Why You Can Trust CNET Nikon 1 series reaches a new low price
CES sees the introduction of two new entries in the Nikon 1 series, at a new low price, plus a couple of lenses.
LAS VEGAS--Nikon shipped the Nikon 1 J2 interchangeable-lens camera only five months ago and already it's obsolete. Given the lukewarm reception for such a meh update, especially given the flurry of competing products this past fall, it's neither surprising nor distressing that it's being superseded. Here at CES 2013, the company announced two new models in the Nikon 1 series: the Nikon 1 J3 and the cheaper entry-level model, the S1.
The J3 essentially has the same internals as the V2 in the body of the J2; the one physical difference is the mode dial has been moved to the top from the back. It gets all the same firmware-based features as the V2; it's capable of saving only one shot (rather than five) in its Smart Photo Selector mode; and it has an extended Motion Snapshot mode, increased to 4 seconds (10 seconds if you forgo the embedded JPEG) with the option to string multiple clips together in-camera. There's also a new and somewhat intriguing Best Moment Capture Mode, an alternative to burst shooting, which buffers the last 1.3 seconds of a shutter press so that you can play it back slowly and choose the desired frame to save.
Shop for Nikon 1 J3 (with 10-30mm lens, Black)
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More interestingly, the S1 is the least expensive Nikon 1 yet. Based around the same lower-resolution sensor as the J2, it's smaller with fewer physical controls. It has no mode dial at all, instead incorporating a virtual dial. It also comes in a kit with the newer but smaller 11-27.5mm lens announced with the V2. Otherwise, it has the same features and capabilities.
Here's some comparison info:
| Nikon 1 J2 | Nikon 1 J3 | Nikon 1 S1 | Nikon 1 V2 | Sony Alpha NEX-F3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 10MP CMOS | 14.2MP CMOS | 10.1MP CMOS | 14.2MP CMOS | 16.1mp Exmor HD CMOS |
| 13.2mm x 8.8mm | 13.2mm x 8.8mm | 13.2mm x 8.8mm | 13.2mm x 8.8mm | 23.5mm x 15.6mm | |
| Focal-length multiplier | 2.7x | 2.7x | 2.7x | 2.7x | 1.5x |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 3200/6400 (expanded) | ISO 160 - ISO 6400 | ISO 100 - ISO 6400 | ISO 160 - ISO 6400 | ISO 200 - ISO 16000 |
| Continuous shooting | 5fps n/a (60fps with fixed AF and electronic shutter) | 15fps 22 JPEG/n/a (60fps or 30fps with fixed AF) | 15fps 15 JPEG/n/a (60fps or 30fps with fixed AF) | 15fps 45 JPEG/n/a | 2.5 fps 18 JPEG/6 raw (5.5fps with fixed exposure) |
| Viewfinder | None | None | None | 0.47-inch TFT EVF 1.44 million dots 100% coverage n/a | None |
| Autofocus | 73-point phase detection, 135-area contrast AF | 73-point phase detection, 135-area contrast AF | 73-point phase detection, 135-area contrast AF | 73-point phase detection, 135-area contrast AF | 25-point contrast AF |
| AF sensitivity range | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 - 20 EV |
| Shutter speed | 1/3 - 1/16,000; bulb; 1/60 sec x-sync | n/a | n/a | 1/3 - 1/16,000; bulb; 1/60 sec x-sync | 30-1/4,000 sec; bulb; 1/160 flash sync |
| Metering | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1,200-zone |
| Metering range | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0 - 20 EV |
| Flash | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Optical | Optical | Optical | 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 | 1080/60i/30p, 720/60p H.264 MPEG-4 QuickTime MOV | 1080/30p; 720/60p H.264 MPEG-4 QuickTime MOV | AVCHD 1080/60i @ 24, 17Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24, 17Mbps; H.264 MPEG-4 1,440x1,080/ 30p @ 12Mbps |
| Audio | Stereo | n/a | n/a | Stereo; mic input | Stereo; mic input |
| LCD size | 3-inch fixed 920,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 920,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 920,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 920,000 dots | 3-inch tilting 921,600 dots |
| Wireless file upload | None | Optional (via WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter) | Optional (via WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter) | Optional (via WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter) | None |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 230 shots | n/a | n/a | n/a | 470 shots |
| Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.2 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 9.7 (est) | n/a | n/a | n/a | 11.1 |
| Mfr. price | n/a | n/a | n/a | $799.95 (body only) | n/a |
| $549.95 (with 10-30mm lens) | $599.99 (with 10-30mm lens) | $499.95 (with 11-27.5mm lens) | $899.95 (with 10-30mm lens) | $599 (with 18-55mm lens) | |
| n/a | n/a | n/a | $1,149.95 (with 10-30mm and 30-110mm lenses) | n/a | |
| Ship date | September 2012 | February 2013 | February 2013 | November 2012 | June 2012 |
In addition to the two cameras, Nikon also debuted a couple of new lenses and some accessories for the series. The lenses are a $499.95 6.7-13mm f3.5-5.6 lens (100 degree angle of view; 18-35mm equivalent) and a $549.99 10-100mm f3.5-5.6 (27-270mm equivalent) retractable lens. Both have optical image stabilization.
While these are useful general-purpose zooms, unfortunately, we still don't see the fast prime -- even a mediocre pancake version -- that I was hoping for when the V2 was announced.
Finally, Nikon announced the $749.95 WPN-2 waterproof case for J3 and the S1; it's good to 130 feet and designed for the cameras equipped with the 10-30mm lens.