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Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s

Portability
91
Imaging
52
Features
78
Overall
62
Nikon 1 J5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1s front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Key Specs

Nikon 1 J5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 231g - 98 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Old Model is Nikon 1 J4
Olympus E-PL1s
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Launched November 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus E-PL1
  • New Model is Olympus E-PL2
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Nikon 1 J5 and Olympus E-PL1s, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the 1 J5 (21MP) and E-PL1s (12MP) and the 1 J5 (1") and E-PL1s (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor size.

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The 1 J5 was released 4 years after the E-PL1s which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the 1 J5 matches up versus the E-PL1s with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Olympus E-PL1s

 1 J5 E-PL1s 
LaunchedApril 2015November 2010Newer by 54 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1s over the Nikon 1 J5

 E-PL1s 1 J5 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Olympus E-PL1s

 1 J5 E-PL1s 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J5 provides exterior dimensions of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL1s has measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

See the Nikon 1 J5 and Olympus E-PL1s in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the 1 J5 compared to the E-PL1s.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 J5 and E-PL1s is 91 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading specs. The image below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J5 and E-PL1s.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J5 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Nikon 1 J5 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 9MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The newer 1 J5 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL1s Portrait photography info
64
you can focus manually
MP count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Street photography advice
80
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW formats
features touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
no image stabilization
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Sports photography advice
63
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (20.0 fps)
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
bad battery power (250 per charge)
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery power (290 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1s Travel photography advice
80
lighter than competition in class (231g)
features touch to focus
MP count good (21MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low battery power (290 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 J5
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PL1s
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
doesnt have low pass filter
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery power (250 CIPA)
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery power (290 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PL1s Vlogging details
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (231 grams)
no image stabilization
does not have external mic port
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PL1s Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J5 and Olympus E-PL1s
 Nikon 1 J5Olympus PEN E-PL1s
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon 1 J5 Olympus PEN E-PL1s
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2015-04-03 2010-11-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5A Truepic V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 171 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest 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 4K (15p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (120p/60p/30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 231 grams (0.51 lb) 334 grams (0.74 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 479 not tested
Other
Battery life 250 images 290 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL24 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $497 $599