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Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
86
Imaging
45
Features
62
Overall
51
Nikon 1 AW1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 AW1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 356g - 114 x 72 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2013
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
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Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the 1 AW1 (14MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is very comparable but the 1 AW1 (1") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor size.

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The 1 AW1 was manufactured 23 months after the E-PM1 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the 1 AW1 grades against the E-PM1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 AW1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 1 AW1 E-PM1 
ReleasedSeptember 2013November 2011Newer by 23 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Nikon 1 AW1

 E-PM1 1 AW1 

Common features in the Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-PM1

 1 AW1 E-PM1 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 AW1 enjoys exterior dimensions 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-PM1 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-PM1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the 1 AW1 and the E-PM1.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 AW1 and E-PM1 is 86 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by checking out technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 AW1 and E-PM1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 AW1 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Nikon 1 AW1 will show greater detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The younger 1 AW1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
60
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Street photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
68
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Sports photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography info
60
high max frames per second (60.0 frames per second)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 shots)
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow fps (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography highlights
63
weather proofing
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 AW1 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 AW1
Vlogging with Olympus E-PM1
29
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external mic port
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Nikon 1 AW1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 AW1 and Olympus E-PM1
 Nikon 1 AW1Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 AW1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-09-19 2011-11-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip EXPEED 3A TruePic VI
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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 135 35
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 60.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes 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 sync 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 356 grams (0.78 pounds) 265 grams (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 72 x 37mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 51 52
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.9 10.3
DXO Low light rating 428 499
Other
Battery life 220 photos 330 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $499