• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Nikon D3X advantages over Olympus E-PL1

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    24.7 vs 21.5 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,992 vs 487 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.7 vs 10.1 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 4400 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.95 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E-PL1 advantages over Nikon D3X

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    41 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A900

Nikon D3X
Sony A900
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Lighter weight
Olympus E-PL1
Sony A900
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X
Nikon D3S
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • More dynamic range
  • External Mic Jack
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Olympus E-PL1
Nikon D3S
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $5200
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-PL2

Nikon D3X
Olympus E-PL2
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-PL2
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • $600
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Nikon D3X
Olympus E-P3
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
Olympus E-PL1
Olympus E-P3
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3X
Nikon D4
  • $2500
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
Olympus E-PL1
Nikon D4
  • $392
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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