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Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Renewed by Nikon 1 J2
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the 1 J1 (10MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is relatively close but the 1 J1 (1") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The 1 J1 was introduced 2 months after the E-PM1 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a short summary of how the 1 J1 scores against the E-PM1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 1 J1 E-PM1 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Nikon 1 J1

 E-PM1 1 J1 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus E-PM1

 1 J1 E-PM1 
RevealedJanuary 2012November 2011Same generation
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J1 provides external measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM1 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Look at the Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the 1 J1 vs the E-PM1.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J1 and E-PM1 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The image here should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J1 and E-PM1.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J1 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Olympus E-PM1 will render greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography highlights
48
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 J1
Street photography with Olympus E-PM1
69
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than others (234 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography information
48
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (1")
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 J1
Travel photography with Olympus E-PM1
60
lighter than others (234 grams)
flash built-in
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
45
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J1
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
56
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
terrible battery (230 shots)
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging information
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging information
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (234 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus E-PM1
 Nikon 1 J1Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-01-20 2011-11-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest resolution 3872 x 2592 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 135 35
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/60s 1/160s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 234g (0.52 lb) 265g (0.58 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 52
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.3
DXO Low light rating 372 499
Other
Battery life 230 photos 330 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $625 $499