Nikon 1 J1 Review | 108 Data compared

The Nikon 1 J1 features a high-quality, minimalistic metal-fronted body with exceptionally fast autofocus and continuous shooting capabilities driven by the EXPEED 3 processor. Pros include an intuitive control layout with dedicated video/still buttons, a built-in pop-up flash, and effective, fast performance. However, the camera's 1-inch sensor shows noticeable noise at ISO 800 and higher compared to larger sensors, limiting its low-light performance. Cons include a lack of a physical mode dial for manual controls, forcing menu navigation, alongside somewhat gimmicky "smart" shooting modes and low-resolution slow-motion video.

The Nikon 1 J1 is a compact mirrorless system camera designed primarily for users upgrading from standard compact point-and-shoots. Priced at around €500 with a 10-30mm kit lens, it introduces a CX-format sensor that is roughly two-thirds smaller than a typical Nikon DSLR sensor. A major highlight of the camera is its high-speed performance, featuring daytime autofocus that locks in just 0.31 seconds and a rapid burst mode utilizing an electronic shutter that can shoot up to 60 frames per second. It is highly optimized for automatic shooting, offering features like the "Smart Photo Selector" to automatically save the five best images from a burst, a pop-up flash, and Full-HD video recording with manual microphone sensitivity adjustments. However, the camera has notable limitations regarding image quality and user control. Due to the smaller sensor size, distinct image noise becomes visible in full-view monitors at ISO 400, and fine details suffer from aggressive softening from ISO 800 upwards. While manual and semi-manual shooting programs are available, they are frustratingly hidden deep within the menu system rather than being accessible on the...

The Nikon 1 J1 marks Nikon's entry into the mirrorless market, utilizing a 10.0-megapixel CX-format (1-inch) sensor with a 2.7x crop factor. Reviewers praised the camera's high fun factor, fast hybrid autofocus system, and rapid shooting speeds of up to 60 frames per second. Image quality remains solid with minimal noise up to ISO 800, and its 3.0-inch display offers a smooth, lag-free viewing experience. Furthermore, it boasts strong Full-HD video capabilities at 60i/30p with reliable continuous autofocus tracking, making it an excellent, highly responsive point-and-shoot upgrade for beginners. However, the camera suffers from notable handling and hardware limitations. The physical design lacks ergonomics with a slippery grip, and it completely omits both an electronic viewfinder and a hot shoe for external accessories. Advanced users will find the interface frustrating, as changing between manual exposure modes and semi-automatics requires tedious navigation through on-screen menus due to a lack of direct physical buttons. Finally, while the 10-30mm kit lens features quiet autofocus and optical stabilization, its performance is subpar; it exhibits prominent edge softness, weak corners, and noticeable distortion, especially at...

The Nikon 1 J1 is a beginner-friendly mirrorless system camera that originally launched with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of 599 Euro, positioning it as an affordable entry-point model compared to its higher-end sibling, the V1. Designed primarily for hobbyist photographers, the camera features an intuitive rear layout dominated by automatic modes and creative features like the "Motion Snapshot" (which blends slow-motion video with a still image) and a Smart Photo Selector that automatically chooses the best scene program. It is equipped with a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, a high-speed hybrid contrast and phase-detection autofocus system, and a fixed 3-inch screen with 460,000 pixels. On the downside, advanced users will find manual settings cumbersome, as manual controls like aperture and shutter priority are buried deep inside the camera's menus rather than accessible via physical buttons. In testing, the camera's primary strengths emerged as its very fast operating speed and lightweight portability, weighing under 400 grams with the battery and memory card included. Performance tests highlighted a solid dynamic range capable of handling high-contrast scenes and an impressive effective resolution efficiency...

This review concludes that the Nikon 1 V1 and J1 mirrorless cameras serve as excellent, fast snapshot devices tailored for users upgrading from basic compact cameras, rather than advanced enthusiasts. The core pros highlighted include remarkably fast operational speeds that eliminate annoying wait times, high continuous shooting performance (up to 10 frames per second), and the ability to capture high-resolution photos while simultaneously recording Full HD videos. Additionally, despite utilizing a small 10.1-megapixel CX-format sensor, both cameras deliver consistently good image quality across their ISO range. They also offer an innovative "Motion Snapshot" mode that pairs a still image with a short slow-motion video snippet. Conversely, the review identifies several notable cons, focusing heavily on flawed ergonomics and sparse functionality. Manual adjustments are described as overly cumbersome due to a lack of physical buttons, forcing users into a highly menu-driven operation that relies on a loose, overly sensitive four-way control wheel. Hardware limitations further hold the system back; the premium V1 lacks a built-in flash, suffers from a sluggish auto-switch between the LCD monitor and Electronic Viewfinder (EVF), and utilizes...

The Nikon 1 J1 is a compact mirrorless camera equipped with a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor (1-inch format) that emphasizes speed through a hybrid autofocus system, combining phase- and contrast-detection. Its standout features include exceptionally fast autofocus and a continuous shooting rate of up to 60 frames per second using the electronic shutter. The camera offers 1080i Full HD video recording at 60fps, alongside specialized high-speed, slow-motion modes (up to 1200fps) and creative, quick-capture features like "Motion Snapshot" and "Smart Photo Selector". Wikipedia Pros include the highly capable and fast autofocus system, a sleek, portable design, and innovative, user-friendly creative modes. However, the camera also has notable limitations, such as the smaller sensor size compared to its direct competition, resulting in slightly lower image quality in low-light conditions, as well as a limited number of physical controls, which may frustrate advanced photographers. Despite these drawbacks, the J1 is praised for its performance and speed. Wikipedia

The Nikon 1 J1 marks Nikon's entry into the mirrorless system camera market, featuring a compact aluminium body and a 10.1-megapixel CX CMOS sensor with a 2.7x crop factor. Despite its small sensor size compared to Micro Four Thirds alternatives, the camera delivers surprisingly excellent image quality that rivals larger DSLRs, performing well up to ISO 800 before noise becomes noticeable. Its standout strengths include a highly reliable exposure metering system, Full HD video capabilities, and exceptional speed. Powered by the Expeed 3 dual-core processor, it achieves rapid autofocusing and impressive burst rates of up to 10 frames per second at full resolution, or 60 frames per second in Full HD. Additionally, it features a 3-inch display and an innovative "Smart-Photo-Selector" mode that captures a sequence of 40 shots to automatically recommend the five best images based on focus and framing. However, the camera comes with notable downsides, primarily its lack of advanced connectivity and physical expansions. It features no hot shoe for external flashes—leaving users dependent on the integrated pop-up flash—and lacks a port for external microphones. While the...

The digitalkamera.de lab test of the Nikon 1 J1, conducted with the 10-30mm, 10mm f/2.8, and 30-110mm lenses, highlights a 10.1-megapixel CX-format sensor designed for high-speed performance. Key advantages include an exceptionally fast, accurate autofocus system and strong continuous shooting speeds up to 10 fps. However, the smaller sensor leads to noticeable image noise above ISO 800 and limited low-light capability compared to larger sensor systems. While the 10mm pancake lens provides good sharpness, it offers limited advantage in aperture over the versatile, albeit less compact, 10-30mm kit zoom.

The Nikon 1 J1 is an elegant, minimalist system camera designed to keep the photographer focused on the subject rather than complex tech settings. The camera features a 10-megapixel sensor with a 2.7x crop factor and relies on simplified menus and minimal buttons for streamlined operation. Key highlights include its exceptionally fast autofocus tracking and a "Smart Photo Selector" feature that captures 30 photos at 20 frames per second to automatically save the five best shots based on sharpness and facial expressions. Image quality is detailed, sharp, and high-contrast, while video recording delivers crisp Full HD performance at 1080p. Pros and Cons Pro: High-speed continuous shooting mode. Pro: Convenient built-in flash. Pro: Fast, reliable autofocus tracking. Con: No built-in electronic viewfinder. Con: Image noise (graininess) visible in dark areas at higher ISO settings. Con: Lacks a hot shoe for external flash attachments.

The Computerwoche review of the Nikon 1 J1 highlights it as an entry-level mirrorless system camera tailored heavily toward beginner photographers. Evaluated at an original retail price of €599, the device stands out for its high operational speeds, exceptionally fast hybrid autofocus (which seamlessly switches between contrast and phase-detection methods), and unique lifestyle features like "Motion Snapshot" and "Smart Photo Selector". Physically, it is praised for its lightweight 396-gram build (including the battery and memory card) and its very sharp 3-inch LCD screen. It also delivers strong Full-HD video recording alongside a rapid continuous burst capability of up to 60 frames per second. However, the reviewer points out several notable drawbacks, particularly regarding image quality and handling. The primary complaint centers on aggressive image noise that becomes visible as early as ISO 100, combined with a mediocre dynamic range that struggles slightly with high-contrast scenes. Ergonomically, the camera lacks an integrated viewfinder and requires users to manually unlock the lens via a physical button before taking a shot. Advanced enthusiasts may also find the interface frustrating, as core manual controls...

The review highlights the long-awaited entry of Nikon into the mirrorless system camera market with the compact J1 and V1 models. Despite initial hesitation regarding the smaller size of the CX-format sensor, the cameras exceeded performance expectations across diverse photography environments, including daytime urban landscapes, low-light settings, indoor shoots, and studio environments. The reviewer notes that both models are highly versatile, lightweight, and capable of producing low-noise, high-resolution images even during long exposures of up to two minutes. Key strengths include impressive battery durability in freezing temperatures, low-noise performance at ISO settings up to 6400, and exceptionally fast electronic burst shooting speeds ranging between 5 and 60 frames per second. However, the review identifies specific weaknesses, particularly regarding the performance of the camera's autofocus system in dark conditions, the limited control over depth of field, and built-in flash limitations. Despite these drawbacks, the J1 and V1 are praised as being vastly more flexible than standard compact cameras, moving beyond simple snapshot devices to serve effectively for serious photography projects. Practical testing confirmed their speed capability, allowing the photographer to seamlessly...

The Nikon 1 J1 is a mirrorless system camera designed for beginners upgrading from point-and-shoot compacts. According to reviewers from CHIP, the camera features a minimalist, lightweight aluminium body that weighs just 277 grams, providing a premium look and excellent portability. A major highlight praised in the review is its exceptional speed. Driven by a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor in the CX format, the camera can capture up to 60 frames per second in burst mode and shoots sharp Full HD video at up to 60 frames per second. Beginners will also appreciate the easy-to-use automatic modes that can be selected instantly using the physical mode dial on the back of the camera. However, the review points out several design limitations. While automatic shooting is simple, users looking for a manual exposure mode must navigate through cumbersome internal software menus rather than a dedicated dial. The audio capabilities are also limited. While you can manually adjust the sensitivity levels of the internal stereo microphone, the camera lacks complete manual control over the audio levels. Finally, lighting expansions are highly restricted. The...