-PL3 is 86 and 88 respectively.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 AW1 and E-PL3.

As you can see, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 AW1 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Nikon 1 AW1 will offer more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos much more aggressively. The fresher 1 AW1 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography info
59
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Street photography factors
Olympus E-PL3 Street photography factors
67
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
84
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography advice
59
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (220 shots)
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (300 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Travel photography info
Olympus E-PL3 Travel photography info
63
weather proofing
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
44
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography factors
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (220 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Vlogging advice
Olympus E-PL3 Vlogging advice
29
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
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Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-PL3
 Nikon 1 AW1Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon 1 AW1 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-09-19 2011-09-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by EXPEED 3A Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 135 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/60s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 640 x 240 (400 fps), 320 x 120 (1200 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 356 gr (0.78 pounds) 313 gr (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 72 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 51 52
DXO Color Depth score 20.2 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.9 10.3
DXO Low light score 428 499
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 300 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $399