Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51


88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60
Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 J3 & Olympus PEN E-PL5. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery & Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Olympus E-PL5
1 J3 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2013 | ![]() | September 2012 | More recent by 15 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Nikon 1 J3
E-PL5 | 1 J3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | 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 sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications
Nikon 1 J3 | Olympus 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 |