Nikon D3200 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D3200 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Leave Feedback

APS-C 357.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3200 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3200.

4/3 226.2mm²
20.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M1 II.
Compare Olympus E-M1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M1 II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Nikon D3300
Compare D3200 vs D3300

Succeeded by the Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III

Compare NIKON D3300 vs OLYMPUS E-M1 MARK III

Buy From

Differences

Nikon D3200 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Less expensive
$477 vs $899*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

540 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 51 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Nikon D3200

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark D3200 test data on DxO Mark

1,312 vs 1,131 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
8 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.28 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
60.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
51 vs 12 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3200 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D3200

Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All D3200 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II

Body Only (Black)

All E-M1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

High resolution allows cropping; Good performance in low light; Compact and comfortable, highly portable; Fast and responsive, just begs to take pictures; Quiet shutter is great for candids.
Mediocre kit lens; Might be too small for some; No bracketing; Narrow flash coverage; Matrix metering tends to overexpose.
Read our Nikon D3200 Review

Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.
Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Nikon D3200

Fujifilm X-T2

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II

Fujifilm X-T2

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Sony A65

Nikon D3200

Sony A65

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$798
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A65

Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A65

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$798
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A65

Compared to Nikon D5200

Nikon D3200

Nikon D5200

$477
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger RAW buffer

$590
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Nikon D5200

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D5200

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$590
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D5200

Compared to Sony A58

Nikon D3200

Sony A58

$477
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$598
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Sony A58

Olympus E-M1 II

Sony A58

$899
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A58

Compared to Panasonic G7

Nikon D3200

Panasonic G7

$477
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D3200 vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?