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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5

Portability
92
Imaging
45
Features
63
Overall
52
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
52
Features
72
Overall
60

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J2
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J4
Olympus E-PL5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Announced September 2012
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the E-PL5 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and E-PL5 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J3 was announced 15 months later than the E-PL5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the 1 J3 scores against the E-PL5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Olympus E-PL5

 1 J3 E-PL5 
AnnouncedNovember 2013September 2012More recent by 15 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Nikon 1 J3

 E-PL5 1 J3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL5

 1 J3 E-PL5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J3 offers outer dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL5 has dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Look at the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the 1 J3 vs the E-PL5.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J3 and E-PL5 is 92 and 88 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements simply by checking out technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J3 and E-PL5.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1 J3 having a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Olympus E-PL5 will produce more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher 1 J3 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL5 Portrait photography info
59
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
71
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 J3
Street photography with Olympus E-PL5
70
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (201 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
85
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL5 Sports photography information
58
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (220 per charge)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL5 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (201g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
75
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL5 Landscape photography features
64
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 J3
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL5
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (201g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external microphone jack
78
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL5
 Nikon 1 J3Olympus PEN E-PL5
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Olympus PEN E-PL5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-11-30 2012-09-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
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 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 25600
Lowest native ISO 160 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
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
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 15.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/250 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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 201g (0.44 pounds) 325g (0.72 pounds)
Dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 72
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 12.3
DXO Low light rating 420 889
Other
Battery life 220 shots 360 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $170 $400