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Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 S1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 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
  • Released June 2013
  • Renewed by Nikon 1 S2
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
  • Released November 2011
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PM2
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Nikon 1 S1 versus Olympus E-PM1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the 1 S1 (10MP) and the E-PM1 (12MP) is very comparable but the 1 S1 (1") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor sizes.

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The 1 S1 was released 20 months after the E-PM1 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the 1 S1 matches up versus the E-PM1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Olympus E-PM1

 1 S1 E-PM1 
ReleasedJune 2013November 2011Newer by 20 months

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Nikon 1 S1

 E-PM1 1 S1 

Common features in the Nikon 1 S1 and Olympus E-PM1

 1 S1 E-PM1 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 S1 offers external dimensions of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Olympus E-PM1 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Examine the Nikon 1 S1 versus Olympus E-PM1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the 1 S1 and the E-PM1.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 S1 and E-PM1 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 S1 and E-PM1.

As you can see, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 S1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Olympus E-PM1 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more modern 1 S1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Portrait photography camera
48
has manual focus
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Street photography details
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography details
69
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (197g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 S1
Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
48
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography highlights
60
lighter than competitors (197g)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (220 CIPA)
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
45
no Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon 1 S1
Landscape photography with Olympus E-PM1
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
not so great battery life (220 per charge)
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S1 Vlogging features
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging features
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (197g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no mic socket
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Nikon 1 S1 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S1 and Olympus E-PM1
 Nikon 1 S1Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Brand Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 S1 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-06-21 2011-11-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VI
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 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 3872 x 2592 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 135 35
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 15.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 197g (0.43 lb) 265g (0.58 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 52
DXO Color Depth rating 21.4 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 10.3
DXO Low light rating 397 499
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLS-5
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $231 $499