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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
92
Imaging
49
Features
62
Overall
54
Nikon 1 J4 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
48
Features
47
Overall
47

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon 1 J3
  • Refreshed by Nikon 1 J5
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Updated by Olympus E-PL3
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Nikon 1 J4 versus Olympus E-PL2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the 1 J4 (18MP) and E-PL2 (12MP) and the 1 J4 (1") and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor sizing.

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The 1 J4 was brought out 3 years later than the E-PL2 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a simple view of how the 1 J4 grades against the E-PL2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Olympus E-PL2

 1 J4 E-PL2 
IntroducedApril 2014February 2011More recent by 39 months
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Nikon 1 J4

 E-PL2 1 J4 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Olympus E-PL2

 1 J4 E-PL2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J4 enjoys external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL2 has dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") with a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Examine the Nikon 1 J4 versus Olympus E-PL2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the 1 J4 versus the E-PL2.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J4 and E-PL2 is 92 and 85 respectively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements merely by researching specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J4 and E-PL2.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 J4 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Nikon 1 J4 will render extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more recent 1 J4 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography info
56
resolution is good (18MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Street photography details
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography details
74
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
offers focus by touch
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Sports photography details
Olympus E-PL2 Sports photography details
62
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 frames per second)
resolution is good (18MP)
decent sensor size (1")
includes tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
45
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
low battery (280 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 J4
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
69
lighter than others in class (232g)
offers focus by touch
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (280 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography info
56
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
manual focus not available
no image stabilization
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
61
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
low battery (280 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Vlogging camera
34
touchscreen
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (232 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone port
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J4 and Olympus E-PL2
 Nikon 1 J4Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J4 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-04-10 2011-02-11
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
Maximum resolution 5232 x 3488 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 171 11
Cross type focus points 105 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (ISO 100) 10.00 m
Flash settings 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 232g (0.51 lbs) 362g (0.80 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 55
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 573
Other
Battery life 300 images 280 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL22 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $600 $0