The Nikon 1 system uses the same sensor and camera body to offer two different solutions for photographers to the quality compact camera problem; with both offering the same image quality.
“The new Nikon 1 system is the culmination of more than 75 years of optical excellence and relentless pursuit to the unrivaled technological advancements in camera technology,” said Bo Kajiwara, Director of Marketing, Nikon Inc. “Nikon’s new 1 J1 camera allows consumers to have confidence in a new way to express themselves, with amazing speed, versatility, ease of use and portability.”
The Nikon J1 features a smooth shape and fashionable colors for the body and the lens while the Nikon V1 comes in no-nonsense black. The smooth stylish body the V1 it shares with the Nikon J1 is interrupted by a bulge on the top for the electronic viewfinder.
The Nikon V1 discards the traditional hot shoe for instead providing a multi function accessory port - sounds much more impressive. Nikon offer a new compact Speedlight external flash unit to fit the new port as well as a GPS unit that includes location data into the image EXIF file.
Versatile Video Mode
The convergence of still and video photography for common uses takes another step with the Nikon 1 system cameras. Photographers do not have to decide between video or still capture. In movie mode they Nikon say when photographers press the shutter button they “instantly capture a high quality image while simultaneously recording Full HD 1080p movies.”
In normal video capture, individual video frames can be used as still images, but they are much lower resolution than the normal still photo resolution of the digital camera.
Fast Autofocus
According to Nikon the J1 and V1 have a new hybrid autofocus system that continuously evaluates the scene and switches between phase detection and contrast detect AF for fast and accurate focus.
Phase detection is the AF method used in DSLRs, while contrast detection is usually found in point and shoot digital cameras.
DxOMark Sensor Tests
The size and the performance of Nikon’s CX sensor suggests the V1 and J1 are aimed at point and shoot photographers seeking better photo quality - yet compactness and convenience are still very important.
According to Nikon their “1 system represents a new category of camera that challenges conventional thinking, emphasizing a pocketable form factor with unbelievable speed, combined with the high image quality that only Nikon could create.”
Nikon say this new sensor is a CX format and has a 2.7 focal length magnification factor. This is smaller than their DX and FX size sensors for DSLRs, yet larger than common digital a point and shoot cameras with focal length magnification factors of 4.5 and greater.
The DxOMark tests show the Nikon 1 CX format sensor in a V1 is clearly better than the P7000’s, Nikon’s premium compact digital camera. The Nikon P7000 has a combined DxOMark score of 39 while the V1 achieved an overall score of 54.
The DxOMark test scores also illustrate that there is more to camera performance than megapixels. The V1 and the P7000 have 10megapixel sensors, but other factors, such as sensor size, allow the CX format cameras to perform significantly better.
The convenience compromise of the smaller CX format sensor show when comparing the V1 to an entry level DSLR. The larger, in sensor and body terms, Nikon D3100 has a clear advantage over the V1 with a DxOMark score of 67.
Nikon 1 Lenses
To suit the new smaller sensor Nikon have a range of interchangeable lenses that are more compact than equivalent lenses for DSLRs with larger sensors.
They are much larger than tiny plastic zooms on compact cameras and are an important element in achieving the high image quality Nikon are seeking with the Nikon 1 system cameras. Larger sensors show up the inadequacies of inferior lenses in most compact digital cameras.
The standard lens is a VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (27-81mm 35mm equivalent) which is ideal for landscapes and groups of people yet can zoom in for individual portraits.
To make the most of the slim styling of the Nikon V1 and J1 cameras Nikon do have a compact, or pancake, 10mm f/2.8 (27mm equivalent) 1 Nikkor lens.
Nikon say in the future there will be a FT-1 F-mount adaptor for DSLR NIKKOR lenses so that photographers can use their collection of NIKKOR lenses on their J1 or V1 cameras.
Price and Availability
Nikon say the J1 and V1 will be available throughout the United States beginning October 20th. The Nikon J1 camera with 10-30mm lens kit has a suggested retail price of $US649.95. The Nikon V1 camera with 10-30mm lens kit has a suggested retail price of $US899.95.
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