• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 2000.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M1 advantages over Nikon P900

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    63 mm vs 137 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Lighter weight
    497g vs 916g
    Lighter weight
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    50 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 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

Nikon P900 advantages over Olympus E-M1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/320 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Exceptional rugged, weather-proof, professional build; Lightning fast contrast-detect AF, and phase-detect AF that makes Four Thirds lenses far more responsive; Tons of useful physical controls with immense customizability; Arguably the best image quality of any Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested to date; Large, sharp, high-resolution electronic viewfinder; Advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, including remote control shooting in PASM exposure modes.

  • Bigger and heavier than many other compact system cameras; Most expensive Micro Four Thirds camera on the market to date; Menu system and customization options have a steep learning curve; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 Review

  • Farthest zoom reach for a fixed lens camera (2000mm eq.); Good image quality for its class; Good vibration reduction; Fast aperture at wide angle (f/2.8); Excellent value for the price.

  • No RAW file recording; Limited capabilities in low light, including struggling with autofocus; Lens not as sharp at full tele end; No hot shoe.

  • Read our Nikon P900 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Olympus E-M5

Nikon P900
Olympus E-M5
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P900 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH3
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH3

Nikon P900
Panasonic GH3
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P900 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Panasonic FZ70

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic FZ70
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic FZ70

Nikon P900
Panasonic FZ70
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $660
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Lighter weight

Compare Nikon P900 vs Panasonic FZ70

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GH4
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GH4

Nikon P900
Panasonic GH4
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P900 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Olympus E-M1
Panasonic GX8
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus E-M1 vs Panasonic GX8

Nikon P900
Panasonic GX8
  • $697
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon P900 vs Panasonic GX8

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