Clicky

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL3 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 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
  • Announced May 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon 1 S1
Olympus E-PL3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 313g - 110 x 64 x 37mm
  • Released September 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PL2
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon 1 S2 versus Olympus E-PL3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the E-PL3 (12MP) is fairly similar but the 1 S2 (1") and E-PL3 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The 1 S2 was introduced 2 years after the E-PL3 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the 1 S2 scores against the E-PL3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Olympus E-PL3

 1 S2 E-PL3 
ReleasedMay 2014September 2011More modern by 33 months

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL3 over the Nikon 1 S2

 E-PL3 1 S2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus E-PL3

 1 S2 E-PL3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Nikon 1 S2 provides physical measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL3 has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs).

Compare the Nikon 1 S2 versus Olympus E-PL3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the 1 S2 compared to the E-PL3.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 S2 and E-PL3 is 93 and 88 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading a spec sheet. The picture below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S2 and E-PL3.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 S2 with its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Nikon 1 S2 will offer you extra detail using its extra 2.2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The more recent 1 S2 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-PL3 Portrait photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (14.2 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 S2
Street photography with Olympus E-PL3
71
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (190 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
84
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography information
Olympus E-PL3 Sports photography information
60
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
fast shooting (60.0 frames/s)
decent sensor resolution (14.2 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
provides tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 CIPA)
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Travel photography camera
66
lighter than competitors in class (190g)
decent sensor resolution (14.2 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (270 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
44
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery (300 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-PL3 Landscape photography highlights
60
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (14.2 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
61
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery (300 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-PL3 as a Vlogging camera
33
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (190 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic jack
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Nikon 1 S2 vs Olympus E-PL3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Olympus E-PL3
 Nikon 1 S2Olympus PEN E-PL3
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon 1 S2 Olympus PEN E-PL3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2014-05-21 2011-09-20
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 4A Truepic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 13.1 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 115.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest resolution 4592 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 171 35
Cross focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - 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 speed 60.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options 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 sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 190 grams (0.42 pounds) 313 grams (0.69 pounds)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 110 x 64 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 52
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.3
DXO Low light score not tested 499
Other
Battery life 270 photos 300 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL22 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $450 $399