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Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
87
Imaging
49
Features
79
Overall
61
Nikon 1 V3 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 V3
(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
Olympus E-PM1
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V3 over the Olympus E-PM1

 1 V3 E-PM1 
IntroducedMarch 2014November 2011More recent by 29 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1037k460kClearer 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography information
69
you can focus manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
60
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM1 as a Street photography camera
76
screen tilts
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
boasts focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
75
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 V3
Sports photography with Olympus E-PM1
62
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (60.0 frames per second)
good resolution (18MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (310 CIPA)
49
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography advice
68
boasts focus via touch
good resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (310 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
45
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography information
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good resolution (18MP)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (310 shots)
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging factors
35
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 V3 and Olympus E-PM1
 Nikon 1 V3Olympus 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