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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6

Portability
92
Imaging
45
Features
63
Overall
52
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL6 front
Portability
88
Imaging
53
Features
77
Overall
62

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 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
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J2
  • Newer Model is Nikon 1 J4
Olympus E-PL6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Successor is Olympus E-PL7
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the E-PL6 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and E-PL6 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor size.

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The 1 J3 was released 8 months prior to the E-PL6 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the 1 J3 grades against the E-PL6 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Olympus E-PL6

 1 J3 E-PL6 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL6 over the Nikon 1 J3

 E-PL6 1 J3 
LaunchedAugust 2014November 2013More modern by 8 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL6

 1 J3 E-PL6 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J3 has external measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL6 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).

See the Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the 1 J3 vs the E-PL6.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J3 and E-PL6 is 92 and 88 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by going through technical specs. The picture below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J3 and E-PL6.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 J3 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Olympus E-PL6 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged 1 J3 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-PL6 Portrait photography factors
59
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL6 as a Street photography camera
70
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than average (201g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL6 as a Sports photography camera
58
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
MP count good (14MP)
nice sensor size (1")
features tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 shots)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL6 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than average (201 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
85
includes touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
screen is selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PL6 Landscape photography highlights
64
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 shots)
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL6 Vlogging details
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (201g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic jack
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Olympus E-PL6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Olympus E-PL6
 Nikon 1 J3Olympus PEN E-PL6
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Olympus PEN E-PL6
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-11-30 2014-08-01
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic VI
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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3072 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 135 35
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 15.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/60 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 201g (0.44 lbs) 325g (0.72 lbs)
Physical 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 All around rating 52 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 420 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 360 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $170 $300