Nikon 1 J5 Review | 108 Data compared

The Nikon 1 J5 marks a significant performance milestone for the J-series, featuring a new 20.8-Mpix CX-format BSI CMOS sensor paired with an Expeed 5A image processor. Tested by DxOMark, the camera achieved an overall sensor score of 65 points, placing its performance on par with Sony Cyber-shot RX100 models and even outperforming older APS-C DSLRs like the Canon Rebel T3i. The sensor delivers major upgrades in image quality compared to its predecessors, offering a traditional body design with physical control dials, a three-inch tilting touchscreen, and built-in Wi-Fi with NFC. Pros and Cons Pros: Excellent 12 EV dynamic range at base ISO,.3 Ev improvement over the J4. Outstanding color discrimination with an impressive 22.1-bit measurement. Rapid burst shooting speeds reaching up to 20 fps with continuous autofocus and 60 fps without. High-speed hybrid autofocus system utilizing 105 phase-detection points. Cons: Disappointing 4K (UHD) video capture that is limited to a slow, unpractical 15 frames per second. Marginal gains in both dynamic range and low-light ISO performance from ISO 400 and upwards.

Overview of the Nikon 1 J5 Review The Nikon 1 J5 represents a major upgrade for the Nikon 1 system, primarily due to its new 20.8 MP BSI CX sensor. This sensor delivers a very noticeable improvement in image quality, dynamic range, and colour depth over older models like the Nikon 1 V2 and V3. The camera is highly praised for its ultra-portable, lightweight body weighing just 8.3 ounces. It features a useful tiltable rear touchscreen that supports both high-angle crowd shots and frontal views for selfies. Performance is exceptionally fast, maintaining the system's signature snappy autofocus and capable 20 fps continuous shooting rate with tracking AF-C. When paired with compact zooms like the 6.7-13mm or the 30-110mm, it forms an incredibly light, capable interchangeable-lens travel system. Notable Pros and Cons Pros Superb Sensor Upgrade: The 20.8 MP BSI sensor significantly improves dynamic range and depth of colour over earlier Aptina sensors. Compact and Lightweight: Weighs only 8.3 ounces (231g), making it easy to carry anywhere for travel. Versatile Tilting Screen: The flip screen allows for seamless overhead or front-facing...

However, the reviewer highlights several notable drawbacks, particularly regarding functionality, video, and value. Advanced shooters will be frustrated by the lack of a real-time exposure preview, the absence of AE/HDR RAW bracketing, and a very basic mobile app. Furthermore, the heavily marketed 4K video recording is limited to an unfluid 15fps, the 120fps slow-motion clips are capped at a brief 3 seconds, and the battery drains rapidly in under two hours without any option for USB charging. Combined with the limited dynamic range of its small 1-inch sensor, the J5's $500 price point makes it tough to recommend over competing brands that offer larger sensors and superior image quality at a similar cost.

The Nikon 1 J5 mirrorless camera is a highly portable, lightweight option weighing only 250g (550g with the Nikkor 10-100mm lens), making it an excellent alternative to heavy DSLR setups for travel and trekking. Its performance shines in outdoor settings with decent lighting, offering fast autofocus speeds and superb RAW image quality. Key strengths include its responsive tilt-and-touch LCD screen, which facilitates hip-level shooting, and a physical PSAM mode dial on top. It features a useful high-speed burst mode (up to 60 fps) for capturing action shots and built-in Wi-Fi for easy mobile transfers. Additionally, using the FT-1 adapter allows photographers to attach standard Nikkor DX and FX lenses, leveraging a 2.7x crop factor to gain massive telephoto reach. However, the camera suffers from notable usability and technical drawbacks, most significantly the complete lack of an electronic viewfinder, which forces an adjustment to arm's-length shooting. Its low-light performance drops from excellent to merely acceptable due to the limitations of its small 1-inch CX sensor. Battery life is modest, yielding roughly 200 shots per charge, which requires carrying multiple spares. In...

The Photography Life review deems the Nikon 1 J5 a significant upgrade, highlighting its new 20.8-megapixel BSI sensor for superior image quality, dynamic range, and color depth. Enhanced handling with external dials and improved speed make it a competitive option in the compact market. However, the review points out critical limitations, including the lack of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and hot shoe. Additionally, the 1-inch sensor, while improved, offers limited dynamic range compared to larger systems, often requiring heavy post-processing for optimal results.

The Nikon 1 J5 is a highly capable, compact 20.8-megapixel camera that delivers professional-quality raw images comparable to much more expensive setups in decent lighting. It features an exceptionally fast autofocus and tracking system, blazing speed up to 20 frames per second, and 1080/60p video capabilities with excellent live-view performance. When paired with specific CX lenses like the 70-300mm, the camera offers an incredible 35mm-equivalent reach up to 810mm in a lightweight, discreet package. Additionally, using the Nikon FT1 lens adapter allows photographers to attach standard F-mount lenses with zero light loss. This combination makes the camera an outstanding, cost-effective choice for travel, street, landscape, and outdoor daytime sports photography. However, the camera does have notable drawbacks, the most prominent being its lack of an electronic viewfinder. This forces users to rely entirely on the tilting rear touchscreen, making it difficult to shoot in bright daylight and heavily draining the battery. While the camera holds its ground well in moderate lighting and boasts accurate white balance, it is not a pro-level choice for extreme low-light environments, such as dark wedding...

The Nikon 1 J5 is a highly compact mirrorless digital camera that drastically improves upon its predecessor's usability by introducing dual control-dials and a traditional mode-dial onto its small, solid body. Built around a 20-megapixel 1" High-Speed CMOS sensor with a 2.7x crop factor, it stands out for its blazing speed, achieving continuous shooting speeds of up to 60 FPS with single-shot AF and 20 FPS with continuous tracking AF. It is the first Nikon camera to introduce 4K Ultra-HD video recording, although it is limited to a cropped 15 FPS. Additional notable performance advantages include a fast 1/16000s electronic shutter, a versatile 180° upward tilting touchscreen LCD, and built-in Wi-Fi. Despite these functional upgrades, the camera suffers from several distinct design and usability drawbacks. Its 4K video is heavily cropped from the center of the sensor and capped at an choppy 15 FPS, rendering it impractical for standard video needs. The 3" touchscreen LCD screen only provides 97% frame coverage, fails to offer exposure-priority previews for still images, and frequently triggers accidental shots while hanging from a strap unless...

The Shutterbug review highlights the Nikon 1 J5 as an ultra-compact, high-speed mirrorless camera featuring exceptional burst rates, a 1/16000-second shutter, and robust built-in Wi-Fi/NFC, with testing confirming nearly perfect color accuracy. However, the camera suffers from significant limitations, including an unreliable automatic white balance that shifts colors, reduced dynamic range at high ISO, and a lack of a built-in or optional viewfinder for framing. Furthermore, while the camera offers 4K, this feature is restricted to a choppy 15 frames per second, limiting its practical video utility despite its portability and speed.

The Nikon 1 J5 is a compact mirrorless camera designed primarily for novice photographers looking for a significant step up in image quality from a smartphone. Measuring 2.4 by 3.9 by 1.2 inches and weighing 9.4 ounces, this highly portable device features a 20.8-megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor paired with a 10-30mm collapsible power zoom lens. The camera stands out for its exceptional speed, offering incredibly fast autofocus locking in as little as 0.02 seconds, alongside a blistering 60fps continuous burst shooting capability. Additional user-friendly physical design elements include a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD ideal for selfies, a built-in pop-up flash with modest bounce capability, and integrated Wi-Fi and NFC for easy image sharing via Nikon's WMU app. Despite these strengths, the review notes several technical drawbacks that limit the J5's appeal for serious enthusiasts. The smaller 1-inch sensor limits depth-of-field control and low-light performance, leading to heavy noise reduction smudging image details at higher settings like ISO 1600 and beyond. It relies entirely on an electronic shutter up to 1/16,000-second, which restricts the flash sync speed to a slow 1/60-second,...

The Nikon J5 is a 20.8-megapixel mirrorless camera that sits in the middle of Nikon’s 1 series, blending a retro-styled compact body with a new Sony Backside Illuminated (BSI) 1-inch sensor. The camera delivers significant improvements in image quality over its predecessors, offering enhanced low-light performance, less color noise, better overall color accuracy, and up to two stops of improved dynamic range at its base ISO of 160. Performance remains a strong point with exceptionally fast autofocus and continuous shooting speeds of up to 20 frames per second with full tracking. Additionally, its physical handling is aided by a responsive, tilting 3-inch touchscreen that works seamlessly for selfies and quick touch-to-focus shooting. However, the reviewer remains lukewarm about the J5 due to "dive-to-the-bottom" physical controls and heavily oversimplified menus that mirror entry-level compact cameras rather than enthusiast tools. Notable design flaws include a physical command dial that completely disables itself in Aperture and Program exposure modes, a lack of an Auto ISO 1600 setting, and a tiny microSD slot that makes card swapping cumbersome. Battery life is a step backward...