The
Nikon V1 is a compact interchangeable lens camera with 10.1 Megapixel
resolution, Full HD video, a selection of innovative shooting modes and what
Nikon describes as the world's fastest AF system to date. The V1, along with
the simpler J1, are the first two models in Nikon's new '1' series, announced
in September 2011.
Nikon 1 is the company's
long-awaited mirrorless / interchangeable lens camera system. Unlike existing
APS-C and Micro Four Thirds models, Nikon 1 is based around a new 'CX-format'
CMOS sensor. Measuring 13.2x8.8mm with a 2.7x field-reduction factor, the CX
format is smaller than APS-C and Micro Four Thirds sensors, but comfortably
larger than those in point-and-shoot cameras or the Pentax Q system.
The 10.1 Megapixel
CX-sensor in the V1 and J1 also boasts a hybrid AF system, offering both
contrast-based and phase-detection AF systems, the latter built-into the sensor
itself at the focal plane. In use both cameras automatically switch between
phase and contrast-based AF depending on the subject, with the former allowing
them to quickly track action even while filming video.
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If the subject is shiny or
in motion, the V1 and J1 employ phase detection AF with up to 73 points (for
single AF point selection) or 41 (when set to auto area). If the subject is
stationary or poorly lit, the V1 and J1 switch to their contrast based AF
system, which uses up to 135 areas. Once again Nikon claims it is the world's
fastest AF system, and thanks to the numbers here, also the world's most
focusing points too.
As mentioned earlier, the CX sensor measures 13.2x8.8mm and applies a 2.7x field-reduction to all lenses. This is smaller than the 17.3x13mm and 2x reduction of Micro Four Thirds sensors, as used in Olympus and Panasonic ILCs, and the 23.4x15.6mm and 1.5x reduction of APS-C sensors as used in Sony NEX ILCs and most DSLRs, including Nikon's own DX format models.
As mentioned earlier, the CX sensor measures 13.2x8.8mm and applies a 2.7x field-reduction to all lenses. This is smaller than the 17.3x13mm and 2x reduction of Micro Four Thirds sensors, as used in Olympus and Panasonic ILCs, and the 23.4x15.6mm and 1.5x reduction of APS-C sensors as used in Sony NEX ILCs and most DSLRs, including Nikon's own DX format models.
While the CX format is
comfortably smaller than Micro Four Thirds and APS-C, it is larger than the
sensors employed by typical point and shoot cameras. These tend to employ
sensors described as being 1/2.7in or 1/1.8in, which measure 5.37x4.04mm or
7.18x5.32mm respectively. There's also the 2/3in sensor size, measuring
8.8x6.6mm but rarely used in point-and-shoots anymore. Finally there's the
1/2.3in size, recently adopted by Pentax for its Q system, which measures
6.16x4.62mm and applies a 5.53x field reduction to lenses. You can clearly
compare each sensor size in my scale diagram below.
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Digital camera sensor
sizes compared (scale diagram)
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Nikon's strategy is
two-fold: it doesn't want to jeopardise sales of its DX-format DSLRs, which
employ APS-C sized sensors, and it's also spotted a gap in the market between
these and traditional point-and-shoot sensors. In these respects it's a sound
strategy, but those who equate sensor size to quality are understandably
disappointed. I can't comment until evaluating a final production sample
myself, as modern technologies may allow the CX sensor to perform better than
expected. It's also worth remembering the success of the Nikon 1 is more about
it being noticeably better than a point-and-shoot rather than offering quality
to match APS-C.
I will however say that by
adopting a smaller sensor, Nikon might avoid cannibalising its DSLR sales with
an ILC but that's not stopping the competition from doing so. Just look at Sony
which makes DSLRs, ILCs and even SLTs, all using APS-C sensors. Sony
understands each type of camera may jeopardise sales of another, but doesn't
care so long as those sales stay within the company. Nikon's decision, for
better or worse, will mean that anyone who wants an ILC with a big sensor will
look elsewhere.
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It's also worth looking
into that 2.7x field reduction for a moment. This would seem to benefit
telephoto work, as a relatively small focal length on a CX-format body could
deliver a large effective focal length in practice. But look again at the
figures, especially compared to Sony's latest 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor. Note
I'll be making assumptions the entire sensor dimensions quoted by the
manufacturers are active and devoted to the actual photo sites.
Starting with linear
resolution, the Sony sensor packs 6000 pixels into a sensor measuring 23.4mm
wide; that equates to individual photo sites measuring 0.0039mm wide. Meanwhile
the Nikon CX sensor packs 3872 pixels into a sensor measuring 13.2mm wide,
equating to individual photo sites measuring 0.0034mm wide. This makes the
photosites on the Nikon sensor only about 15% smaller in either dimension; that
is to say, if you took the same physical area from each sensor, the Nikon would
only squeeze 15% more pixels into it horizontally or vertically.
The reason this is worth
noting is it effectively eliminates almost all of the perceived telephoto
advantage from the Nikon CX system when compared to a high resolution APS-C
sensor. If you fitted a lens of the same focal length to both the Nikon V1 / J1
and Sony NEX-7, the images direct from each camera may show a different view,
but by taking a 10 Megapixel crop from the middle of the Sony, you'd end up
with coverage and detail within 15% of the Nikon. And obviously the Sony has
the advantage of the original uncropped 24 Megapixel image with a broader
coverage, although to be fair it would require a physically bigger lens to
deliver the required imaging circle to its bigger sensor.
Looking at their respective
sensor areas and pixel densities you can also calculate the Nikon V1 / J1 and
Sony NEX-7 have photo-site areas of 11.5 and 15.2 square micrometers
respectively, which gives the Sony around 50% greater light-gathering area per pixel,
implying higher sensitivity. Of course differences in micro-lenses and filter
arrays, not to mention image processing all play a role in final image quality,
but crunching the numbers certainly gives food for thought.
It is however important not
to discount the Nikon 1 system based on it not having an APS-C or even a Micro
Four Thirds sensor. Nikon has packed-in a number of unique features which
differentiate it from the pack and which, as a whole, could end up delivering
one of the most satisfying photographic experiences around.
I've already mentioned the
fast hybrid AF system. Next comes supremely quick continuous shooting, with
both the V1 and J1 boasting 10fps with autofocus, or a massive 60fps with the
focus locked at the first frame. These speeds employ the electronic shutter
which offers shutter speeds up to 1/16000. The V1 additionally offers a
mechanical shutter with continuous speeds up to 5fps. I'm confirming buffer
depths for all modes.
In terms of video, both the
V1 and J1 can record 1080/60i, 1080/30p or 720/60p, from a sensor which outputs
1080 at 60p. Annoyingly there doesn't seem to be a 1080/60p option, perhaps
because development predated the latest AVCHD Progressive standard, although a
short burst of 1080/60p video is recorded in the Motion Snapshot mode which
I'll come to later.
Continuing the unique
features, the V1 and J1 also support lower resolution video at extremely high
frame rates: 640x240 at 400fps and 320x120 at 1200fps, both playing back at
30fps and therefore slowing the action by 13.3 or 40 times. These are
impressive capabilities, although the very wide and non-standard aspect ratio
(approx 2.5:1) is a curious choice. Note all videos are encoded using H.264 and
stored in a MOV wrapper. Both cameras feature built-in stereo microphones, but
the V1 additionally offers a 3.5mm microphone input jack.
The V1 and J1 join an
increasing number of cameras which can capture still photos while recording
video, impressively including high resolution images so long as you're in the
right mode. If you're filming in 1080/60i, you can grab 3840x2160 pixel / 16:9
shaped images which may be cropped from the native 3872x2592 pixels of the
sensor itself, but still represent a decent 8 Megapixel image. If you're
filming in 1080/30p or 720/60p, the stills are grabbed at the video resolutions
of 1920x1080 or 1280x720 pixels.
Moving-on, the V1 and J1
offer two unique shooting modes which exploit their fast shooting capabilities:
Smart Photo Selector and Motion Snapshot. The former starts quickly buffering
images the moment you half-press the shutter release and records 20 as you push
all the way down. A number of these frames are actually captured following the
press of the shutter release, which allows the V1 and J1 to record not just the
moment you pressed the button, but just before and afterwards too. The camera
then evaluates the burst of 20 images for focus, composition and facial
expression, before selecting what it believes are the best five, with the best
of all shown immediately on-screen. This mode maximises your chances of
grabbing the right moment - with a few extra throw in for good measure.
Motion Snapshot also starts
recording just prior to the main button press, but this time it's capturing a
one second burst of Full HD 1080 video at 60p in addition to your main still
image. The video is then encoded at 24p, for a semi slow motion effect, 2.5
times slower than normal, and stored alongside the high resolution still. This
gives you the best of both worlds with the video putting the still into
context.
Smart Photo Selector and
Motion Snapshot are two of four modes which are selected from a dial on the
rear, the other two being for traditional Still Images and Movies. When set to
Still Image, the cameras allow you to choose from the traditional PASM modes
on-screen. Even when set to these two modes though, there's a lot of crossover:
as already mentioned, you can capture high resolution stills while filming
video, and also shoot continuous stills at video frame rates. Stills and video
have never converged and complemented each other to this degree on a consumer
camera.
Nikon V1 vs J1 - the
differences
So far though most of the
features described are common to both the V1 and J1. The major differences
between them revolve around the physical aspects of size, build quality,
composition and connectivity. The V1 boasts a tougher, albeit larger and
heavier magnesium alloy body, measuring 113x76x43.5mm (36mm at its thinnest
point) and weighing 383g with battery and card but no lens. Meanwhile the J1
measures 106x61x29.8mm and weighs 277g with battery and card but no lens. I've
pictured the J1 below with the smallest current Nikon 1 lens, the 10mm f2.8
pancake.
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