• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Olympus E-PL3 advantages over Nikon V2

  • 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.
  • Less expensive
    $700 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    499 vs 403 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon V2 advantages over Olympus E-PL3

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    307k 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.07 vs 0.24 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    40 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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-PL3

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Buy the Nikon V2
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 10-100mm Lens
  • Kit with 10-30mm & 30-110mm Lenses
  • Kit with 10-30mm Lens
All V2 Deals

Review Excerpt

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 V2
Olympus E-P3
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V2 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 V2
Olympus E-PM1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V2 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Nikon V1

Olympus E-PL3
Nikon V1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Nikon V1

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

Compare Nikon V2 vs Nikon V1

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 V2
Panasonic GF5
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V2 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Nikon AW1

Olympus E-PL3
Nikon AW1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL3 vs Nikon AW1

Nikon V2
Nikon AW1
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Nikon V2 vs Nikon AW1

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