Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5
84 Imaging
40 Features
68 Overall
51


88 Imaging
52 Features
72 Overall
60
Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 325g - 111 x 64 x 38mm
- Released September 2012

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Overview
In this write-up, we are evaluating the Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-PL5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the 1 V1 (10MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) and the 1 V1 (1") and E-PL5 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

The 1 V1 was manufactured 8 months before the E-PL5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the 1 V1 scores against the E-PL5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus PEN E-PL5. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 V1 Gallery and Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V1 over the Olympus E-PL5
1 V1 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL5 over the Nikon 1 V1
E-PL5 | 1 V1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | September 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 8 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-PL5
1 V1 | E-PL5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon 1 V1 offers physical measurements of 113mm x 76mm x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 383 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PL5 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).
Check the Nikon 1 V1 and Olympus E-PL5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the 1 V1 versus the E-PL5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 V1 and E-PL5 is 84 and 88 respectively.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The picture underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 V1 and E-PL5.
As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 V1 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Olympus E-PL5 will offer greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged 1 V1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V1 vs Olympus E-PL5 Specifications
Nikon 1 V1 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon 1 V1 | Olympus PEN E-PL5 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2012-01-20 | 2012-09-17 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
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 | 10 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 |
Maximum resolution | 3872 x 2592 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 135 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 13 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Maximum silent shutter speed | 1/16000s | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 8.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) |
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 | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 383g (0.84 pounds) | 325g (0.72 pounds) |
Dimensions | 113 x 76 x 44mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 1.7") | 111 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 54 | 72 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.3 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.0 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 346 | 889 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 360 photographs |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15 | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch price | $670 | $400 |