Olympus E-M10 vs Nikon J5

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Olympus E-M10 vs Nikon J5

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-M10 Review.
How does it shoot? Olympus E-M10 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the E-M10.
Compare Olympus E-M10 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Olympus E-M10 conclusion.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 160 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon J5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon J5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the J5.
Compare Nikon J5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon J5 conclusion.

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Differences

Olympus E-M10 advantages over Nikon J5

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
Bigger pixels
~ 3.75 vs 2.37 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.30 vs 2.0 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.
E-M10 test data on DxO Mark J5 test data on DxO Mark

884 vs 479 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

320 vs 250 shots
Capture more photos
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/60 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon J5 advantages over Olympus E-M10

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
31 mm vs 45 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
345g vs 515g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.07 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.8 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
59.4 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
59.4 fps vs 8.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-M10 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read J5 User Reviews

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Buy the Olympus E-M10

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

All E-M10 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)

Kit with 10-30mm lens (Black)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-100mm lens (White)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm lenses (White)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (Silver)
Kit with 10-30mm lens (White)

All J5 Deals

Review Excerpt

Great image quality especially from RAW files; Excellent dynamic range for a Four Thirds sensor; Very good high ISO performance; Realistic colors and excellent hue accuracy; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features; Improved HD video; Lightweight and very portable; Built-in pop-up flash; Minimal EVF lag time.
Contrast-Detect AF struggles with small and low-contrast subjects; Mediocre battery life; No external microphone or headphone jack; Mediocre burst speed with continuous AF; No weather sealing; Heavy-handed high ISO noise reduction.
Read our Olympus E-M10 Review

Photographer-friendly controls; Impressive dynamic range for its class; Very fast hybrid autofocus; Fast high-speed shooting capabilities; Tilting touchscreen display.
No hot shoe or viewfinder; Aggressive noise reduction, even at base ISO; 4K video is limited to 15fps.
Read our Nikon J5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX7

$399
4/3

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$648
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX7

Nikon J5

Panasonic GX7

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

$648
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon J5 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Olympus E-M10

Samsung NX Mini

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$600
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J5

Samsung NX Mini

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
On-sensor phase detect

$600
1 inch

Longer stills battery life
Thinner

Compare Nikon J5 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J4

Olympus E-M10

Nikon J4

$399
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$350
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Nikon J4

Nikon J5

Nikon J4

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

$350
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon J5 vs Nikon J4

Compared to Olympus E-M10 II

Olympus E-M10

Olympus E-M10 II

$399
4/3

$349
4/3

Fast startup
Shoots 24p video

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Nikon J5

Olympus E-M10 II

$497
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Shoot 4K video

$349
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon J5 vs Olympus E-M10 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GX85

$399
4/3

Higher effective ISO
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic GX85

Nikon J5

Panasonic GX85

$497
1 inch

Less expensive
NFC

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon J5 vs Panasonic GX85

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