• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon V1 advantages over Olympus E-PL8

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.8 fps vs 8.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus E-PL8 advantages over Nikon V1

  • 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.
  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Newer
    8 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-PL8
Body Only (Black)
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  • Body Only (White)
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  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Brown)
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens (White)
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Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality; Good quality lens; Full HD videos; Lightning fast AF; Fun to use.

  • Mode dial turns easily; Missing "modern" features like panorama, HDR; Somewhat heavy; Sluggish shot-to-shot cycle times; Proprietary external flash.

  • Read our Nikon V1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J1

Nikon V1
Nikon J1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon J1

Olympus E-PL8
Nikon J1
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Nikon J2

Nikon V1
Nikon J2
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon J2

Olympus E-PL8
Nikon J2
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Nikon J2

Compared to Nikon V2

Nikon V1
Nikon V2
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon V2

Olympus E-PL8
Nikon V2
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Nikon V2

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon V1
Panasonic GX85
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon V1 vs Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL8
Panasonic GX85
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Nikon V1
Olympus E-PL9
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon V1 vs Olympus E-PL9

Olympus E-PL8
Olympus E-PL9
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL8 vs Olympus E-PL9

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