Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1
84 Imaging
40 Features
68 Overall
51


86 Imaging
47 Features
43 Overall
45
Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 383g - 113 x 76 x 44mm
- Released January 2012
- Renewed by Nikon 1 V2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
- Introduced May 2010
- Refreshed by Olympus E-PL1s

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the 1 V1 (10MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the 1 V1 (1") and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

The 1 V1 was brought out 21 months after the E-PL1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the 1 V1 grades vs the E-PL1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus PEN E-PL1. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 V1 Gallery and Olympus E-PL1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V1 over the Olympus E-PL1
1 V1 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | May 2010 | More modern by 21 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Nikon 1 V1
E-PL1 | 1 V1 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-PL1
1 V1 | E-PL1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly screen |
Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 V1 has exterior measurements of 113mm x 76mm x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") and a weight of 383 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Olympus E-PL1 has dimensions of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).
Check out the Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the 1 V1 compared to the E-PL1.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 V1 and E-PL1 is 84 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing specs. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 V1 and E-PL1.
All in all, both of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 V1 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Olympus E-PL1 will offer more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher 1 V1 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications
Nikon 1 V1 | Olympus PEN E-PL1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon 1 V1 | Olympus PEN E-PL1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2012-01-20 | 2010-05-17 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Truepic V |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 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 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4032 x 3024 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 135 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 13 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.7" |
Display resolution | 921 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | TFT LCD | HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 60 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 10.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 10.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/250 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 383 grams (0.84 lb) | 334 grams (0.74 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 113 x 76 x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") | 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 54 | 54 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.3 | 21.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.0 | 10.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 346 | 487 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 shots | 290 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15 | BLS-1 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $670 | $288 |