Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1
87 Imaging
49 Features
79 Overall
61


89 Imaging
48 Features
52 Overall
49
Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 381g - 111 x 65 x 33mm
- Introduced March 2014
- Earlier Model is Nikon 1 V2
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
- Introduced November 2011
- Later Model is Olympus E-PM2

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview
In this write-up, we are analyzing the Nikon 1 V3 versus Olympus E-PM1, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Nikon and Olympus. There exists a sizable gap between the image resolutions of the 1 V3 (18MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) and the 1 V3 (1") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor dimensions.

The 1 V3 was brought out 2 years later than the E-PM1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 1 V3 matches up versus the E-PM1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon 1 V3 & Olympus PEN E-PM1. The entire galleries are available at Nikon 1 V3 Gallery & Olympus E-PM1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V3 over the Olympus E-PM1
1 V3 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2014 | ![]() | November 2011 | More recent by 29 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+577k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Nikon 1 V3
E-PM1 | 1 V3 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon 1 V3 and Olympus E-PM1
1 V3 | E-PM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 V3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 381 grams (0.84 lbs) and the Olympus E-PM1 has measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).
See the Nikon 1 V3 versus Olympus E-PM1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the 1 V3 against the E-PM1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 V3 and E-PM1 is 87 and 89 respectively.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by looking at specs. The graphic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 V3 and E-PM1.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The 1 V3 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Nikon 1 V3 will give you more detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent 1 V3 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications
Nikon 1 V3 | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Olympus |
Model type | Nikon 1 V3 | Olympus PEN E-PM1 |
Type | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2014-03-13 | 2011-11-23 |
Physical type | 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 | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 116.2mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 |
Highest Possible resolution | 5232 x 3488 | 4032 x 3024 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 171 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 13 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 1,037 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT-LCD | HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic (optional) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,359 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Max silent shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 60.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Fill-flash, fill-flash 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) |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 381g (0.84 pounds) | 265g (0.58 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 65 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 52 | 52 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.8 | 21.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.7 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 384 | 499 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 310 images | 330 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL20a | BLS-5 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $997 | $499 |