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Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
88
Imaging
58
Features
48
Overall
54
Nikon Coolpix A front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Nikon A
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8) lens
  • 299g - 111 x 64 x 40mm
  • Released June 2013
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Announced January 2016
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Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Nikon A versus Olympus PEN-F, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Olympus. The image resolution of the A (16MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is very similar but the A (APS-C) and PEN-F (Four Thirds) feature different sensor size.

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The A was announced 3 years prior to the PEN-F and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon A being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the A grades against the PEN-F with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon A over the Olympus PEN-F

 A PEN-F 

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Nikon A

 PEN-F A 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016June 2013More recent by 32 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon A and Olympus PEN-F

 A PEN-F 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size

Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon A has got external dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.6") with a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Olympus PEN-F has proportions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon A versus Olympus PEN-F in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the A against the PEN-F.

Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A and PEN-F is 88 and 84 respectively.

Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the A and PEN-F.

All in all, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The A using its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Olympus PEN-F will deliver extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older A is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon A as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
75
has manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon A
Street photography with Olympus PEN-F
71
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (299g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
84
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon A Sports photography advice
Olympus PEN-F Sports photography advice
47
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
focal length is fixed (28mm)
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
terrible battery pack (330 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon A Travel photography advice
Olympus PEN-F Travel photography advice
63
lighter than competition (299g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery (230 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
75
boasts focus by touch
MP count decent (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon A Landscape photography information
Olympus PEN-F Landscape photography information
54
you can focus manually
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
76
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon A Vlogging information
Olympus PEN-F Vlogging information
31
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (299g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone port
78
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Nikon A vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon A and Olympus PEN-F
 Nikon Coolpix AOlympus PEN-F
General Information
Make Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon Coolpix A Olympus PEN-F
Category Large Sensor Compact Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2013-06-06 2016-01-27
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 81
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 28mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focusing range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.62x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.50 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/2000s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 299g (0.66 pounds) 427g (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.6") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 74
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.8 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1164 894
Other
Battery life 230 photos 330 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $778 $1,000