Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1
92 Imaging
48 Features
62 Overall
53
86 Imaging
46 Features
43 Overall
44
Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs
(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
(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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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.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe 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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This is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon 1 J4 & Olympus PEN E-PL1. The full galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J4 Gallery & Olympus E-PL1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Olympus E-PL1
| 1 J4 | E-PL1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | April 2014 | May 2010 | More modern by 48 months | |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 230k | Sharper 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 type | Fixed | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications
| Nikon 1 J4 | Olympus 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 |