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Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon 1 J2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced August 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 J1
  • Updated by Nikon 1 J3
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Nikon 1 J2 and Olympus E-PM2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the 1 J2 (10MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) and the 1 J2 (1") and E-PM2 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J2 was announced 9 months before the E-PM2 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the 1 J2 scores against the E-PM2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Olympus E-PM2

 1 J2 E-PM2 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Nikon 1 J2

 E-PM2 1 J2 
LaunchedMay 2013August 2012More recent by 9 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Olympus E-PM2

 1 J2 E-PM2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 J2 comes with exterior measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM2 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 J2 and Olympus E-PM2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the 1 J2 compared to the E-PM2.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J2 and E-PM2 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J2 and E-PM2.

To sum up, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 J2 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Olympus E-PM2 will result in more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older 1 J2 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography info
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
69
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (238 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
79
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography factors
48
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (1")
provides tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Travel photography features
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography features
60
lighter than competition (238g)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (230 shots)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
66
offers focus via touch
MP count decent (16MP)
missing Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography information
56
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
nice sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging highlights
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (238g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone port
36
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J2 and Olympus E-PM2
 Nikon 1 J2Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J2 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-08-09 2013-05-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 3 -
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 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
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
Amount of lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes 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
Max flash sync 1/60s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238g (0.52 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall rating 54 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 12.2
DXO Low light rating 363 932
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 360 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $550 $448