Why You Can Trust CNET Nikon 1 J2
This addition to the Nikon 1 ILC line features a few tweaks over the J1. Plus, a new lens and dive housing.
A year after its interchangeable-lens-camera debut, nothing much has changed in Nikonville. While its entry-level Nikon 1 J1 is a decent, pretty little camera, the company's follow-up model, the J2, doesn't really address many of the issues of its predecessor, though Nikon's wisely bringing it out at a lower price (and anticipates lowering the price of the J1).
Basically, the J2 adds a higher-resolution LCD and photo effects and scene modes that were oddly missing from the J1 (Panorama, Selective Color, Miniature, Soft, Night Landscape, Backlighting, and Night Portraits). You'll also be able to turn the camera when you expand the lens -- the CX lenses retract similarly to Olympus' 14-42mm kit lens -- a nice but small improvement.
Shop for Nikon 1 J2 (with 10-30mm lens, Black)
See all prices
Unfortunately, Nikon chose to add a grip only to the red and pink models rather than the vastly more popular white. There's no mention of improved battery life, support for shutter speeds faster than 1/60 sec with the flash, or better noise reduction in the JPEGs, my major complaints with the J1.
Here's the field:
| Nikon 1 J1 | Nikon 1 J2 | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Sony Alpha NEX-F3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 10mp CMOS | 10mp CMOS | 12.3mp Live MOS | 12.1mp Live MOS | 16.1mp Exmor HD CMOS |
| 13.2mm x 8.8mm | 13.2mm x 8.8mm | 17.3mm x 13mm | 17.3mm x 13mm | 23.5mm x 15.6mm | |
| Focal-length multiplier | 2.7x | 2.7x | 2.0x | 2.0x | 1.5x |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 3200/6400 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 3200/6400 (expanded) | ISO 200 - ISO 12800 | ISO 100 - ISO 6400/ 12800 (expanded) | ISO 200 - ISO 16000 |
| Continuous shooting | 5fps n/a (60fps with fixed AF and electronic shutter) | 5fps n/a (60fps with fixed AF and electronic shutter) | 4.1fps n/a (5.5fps without image stabilization) | 4fps unlimited JPEG/4 raw | 2.5 fps 18 JPEG/6 raw (5.5fps with fixed exposure) |
| Viewfinder | None | None | None | None | None |
| Autofocus | 73-point phase detection, 135-area contrast AF | 73-point phase detection, 135-area contrast AF | 35-area contrast AF | 23-area contrast AF | 25-point contrast AF |
| AF sensitivity range | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 - 18 EV | 0 - 20 EV |
| Shutter speed | 1/3 - 1/16,000; bulb; 1/60 sec x-sync | 1/3 - 1/16,000; bulb; 1/60 sec x-sync | 60-1/2,000 sec; bulb to 30 minutes | 60-1/4,000 sec; 1/160 flash sync | 30-1/4,000 sec; bulb; 1/160 flash sync |
| Metering | n/a | n/a | 324 area | 144 zone | 1,200 zone |
| Metering range | n/a | n/a | 0 - 20 EV | 0 - 18 EV | 0 - 20 EV |
| Flash | Yes | Yes | Included optional | Yes | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Optical | Optical | Sensor shift | Optical | Optical |
| Video | 1080/60i/30p, 720/60p H.264 MPEG-4 QuickTime MOV | 1080/60i/30p, 720/60p H.264 MPEG-4 QuickTime MOV | AVCHD 1080/60i @ 20, 17Mbps; 720/60p @ 13Mbps/29 minutes | AVCHD or MPEG-4 QuickTime MOV 1080/60i @ 17Mbps 720/60p @17Mbps | AVCHD 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24, 17Mbps; H.264 MPEG-4 1,440x1,080/ 30p @ 12Mbps |
| Audio | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo; mic input |
| LCD size | 3-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 920,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed touch screen 920,000 dots | 3-inch tilting 921,600 dots |
| Wireless file upload | None | None | Optional Bluetooth | None | None |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 230 shots | 230 shots | 330 shots | 330 shots | 470 shots |
| Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.2 | 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.2 | 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 | 4.2 x 2.6 x 1.5 | 4.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 9.7 | 9.7 (est) | 9.3 | 9.6 | 11.1 |
| Mfr. price | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| $649.95 (with 10-30mm lens) | $549.95 (with 10-30mm lens) | $499.99 (with 14-42mm lens) | $599 (with 14-42mm lens) | $599 (with 18-55mm lens) | |
| $899.95 (with 10-30mm and 30-110mm lenses) | n/a | n/a | $749 (with 14-42mm power zoom lens) | n/a | |
| n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Ship date | October 2011 | September 2012 | September 2011 | June 2012 | June 2012 |
The other big problem with the Nikon 1 is the lack of lenses. There's a basic kit zoom (10-30mm, or 27-81mm equivalent), a telephoto zoom (30-110mm, or 81-297mm equivalent), and a fast-ish f2.8 10mm (27mm equivalent) pancake prime. Nikon covers the same territory, albeit in a more compact design, with the new $189.95 11-27.5mm f3.5-5.6 (30-74mm equivalent) lens announced with the J2. Because they're so slow, all of these lenses essentially relegate the Nikon 1 to competing with point-and-shoots, and the slow pace of rolling them out does nothing to enhance the attractions of the series. It's time for some fast lenses -- even f2.8 just doesn't cut it on such a small sensor. Alternatively, Nikon should try the same approach that Pentax took with the Q and come up with some cheap, Lomography-like lenses for variety. Hopefully, this isn't it for 2012.
Nikon has also released a new waterproof housing for the 1 J series, the WP-N1, which the company says can handle depths of up to about 131 feet. It's slated to ship in September for $749.95.