Olympus E-PL1 vs Nikon J5

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Olympus E-PL1 vs Nikon J5

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Olympus E-PL1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the E-PL1.

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

Go in depth with our full Nikon J5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon J5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the J5.
Compare Nikon J5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon J5 conclusion.

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Differences

Olympus E-PL1 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
~ 4.29 vs 2.37 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 J5 advantages over Olympus E-PL1

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 720p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
J5 test data on DxO Mark E-PL1 test data on DxO Mark

12.0 vs 10.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Thinner
31 mm vs 41 mm
Thinner
Newer
9 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
345g vs 482g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1037k vs 230k 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
0.07 vs 0.95 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.8 vs 12.3 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
Faster JPEG shooting
59.4 fps vs 3.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
12800 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read E-PL1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read J5 User Reviews

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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)

Review Excerpt

Read our Olympus E-PL1 Full Review

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-P2

Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-P2

$392
4/3

Less expensive
Internal flash

$1100
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Faster shutter

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P2

Nikon J5

Olympus E-P2

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1100
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J5 vs Olympus E-P2

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-PL2

$392
4/3

$600
4/3

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-PL2

Nikon J5

Olympus E-PL2

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$600
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J5 vs Olympus E-PL2

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Olympus E-PL1

Olympus E-P3

$392
4/3

Less expensive

$561
4/3

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus E-PL1 vs Olympus E-P3

Nikon J5

Olympus E-P3

$497
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$561
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon J5 vs Olympus E-P3

Compared to Samsung NX Mini

Olympus E-PL1

Samsung NX Mini

$392
4/3

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$600
1 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL1 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-PL1

Nikon J4

$392
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$350
1 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-PL1 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

Compare Other Cameras?