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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1

Portability
92
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Older Model is Nikon 1 J2
  • Updated by Nikon 1 J4
Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Announced July 2009
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-P2
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon 1 J3 versus Olympus E-P1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the E-P1 (12MP) is pretty close but the 1 J3 (1") and E-P1 (Four Thirds) offer different sensor size.

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The 1 J3 was manufactured 4 years after the E-P1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the 1 J3 scores versus the E-P1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Olympus E-P1

 1 J3 E-P1 
AnnouncedNovember 2013July 2009More modern by 53 months
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Nikon 1 J3

 E-P1 1 J3 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-P1

 1 J3 E-P1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J3 offers outside measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Olympus E-P1 has specifications of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).

Examine the Nikon 1 J3 versus Olympus E-P1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the 1 J3 against the E-P1.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J3 and E-P1 is 92 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes merely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J3 and E-P1.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Nikon 1 J3 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher 1 J3 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J3
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P1
58
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Street photography info
Olympus E-P1 Street photography info
70
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (201g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-P1 Sports photography highlights
57
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
provides tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than average in class (201g)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (220 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
43
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-P1 Landscape photography highlights
64
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Vlogging info
Olympus E-P1 Vlogging info
30
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (201g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-P1
 Nikon 1 J3Olympus PEN E-P1
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Olympus PEN E-P1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-11-30 2009-07-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic V
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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 135 11
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 15.0fps 3.0fps
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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 201 gr (0.44 pounds) 355 gr (0.78 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 55
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.4
DXO Low light rating 420 536
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 300 pictures
Battery style 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
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $170 $182