• 35mm 860.4mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D4S advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 7.31 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,074 vs 894 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 3020 vs 330 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
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.62x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    200 vs 43 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    78 vs 39 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Nikon D4S

  • Less expensive
    $999 vs $4800
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • 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
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 90 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    434g vs 1356g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.20 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent, tank-like build quality; First-rate ergonomics a pro would expect; Superb performance with confident autofocus; Great image quality; Big, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage; Excellent battery life; Doubles as a powerful video capture tool

  • Fairly minor upgrade over the D4; Image quality improvements apply only to JPEG; XQD card format isn't broadly accepted; Consumer-friendly default JPEG processing may turn off some pros; Body is large and hefty (but that's normal for pro gear)

  • 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 Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S
Canon 1DX
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • More cross-type AF points
  • Less shutter lag
Olympus PEN-F
Canon 1DX
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $5299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D4S
Nikon D4
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Bigger RAW buffer
Olympus PEN-F
Nikon D4
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $4500
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D4S
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • More cross-type AF points
Olympus PEN-F
Canon EOS-1D C
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $6989
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Nikon D4S
Panasonic GX85
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • 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 D4S
Olympus E-PL8
  • $5399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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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