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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
92
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 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
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J4
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Released May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The 1 J3 was introduced 3 years later than the E-PL1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the 1 J3 matches up against the E-PL1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Olympus E-PL1

 1 J3 E-PL1 
ReleasedNovember 2013May 2010More recent by 44 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Nikon 1 J3

 E-PL1 1 J3 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL1

 1 J3 E-PL1 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J3 provides outer dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the 1 J3 against the E-PL1.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J3 and E-PL1 is 92 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The photograph below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J3 and E-PL1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1 J3 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Nikon 1 J3 will show more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent 1 J3 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J3
Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
58
has manual focus
good MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Street photography highlights
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography highlights
70
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (201g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
57
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
bad battery (290 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (201g)
good MP (14MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery (290 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J3
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1
64
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (220 shots)
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low resolution (12MP)
bad battery (290 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging details
30
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (201 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL1
 Nikon 1 J3Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-11-30 2010-05-17
Body design 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
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
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 15.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 10.00 m
Flash modes 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
Maximum flash sync 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
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 201 gr (0.44 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 54
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.1
DXO Low light rating 420 487
Other
Battery life 220 shots 290 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLS-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $170 $288