Clicky

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon Coolpix S9900 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
52
Overall
49

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 Key Specs

Nikon S9900
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 289g - 112 x 66 x 40mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Superseded the Nikon S9700
Olympus E-PM1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 265g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released November 2011
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PM2
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon S9900 and Olympus E-PM1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Olympus. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the S9900 (16MP) and E-PM1 (12MP) and the S9900 (1/2.3") and E-PM1 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizes.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

The S9900 was unveiled 3 years after the E-PM1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon S9900 being a Compact camera and the Olympus E-PM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the S9900 scores against the E-PM1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon S9900 over the Olympus E-PM1

 S9900 E-PM1 
ReleasedFebruary 2015November 2011More modern by 40 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM1 over the Nikon S9900

 E-PM1 S9900 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Nikon S9900 and Olympus E-PM1

 S9900 E-PM1 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you should consider its weight and size. The Nikon S9900 features outer dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 289 grams (0.64 lbs) while the Olympus E-PM1 has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 265 grams (0.58 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon S9900 and Olympus E-PM1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the S9900 versus the E-PM1.

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S9900 and E-PM1 is 88 and 89 respectively.

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S9900 and E-PM1.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S9900 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Nikon S9900 will render greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern S9900 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9900 Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PM1 Portrait photography features
37
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Nikon S9900 Street photography advice
Olympus E-PM1 Street photography advice
68
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (289g)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
75
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Nikon S9900 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-PM1 Sports photography factors
53
amazing zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
lack of phase detect autofocus
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Travel Comparison

Nikon S9900 Travel photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Travel photography info
77
lighter than others in class (289 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (750mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
45
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9900 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PM1 Landscape photography info
47
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have Timelapse function
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9900 Vlogging details
Olympus E-PM1 Vlogging details
73
rather wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (289g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.7)
lack of external microphone support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Nikon S9900 vs Olympus E-PM1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9900 and Olympus E-PM1
 Nikon Coolpix S9900Olympus PEN E-PM1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Coolpix S9900 Olympus PEN E-PM1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2015-02-10 2011-11-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 25-750mm (30.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.7-6.4 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 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
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 289 gr (0.64 pounds) 265 gr (0.58 pounds)
Dimensions 112 x 66 x 40mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.6") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 52
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.3
DXO Low light score not tested 499
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 330 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL19 BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $300 $499