Nikon 1 J1 vs V1 vs Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Comparison

Nikon V1 vs Nikon J1
Nikon J1 vs Olympus PEN Mini


Nikon 1 J1 next to Nikon 1 V1

The new Nikon 1 J1 and V1 are introduced and offer similar specifications, and key features, however it's clear from the price difference, design, and expandability that these two models are aimed at different markets, so to help show how they differ from each other we've put together this article.

Nikon 1 V1 vs Nikon 1 J1 Features

Here's a quick table going over the main differences / specifications of the new cameras from Nikon, with the highlight feature marked in bold:

Nikon 1 J1	Nikon 1 V1
10.1mp CMOS sensor	10.1mp CMOS sensor
Infra-red filter further forward	Dust Reduction System
3 inch screen, 460k dots	3 inch screen, 921k dots
No EVF	1.44m dot EVF
Built in pop-up Flash	Flash/accessory hot shoe
Stereo mics, sensitivity adjustable	Stereo mics, sensitivity adjustable Microphone socket
30s-1/16,000s shutter (electronic)	30s-1/4000s shutter (Mechanical) 30s-1/16,000s shutter (electronic)
ISO100-3200 (6400 expanded)	ISO100-3200 (6400 expanded)
60fps still shooting (12 shots)	60fps still shooting (30 shots)
Rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL20 battery	Rechargeable Li-ion EN-EL15 battery
230 shot battery life	400 shot battery life
106 x 61 x 29.8 mm	113 x 76 x 43.5mm
234g (Body only)	294g (Body only)
£549 with 10-30mm kit lens	£829 with 10-30mm kit lens
Multiple colours (White, black, red,silver, pink)	Magnesium Body, Black or White
	Additional: Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5mm diameter)

Nikon J1 and V1 Screens

The controls / buttons / dials / and menus are the same on both cameras. However, the multi-accessory port on the V1 allows the camera to use any of the following adapters introduced with the new camera: Speedlight SB-N5,and GPS unit GP-N100, as well as any future developments. There is also an F-mount adapter available for both cameras to allow the use of Nikon F mount lenses with autofocus (AF-S, AF-I lenses can use autofocus) and in addition there is an optional Grip (GR-N1000 for V1, GR-N2000 for J1), and cases for the cameras.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon 1 V1 Handling Size Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 next to Nikon 1 V1 Front


Nikon 1 V1 next to Nikon 1 J1 Top


Nikon 1 V1 next to Nikon 1 J1 Back


Nikon 1 J1 next to Nikon 1 V1 - 10-30mm and 10-100mm Lenses collapsed


Nikon 1 J1 next to Nikon 1 V1 - Lenses extended

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1

Here we have the smallest Olympus PEN camera, the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1, and thought we'd use it to show the difference between the Nikon 1 J1 and PEN Mini.


Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Features

Here's a quick table going over the main differences / specifications of the new cameras, with the highlight feature marked in bold:

Nikon 1 J1	Olympus PEN E-PM1 Mini
10.1mp CMOS sensor	12.1 megapixels (effective)
Infra-red filter / dust sheild glass	SSWF Dust Reduction
3 inch screen, 460k dots	3inch 460k, 16:9
Lens based VR	Image Stabilisation (Sensor)
Built in pop-up Flash	Flash / accessory hot shoe
Stereo mics, sensitivity adjustable	Stereo mics, not sensitivity adjustable
30s-1/16,000s shutter (electronic)	60s-1/4000s shutter (mechanical)
135 focus areas	35 point area focus
Contrast detection and Phase Detection AF	Contrast detection AF
ISO100-3200 (6400 expanded)	ISO200-12800
60fps still shooting (12 shots)	4.1/5.5fps IS On/Off
Full HD 1920×1080, 1080i	Full HD 1920×1080, 1080i
230 shot battery life	330 shot battery life
106 x 61 x 29.8 mm	109.5 x 63.7 x 34.0 mm
234g (Body only)	216g (Body only)
£549 with 10-30mm VR kit lens	£449 with 14-42mm kit lens
Multiple colours (White, black, red, silver, pink)	Multiple colours (White, black, red, silver, pink, brown)
Creative effects (as featured on D5100) not available.	Art Filters

The Nikon 1 J1 also gives a number of high speed shooting features, such as high speed video up to 1200fps, and shooting photos before and after you've pressed the shutter release button.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Handling - Size Comparison

These pictures shows the size difference between the Nikon 1 CMOS sensor (13.2 mm by 8.8 mm) and Micro Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13 mm), although the Nikon 1 sensor is partly obscured by the infra-red filter which is placed further away from the sensor to reduce the effect of any dust on there.


Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1


Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1

The new Nikon 1 series has introduced a number of collapsible lenses, much like the Olympus 14-42mm Micro Four Thirds kit lens, however Nikon has introced a 10mm pancake lens (27mm equivalent), 10-30mm retractable standard zoom lens, a 30-110mm retractable telephoto zoom lens, and a 10-100mm retractable power zoom lens, with Vibration Reduction (VR) built into each lens, excluding the 10mm pancake.


Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Lens collapsed


Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Lens extended


Nikon 1 J1 and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 Lens extended, full telephoto

More Nikon 1 Series Links:
Nikon 1 Series Presentation and Questions With Nikon. New!
Nikon 1 Series Future Lenses and Prototypes. New!
Nikon 1 J1 Hands-On - Multi-coloured. Updated!
Nikon 1 V1 Hands-On - Screens.
Nikon 1 V1 vs J1 Size and Features Comparison.
Nikon 1 Series Camera Announcement.