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Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1

Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
80
Overall
73
Nikon Z fc front
 
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
43
Overall
45

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 Key Specs

Nikon Z fc
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 445g - 135 x 94 x 44mm
  • Released June 2021
Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Replacement is Olympus E-PL1s
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Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Nikon Z fc versus Olympus E-PL1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the Z fc (21MP) and E-PL1 (12MP) and the Z fc (APS-C) and E-PL1 (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z fc was manufactured 11 years later than the E-PL1 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z fc being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the Z fc grades vs the E-PL1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z fc over the Olympus E-PL1

 Z fc E-PL1 
AnnouncedJune 2021May 2010Fresher by 136 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Nikon Z fc

 E-PL1 Z fc 

Common features in the Nikon Z fc and Olympus E-PL1

 Z fc E-PL1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Nikon Z fc has exterior dimensions of 135mm x 94mm x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) while the Olympus E-PL1 has specifications of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z fc versus Olympus E-PL1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the Z fc compared to the E-PL1.

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z fc and E-PL1 is 79 and 86 respectively.

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by checking out technical specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z fc and E-PL1.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The Z fc due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Z fc will produce greater detail due to its extra 9MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern Z fc is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z fc Portrait photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Portrait photography features
81
focusing manually
good megapixels (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z fc Street photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Street photography information
74
screen articulates
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (445 grams)
74
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z fc Sports photography features
Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography features
67
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
44
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z fc
Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
72
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
good megapixels (21 megapixels)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (300 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (445g)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (290 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z fc Landscape photography information
Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography information
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (300 CIPA)
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery pack (290 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z fc Vlogging features
Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging features
73
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone jack
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (445 grams)
29
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Nikon Z fc vs Olympus E-PL1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z fc and Olympus E-PL1
 Nikon Z fcOlympus PEN E-PL1
General Information
Company Nikon Olympus
Model Nikon Z fc Olympus PEN E-PL1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2021-06-28 2010-05-17
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Truepic V
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5568 x 3712 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 21 107
Crop factor 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m
Flash modes Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 445 gr (0.98 lb) 334 gr (0.74 lb)
Physical dimensions 135 x 94 x 44mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 1.7") 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 54
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.1
DXO Low light score not tested 487
Other
Battery life 300 images 290 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 BLS-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $949 $288