Olympus E-PM1 vs Nikon V1

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Olympus E-PM1 vs Nikon V1

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PM1 Review.

1 inch 116.2mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon V1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the V1.

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Differences

Olympus E-PM1 advantages over Nikon V1

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
$500 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 3.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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-PM1 test data on DxO Mark V1 test data on DxO Mark

499 vs 346 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Lighter weight
382g vs 502g
Lighter weight
More pixels
12.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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 V1 advantages over Olympus E-PM1

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Fast startup
~1.30 vs 1.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More dots on screen
922k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
9.8 fps vs 5.3 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
34 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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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-PM1

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Buy the Nikon V1

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Olympus E-PM1.
Read our Olympus E-PM1 Initial Test

Good image quality; Good quality lens; Full HD videos; Lightning fast AF; Fun to use.
Mode dial turns easily; Missing "modern" features like panorama, HDR; Somewhat heavy; Sluggish shot-to-shot cycle times; Proprietary external flash.
Read our Nikon V1 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Olympus E-PM1

Olympus E-PL3

$500
4/3

Less expensive

$700
4/3

Tiltable Screen

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Nikon V1

Olympus E-PL3

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V1 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF3X

$500
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
4/3

Touchscreen
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF3X

Nikon V1

Panasonic GF3X

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Higher max flash sync

$750
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V1 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Nikon J1

Olympus E-PM1

Nikon J1

$500
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$500
1 inch

On-sensor phase detect
Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Nikon J1

Nikon V1

Nikon J1

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer stills battery life

$500
1 inch

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5

$500
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$450
4/3

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic GF5

Nikon V1

Panasonic GF5

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Higher max flash sync

$450
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V1 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Nikon V2

Olympus E-PM1

Nikon V2

$500
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Olympus E-PM1 vs Nikon V2

Nikon V1

Nikon V2

$900
1 inch

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$900
1 inch

Higher effective ISO
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon V2

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