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Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1

Portability
84
Imaging
40
Features
68
Overall
51
Nikon 1 V1 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 V1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 383g - 113 x 76 x 44mm
  • Launched January 2012
  • Newer Model is Nikon 1 V2
Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Renewed by Olympus E-P2
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-P1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the 1 V1 (10MP) and the E-P1 (12MP) is very similar but the 1 V1 (1") and E-P1 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor size.

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The 1 V1 was introduced 2 years after the E-P1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the 1 V1 matches up vs the E-P1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V1 over the Olympus E-P1

 1 V1 E-P1 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2009More modern by 31 months
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Nikon 1 V1

 E-P1 1 V1 

Common features in the Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-P1

 1 V1 E-P1 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 V1 enjoys external dimensions of 113mm x 76mm x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") along with a weight of 383 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Olympus E-P1 has sizing of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).

Check the Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-P1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the 1 V1 and the E-P1.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 V1 and E-P1 is 84 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 V1 and E-P1.

As you can see, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 1 V1 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Olympus E-P1 will offer extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The newer 1 V1 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography factors
54
focusing manually
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
low MP (10 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 V1
Street photography with Olympus E-P1
62
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Sports photography camera
53
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
40
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 V1
Travel photography with Olympus E-P1
41
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
43
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Landscape photography camera
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Vlogging camera
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone socket
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Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-P1
 Nikon 1 V1Olympus PEN E-P1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 V1 Olympus PEN E-P1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-01-20 2009-07-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic V
Sensor type 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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 135 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 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)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 383 grams (0.84 lb) 355 grams (0.78 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 76 x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 55
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 21.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.4
DXO Low light rating 346 536
Other
Battery life 350 shots 300 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15 BLS-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $670 $182