Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51
![Nikon 1 J3 front Nikon 1 J3 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-1-J3/Nikon-1-J3-front.jpg)
![Olympus PEN E-PL1 front Olympus PEN E-PL1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-PEN-E-PL1/Olympus-E-PL1-front.jpg)
86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs
(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
(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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon 1 J3 & Olympus PEN E-PL1. The whole galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery & Olympus E-PL1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Olympus E-PL1
1 J3 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2013 | ![]() | May 2010 | More recent by 44 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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 Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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 Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-J3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-J3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-1-J3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-1-J3-vs-Olympus-PEN-E-PL1-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications
Nikon 1 J3 | Olympus 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 |