• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 26.00mm - 624.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Nikon P90 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Less shutter lag
    0.53 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Nikon P90

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.53 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 290 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 99 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.0 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Nikon P100

Nikon P90
Nikon P100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon P90 vs Nikon P100

Olympus E-PL1
Nikon P100
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Nikon P100

Compared to Pentax X90

Nikon P90
Pentax X90
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Nikon P90 vs Pentax X90

Olympus E-PL1
Pentax X90
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax X90

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Nikon P90
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon P90 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Olympus E-PL1
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Nikon P90
Olympus E-PL2
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P90 vs Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Nikon P90
Olympus E-P3
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P90 vs Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

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