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Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2

Portability
93
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL2 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Revealed May 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 S1
Olympus E-PL2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 362g - 114 x 72 x 42mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Older Model is Olympus E-PL1s
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-PL3
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus E-PL2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the E-PL2 (12MP) is fairly similar but the 1 S2 (1") and E-PL2 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The 1 S2 was brought out 3 years later than the E-PL2 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the 1 S2 grades versus the E-PL2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Olympus E-PL2

 1 S2 E-PL2 
IntroducedMay 2014February 2011Fresher by 40 months

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL2 over the Nikon 1 S2

 E-PL2 1 S2 

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus E-PL2

 1 S2 E-PL2 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 S2 enjoys exterior measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL2 has dimensions of 114mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 362 grams (0.80 lbs).

Check out the Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus E-PL2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the 1 S2 against the E-PL2.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the 1 S2 and E-PL2 is 93 and 85 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The visual below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S2 and E-PL2.

Plainly, both of those cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 1 S2 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Nikon 1 S2 will offer extra detail having its extra 2.2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively. The newer 1 S2 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL2 Portrait photography highlights
59
manual focus
MP count decent (14.2MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
60
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Street photography details
Olympus E-PL2 Street photography details
70
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (190 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL2 as a Sports photography camera
59
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
high max fps (60.0 fps)
MP count decent (14.2 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (270 shots)
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 per charge)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 S2
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL2
66
lighter than others in class (190g)
MP count decent (14.2 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (270 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery (280 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL2 Landscape photography info
60
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (14.2MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (270 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (280 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL2 Vlogging factors
33
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (190g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic support
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus E-PL2
 Nikon 1 S2Olympus PEN E-PL2
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 S2 Olympus PEN E-PL2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-05-21 2011-02-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 4A Truepic V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 13.1 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 115.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Full resolution 4592 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 171 11
Cross type focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m
Flash modes Fill, fill 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190g (0.42 lbs) 362g (0.80 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 114 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 55
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 573
Other
Battery life 270 images 280 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL22 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $450 $0