Nikon D3X vs Olympus E-M1 II

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Nikon D3X vs Olympus E-M1 II

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35mm 861.6mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3X Review.

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 Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Compare E-M1 II vs E-M1 Mark III
Compare Nikon D3X vs Olympus E-M1 Mark III

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Differences

Nikon D3X advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.36 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
D3X test data on DxO Mark E-M1 II test data on DxO Mark

1,992 vs 1,312 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

4400 vs 440 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.5 vs 20.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Nikon D3X

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs No
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
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
8 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
574g vs 1392g
Lighter weight
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
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 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
51 vs 31 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3X User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M1 II User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D3X

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Review Excerpt

Read our Nikon D3X Full 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 D3X

Fujifilm X-T2

$2500
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Nikon D3X 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 Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

$1200
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Nikon D3X vs Canon 5D Mark II

Olympus E-M1 II

Canon 5D Mark II

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon 5D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D3X vs Nikon D3S

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D3S

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D3S

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3X

Nikon D4

$2500
35mm

Longer stills battery life
More pixels

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D3X vs Nikon D4

Olympus E-M1 II

Nikon D4

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Nikon D4

Compared to Panasonic G7

Nikon D3X

Panasonic G7

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3X 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

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