Introduction

The V1 is in many ways the senior of the two Nikon mirrorless cameras, offering a built-in LCD viewfinder, a mechanical shutter, vastly superior handling, and other features designed for the mirrorless market. Having already reviewed the J1 this fall, we got ahold of the V1 at Photo Plus East in New York, to see if Nikon's top of the line mirrorless model improves on its flashier cousin.

Design & Appearance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Where the Nikon J1 sports a flashier, smooth appearance, with a design that shouts "look at me!" the understated V1 seems to respond, "just look natural." The V1's surface is a soft, rubberized material that is exceptionally easy to grip and control. Every inch of the V1 seems geared toward aiding the goal of taking better pictures, with nothing spared for fashion's sake. The V1 offers an identical control scheme to the J1, with a four-way rear control pad, "function" button, mode dial, zoom toggle, display, menu, playback, and delete keys taking up the rear of the camera. On top there is a simple shutter release, power button, and dedicated video record button.

Tour

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

LCD & Viewfinder

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

One of the V1's advantages over the less-expensive J1 is the inclusion of a 3-inch 920k-dot TFT LCD, as opposed to the 460k-dot TFT LCD on the J1. We were impressed with the J1's rear LCD, as it offered solid color reproduction, brightness adjustment, and enough fine detail to make focus judgements possible even without a peaking functionality. The V1 improves on the J1's LCD, with slightly higher resolution that does make fine focus adjustments easier.

The viewfinder on the Nikon V1 is a 0.47-inch TFT LCD, with a resolution of approximately 1440k dots. The EVF has an eyepoint of 17mm, with approximately 100% coverage. The viewfinder is built into the camera, automatically turning on when you bring it up to your eye. It offers a replicated view of the rear LCD sans glare and other distractions. It offers all pertinent shooting information and also comes with both brightness control and a diopter adjustment from -3 to +1m^-1. We found the viewfinder to be very functional, without the blur and lag that typically plagues electronic viewfinders.

Flash

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The V1 does not include a built-in flash, instead relying on an auxiliary port beside the electronic viewfinder into which the optional external flash gun can be attached. The V1 debuts alongside the Speedlight SB-N5, a bounce flash that locks into this accessory port. It offers extra illumination in scenes and, in the camera's motion snapshot and smart photo selector modes, will provide constant illumination for up to six seconds, as those modes sometimes take longer exposures and videos that accompany each shot. The V1 offers flash compensation of -3 to +1 EV in 1/3-stop increments, and can fire the flash in fill flash, slow sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync with red-eye, rear-curtain sync, and rear-curtain sync with red-eye.

Lens & Sensor

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Jacks, Ports & Plugs

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Nikon V1 offers mini-HDMI and USB/AV output. The USB/AV port is proprietary, so standard mini-USB cables will not fit into the port. The V1 includes a built-in stereo mic, but it also includes a 3.5mm microphone input. The V1's accessory port allows for the use of Nikon's ME-1 stereo microphone attachment, though that requires the multi-accessory port adapter AS-N1000, so it's a bit unwieldy of a system as a whole.

Battery

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The V1 uses a larger battery than you might expect, the EN-EL15, which is capable of getting around 400 shots without the flash. With the flash (which is closer in accordance with CIPA standards, which approximate heavy use and use the flash 50% of the time), that number only drops to 350 shots. If you're using the camera to record video, Nikon rates the battery as able to record two hours of HD video at the 1080/60i frame rate and resolution.

Memory

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Users can record images to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards with the Nikon V1. The cards slot into the same compartment as the battery. There's no listed maximum memory size for the V1, so we'll assume just about any SD/SDHC/SDXC card currently on the market will function fine with the V1, though brand-new SDXC cards may not work properly.

{{product.manufacturer_specs['FI Memory Photo']}}

Ease of Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Nikon V1, despite its enhancements over the J1, is not any more complicated. The shooting modes and menu design are identical, as are the images you get out of the two cameras. We like the J1 and V1 menus, as they're simple, clear, and legible. They are still organized in long lists, so some options require a bit of scrolling to find. In general there isn't a large learning curve required to shoot effectively with the V1, which isn't always the case with compact system cameras. We wish the mode dial offered a more traditional layout, and that switching between some exposure modes didn't require going into the menu, but overall the V1 is not a difficult camera for a novice to pick up and use.

Size & Handling

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The major benefit of utilizing the sensor size that Nikon has chosen is the ability to develop smaller lenses than other compact systems with larger image sensors can realistically match. Shooting the V1 (or the smaller J1, for that matter) with the 10mm f/2.8 pancake lens feels very similar to shooting with an advanced point-and-shoot rather than even many compact system cameras. We were unimpressed by the handling on the J1 due to the lack of grip on the front of the camera (Nikon did make a point to state there is a body case available that rectifies that issue somewhat), but our complaints were assuaged with the V1's design almost immediately. The V1 is not encased in a slippery shell of plastic, but covered in a rough, grippy rubber that feels like the camera is glued to your hands (in a good way).

It's a relatively small change when you consider the general layout of the rear controls is the same, but that front material makes shooting with the V1 an infinitely better affair. You're no longer worried about the camera slipping, or that you may drop it when switching lenses. Even with bare hands, we had trouble keeping grips on the J1. We can only imagine how it would feel trying to control with gloves. With the V1, we were able to focus on what's important about the camera: taking photos. While it may look a bit awkward in our handling shots, shooting with the V1 and the viewfinder replicates the DSLR shooting experience in miniature, even without a large, protruding grip.

Auto Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Nikon V1 attempts to simplify the process of getting the camera to simply shoot by utilizing the "still image mode" that we saw with the J1. Instead of offering an all-auto "dummy" mode and a program auto mode that allows for some adjustments, the V1 places these all under the header of "still image." This isn't overly complicated (it is, after all, automatic mode), but it takes some getting used to.

Movie Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Recording movies on the V1 is a pretty simple affair, as users can either flip the mode dial to the movie record section, or simply press the dedicated movie record button on top of the camera. There is also a movie-like mode, called motion snapshot, which will take a picture and also a six-second video leading into the picture. It's an innovative way to display an image, and it gives a snapshot a little more life. As with most new image types it seems a little gimmicky without the social media and web infrastructure to share these snapshots as easily as regular .JPEGs, though the .mov files should play fine on some digital picture frames.

Playback Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The playback mode on the V1 is fairly standard, with options for playback zoom, thumbnail view (4, 9, or 72 images at a time), calendar view, movie playback, slide show, as well as options to view histograms and more extensive image information for each shot.

Drive/Burst Mode

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

One of the most surprising aspects we found about the J1, which also applies to the V1, is the sheer speed of the cameras. The V1 not only shoots at 10fps, but both the J1 and the V1 can take videos of 400fps and 1200fps, though quality obviously pales in comparison to 1080/60i modes. We'll have to get the V1 in for a full review to be sure, but we found the J1 bested its rated 5fps by a small margin. Both cameras were also capable of shooting full-resolution images at 10, 30 and even 60fps, though without continuous autofocus.

Other Modes

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Motion Snapshot

The Nikon 1-system cameras both feature the ability to take a motion snapshot, which is a single still image and an accompanying 6-second video leading into it. The camera also can pair one of a few included jingles along with the snapshot, which complements the motion. The included music is mostly a group of cheesy instrumental flares, but it's a fun little extra mode to play with at times.

Manual Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The V1 offers manual controls in the form of shutter and aperture priority control, mostly adjusted by the rear control dial depending on which mode the user happens to be in. The most common way of making adjustments is to press the function key on the angled shoulder of the camera, which is marked with a large F and has context-dependent functionality that will change with the shooting mode.

Focus

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Nikon 1-system cameras both offer a unique hybrid autofocus system that can utilize both contrast- and phase-detection autofocus, switching depending on the lighting and shooting conditions. This is possible thanks to the Nikon-designed sensor, which can determine focal point through phase-detection sensors built right into the sensor. The V1 can focus utilizing single-point AF, with 135 focus areas selectable, or auto-area AF, with 41 focus areas. The camera can also utilize manual focus, which is controlled by a focus ring on the lenses themselves, and can automatically override focus at almost any time.

Users can utilize that manual focus, or single autofocus, continuous autofocus, auto AF-S/AF-C selection, or full-time AF. Users can also make use of face-detection autofocus and subject tracking AF, which will follow an object through the frame and maintain focus. Nikon also confirmed that their Nikkor F-mount adapter will allow autofocus, though only with AF-S lenses that have a focus drive motor built in.

ISO

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The Nikon V1 offers an ISO range of 100-3200, in full stop increments. There's also a "Hi 1" setting, which Nikon calls the ISO 6400 equivalent, though the images returned are quite noisy. If you want the camera to take care of the sensitivity selection for you, the V1 offers automatic ISO selection with ranges of 100-400, 100-800, and 100-3200 selectable by the user.

White Balance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

White balance can be set using one of six presets, with manual and automatic white balance modes also available. The six presets include: incandescent, fluorescent, direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, and shade. White balance is set through the menu, where custom white balance can also be set for the camera. Every white balance preset also includes the ability to make fine adjustments to fit the user's preference.

Exposure & Metering

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

As a mirrorless system camera, the Nikon V1 uses through the lens metering using the camera's image sensor, with user-selectable options for center-weighted, matrix, and spot metering. The center-weighted mode takes a reading within a 4.5mm circle around the center of the frame, while the spot mode takes a reading from a 2mm circle around a selected focus area. The V1 offers exposure compensation of +/- 3 stops, in 1/3-stop increments, with an exposure lock option as well.

Shutter Speed

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The V1, when utilizing its mechanical shutter, allows users to take exposures as fast as 1/4000 of a second and as slow as 30 seconds, set in 1/3-stop increments. When using just the electronic shutter, the V1 can fire exposures as fast as 1/16000 of a second. Either mode allows the user to also take bulb exposures, and the 1-system cameras also have a built-in interval shooting mode that will allow users to establish a fixed delay between a number of shots.

Aperture

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The apertures on the 1-system cameras are lens dependent. With just four lenses currently available, the maximum aperture available is the 10mm kit lens' f/2.8, with f/3.5 and f/4.5 the maximums for the 10-30m kit zoom, the 30-110mm zoom, and the 10-100mm powered zoom. The aperture can be controlled in-camera in the aperture-priority exposure mode as well as indirectly through the program shift in program auto mode.

Image Stabilization

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

As with Nikon's F-mount lenses, vibration reduction technology is built into select lenses. In their DSLR cameras this offers image stabilization before it reached the mirror, so that the view through the optical viewfinder is also stabilized. Nikon has extended this same technology into their mirrorless bodies, though we'll have to get the V1 into the hands of our infamous stabilization test rig to see how effective the technology is.

Picture Quality & Size Options

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

There are a number of quality and size options available on the V1, with the maximum resolution being in the sensor's native 3:2 ratio. The largest images that can be captured are 3872x2592, with a 16:9 option of 3840x2160 also offered when a still is taken while in movie mode. When taking a motion snapshot, the resolution of the still image is identical to the maximum 16:9 stills taken in movie mode. The V1 allows users to shoot in 12-bit compressed RAW (.NEF) images. There are also options for fine and basic JPEG and RAW+JPEG shooting.

Picture Effects

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The 1-system cameras don't try to bowl users over with a bevy of extra creative color modes and digital filters, opting for a simple "picture control" menu, with basic tweaks. These modes include: neutral, vivid, monochrome, portrait, and landscape modes, with custom picture control options and some adjustments available for each mode.

Conclusion

When we reviewed the Nikon J1 last month, we came away with mixed opinions about the camera. It's clear that Nikon wants to keep their system compact and go after a customer that is stepping up from a point-and-shoot experience. The 1 system is an attempt to marry the quality of DSLR images with a streamlined, simplified shooting experience that is compact in more than name only. We found that the J1 struggled in its execution of that ideal, but it put forth enough positives that it had us excited for the Nikon 1 system in the future.

The V1 is not vastly different from the less-expensive J1. The two cameras have a practically identical menu system, they have the same image sensor, the same quick hybrid autofocus, and just about all the same shooting options and modes. The V1 gets the benefit of a high-resolution LCD viewfinder, a higher resolution rear LCD, a mechanical shutter, a vibrating anti-dust system, an accessory port for an additional flash, microphone, or GPS unit, and vastly superior handling. That being said, the upgrade in handling alone is worth the price difference, as that removes our most serious complaint about the J1.

Pick up the V1 and the message is immediately clear: just shoot. It's a relatively small list of changes on paper, but from the handling to the viewfinder on down, there's less to worry about when shooting with the V1. Shooting in bright sunlight? The viewfinder is there. Shooting in bitter cold with gloves? The V1's rubber coating isn't slipping out of your hands. We still take some umbrage with the opaque symbols on the mode dial, but the overall experience is much more pleasant and focused as a result.

Beyond all that, the real achievement of the 1 system cameras is their pure speed. The V1 offers a responsive shutter release, an autofocus that is right in the same league with the Olympus E-P3 for fastest we've used, and offers shooting of up to 60fps at full resolution. If you've got a subject that's lit well enough, the V1 can even muster up a shutter speed of 1/16000 of a second, not to mention its 400 and 1200fps video modes. That's some serious speed, especially when you consider how small the camera is.

All in all, it is a solid debut from Nikon's new compact system camera. Even still, this part of the camera market is as competitive as it's ever been, so Nikon has their work cut out for them. As with every other compact interchangeable lens camera, the debut prices are steep. On merit alone, however, the V1 looks like one of the stronger compact system camera debuts we have seen yet.

Sample Photos

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Specs

{{manufacturer_specs_table}}