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Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 S1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL8 front
Portability
86
Imaging
53
Features
76
Overall
62

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Refreshed by Nikon 1 S2
Olympus E-PL8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 357g - 115 x 67 x 38mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-PL7
  • Later Model is Olympus E-PL9
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Nikon 1 S1 and Olympus E-PL8, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the 1 S1 (10MP) and E-PL8 (16MP) and the 1 S1 (1") and E-PL8 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The 1 S1 was announced 4 years before the E-PL8 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the 1 S1 grades against the E-PL8 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Olympus E-PL8

 1 S1 E-PL8 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL8 over the Nikon 1 S1

 E-PL8 1 S1 
RevealedSeptember 2016June 2013More recent by 39 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Olympus E-PL8

 1 S1 E-PL8 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 S1 offers outside dimensions of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL8 has measurements of 115mm x 67mm x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 357 grams (0.79 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 S1 and Olympus E-PL8 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the 1 S1 and the E-PL8.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 S1 and E-PL8 is 92 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The graphic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 S1 and E-PL8.

To sum up, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The 1 S1 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-PL8 will show greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older 1 S1 will be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-PL8 Portrait photography info
48
has manual focus
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Street photography information
Olympus E-PL8 Street photography information
69
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (197g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
84
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-PL8 Sports photography advice
48
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is good (1")
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 S1
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL8
60
lighter than competition in class (197 grams)
built-in flash
terrible battery life (220 shots)
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
71
boasts focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-PL8 as a Landscape photography camera
56
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
terrible battery life (220 shots)
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Vlogging advice
Olympus E-PL8 Vlogging advice
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (197g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
35
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PL8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S1 and Olympus E-PL8
 Nikon 1 S1Olympus PEN E-PL8
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 S1 Olympus PEN E-PL8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2013-06-21 2016-09-19
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type 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 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 135 81
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 15.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/60s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
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 197g (0.43 lbs) 357g (0.79 lbs)
Dimensions 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") 115 x 67 x 38mm (4.5" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 397 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 350 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $231 $500