Nikon 1 V1 and J1 Interchangeable Lens Compacts (Plus V1 Sample Shots)

The interchangeable lens compact market is a funny old game, as while firms that came late to the world of photography—like Sony, Panasonic and Samsung—are all battling it out with cameras that are technically very similar to SLRs, using 4/3" or APS sensors, manufacturers with a long history of making SLRs are instead launching systems that are closer to regular compacts. The Pentax Q, for example, used the same sensor as some classic compacts, and Nikon's freshly presented '1-system' interchangeable lens compacts also use a small-format sensor.

The sensor in question is a CMOS. Measuring 8.8 x 13.2 mm, this sensor is bigger than most standard compact sensors (usually 4.6 x 6.2 mm, but sometimes up to 6.6 x 8.8 mm) and smaller than SLR sensors (13 x 17.3 mm or more). With a resolution of 10 Megapixels, it's twice as dense in pixels as sensors typically used in expert compacts, which is good news for light sensitivity.

Another interesting thing about the sensor is that is has a phase correlation autofocus system, as seen in the Super CCD that equipped Fuji's F300. This is clearly aimed at making Nikon 1 cameras ultra-responsive but, in practice, this system gave no real advantage to Fuji's camera. Our initial tests show that the system focuses in around 4/10 of a second, which is certainly on the better side of average, but which still can't quite match the Sony NEX-5N, for example.

Otherwise, these Nikon cameras have all the usual features that come with a CMOS sensor these days, including a fast burst mode (up to 60 fps), Full HD video with stereo sound and high-speed video (400 fps, or 13x slow motion, in 640 x 240 pixels or 1200 fps in 320 x 120 pixels). You can also take an 8-Megapixel photo while filming video without interrupting your film.

Finally, like in certain Casio cameras, a selection of photos shot just prior to the full shutter-release can be stored in the buffer memory so you can then choose the picture you want to keep. That's particularly handy if you happened to press the shutter-release button a fraction of a second too late!

Two Models

Although Nikon has launched two Nikon 1 cameras, both models are based on the same technology. The J1 is a compact, brightly coloured snapper, while the V1 is a more sober, blocky camera.

The main advantage of a small sensor is that the cameras and their lenses can both be kept nice and compact. The J1 in particular, is really quite small, measuring just 106 x 61 mm according to the tech specs.

In practice, however, it's an advantage that isn't immediately obvious. The photo on the right shows the J1 next to the Olympus E-PM1, which isn't really all that much bigger. And while Olympus' interchangeable lens compact may not have a built-in flash, it does have a 4/3" sensor that's almost twice as big.

What's more, the 10-30 mm (equivalent to 27-81 mm) lens that'll come bundled with the J1 at £550 for the kit isn't really much shorter than the Zuiko 14-42 mm (equivalent to 28-84 mm) lens supplied with Olympus models—in fact, there's only 8 mm difference between the two.

Panasonic's new Lumix X 14-42 mm lens is, on the other hand, much shorter when collapsed to its 'travel' position, so a Panasonic GF3 with this lens will fit more easily in your pocket than a J1 with its zoom lens!




The V1 uses the same basic technology as the J1 except that this slightly bulkier model has a mechanical shutter. The main difference this brings is a reassuringly mechanical noise when you take a photo. That said, some of you may notice a slight difference in image quality as, in theory, rolling shutter issues should be reduced when shooting moving subjects.

The main difference between the two Nikon 1 cameras is actually their body and design. The V1 is squarer, beefier and takes up more room than a Sony NEX or an Olympus Pen interchangeable lens compact. One clear advantage it has over the J1 is a built-in electronic viewfinder. This has a resolution of 1,440,000 dots and looks very similar to the Olympus VF-1 viewfinder designed for Pen cameras, which is accurate, comfortable and pleasant to use.

Although the V1 is a bulkier camera than the J1, we were rather surprised to see that it doesn't have a built-in flash. A new hot-shoe has therefore made an appearance (which is different to Nikon's SLR hot-shoe) for hooking up an additional swivel flash accessory that's not particularly power-packed (guide number: 8.5). Unlike Olympus and Sony, Nikon won't be including this accessory as standard with the V1, even if the basic V1 kit starts at a rather pricey £830 for the camera plus the 10-30 mm lens.

Reviews Coming Soon!

At Nikon's presentation event yesterday we not only got to try out the Nikon J1 and V1 cameras for ourselves, but we also bagged a V1 to take back to our test labs.

We managed to start testing it yesterday afternoon, and the first results are already available in the camera Face-Off.


You can therefore compare the Nikon V1 to all the other cameras we've tested to date, from interchangeable lens compacts and SLRs to high-end compacts. Stay tuned for the full review coming soon.

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