Nikon 1-series digital EVIL* camera

(*electronic viewfinder, interchangeable lens)

 

Nikon Corporation's President, Mr. Makoto Kimura, stated in an interview - as Bloomberg LP published early July 2010 - that Nikon would introduce a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera later in 2010 or early 2011 (Nikon's financial/fiscal year 3/2010 - 3/2011). Due to the devastating natural disaster early March 2011 in Japan some new projects have been put off, however.

BUT: On September 21, 2011 Nikon Corporation proudly presented its step into a new photographic sector: the digital rangefinder camera with the possibility of exchanging lenses. Some competitors, like Leica and Sony, were already offering such cameras, so Nikon could not remain behind.

With the introduction of not one camera, but two cameras - at the same time! - Nikon offered a new camera system or system camera. And four lenses, a special flash light and an adapter to make use of the F-mount AF-Nikkor lenses. Despite the crop factor of 2.7 a very nice feature for those that have a bag full of 'older' Nikkor lenses.

Both cameras are fitted with a new AF-CMOS image sensor, a hybrid AF-system (phase detection and contrast detection), high-performance dust reduction (by vibrating the sensor) a new high-speed image-processing engine: EXPEED3, and a new Nikon 1-mount lens system. Both are featuring the known exposure modes (P,S,A and M), including 5 scene modes and have a shutter release button (for stills), a movie start button and an on-off button on the right top. Nearly all other buttons were put at the right side of the screen on the back. Fortunately the lay-out of all button and switches are at both bodies identical.

For photographers with hands like hams these cameras are a bit too small; they do not have a grip (like Sony NEX and Olympus PEN cameras) for the right hand, although the V1 has a tiny strip at the right front side of the lens.

Nikon made many accessories for these two cameras, like various bags and straps, as well as a special flash (SB-N5), a FT-1 adapter to make use of F-mount Nikkors (except IX-Nikkors) and a GPS device. (see for details the relevant chapters).

 

Nikon 1J1

This brand new camera, weighting at just 234 gram, is offered in 5 different colours (white, red, black, pink and silver). It features an new AF-CMOS sensor of 13.2 x 8.8 mm. (called CX-sensor by Nikon) with 10.1 Mp. Images are stored on a SC card in NEF (RAW), compressed 12-bit NEF and in three JPEG compressions. The shutter offers speeds of 1/16,000 - 1/3 sec. with a rather slow flash sync of 1/60 sec. At the other hand shooting is possible at frame rates of 5 - 60 (!) fps., making slow-motion imaging possible. There is no viewfinder, but imaging and images can be seen on a 3 inch 460k-dot TFT-LCD screen on the back. The camera has 4 shooting modes: motion snapshot, smart photo selector, still image and full-HD (1920x1080) movie in 100-3200 ISO setting + H1 = 6400 ISO. It also has a small built-in pop-up flashlight. This nice little camera uses EN-EL20 batteries

 

Nikon 1V1

This camera, which is a bit fatter (wider, higher and thicker) than his mate, has the same sensor - with identical specifications - as that of the Nikon 1J1. Interesting feature here is an electronic viewfinder and an electronic shutter with speeds from 1/16,000 - 30 sec. and a mechanical shutter with speeds from 1/4,000 - 30 sec. Flash sync is 1/60 sec when using the electronic shutter and 1/250 sec. when using the mechanical shutter. There is no built-in flashlight, though. What also differs is the TFT-LCD screen, here offering 920k-dots. Full-HD filming is possible with stereo sound recording by two built-in microphones. And slow motion filming up to 1,200 fps at a frame size of 320 x 120 pixels is possible! The camera is weighing in at 294 gram, uses EN-EL 15 batteries and can be connected to a Nikon GP-N100 GPS-unit.

It is to be expected that this Nikon 1-series will be extended in near future.

The CX-Nikkors are reviewed here.