• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Nikon J1 advantages over Olympus E-M5 III

  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 49 mm
    Thinner
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    57.9 fps vs 30.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Olympus E-M5 III advantages over Nikon J1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 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

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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 GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M5 III

Review Excerpt

  • Very small body, with solid feel; Fast AF; No-nonsense interface. Excellent video capture, Good picture quality.

  • Body could be smaller for sensor size; High ISO isn't as good as other compact system cameras; Battery life below average; Weak flash; Confusing controls.

  • Improved image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance for a modern MFT sensor; Very fast AF; Excellent image stabilization; 4K video recording; Weather-sealed build quality.

  • Below average battery life; Small size can be awkward with long, heavy lenses; One SD card slot.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J2

Nikon J1
Nikon J2
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon J2
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J1
Nikon J3
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon J3
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon S1

Nikon J1
Nikon S1
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-M5 III
Nikon S1
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic G100

Nikon J1
Panasonic G100
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Olympus E-M5 III
Panasonic G100
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Olympus E-M10 IV

Nikon J1
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M5 III
Olympus E-M10 IV
  • $924
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $666
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life
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