
Review Summary
2011-11-22T19:00:00
I bought this camera in thinking that I would use this as backup for my D7000, but this camera is more geared towards a point & shoot method of photography and does not meet my requirements for using it as a backup. Good points about the camera are that the camera is light, picture quality and low light performance is good for the size of the sensor which means better than a compact but it is not near the performance of a APS sized sensor IMHO. Build quality is excellent, handling is good but you do have to go into the menu a lot if you change exposure modes, metering methods, or AF area modes, if you leave everything on auto this camera will work well for you. AF performance is fast but it still lacks performance for moving objects such as birds in flight, auto racing, etc., over time as I get used to operating the AF area mode in the tracking mode I may change my mind on this. The bad things (improvement items) about the camera IMO. The feature set is lacking given the price you are paying for the camera. There is no programmable function button, there is an "F" button but you cannot change its function. This causes you to have go into the menu to change your exposure, metering, and AF area modes which can lead to missed shots. There is no auto exposure bracketing; I tend to shoot a lot of high contrast pictures so HDR is important to me. Without auto exposure bracketing it makes it a lot harder to do HDR. If do not use HDR this feature will not be missed as much. The picture preview cannot be turned off; this gets downright annoying when trying to take action shots. As soon as you release the shutter button the last picture pops up on the LCD or the EVF for a few seconds. I can understand that this could be useful, but give us the ability to turn the preview off. The camera does not come with a standard hotshoe for flash. This means you have to buy the Nikon dedicated flash for the 1 series which eats up your camera battery and costs about $150 extra. It sure would have been nice to put an SB400 on this camera, but in keeping with the small size of the camera I guess Nikon wanted to keep the flash small, so no speedlights with batteries. It would be nice in the future for Nikon to offer an adapter to fit the accessory shoe on the camera to fit a standard Nikon speedlight. The camera will only display a luminous histogram, or I cannot figure out how to display the RGB channels. I guess we have returned to the days of the D70 only it is worse. At least the D70 had a yellow outline so that it is crystal clear when highlights or shadows were blown out. The V1 is white outline with a white graph which makes it difficult at times to see if highlights or shadows are blown out. Again for the price of the camera Nikon should have given us RGB histograms. The "best shot" and "still motion" shooting modes are a total waste IMHO. You may find a use for them, but I would rather have the above features added rather than this fluff. I was going to return the camera but my wife seems to like it a lot so it solved my problem on what to get her for X-Mas. This camera is not for me but it might be what you are looking for. If the price were about $300 dollars cheaper for the kit I may have thought it was a better value. If I need a point and shoot, there a cameras out there with a better feature set for a lot less money. It may not have interchangeable lenses, but I sure will have a lot more money in the bank. I sure hope that Nikon issues a firmware update sometime in the future to add some of the features that are missing but I not going to hold my breath, Nikon rarely will offer updates to increase the feature set only. Hopefully Nikon will get better at this type of camera and just maybe it will find a place in my bag.
M&A
Nikon 1 System A breakthrough in technology and design
At the heart of Nikon 1 is EXPEED 3, a culmination of years of dedication to advancing digital imaging technologies. Witness outstanding system performance, high-speed dual image processors, state-of-the-art focal-plane phase detection auto focus and the fastest data transfer rates. Superior image quality, tone reproduction, advanced noise reduction, and an ability to create a whole new type of image are all delivered with the new Nikon 1.
Advanced hybrid AF puts the focus in your control
Nikon 1 V1 delivers an amazing 10fps speed in autofocus and 60fps in manual mode. Even fast moving action is rendered with amazing clarity thanks to an incredible 73 point AF array
Features to bring photography into the incredible
Work like a pro with an advanced set of features that extend creativity. Flexibility comes to your workflow allowing composition with either the electronic viewfinder or Live View LCD panel during both still and movie work. Extend your lighting range by tapping the multi-accessory port and connect the small, yet powerful Speedlight unit. Capture perfect audio for all movie needs by plugging a high quality microphone (support for Nikon's ME-1 Microphone with the AS-N1000 adapter) into that same port. There's even an optional GPS unit that records longitude, latitude and altitude.
Motion Snapshot brings the memory to life
Certain glances at life just cannot be retold with merely a single photograph. Bring to life those incredible times by injecting personal interpretation through Motion Snapshot.
Simultaneously capture Full HD (1080p) movies and photos
Work with both high resolution photos and Full HD (1080p) movies to bring even more creative expression to life. Start recording at the touch of a button. See a moment you'd like as a still? Hit the shutter. Autofocus keeps everything in focus, even when working double duty to record movies and photograph stills. Elevate production with the addition of varied frame rates in 30/60/400/1200fps.Don't be hindered by working in just one mode Nikon 1 flexibility gives you more.
Let the camera do the work with Smart Photo Selector
For times when you prefer to just be in the moment and let the camera do the work, move the dial to Smart Photo Selector. You find the best moment. Nikon 1 V1 will capture it.
Low light
An advanced innovative Nikon super high-speed AF CMOS imaging sensor, wide ISO range and option to select the best lens for the job gives you even more control over the light. Produce amazing photos in all those moody environments.
Electronic viewfinder
Accustomed to framing your images with a viewfinder? The Nikon 1 gives photographers the option to work with flexibility using either the 1,440,000 -dot (SVGA) electronic viewfinder (EVF) or the large high resol ution, 921,000-dot (VGA) LCD panel with 100 percent view.
EXPEED 3 Processor
EXPEED 3 marks the culmination of years of dedication to advancing digital imaging technologies. At the heart of Nikon 1 is EXPEED 3, with dual image processors, to deliver outstanding system performance, high-speed processing, state-of-the-art phase detection autofocus and the fastest data transfer rates.
Intuitive simplicity
Easy access to advanced features are hallmarks of the Nikon 1 system. From the ultra intuitive command and features buttons, easy-to-understand menu and fast lens mount
LCD monitor
Check your creativity: frame and share your creations on the large and sharp 3.0-inch LCD color display. An ultra-high resolution VGA screen featuring 921,000-dots shows every detail to precision. An anti-glare coating renders easy viewing of photos and HD movies, even outdoors
Speedlight
For instances where available light is not enough to properly illuminate subjects, or when special lighting effects are desired, usethe optional Nikon 1 SB-N5 Speedlight. Plug this compact device into the i-TTL hot shoe. Angle the device up, down, left or right and bounce light to your creative advantage. No batteries are required to power this device.
1 NIKKOR Lenses
Compact, light, high performance optics
Express quality with the revolutionary new 1 NIKKOR lens system. Don't be limited by a single fixed focal length select from a growing selection of lenses that incorporate Nikon's vibration reduction (VR II) technology for blur-free images. Aspherical elements keep lenses compact while maintaining high quality. A silent stepping motor (STM) keeps autofocusing quiet especially during movie recording. Compactness brings portability, whether using the single focal length 10mm or the 30-110mm telephoto. 1 NIKKOR extends a heritage of precision symbolized by durability, superior image quality and optical excellence
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