The Nikon 1 J1 is a Nikon 1 series mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera launched by Nikon on September 21, 2011. It is a new model that focuses on high-performance, portability and versatility. Nikon lists the estimated selling price of the Nikon 1 J1 One-Lens Kit in the United States at $649.95. Released on October 20, 2011, this kit comes with the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. [1]
This groundbreaking camera is known for its ease of use, sporting only four shooting modes: Still Images, Moving Images, Motion Snapshot and Smart Photo Selector and only two buttons for Power, Shutter and Record. [2] These are found on top on the camera. Nikon 1 J1 has an all-new Nikon 1 lens mount, which has made lens changes simpler and quicker. [3]
Features edit
The Nikon 1 J1 is an advanced camera with an interchangeable lens on a Nikon 1 mount. [4] It features a 2.7x lens focal length and 10.1 million pixels. [5] The camera has full HD movie capability, with 1080p, as well as slow motion movie that films at a speed of 400-1,200fps. [6] The major selling point of the video option is that while in movie mode, users can shoot photographs, as well. Whereas users of Nikon cameras used to have to choose between shooting video or photo, they now have the option to do both simultaneously. [7]
Motion Snapshot edit
Motion snapshot is one of the many features that Nikon has revolutionized for this specific model. At the touch of the shutter, the camera takes a “high-resolution still, plus a one second movie vignette.” Upon playback, this creates a motion series in slow motion, accompanied by music. This feature can be used to capture portrait, as well as landscape, photographs. [8]
Auto-focus edit
The Nikon 1 J1 boasts the fastest autofocus with a 73-point focal plane that captures moments effortlessly. The autofocus extensively and thoroughly monitors the subject and tracks it to ensure the elements are sharply preserved. It automatically works to improve output in low-light situations, as well. [9]
Smart Photo Selector edit
Smart Photo Selector is another key feature of this product that Nikon has added. Upon pressing the shutter speed, the camera takes 20 shots at 30fps. From those 20, the camera then selects the best 5, and from that reduces that selection to one for a final photo recommendation. The camera selects the best pictures based on criteria on the subject being out of frame, out of focus, blurred or having its eyes closed. This gives the user the ability to capture that perfect moment with precision. [10]
Nikon EXPEED edit
EXPEED 3 is Nikon’s newest image sensor and processing engine. It has precision focus with smooth, comfortable shooting and is high-speed, and has full HD movies and high-resolution images. One of the points Nikon pushes about this new imagining sensor is that it eliminates noise at low light because of the high-speed AF CX-format CMOS Sensor. [11]
Scene Recognition Mode edit
Scene recognition mode is also new to the Nikon 1 J1. This setting determines which mode the camera should capture the photograph in. It automatically will choose between portrait, landscape, close-up and night portrait depending on lighting, subject, scenery and closeness. The camera will automatically detect these settings, and choose accordingly. [12]
Picture Control edit
Picture Control is another option that Nikon has built into the camera, as well. It allows users to retouch photographs in-camera, before uploading them to a computer or printing them. Users can choose from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape. These options give the user a way to transform their photos to match their vision and be creative. [13]
D-Lighting edit
Active D-Lighting is one of the last features that the product brochure boasts to optimize images and balance shadow and light. While users are able to adjust exposure settings, the camera will help to correct the images or can work on its own to correct images itself. Without D-lighting, most cameras will determine lighting based on one section of the photo, which can drastically distort lighting and make the photograph appear dark and lifeless. With Active D-lighting on the Nikon 1 J1, it corrects the exposure based on lighting in the entire frame and makes them appear more lively and vivid. [14]
NIKKOR 1 Lens System edit
Nikon developed an entirely new system of lenses and lens mounts for the Nikon 1 series. These lenses are only compatible with 1 mount cameras. Nikon has not debuted a new lens mount since the F-mount that routine users of Nikon are accustomed to. These lenses are meant to be extremely portable and compact, just like the 1 J1. [15] There are 4 NIKKOR lenses that Nikon has developed to fit this camera, that cover a range of photographic abilities.
- 1 NIKKOR 10mm f/2.8 [15]
- 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 [15]
- 1 NIKKOR VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom [16]
- 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 [16]
Each of these lenses is designed for a different purpose, ranging from photographing nature to shooting movies.[16][15] These lenses range from US $249.95 to US $749.95, with the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 being the most expensive because of its filming capabilities. These lenses are compatible with both the Nikon 1 J1 and the Nikon 1 V1. [17]
Reception edit
Since its release in October 2011, there have been many reviews of the Nikon 1 J1. PCWorld gave the camera a positive review mentioning only minor drawbacks, such as the camera not coming with a user manual and not having external flash. When compared to photographs from a Nikon D3, the J1 held its own, exhibiting perfect exposure and vibrant colors. [18]
TechRadar.com mentioned that the 10 megapixel camera was slightly lagging because of its boundaries on sensor resolution. Nikon believes that 12 megapixels is enough for its full-frame cameras, making the 10 megapixel appeal of this camera a slight drawback when considering the potential of this camera. [19]
Digital Camera Review says that the camera is good overall, but not a must-have for enthusiasts and Nikon fans. In the article it is stated that the J1 and V1 are not meant to replace DSLR’s but are meant for users who wish to take pictures at any moment without having to resort to many lenses and a large-bodied DSLR. The review advises users to have a spare battery on hand for a full day of shooting and be wary when the battery indicator gets to a single segment. [20]
Features edit
- Nikon’s 10 megapixel Nikon CX format CMOS Sensor
- Nikon’s EXPEED 3 image processor
- Nikon 1 mount lenses
- Active D-Lighting
- 2.7x lens focal length
- File formats: JPEG, NEF (Nikon’s RAW, 12-bit compressed)
- Picture control in 8 formats
- In-camera Picture Control
- 3.0-inch LCD viewfinder and electronic shutter
- Built in flash using i-TTL flash control using image sensor available
- 7 different shutter release modes
- Exposure modes in 6 different settings
- 5 easy-to-use scene modes
- 5 shooting modes
- ISO sensitivity from 100-3200 (6400)
- White balance and movie metering
- Support for GPS unit direct connect
- Movie-mode in 1080p and slow-motion movie in 400fps
- Weight: 8.4 oz. (234g) without lens
- EN-EL20 Lithium-ion Battery with AC adapter and power supply connector, battery life (shots per charge) approx. 230 shots (CIPA) [21]
Accessories edit
Supplied edit
- EN-EL20 Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
- MH-27 Battery charger
- UC-E6 USB cable
- BF-N1000 Body Cap
- AN-N1000 Strap
- ViewNX 2
- Short Movie Creator CD
- User’s Manual
- Reference manual CD [21]
Optional edit
The Nikon 1 J1 has many accessories, such as:
- 1 NIKKOR lenses
- HB-N102/103 Lens Hood, LC-N40.5 Front Lens Cap, LF-N1000 Rear Lens Cap, LC-72 Snap-On Front Lens Cap 72mm, NC 40.5 Neutral Color 40.5 mm filter and soft lens case.
- TA-N100 Tripod Adapter, FT-1 Mount Adaptor, ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control (Infrared) and CB-N2000 Leather Body Case (colors available)
- BF-N1000 Body Cap
- CB-N2000SA Black Leather Body Case Set (colors available) [22]
References edit
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1". Nikon.com. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 22. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Goldstein, Mark. "Nikon 1 J1 Review". Photography Blog. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). p. 50. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 18. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 11. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 8. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 12. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 14. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 20. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 27. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 25. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 30. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ a b c "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 Camera Lenses". Nikon Corporation. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ^ Nikitas, Theano. "Hands On With the Nikon 1 J1". PCWorld. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Nicholson, Angela. "Nikon J1 Review: Nikon's simplest mirrorless compact system camera". TechRadar.com. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ Keenan, Jim. "Nikon 1 J1 Review". Digital Camera Review. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ a b "Nikon 1 J1 Product Brochure" (PDF). Nikon Corporation. p. 50. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Nikon 1 J1". Nikon Corporation. Retrieved 3 March 2012.