After a long wait and much hype, Nikon finally joins the mirrorless game and unveils to the world their two new compact interchangeable lens systems, the J1 and V1.
The two mirrorless cameras have similar specifications: a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with a crop factor of 2.7x (dubbed the CX-format with a size of 13.2mmx8.8mm), a 3-inch LCD screen, 1080/30p/60i HD video, 10fps burst shooting, simultaneous video/still capture, 73-point hybrid AF and can shoot at 12-bit RAW files.
The V1 is marketed as the higher-end system, which features a magnesium alloy body with a 1.4M dot electronic viewfinder, 921k dot TFT LCD display, a mechanical shutter and a flash sync speed of 1/250th of a second. It also has a hotshoe/”multi-accessory port” for an external flash or GPS module.
The J1 is their more basic model which is equipped with an electronic shutter to keep its price lower. It has no electronic viewfinder, no hotshoe (but there is a pop up flash) and the LCD display’s resolution is lower at 460k dots. It will come in five colors: white, pink, red, silver, black.
The two cameras will also have a brand new mount, called the Nikon 1 lens mount. Four brand new lenses were launched for use with the J1 and V1:
- 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6
- 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6
- 1 NIKKOR 10mm f/2.8
- 1 NIKKOR VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM
Don’t despair for there is a FT1 mount adapter which allows you to fasten any F-mount lens on the J1 and V1, or any subsequent 1-series system.
Both cameras will be available October 20th and will come equipped with the 10-30mm zoom lens. The J1 will cost $649 (approx. Php 28,500) and the V1 will cost $899 (approx. Php 39,400).
After all the hype though, I’m personally not quite sure if Nikon’s mirrorless camera is lives up to it. The fact that it has a smaller sensor than its four thirds competitors should definitely be one of your considerations if you’re deciding on a compact camera. It will be interesting to see how Canon plans to up the ante however.