The Nikon 1 Series is one of the most advanced digital cameras that you can find in the market and the Nikon J1 lives up to its billing as a movie and snapshot combo camera. The Nikon 1 J1 bundled with the 10-30mm kit lens is priced at $649.
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The high resolution pictures along with the ability to shoot moving and still targets at high speeds and the ability to pick and choose from the alternatives is indeed something that sets it apart from the rest of the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera available in the market.
The following Nikon J1 review is based on my research on the internet. If you are looking for a detailed technical review, please visit DPreview.com.
Features and Benefits of the Nikon 1 J1
The most compelling features of this camera are the still picture feature, movie feature, smart photo selector and motion snapshot feature. The Nikon 1 Series is known for the smart photo selector which allows you to take the picture as soon as you press the shutter button. When you half-press the shutter button, it begins to capture images before you start taking the shot and continues much after you have done taking the shot. This means that you get 20 high resolution pictures in quick succession and the best shot is displayed on the screen along with four others for you to choose and keep the one you like.
What I Like About the Nikon 1 J1
What I like most about the Nikon 1 Series and the Nikon J1 in particular are the outstanding Motion Snapshot and Movie Functions. The Motion Snapshot feature simultaneously records a one second movie clip and takes a picture of the target at the same time. The still image can be viewed in a play back at a dramatic pace of 2.5x slow motion. This double whammy of having a movie shot along with a snapshot in picture form is indeed captivating and compelling at the same time.
The motion feature similarly allows for high resolution capture and playback of images of still and moving targets. The opportunity to take a high resolution photo, while shooting a movie is indeed inviting for many.
What I Dislike About the Nikon 1 J1
The performance of the Nikon J1 in low light settings is a bit questionable since the size of the sensor used for the Nikon 1 series is smallest among all the mirrorless cameras in the market. Another point you may want to take note its ability to auto focus in low light condition. This aspect mars an otherwise pleasant experience using the Nikon J1.
Overall Thoughts on the Nikon 1 J1
Overall, the Nikon J1 is an excellent investment for the amateur and budding photographers who do not want to invest in a pricey DSLR but at the same time want to explore the options of shooting with interchangeable lenses. The potential for high quality shooting at a competitive price is what makes the Nikon 1 series one of the top selling cameras and the Nikon J1 in particular is worth the cost. Try it and you would know the difference.
