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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9

Portability
92
Imaging
49
Features
62
Overall
54
Nikon 1 J4 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL9 front
Portability
85
Imaging
55
Features
78
Overall
64

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 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
  • Superseded the Nikon 1 J3
  • Renewed by Nikon 1 J5
Olympus E-PL9
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 380g - 117 x 68 x 39mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PL8
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the 1 J4 (18MP) and the E-PL9 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the 1 J4 (1") and E-PL9 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor size.

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The 1 J4 was revealed 4 years earlier than the E-PL9 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the 1 J4 scores vs the E-PL9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Olympus E-PL9

 1 J4 E-PL9 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL9 over the Nikon 1 J4

 E-PL9 1 J4 
ReleasedFebruary 2018April 2014More modern by 46 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k1037kCrisper screen (+3k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Olympus E-PL9

 1 J4 E-PL9 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J4 provides external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL9 has sizing of 117mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 380 grams (0.84 lbs).

Examine the Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the 1 J4 vs the E-PL9.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J4 and E-PL9 is 92 and 85 respectively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J4 and E-PL9.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 J4 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Nikon 1 J4 will resolve more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged 1 J4 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL9 Portrait photography features
56
good MP (18MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
73
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Street photography info
Olympus E-PL9 Street photography info
74
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
lighter than average in class (232 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
84
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PL9 Sports photography factors
62
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
high max fps (60.0 frames per second)
good MP (18MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
low battery life (300 shots)
69
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 Travel photography information
Olympus E-PL9 Travel photography information
69
lighter than average in class (232 grams)
comes with touch to focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery life (300 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
77
supports bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL9 as a Landscape photography camera
56
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3")
good MP (18MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
delivers RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
no image stabilization
low battery life (300 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
80
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon 1 J4
Vlogging with Olympus E-PL9
34
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (232 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
35
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Nikon 1 J4 vs Olympus E-PL9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J4 and Olympus E-PL9
 Nikon 1 J4Olympus PEN E-PL9
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon 1 J4 Olympus PEN E-PL9
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-04-10 2018-02-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4 TruePic VIII
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 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5232 x 3488 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 160 200
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 171 121
Cross focus points 105 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,037 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s 1/16000s
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per sec 8.6 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m (ISO 100) 7.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash options 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, manual, redeye reduction, slow sync w/redeye reduction, slow sync , slow sync 2nd-curtain, fill-in, off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 232 grams (0.51 lbs) 380 grams (0.84 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 117 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 350 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL22 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported)
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $600 $599