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

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Differences

Nikon V3 advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 68 mm
    Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Nikon V3

  • 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.
  • Less expensive
    $949 vs $1197
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 20.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,312 vs 384 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for an interchangeable-lens camera; Generous kit includes lens, high-res electronic viewfinder and accessory grip; Good image quality for the sensor size; Amazing burst performance; Lightning-fast autofocus; Intuitive touch-screen makes focusing a snap

  • Smaller sensor than most rivals limits possibilities for available-light shooting; Program mode opts for wide-open aperture most of the time; Limited dynamic range; Noisy shadows; Below-average battery life; Pricey when considering its image quality

  • 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 V3
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon V3
Nikon J3
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon J3
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon AW1

Nikon V3
Nikon AW1
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon AW1
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Nikon J5

Nikon V3
Nikon J5
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
Olympus E-M1 II
Nikon J5
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic GX8

Nikon V3
Panasonic GX8
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic GX8
  • $1324
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Fast startup
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
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