• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E-PL6 advantages over Nikon J5

  • 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
    ~ 3.75 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 360 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
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • 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-PL6

  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • 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
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-PL6
Kit with 14-42mm Lens

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

  • 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 Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL6
Olympus E-PM1
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Olympus E-PM1

Nikon J5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PL6
Panasonic GF5
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic GF5

Nikon J5
Panasonic GF5
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J5 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Olympus E-PL6
Samsung NX Mini
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-PL6 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-PL6
Nikon J4
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-PL6 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 Panasonic GF7

Olympus E-PL6
Panasonic GF7
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL6 vs Panasonic GF7

Nikon J5
Panasonic GF7
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • NFC
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon J5 vs Panasonic GF7

Compare Other Cameras?