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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
92
Imaging
49
Features
62
Overall
54
Nikon 1 J4 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Earlier Model is Nikon 1 J3
  • Newer Model is Nikon 1 J5
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced May 2010
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL1s
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Nikon 1 J4 versus Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the 1 J4 (18MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) and the 1 J4 (1") and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J4 was revealed 3 years after the E-PL1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the 1 J4 matches up against the E-PL1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Olympus E-PL1

 1 J4 E-PL1 
IntroducedApril 2014May 2010More modern by 48 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Nikon 1 J4

 E-PL1 1 J4 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Olympus E-PL1

 1 J4 E-PL1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J4 comes with external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1 has dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check out the Nikon 1 J4 versus Olympus E-PL1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the 1 J4 compared to the E-PL1.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J4 and E-PL1 is 92 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The pic underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J4 and E-PL1.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 1 J4 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Nikon 1 J4 will provide you with more detail because of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The younger 1 J4 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Portrait photography camera
56
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Street photography camera
74
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW files
features focus via touch
lighter than average in class (232g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 J4
Sports photography with Olympus E-PL1
62
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 J4
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
69
lighter than average in class (232 grams)
features focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (290 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography features
56
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW files
no manual focus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (290 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
34
touch screen
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (232 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic port
29
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J4 and Olympus E-PL1
 Nikon 1 J4Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J4 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-04-10 2010-05-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 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 18MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5232 x 3488 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 171 11
Cross type focus points 105 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 232g (0.51 lb) 334g (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 487
Other
Battery life 300 photos 290 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL22 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $600 $288