Nikon 1 sample images

[DPNow]

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Although we have yet to take pictures of our own using either the new Nikon 1 compact system cameras, the V1 and J1, we do have some pictures provided by Nikon that were taken using the new cameras.

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[Ian]

Re: Nikon 1 sample images

I now have both the Nikon J1 and V1 here at the office and I have to say I'm quite impressed. But there are major differences between the Nikon 1 system and more conventional cameras. The Nikons are much much more like compacts in the way they you use them. For example, there is no focusing ring on the lenses - to manually focus you must select manual focus mode buried in the menus and then turn the control wheel on the back of the camera. To switch between AE modes requires going in to menus - rather like the Sony NEX. The design is not streamlined for keen photographers, who I feel will be more at home with Micro Four Thirds or the Samsung NX cameras. I find myself using the equivalent of i-Auto mode most of the time. Even changing ISO manually is very cumbersome. Image quality is actually quite good and on a par with Micro Four Thirds as far as I can see, but you do notice the increased depth of field. It's much more challenging to get nice bokeh than Micro Four Thirds, for example.

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Nikon 1 sample images

I have just posted this on our Four Thirds User site forum:

And I have some simple comparisons for you all if you are interested. Here are links to three in-camera JPEGs taken side by side using an Olympus Pen E-PL3 and kit zoom and the Nikon V1 with its kit zoom. Both are at ISO 200 and taken hand held. I decided to use f/5.6 on the V1 to avoid diffraction issues, while the E-PL3 images were taken at f/7.1, which is about the same in terms of diffraction limiting:

E-PL3:
Widest zoom: http://fourthirds-user.com/files/forum/PA071822.jpg
Mid zoom: http://fourthirds-user.com/files/forum/PA071823.jpg
Tele zoom: http://fourthirds-user.com/files/forum/PA071824.jpg

V1:
Widest zoom: http://fourthirds-user.com/files/forum/DSC_0100.jpg
Mid zoom: http://fourthirds-user.com/files/forum/DSC_0101.jpg
Tele zoom: http://fourthirds-user.com/files/forum/DSC_0102.jpg

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Nikon 1 sample images

And here are some depth of field comparisons, all shot at f/5.6. The scene on the left is part of an A4 print placed around two feet in front of the camera (on a tripod) and the clock is on a wall about 6 feet behind the print.


Four Thirds sensor 2x cropping factor - Olympus Pen E-PL3, f=42mm (84mm equivalent)


1/1.63 inch sensor 4.7x cropping factor - Compact Olympus XZ-1 f=19.84mm (92.6mm equivalent)


1-inch sensor 2.7x cropping factor - Nikon V1 f=30mm (81mm equivalent)


APS-C sensor 1.5x cropping factor - DSLR Nikon D5100 f=55mm (82.5mm equivalent)

This isn't very scientific, but the as a guide I used the frame height to line up roughly with the same vertical points on the print with the lenses set to roughly 80-84mm. The XZ-1 is a bit out as it's impossible to set the zoom to a precise focal length.

Ian