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Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
91
Imaging
52
Features
78
Overall
62
Nikon 1 J5 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 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
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J4
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PM2
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Nikon 1 J5 versus Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the 1 J5 (21MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) and the 1 J5 (1") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The 1 J5 was manufactured 3 years later than the E-PM1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the 1 J5 matches up versus the E-PM1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Olympus E-PM1

 1 J5 E-PM1 
RevealedApril 2015November 2011More recent by 41 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Nikon 1 J5

 E-PM1 1 J5 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J5 and Olympus E-PM1

 1 J5 E-PM1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J5 features exterior measurements of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM1 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Compare the Nikon 1 J5 versus Olympus E-PM1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the 1 J5 vs the E-PM1.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 J5 and E-PM1 is 91 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out specifications. The photograph here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J5 and E-PM1.

To sum up, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 J5 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Nikon 1 J5 will show extra detail due to its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer 1 J5 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
64
focusing manually
good resolution (21MP)
decent sensor size (1")
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
80
screen tilts
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition (231g)
no image stabilization
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography advice
63
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
good resolution (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Travel photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography details
80
lighter than competition (231g)
offers focus via touch
good resolution (21 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
45
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography highlights
68
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good resolution (21MP)
decent sensor size (1")
no low pass filter
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (250 shots)
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J5 Vlogging info
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging info
75
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
features face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition (231g)
no image stabilization
does not have external microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no external microphone socket
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Nikon 1 J5 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J5 and Olympus E-PM1
 Nikon 1 J5Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 J5 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-04-03 2011-11-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 5A TruePic VI
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 171 35
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
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)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4K (15p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (120p/60p/30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 231g (0.51 pounds) 265g (0.58 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 52
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 10.3
DXO Low light rating 479 499
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 330 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL24 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $497 $499