Olympus E-PL3 vs Nikon J4

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Olympus E-PL3 vs Nikon J4

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL3 Review.

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

Go in depth with our full Nikon J4 Review.

Succeeded by the Nikon J5
Compare J4 vs J5
Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Nikon J5

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Nikon J4

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 2.52 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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-PL3 test data on DxO Mark J4 test data on DxO Mark

499 vs 426 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Higher max flash sync
1/160 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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Nikon J4 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
28 mm vs 37 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
317g vs 428g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
346k vs 153k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
18.4 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
60.0 fps vs 5.3 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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

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Buy the Olympus E-PL3

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Nikon J4

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Olympus E-PL3.
Read our Olympus E-PL3 Initial Test

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon J4, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Nikon J4 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-P3

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$561
4/3

Fast startup
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-P3

Nikon J4

Olympus E-P3

$350
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$561
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J4 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PM1

$700
4/3

Tiltable Screen

$500
4/3

Less expensive

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Nikon J4

Olympus E-PM1

$350
1 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$500
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J4 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$450
4/3

Touchscreen
Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Panasonic GF5

Nikon J4

Panasonic GF5

$350
1 inch

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Wi-Fi

$450
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J4 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Olympus E-PL3

Samsung NX Mini

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$600
1 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Samsung NX Mini

Nikon J4

Samsung NX Mini

$350
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Higher-res screen

$600
1 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon J4 vs Samsung NX Mini

Compared to Nikon J5

Olympus E-PL3

Nikon J5

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Nikon J5

Nikon J4

Nikon J5

$350
1 inch

Longer stills battery life

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Tiltable Screen

Compare Nikon J4 vs Nikon J5

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