Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1
91 Imaging
40 Features
56 Overall
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86 Imaging
46 Features
42 Overall
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
- Announced January 2012
- New Model is Nikon 1 J2
(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
- Introduced July 2009
- Successor is Olympus E-P2

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1 Overview
Following is a detailed review of the Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus E-P1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 1 J1 (10MP) and the E-P1 (12MP) is very similar but the 1 J1 (1") and E-P1 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor sizes.

The 1 J1 was revealed 2 years after the E-P1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the 1 J1 grades against the E-P1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 J1 & Olympus PEN E-P1. The full galleries are available at Nikon 1 J1 Gallery & Olympus E-P1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Olympus E-P1
1 J1 | E-P1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | July 2009 | More modern by 31 months |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Nikon 1 J1
E-P1 | 1 J1 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus E-P1
1 J1 | E-P1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J1 offers outer measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Olympus E-P1 has sizing of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).
Examine the Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus E-P1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the 1 J1 versus the E-P1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 J1 and E-P1 is 91 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J1 and E-P1.
As you can see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J1 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Olympus E-P1 will offer greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The newer 1 J1 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications
Nikon 1 J1 | Olympus PEN E-P1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon 1 J1 | Olympus PEN E-P1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-01-20 | 2009-07-29 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | TruePic V |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 135 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 13 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per sec | 3.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/60 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 234 gr (0.52 lbs) | 355 gr (0.78 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | 55 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.5 | 21.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.0 | 10.4 |
DXO Low light rating | 372 | 536 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photos | 300 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL20 | BLS-1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $625 | $182 |