Pixiq

London, 21^st September 2011: Nikon has unveiled the Nikon 1, an entirely new digital camera system, which represents the company's entry in to the expanding mirrorless camera market. 

At the core of the new Nikon 1 system are the J1 and V1 cameras, which feature a small, compact, lightweight body. The two models share an entirely new Nikon CX-format (13.2 x 8.8 mm) 10.1MP CMOS sensor that provides a 2.7x crop compared with the Nikon FX-format (24 x 36 mm) sensors of the D700 and D3-series D-SLR cameras. During a meeting with Mr Yoshizo Mori, the senior engineer who led the team responsible for the new sensor, he stated it has taken four-years to develop and that it is an exclusive Nikon design. When we discussed the specifications of the sensor, in respect of its size and pixel count, Mr Mori explained that the design decisions where based on optimizing the frame rates for stills and video, while achieving the highest possible image quality for both, allied to the necessity for a small, compact camera body and the integration of the autofocus system within the sensor.

To support the sensor and achieve the extremely high frame rates in stills and video recording, using an electronic shutter, both the Nikon 1 cameras feature a new Expeed 3 dual-core image processor that is claimed to process data at 600 MB/sec (which is four times faster than the Nikon D3x and Canon EO7D), a hybrid AF system built into the imaging sensor that employs both phase and contrast detection autofocus (it is claimed to be the world's fastest AF system), full resolution shooting with AF tracking at up to 10fps, ISO 100-3200 (plus Hi-1 with ISO equivalent 6400), NEF, JPEG and NEF+JPEG stills images formats, 1080/60i, 1080p/30fps and 720/60p movie capture using the H.264/MPEG-4 codec (plus reduced-resolution video capture at 240p/400 and 120p/1200; at 400 and 1200 fps respectively the cameras should be capable of producing some interesting slow motion effects, although these resolutions and frame rates are far from any current standard, so playback options will be limited). The whole emphasis of the new system, for which Nikon has created a new camera category name, Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lens (A-CIL), is ease and speed of operation. Introduced alongside the new cameras are four dedicated Nikkor lenses that feature the Nikon 1 lens mount, the first entirely new lens mount from Nikon since the F-mount launched in 1959 (AF-S and AF-I F-mount lenses, which have built-in AF motors, can be used on the V1 and J1, via the Nikon 1 FT-1 lens mount adapter accessory).

Unique capabilities of both cameras include:

• Motion Snapshot (MSS) feature that captures a sequence of video before and after a still frame and combines them into a single video clip, in the .mov format, with the still frame, recorded as a full resolution JPEG file, ending the clip. 
• Smart Photo Selector (SPS) feature in which the camera can capture a sequence of up to 20 full-resolution stills images taken at 30fps, beginning from before the shutter release is fully depressed. The ‘best’ five frames, as assessed by the camera based on facial expression, composition, exposure and focus are saved and presented to the user (this is an entirely automated process, where the user has no control over prioritizing the parameters used for image selection).   
• Movie mode with the ability to record full resolution HD videos (16:9 aspect ratio, 1,080/60i, .mov format) and stills (3,840 x 2,160 pixel, Large/Fine JPEG) simultaneously; it can also record video in extreme slow motion
• Still Image mode that can capture full-resolution images at up to 60 fps and, up to 10 fps with AF tracking operating, when using the camera’s electronic shutter option. The mechanical shutter option permits a maximum frame rate of 5 fps with a shutter speed of 1/250s or faster.

Externally the two cameras appear very similar; however, functionally they differ in a number of ways. The J1 lacks some features of the V1, which simplifies its operation; available in a range of colours (red, pink, grey, white, and black) it is aimed squarely at the user who will appreciate its high level of automation and innovative new features that meld stills and video recording. By comparison the V1, which will be available in either a matt black or high-gloss white finish, provides a range of extra features to meet the requirements of the more demanding photographer/videographer, including, a magnesium alloy body (top and front panels only), a 1.4 million pixel electronic viewfinder (EVF) with approximate 100% frame coverage, mechanical shutter rated to a 100,000-cycles, with a shutter speed range of 30s – 1/4000s and a 1/250s flash sync (the fastest sync speed on the J1 is 1/60s), a vibration based dust removal system (the J1 has a dust shield), a high-resolution 920,000-dot 3.0-inch (diagonal) rear LCD screen (the J1 screen has a 460,000-dor resolution). The V1 also accepts a number of dedicated accessories, via its accessory port, including a stereo microphone input (it supports the Nikon ME-1 stereo microphone) and compatibility with the Nikon 1 system's new SB-N5 Speedlight (the V1 does not feature the built-in flash of the J1 and, neither camera supports Nikon's wireless i-TTL off-camera flash system), and the GP-N100 GPS unit. The V1 and J1 can be triggered remotely by the ML-L3 infrared (IR) remote release; the V1 has IR receivers on the front and back panels of the camera, while the J1 only has a single receiver on its front panel. The EN-EL15 battery powers the V1, the same battery that powers the D7000, while the J1 uses a new EN-EL20 battery with the new MH-27 charger.

Both cameras record to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards and support the UHS-1 high-speed data protocol. While neither the V1, nor J1 includes specific control within their menu systems for Eye-Fi cards, it is assumed at this time that these cards will work.

The full Nikon Europe (UK) press release can be view here.

The four lenses are:

• 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 (35mm frame equivalent: 27-81mm)
• 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 (35mm frame equivalent: 81-297mm)
• 1 Nikkor VR 10mm f/2.8 (35mm frame equivalent: 27mm)
• 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD (35mm frame equivalent: 27-270mm) power drive zoom

Sales of the camera bodies, lenses, SB-N5 Sppedlight and GP-N100 GPS unit are due to start from 20th October 2011, with the Nikon F mount FT-1 adapter available from 1st December 2011.

Full price details are available on regional Nikon web sites but as an example:

RRP for the Nikon 1 V1 10-30mm kit (available in black and white):

 £829.99 / €962.00 / $899.95

RRP for the Nikon J1 10-30mm kit (available in red, black, silver, pink, white)

£549.99 / €638.00 / $649.95

© Simon Stafford