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Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
87
Imaging
49
Features
79
Overall
61
Nikon 1 V3 front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F 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
  • Older Model is Nikon 1 V2
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Launched January 2016
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Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the 1 V3 (18MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is relatively similar but the 1 V3 (1") and PEN-F (Four Thirds) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The 1 V3 was launched 22 months earlier than the PEN-F which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the 1 V3 grades against the PEN-F in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 V3 over the Olympus PEN-F

 1 V3 PEN-F 

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Nikon 1 V3

 PEN-F 1 V3 
LaunchedJanuary 2016March 2014More modern by 22 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon 1 V3 and Olympus PEN-F

 1 V3 PEN-F 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution1037k1037kThe same screen resolution
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 V3 has got outer measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 381 grams (0.84 lbs) whilst the Olympus PEN-F has dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") having a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

See the Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the 1 V3 compared to the PEN-F.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 V3 and PEN-F is 87 and 84 respectively.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The image here may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 V3 and PEN-F.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The 1 V3 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Olympus PEN-F will offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged 1 V3 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Portrait photography camera
69
focusing manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
75
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 as a Street photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Street photography camera
76
tilting screen
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
does not have image stabilization
84
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Sports photography camera
62
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
high max frames per second (60.0 fps)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
bad battery (330 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Travel photography camera
68
offers focus by touch
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery life (310 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
75
comes with touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 Landscape photography features
Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography features
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (310 CIPA)
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
bad battery (330 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 V3 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Vlogging camera
35
screen is touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
78
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
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Nikon 1 V3 vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 V3 and Olympus PEN-F
 Nikon 1 V3Olympus PEN-F
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon 1 V3 Olympus PEN-F
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2014-03-13 2016-01-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4A TruePic VII
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 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5232 x 3488 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 160 200
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 171 81
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.62x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 60.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m (ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 381 gr (0.84 lbs) 427 gr (0.94 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 74
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.7 12.4
DXO Low light rating 384 894
Other
Battery life 310 images 330 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20a BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $997 $1,000