• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon AW1 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Less expensive
    $797 vs $949*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    313g vs 574g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Nikon AW1

  • 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 20.2 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 428 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 10.9 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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

  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon AW1

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Nikon AW1
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon V2

Nikon AW1
Nikon V2
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon V2
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon AW1
Nikon J3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon J3
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon V3

Nikon AW1
Nikon V3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon V3
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic G7

Nikon AW1
Panasonic G7
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $949
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
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