Olympus E-P1

	Nikon D5000 Comparison Summary
Choosing the Nikon D5000 over the Olympus E-P1 gives you access to a much wider selection of lenses and the quick autofocus (when shooting through the viewfinder) that the Olympus can't match. When it comes to still image and video quality, though, the much more compact E-P1 meets or exceed the D5000 output in most regards, though the Olympus does suffer from high image noise and the Nikon scores particularly well in this area. We do like the hinged Nikon screen, which can pivot and rotate for shooting at different angles, and like most consumer SLRs the Nikon offers a pop-up flash the Olympus lacks. The substantial Olympus edge in portability, though, is a unique benefit.
	Canon Rebel T1i Comparison	Page 17 of 21	Olympus E-620 Comparison

	Comparison Specifications
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
Price	$799.99 w/14-42mm lens	$849.95 (w/ 18-55mm VR lens)
Dimensions	4.74 in/120.6mm (W) x 2.75 in/69.9mm (H) x 1.37 in/36.4mm (D) 11.8 oz./335g	5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in/127 x 104x 80mm 19.8 oz/560g
Resolution	12.3 megapixels	12.3-megapixels
Processor	TruePic V	EXPEED
Sensor size/type	17.3mm x 13.0mm Live MOS	15.8 x 23.6mm DX format CMOS
Kit Lens	14-42mm f/3.5-5.6	18-55mm VR
Viewfinder	none	95% field of view, 0.78x magnification
LCD	230,000-dot 3-inch LCD	230,000-dot, 2.7 inch, articulated vari-angle unit
Live View	Manual focus Autofocus: Imager contrast detection AF, Face Detection	Face-priority, wide area, normal area and Subject tracking, manual
Shutter Speed	1/4000 sec. - 60 sec, bulb up to 30 minutes	1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb
Burst Speed	Approx. 3 frames per second	Max. 4 shots/sec
Autofocus	Contrast AF	TTL phase detection, 11 focus points (including 1 cross-type sensor)
Exposure Compensation	±3 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps	±5EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 1 stop
Noise Reduction	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure
ISO range	ISO 100-6400 in 1/3 or 1 EV	ISO 200-3200 in 1/3 EV, extended to 100-6400
Flash	none	Built-in, pop-up
Media Format	Still: JPEG, RAW Video: MJPEG	Still: JPEG, RAW (12-bit), RAW+JPEG Video: AVI
Movie Mode	Yes, maximum resolution 720p @30fps	Yes, maximum resolution 720p @24fps
Media Type	SD/SDHC	SD/SDHC
Connections	Proprietary USB/AV, miniHDMI	Hi-speed USB, NTSC, mini HDMI
Other Hardware	No	No

	Video: Comparison Scores
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
Video: Color & Noise	15.59	21.76
Video: Motion & Sharpness	17.22	15.29
Video: Low Light Performance	14.11	27.05
Video Features	19.00	14.25
Exclusive - Video testing on the Olympus E-P1 is provided by CamcorderInfo.com, the world leader in camcorder and video reviewing.

Performance
Like the Canon T1i, the Nikon D5000 came up short in our resolution testing, with sharpness nowhere near the Olympus E-P1 results. On the other hand, the D5000 has very low image noise, an area where the E-P1 is weak. Burst mode speed and autofocus performance are both much faster for the Nikon, making it a better choice for sports and fast-action photography. It also has a much wider dynamic range, so it will hold onto detail better in high-contrast scenes.

Components
The hinged screen on the Nikon D5000 swings out from the body and pivots up and down, providing flexibility to shoot at different angles and a steady stance when shooting video. The D5000 also offers the optical viewfinder and pop-up flash missing from the E-P1. The standard Nikon lens mount is an advantage over the less well-supported Micro Four Thirds format. The compact size of the Olympus, though, has its own unique appeal.

Handling
Both of these cameras are exceptionally comfortable. The Nikon is a nicely balanced SLR, relatively small but with a well-shaped grip and that useful hinged LCD. We also like the way the rear screen automatically rotates when you hold the camera vertically. As for the Olympus, it has an entirely different but still very workable feel, smaller than an SLR but larger than a little point-and-shoot, with a solid righthand combination of curved thumb rest and front grip pad to ensure a secure hold.

Controls
The Nikon D5000 offers a much higher burst rate (4 frames per second versus 3 fps for the Olympus) and a wider exposure compensation range. When you factor in the extended settings, the ISO range is the same, as is the fastest 1/4000 second shutter speed. Both cameras offer a wide selection of scene modes and, while the Nikon in-camera editing functions are much more extensive, the Olympus Art Filters are fun tools for experimentation, and the on-screen dual-direction level gauge is genuinely useful.

	ISO Examples
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
ISO 100
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
ISO 200
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
ISO 400
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
ISO 800
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
ISO 1600
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
ISO 3200
	Olympus E-P1	Nikon D5000
ISO 6400

NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.