• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Nikon J5 advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Less expensive
    $497 vs $999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    59.4 fps vs 10.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    59.4 fps vs 10.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Nikon J5

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
    ~ 3.36 vs 2.37 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Higher effective ISO
    894 vs 479 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 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
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    43 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    39 vs 20 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

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.

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J5
Nikon J3
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus PEN-F
Nikon J3
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to 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
Olympus PEN-F
Samsung NX Mini
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $600
  • 1 inch
  • NFC
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon J4

Nikon J5
Nikon J4
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus PEN-F
Nikon J4
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $350
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon J5
Panasonic GX85
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Nikon J5
Olympus E-PL8
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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