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Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
85
Imaging
44
Features
66
Overall
52
Nikon 1 V2 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 V2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 278g - 109 x 82 x 46mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Earlier Model is Nikon 1 V1
  • Successor is Nikon 1 V3
Olympus E-PL1
(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
  • Launched May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
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Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Nikon 1 V2 and Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 1 V2 (14MP) and the E-PL1 (12MP) is pretty similar but the 1 V2 (1") and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) have different sensor sizing.

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The 1 V2 was unveiled 2 years after the E-PL1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon 1 V2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the 1 V2 grades against the E-PL1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V2 over the Olympus E-PL1

 1 V2 E-PL1 
LaunchedOctober 2012May 2010More modern by 30 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Nikon 1 V2

 E-PL1 1 V2 

Common features in the Nikon 1 V2 and Olympus E-PL1

 1 V2 E-PL1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Nikon 1 V2 enjoys outer dimensions of 109mm x 82mm x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") along with a weight of 278 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1 has specifications of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 V2 and Olympus E-PL1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the 1 V2 vs the E-PL1.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the 1 V2 and E-PL1 is 85 and 86 respectively.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The image underneath should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 V2 and E-PL1.

To sum up, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 V2 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Nikon 1 V2 will offer extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more modern 1 V2 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 V2 Portrait photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography advice
66
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon 1 V2
Street photography with Olympus E-PL1
63
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
74
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 V2 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus E-PL1 as a Sports photography camera
63
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
includes tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
no image stabilization
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 V2 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PL1 Travel photography advice
62
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
52
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (290 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 V2 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography info
63
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V2 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
29
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
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Nikon 1 V2 vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 V2 and Olympus E-PL1
 Nikon 1 V2Olympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 V2 Olympus PEN E-PL1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-10-24 2010-05-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 3A 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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3072 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 73 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 15.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 278 gr (0.61 lbs) 334 gr (0.74 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 82 x 46mm (4.3" x 3.2" x 1.8") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 50 54
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 21.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 10.1
DXO Low light rating 403 487
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 290 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL21 BLS-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Price at release $599 $288