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Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Olympus E-1 front
Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Announced April 2008
  • Newer Model is Nikon D3S
Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced November 2003
  • Updated by Olympus E-3
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Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon D3 and Olympus E-1, both Pro DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the D3 (12MP) and E-1 (5MP) and the D3 (Full frame) and E-1 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The D3 was manufactured 4 years after the E-1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Large SLR).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the D3 grades vs the E-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Olympus E-1

 D3 E-1 
IntroducedApril 2008November 2003Newer by 54 months
Screen dimension3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution922k134kClearer screen (+788k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Nikon D3

 E-1 D3 

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Olympus E-1

 D3 E-1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D3 comes with outside dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) while the Olympus E-1 has dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D3 and Olympus E-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the D3 vs the E-1.

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the D3 and E-1 is 50 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D3 and E-1.

Clearly, both of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The D3 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon D3 will produce extra detail due to its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more modern D3 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-1 Portrait photography info
63
focusing manually
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
46
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-1 as a Street photography camera
54
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
57
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
lighter than average in class (735g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 Sports photography features
Olympus E-1 Sports photography features
65
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery power (4,300 shots)
has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
40
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 Travel photography details
Olympus E-1 Travel photography details
51
better than average battery power (4,300 CIPA)
weather proof
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
47
lighter than average in class (735 grams)
environment proofing
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3 Landscape photography features
Olympus E-1 Landscape photography features
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery power (4,300 shots)
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen is small (1.8 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (5 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 Vlogging details
Olympus E-1 Vlogging details
9
can't record video
9
can't record video
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Nikon D3 vs Olympus E-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Olympus E-1
 Nikon D3Olympus E-1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon D3 Olympus E-1
Class Pro DSLR Pro DSLR
Announced 2008-04-18 2003-11-29
Body design Large SLR Large SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 5MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 4:3
Full resolution 4256 x 2832 2560 x 1920
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 51 3
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 309 45
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 1.8 inches
Screen resolution 922k dot 134k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.48x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1300g (2.87 lb) 735g (1.62 lb)
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 81 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 2290 not tested
Other
Battery life 4300 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 Compact Flash (Type I or II)
Storage slots 2 1
Launch cost $5,450 $1,700