Nikon 1 V1 Review | 108 Data compared

The DPReview evaluation of the Nikon 1 V1 and J1 highlights the CX-format 10MP cameras for their exceptional 60 fps continuous shooting, rapid "Hybrid" autofocus, and high-quality, print-ready JPEGs, with the V1 praised for its EVF and mechanical shutter. However, the review notes significant cons, including overly simplistic, menu-dependent controls for advanced users, poor low-light autofocus performance, and high pricing relative to competitors. Furthermore, the cameras exhibit poor battery life, specifically on the J1, and suffer from sub-par low-light noise performance compared to larger sensor alternatives.

The Photography Life review highlights the Nikon 1 V1 as a solidly built camera with market-leading autofocus speed and high-quality 1080p video recording. Key advantages include its durable magnesium alloy construction, a high-resolution EVF, and compact lenses with efficient collapsible designs. However, the 10.1-megapixel CX sensor is criticized for limiting dynamic range compared to larger sensor alternatives. Further disadvantages include poor ergonomics for manual focusing, a non-standard accessory port, and the absence of a dedicated PASM dial, note the reviews.

The ePHOTOzine review of the Nikon 1 V1 highlights the mirrorless camera as a premium, compact system featuring a 10.1-megapixel CX-format sensor. It is praised for its exceptionally fast hybrid autofocus system, 60fps burst shooting, excellent build quality with a magnesium alloy top plate, and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder. However, the review notes a high launch price and a 2.7x crop factor that limits shallow depth-of-field control and impacts high-ISO image noise. Other cons include the lack of a built-in flash, slower shot-to-shot times, and an overly basic menu-driven control layout that misses dedicated physical dials.

The Nikon 1 V1 is a sturdy, retro-styled 10.1-megapixel interchangeable lens compact camera built mostly from metal that delivers exceptional image quality and dynamic range. Its standout features include a highly sharp electronic viewfinder with a proximity sensor, a responsive rear LCD, and an intelligent "smart photo selector" mode that automatically saves the best shot from a 20-frame buffer. It also supports responsive manual shooting controls, 1080p movie recording with priority controls, and a long-lasting battery that yields roughly 400 shots per charge. However, the camera is notably heavy at 383g without a lens, and it lacks the built-in flash found on its more affordable sibling, the J1. A major drawback during testing was the noticeable chromatic aberration and magenta colour fringing around high-contrast edges, which was primarily attributed to the 10mm prime lens used. Ultimately, while the V1 offers sharp and highly detailed imagery, its steep price tag makes it difficult to justify over the better-value J1 unless you specifically need its advanced feature set.

The Nikon 1 V1 mirrorless camera is built with a solid, rounded full aluminum/magnesium alloy body and is designed primarily for amateur or hobbyist consumers looking to step up from standard point-and-shoot cameras. A major highlight of the V1 is its inclusion of phase-detection autofocusing, which significantly boosts focusing speed and accuracy in low light, alongside capable autofocus tracking during video recording. It features an excellent electronic viewfinder (EVF) equipped with an automatic eye sensor, and utilizes a large battery shared with several of Nikon's DSLR models, allowing it to produce sharp, stunning images using its 10-megapixel resolution. However, the camera has notable drawbacks, starting with its relatively small CX-format sensor which produces more image noise and lower quality in dim lighting compared to larger APS-C formats. For advanced users, the lack of an ISO button and a traditional manual shooting mode dial (Auto/M/S/A/P) is highly frustrating, as it forces shooters to constantly dig into the menu system to change basic settings. Additionally, the included mode dial feels unhelpful and easily gets knocked out of place, the battery life is...

The Cameralabs review by Gordon Laing describes the Nikon 1 V1 as a solid, magnesium-alloy mirrorless camera built around a 10.1 Megapixel "CX-format" sensor (13.2×8.8mm) with a 2.7x field-reduction factor. The primary standout feature of this camera is its hybrid autofocus system, which seamlessly transitions between phase-detection and contrast-based tracking. In bright conditions, the phase-detection system offers exceptional speed and continuous autofocus tracking, enabling unique high-speed continuous burst rates of 10fps with autofocus, or up to 60fps with the focus locked. It excels in video capabilities, allowing users to record Full HD video while simultaneously capturing high-resolution 8 Megapixel stills without interrupting the footage, alongside offering high-speed slow-motion video up to 1200fps. The V1 also features a sharp 1440k-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF), a long-lasting EN-EL15 battery, and an electronic intervalometer for time-lapse photography. Despite its impressive speed, the camera suffers from several design and performance drawbacks. The smaller CX-format sensor means that the V1 struggles with image noise in low light and makes it difficult to achieve a shallow depth-of-field compared to APS-C or Micro Four Thirds competitors. While the...

summary of the Nikon V1 review: The Nikon V1 is a compact, mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera built around a 10.1-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor. The reviewer praises its smart design, comfortable handling, and excellent, noise-free image quality up to ISO 1600. Notable pros include its incredibly fast continuous shooting speeds of up to 60 frames per second using the electronic shutter, a rapid 1/16,000-second top shutter speed, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, and full HD movie capabilities. The camera also introduces creative features like "Motion Snapshot" and "Smart Photo Selector," which aim to capture the best shot automatically. However, the V1 suffers from several notable design and functional drawbacks. Its small sensor size results in a major 2.7x crop factor, significantly magnifying any attached standard lenses. The reviewer strongly dislikes the rear control layout, noting that the tiny 12mm mode dial and buttons are difficult to read in dim light. Additionally, there are no physical external controls for aperture or shutter priority, forcing users to dive into the menus to make these adjustments. Finally, the camera lacks an internal pop-up flash, requiring users...

Nikon V1 Review Summary The Nikon V1 is a highly compact, 10-megapixel mirrorless camera built with a durable magnesium-aluminum alloy body and a 1.44m-dot built-in Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) that mimics a mini-DSLR shooting experience 0.1.1. It stands out for its exceptional performance, featuring a state-of-the-art phase-detection autofocus system that provides DSLR-like speed and motion tracking capability 0.1.1. Additionally, the camera boasts a massive 1GB DRAM buffer that allows for extended continuous shooting bursts (up to 5 fps in normal mode and up to 60 fps with the electronic shutter) and delivers surprisingly clean JPEG image quality up to ISO 1600, alongside an impressive battery life of 400 to 600 shots per charge 0.1.1.

The Shutterbug review of the Nikon 1 V1 highlights excellent laboratory performance, featuring high resolution, superb sharpness, and nearly perfect color saturation. The camera is noted for its fast speed, user-friendly menu system, and a versatile accessory shoe for external attachments. Shutterbug.com However, the review points to technical limitations, including noticeable color noise and smearing at ISO 1600 and above, along with a slight yellow shift in white balance. Additionally, the camera lacks a built-in flash, requiring users to rely on the accessory shoe. For the full, detailed review, visit Shutterbug. Shutterbug.com

The Nikon V1 compact system camera features a 10-megapixel CX-format sensor with a 2.7x crop factor, positioning it at a resolution and sensor-size disadvantage compared to Micro Four Thirds and APS-C competitors. Despite the smaller sensor, its overall image quality is highly satisfactory for online use and smaller prints, though it struggles with strong cropping, large-scale printing, and high ISO settings. A standout benefit is the camera's hybrid autofocus system—combining phase-detection and contrast-detection—which delivers fast, highly reliable tracking performance. Furthermore, its electronic shutter provides versatile, ultra-fast shooting speeds up to 60 frames per second and an entirely silent operation. The camera also cleverly utilizes its small sensor size to remain portable by incorporating compact, collapsible lenses. However, the V1 suffers from severe user interface and ergonomic flaws that significantly hinder the shooting experience. The physical rear "mode" dial is highly frustrating because it easily rotates out of place and does not change traditional PASM exposure modes, forcing users to dig deep into menus to adjust basic shooting functions. Vital exposure metrics like ISO and white balance are also buried in...

The What Digital Camera review praises the Nikon 1 V1 as a beautifully made, fun-to-use camera featuring exceptionally fast autofocus, rapid burst shooting, and a high-quality electronic viewfinder. Its strengths also include intelligent shooting modes like the Smart Photo Selector and a range of sharp, retractable lenses, culminating in a high performance score. Conversely, the review identifies the smaller 10.1MP CX-format sensor as a major drawback, resulting in higher noise and reduced dynamic range compared to competitors with larger sensors. Additional cons include a high price point, lack of a built-in flash, and a design lacking direct, manual controls favored by enthusiasts.

The DPReview article offers a mixed initial assessment of the Nikon V1, highlighting its advanced hybrid autofocus system and the efficient Smart Photo Selector mode as key strengths for action photography. While the 1-inch sensor produces sharp images at low ISO, the camera is criticized for its surprisingly bulky design and lack of manual controls, which hinders experienced users. Furthermore, the V1 suffers from noticeable lens distortion on the 10-100mm lens and cannot match the low-light performance of larger APS-C rivals.

The Nikon V1 mirrorless camera initially triggered low expectations due to its small 10-megapixel CX (2.7x crop) sensor. However, in-depth real-world testing proved it to be an incredibly responsive, solid, and reliable daily camera that stays out of the photographer's way. It is heavily praised for delivering the signature film-like "Nikon look" with rich colors and surprisingly sharp RAW files. While it cannot compete with larger APS-C sensors regarding low-light performance or raw image quality, its exceptionally reliable metering and phenomenal, lag-free operation make it an excellent and fun high-tech upgrade from a traditional point-and-shoot camera. The camera's primary strengths (pros) include possessing what the reviewer calls the fastest and most accurate autofocus system ever experienced, flawless focus tracking, and superb metering. It features an excellent, bright electronic viewfinder (EVF), blistering continuous shooting speeds of up to 60 frames per second, great HD video capacity without rolling shutter issues, a top mechanical shutter speed of 1/16000th, and long-lasting battery life. Conversely, the drawbacks (cons) focus heavily on the small sensor limitations, which make achieving a shallow depth of field or...

The Nikon 1 J1 and V1 are characterized by exceptional responsiveness, featuring a hybrid autofocus system that combines contrast and phase-detection for fast performance in bright, daily conditions. Key strengths include a 60 fps burst rate at full resolution, swift menu operations, and fast autofocus, particularly with 1 Nikkor lenses. However, performance limitations exist in low-light environments, where the system switches to slower contrast-detection, and high-speed bursts are capped at a 30-frame limit. Additionally, the J1 lacks a mechanical shutter, relying solely on an electronic shutter, which limits its versatility compared to the V1. DPReview

The Photography Life review highlights the Nikon 1 V1's solid magnesium alloy construction and impressive battery life, noting the camera successfully operated in harsh, freezing conditions despite its compact design. However, key ergonomic, and functional downsides include a lack of a proper handgrip, the absence of a standard hot shoe in favor of a proprietary port, and a poorly designed plastic port cover that is easily lost. While the durable build is praised, the review concludes that these design flaws, along with the requirement for an expensive, bulky external GPS module, hinder the overall user experience. The use of the same EN-EL15 battery as larger Nikon DSLRs is a significant, positive technical feature discussed.

The Nikon V1 is a compact interchangeable lens camera featuring a smaller 1-inch "CX" image sensor built primarily for blistering performance speed. Thanks to its exceptionally fast sensor readout, the camera excels in rapid-fire scenarios, achieving a remarkable continuous shooting speed of up to 60 full-resolution frames per second using its electronic shutter, alongside high-speed video recording options at 400fps and 1200fps. It provides a body style that handles more securely than its sibling, the J1, by integrating a small front grip nub and a sharp, vivid 921k-dot rear monitor. Key hardware strengths include a bright, highly responsive built-in electronic viewfinder that activates automatically, a dedicated 3.5mm microphone port that enhances its video capabilities, and solid color accuracy when a custom white balance is manually set. However, the camera's first-generation downsized sensor introduces notable performance trade-offs, particularly a limited dynamic range and higher noise levels at elevated ISO settings compared to larger APS-C rivals. Its most persistent flaw is a highly inconsistent automatic white balance system that frequently struggles under artificial lighting and requires shooting in RAW to bypass. From...

The Nikon V1 Steve Huff's comprehensive review reveals that the Nikon V1 is a highly capable and surprisingly enjoyable mirrorless camera despite initial industry skepticism regarding its small 10-megapixel CX-format sensor. The camera excels primarily in operational speed, boasting what the reviewer calls the fastest and most accurate autofocus system he has ever tested, which effortlessly tracks moving subjects without misfocusing. Built like a "solid tank," the V1 features a top-notch minimalist design, an excellent integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF), superior metering, and impressive battery life inherited from the Nikon D7000. While the image quality is sharp with deep, rich film-like colors in good daylight, the small sensor size means users cannot achieve a shallow depth of field or creamy blurred backgrounds with the slow launch lenses. Key Pros and Cons The camera's performance is highly polarized between its lightning-fast body and its physically limited sensor system: Ultimately, Huff concludes that the V1 is an excellent, worry-free daily snapshot and vacation camera that gets out of the photographer's way, provided they do not expect pro-level low-light performance or ultra-clean files.

The Photo Review assessment of the Nikon 1 V1 highlights its robust magnesium alloy build, high-resolution electronic viewfinder, and fast hybrid autofocus capable of 60 fps bursts. Designed for users seeking better performance than a compact camera, it provides extensive P/A/S/M shooting modes and solid battery life. However, the review identifies significant cons, primarily the smaller 10.1-megapixel CX-format sensor that limits shallow depth-of-field and introduces a 2.7x crop factor. Additionally, the camera lacks a built-in flash and requires excessive menu navigation, leading to a frustrating user experience.

The Nikon 1 V1 is an interchangeable lens mirrorless digital camera that features a minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired body design resembling a clean black monolith. Reviewer Chris Pattison praises the device's exceptional build quality, fast autofocus speeds, and surprisingly beautiful 10-megapixel image output, particularly highlighting its performance in monochrome photography. It utilizes the same battery pack as larger DSLRs like the Nikon D7200, provides high-speed burst capabilities up to 30 frames per second, and pairs well with quality kit lenses and primes to make a highly capable, portable street photography tool. Despite these performance benefits, the review outlines severe user-experience flaws rooted in an apparent product identity crisis. The primary drawback is its heavily compromised exposure mode dial, which omits standard manual and semi-automated exposure modes (PASM/MSAP) in favour of obscure icons and unwanted video features like "Motion Snapshot". Essential photographic adjustments like changing the ISO, metering modes, or single/continuous shooting are buried deep inside menus rather than mapped to tactile controls. Users also critique the forced "chimping" trait—an un-deactivatable image review setting that locks up the electronic viewfinder or screen immediately...