Nikon mirrorless cameras. It's official: Nikon is preparing to launch its first full-frame mirrorless camera. Nikon's best rugged compact camera

  • 04.03.2020

Experts believe that Nikon will have problems with this system, just because it uses a 1-inch CX sensor, which is smaller than Micro Four Thirds. Consumers seem to be welcoming Nikon's mirrorless cameras with open arms. The fact is that Nikon 1 J1 gives excellent image quality. Very good high ISO performance. It is difficult to tell the difference between Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Nikon 1 J1 in the ISO range up to 1600. At ISO 3200 and above, you can see that the J1 and V1 do a little worse, but they are not too far behind.

The big question is, is there a hurdle with the 1-inch CX sensor that Nikon can overcome to gain dominance in the mirrorless market? One of the main reasons why this market is booming is because consumers want to enjoy the benefits of a compact camera with a large sensor. That's the whole idea behind interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras in the first place.

Nikon 1 J1 and V1 sensor versus Olympus OM-D E-M5 and PEN E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds sensor

Yes, Nikon in cameras 1 J1 and V1 uses smaller sensors than Micro Four Thirds and much smaller than APS-C. Of course, this company may focus on making sleek cameras and lenses, but a smaller sensor size will always outperform larger sensor cameras. Maybe "never" isn't the right word, but it's hard to imagine Nikon coming up with a revolutionary proprietary technology that will make their sensors outperform larger sensors. Both Sony and Canon, striving for excellence, favored the APS-C sensor size when releasing their SLR Cameras.

Nikon 1 mirrorless camera is really very compact. People who have already had the pleasure of using photographic equipment and Nikon lenses know that the reputation of these interchangeable lenses is a good reason to opt for them, despite the variety of offerings from other mirrorless camera manufacturers.

Next, let's compare the sizes of the following cameras: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5, Canon EOS M, Olympus PEN Mini E-PM1 vs. Nikon 1 J1 and V1. You can see that V1 is actually the largest in the group in terms of height, Nikon 1 J1 is the smallest (size calculated without retractable parts). Nikon 1 J1 is of course smaller than other cameras. The reason for this diminutiveness is the lack of a viewfinder, which is provided by the V1.

Pentax Q vs Nikon 1 V1 and J1 - size comparison

In the picture above, you can visually compare the Nikon 1 V1 and J1 to the Pentax Q, which uses a ½ 3-inch sensor, which is much smaller than the Nikon 1 J1. This is the main reason why Pentax failed with this model. Of course, after that, the company released the Pentax K-01 with an APS-C sensor size. Pentax K-01 has gained an excellent reputation among competent professionals. And as for the Pentax Q, this product may be on the market for some time (about two years), but there are no prerequisites for bright prospects for this camera.
So Nikon chose a sensor size that falls somewhere in the middle. It is larger than the Q, but smaller than the Micro Four Thirds. It must be assumed that Nikon engineers will open in the future technological capability, which will lead to exciting new features that allow you to get the most out of a smaller sensor. We have already seen from 10fps to 50fps using an electric shutter. And that alone gives us only a glimpse of what Nikon has in store for us in the future with Nikon camera 1.

techradar.com in their review of the Nikon 1 J1 wrote: "Image quality can not be compared with Micro Four Thirds cameras". On the contrary, CNET, on the contrary, really liked the camera. a mixed picture.Some in their reviews praise this camera a lot, while others focus on the shortcomings (no manual focus ring, slow flash sync, in J1, small upper ISO range).The fact is that some compromises had to be made in order to add new features that will actually be very useful.

Most of us probably won't shoot at ISO 1600, and for that reason, it's better to use a smaller sensor that won't have any issues up to ISO 1600 (improves over time), but in turn, the consumer gets new features that will be helpful and enjoyable. I think Nikon has managed to compromise with the Nikon 1 camera. So, understanding the needs of amateur photographers and enthusiasts of technological limitations, Nikon seems to have made a smart choice by offering a smaller sensor. This formula works because the product sells well (so far).

Now, Canon has entered the market with its EOS M mirrorless camera. The interchangeable lens mirrorless market is becoming more saturated. The competition is fierce and from the cameras mobile phones. A lot of money is spent in order to create new technologies in this market and stand out in the crowd. The second of the two main reasons why people choose MILC is the ability to use special interchangeable lenses.

If there was only one lens, there would be no reason to choose a MILC camera. Many would prefer a large compact fixed lens (eg Sony RX100). Interchangeable lenses give photographers more flexibility and more creative options. You can use 1:1 macro lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, high quality very fast prime lenses and ultra wide angle lenses. You can take photos that you can't get with cell phone cameras, or take a camera with a large sensor but a fixed lens.

As of this writing, Nikon offers 4 Nikkor lenses: 10-30mm VR, 30-110mm VR, 10mm and 10-100mm VR. The 10-100mm VR PD-Zoom was designed specifically for video shooting (special lens). On the this moment, the choice is not particularly large, but Nikon plans to release new lenses in the near future. Nikon is renowned for the quality of its optics. We are sure that all new lenses will demonstrate optical quality at the highest level (at least we hope).

Previously, the principle of exceptional primacy reigned in the photo world - if you have a large, weighty SLR in your hand, then you are a photographer. Everything else is soap dishes for photos in the family album. Rangefinders stood apart. It is to this market that Canon and Nikon are accustomed to, releasing cool and reliable equipment.

But now times are changing, and mirrorless cameras began to slowly make their way to the place under the sun. And if at first the market leaders quietly laughed, then over time it came to understand what a huge part of the market goes to competitors, and they also introduced their own system cameras.

Today we will look at the representative of mirrorless cameras in the second generation from Nikon. Nikon 1 V2.

Video review Nikon 1 V2:

Design and ergonomics

The device is just such that you can put it in your pocket or a small bag / purse / clutch / whatever and always carry it with you. At the same time, there is no feeling of fragility - if you throw it at someone in a dark alley as self-defense, you can cause significant damage to HP. Magnesium alloy is used in the production, so the tactile sensations are very, very. Last but not least thanks to the rubber coating that prevents slipping.

Ergonomics of the camera also deserves praise - despite its small size, the camera fits in your hand like a glove, thanks to a strongly protruding handle. Although it looks much more organic in women's neat pens, it is also suitable for men's. There are few different buttons and levers, and for the most part they are small. But after a week of use, you get used to it.

On the front side, apart from the lens release button, nothing else can be found. No, you can - there are two stereo microphones right there. The right side is empty. On the bottom there is a tripod socket and a compartment for the battery and memory card.

On the left side are MiniHDMI, MiniUSB and an external microphone port. What can not but rejoice.

The top end is occupied by a flash and a button to open it with a slight shift to the left side and a small speaker nearby. On the flash (decorative pentaprism shaft) - a standard hot shoe. The right side is loaded a little more. There is a shutter button framed by an on / off ring, a video recording button and two wheels. One is responsible for the choice of PASM modes, but in addition to all this, you can find an advanced video recording mode, an automatic mode, a creative photo mode, and more. The second wheel is responsible for changing various parameters, and it is with a secret. The thing is that this wheel is also a button responsible for selecting a parameter. You just need to press it, moving forward, until a characteristic click.

The back side is the most capacious. Shifted to the left is an optical viewfinder with a resolution of 1440 thousand points, a proximity sensor and a diopter adjustment ring. The proximity sensor can work in two modes: “Display fade, viewfinder on”, “Display and viewfinder off; the latter turns on when brought to the eye. This saves energy.

To the left of the screen there are four buttons, among which are viewing pictures, menu, Disp (similar to Info) and deleting pictures.

To the right of the screen is a microscopic four-way joystick-wheel with an inscribed OK button. A variety of functions are hung here, only you have to get used to the size. Above is the Fn button.

The focus is on a three-inch display with a resolution of 921 thousand dots. It's not touch sensitive, it's not rotary, but it's bright enough to see what's going on or which menu item to select. By the way, it is recycled here and does not resemble this in mirror counterparts.

I'll tell you right now that I didn't like it.

The first thing you want to pay attention to is the power button. I'm used to using the system when you feel a click after a little effort. To understand, look at how the turn-on wheels are organized on Nikon DSLRs. Immediately, I was faced with the fact that the wheel freely goes back and forth, while always returning to its original position. That is, pulled back, released - the camera turned on. Same for shutdown. Absolutely inconvenient, as you can easily turn on the device in your bag or pocket.

The second thing I want to note is the completely useless flash mount system. Although the button for opening is provided, but with a slight movement, the flash is switched to the operating mode. I don’t know how anyone, but I think that breaking it off in a backpack will be as easy as shelling pears. Although, maybe we got a loose copy - write in the comments.

And thirdly, Nikon 1 V2 suffers from the same diseases as adult Nikons. Namely - peeling rubber bands. I don’t know, maybe we should send a batch of superglue to the workers at the factory in the end?

And the last - there is enough space on the case, in principle, to make the same joystick a little larger. Or add at least a couple of extra (no, they are far from superfluous) buttons. Although I'm already nitpicking.

What is inside?

Behind the lens, you can clearly see the inch CMOS-matrix of only 14 MP. Although this value is enough to get excellent pictures. The processor inside is Expeed 3A. It's just a revised third version. Although it is worth recognizing that such a stone copes with the tasks with a bang. Lags and slowdowns were not noticed either when browsing menus or photos, or when shooting and reviewing material. Recording is fast - even after a series of 15 fps, a filled buffer of about 50 shots is written to the memory card for about a second or two, but you can continue to shoot single immediately. We used a quick card (review of it) to get these results.

Light sensitivity - from 160 to 6400 ISO. I am personally very pleased that Nikon decided not to show how many times they can amplify the signal and decided to stop at reasonable numbers.

You can shoot at all values, while starting from 1600 in RAW. After proper processing, pictures with values ​​higher will fit anywhere - even for WEB, even for printing, however, no higher than A5.

The dynamic range is pleasing to the eye. You can shoot even difficultly lit scenes, all the same, the owner will receive a well-designed image with volume. If necessary, you can turn on D-Lightning, which will allow you to draw out more details, but if you want HDR, you will have to do everything by hand - in one of the PhotoHack issues I will tell you how to do it.

Separately, I would like to note the possibility of creating dynamic photos. It works like this - you take a photo with the appropriate setting and you get a second mov with sound at the output (set in the settings, there are four types in total). Who needs this, I don't know.

autofocus

The camera has a system of 71 points that you can rely on completely. The focusing system will allow you to grab exactly the object that you wanted. Even in low light conditions, autofocus is fast and accurate, keeping the main subject in focus. By the way, this system works even in video, moreover, exactly as it should be. Now creating cinematic refocuses is as easy as shelling pears - you just have to point the camera at another subject.

Video capabilities

Videos are written in FullHD 60i / 30p, HD - at 60p. It is possible to connect an external microphone and flexibly control aperture and shutter speed in Live mode. But here there is one small bug nuance - you can’t control the sound level according to the schedule (or did I look badly?), And there is no headphone output.

Shooting TimeLapses, which the company has always distinguished, is also not available here - you will have to shoot with your hands with subsequent processing.

But instead, it became possible to shoot sssuuupppeeerrr-ssllloooouu-mmmoooooushshshnn - 400 fps at a resolution of 640 x 240 pixels and 1200 fps - at 320 x 120. Such a video is shot for 3 seconds, the output is 16 and 48 seconds, respectively, at a frame rate 25/s. The opportunity is cool, but the quality is so terrible that it’s much better to shoot at 60p and slow down the picture with various plugins on the post. Yes, and the limitation of the minimum shutter speed of 1/1200s does not please in any way - it turns out that shooting can only be done in conditions of excellent lighting.

Good

  • Mass-dimensional indicators.
  • Ergonomics.
  • Autofocus.
  • Image quality.
  • dynamic range.
  • Burst shooting.
  • Ability to record animated photos.
  • Microphone port.
  • Video recording quality.
  • Shooting Slow motion.

Badly

  • Price.
  • Peel-off rubber bands.
  • Inconvenient power button.
  • Opening flash.
  • No headphone output.
  • Lack of audio graphics.
  • Lack of Time Lapse Motion.
  • Reduced customization options for shots (HDR, filters, vignetting control, etc.).

What glass to take

A versatile, not too bright lens will become an indispensable companion for every day as a whale. My opinion is that everyone should have such glass in their trunk, which is simply not a pity. . The cost is about 200 dollars.

Essentially the same lens as above, only with a motor for smooth zooming during movie shooting. It costs 100 bucks more.

Not striking in its aperture ratio, this lens will be simply indispensable for those who cannot imagine their life without shooting reports and distant objects. The cost is 1000 dollars.

A fast wide-angle lens can boast that it is protected from various adverse conditions environment - it is waterproof, frost-resistant and shockproof. In general, exactly what you need when traveling. After all, a wide angle makes everything better. The price is 200 dollars.

This is a variation on the fast wide-angle theme without protective features. Suitable for travel, but obviously not for extreme. Worth $250.

Protected zoom is designed with the capabilities of the AW 1 camera in mind, making it a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts. Besides, focal length 30-70 mm equivalent can easily make it the main carcass. The cost is $220.

The not-so-fast ultra wide-angle zoom is a great choice for travel, architecture or genre photography. Will cost the owner 500 bucks.

The focal length of this lens is approximately 50mm equivalent. And this means that a fast fix can easily settle on your camera, allowing you to shoot everything from architecture to general reporting. For only 200 bucks.

A super-fast member of the 1 Nikkor lens family. This is a classic portrait lens with a focal length of approximately 85mm equivalent. When shooting with it, you get beautiful background blur and the ability to not worry about ISO or shutter speed even in poor lighting conditions. The cost is $900.

Alternative

Mirrorless with hybrid autofocus, 16 MP APS-C sensor, swivel touch display and Wi-Fi. Its cost is approximately 700 dollars. "Six" will be an excellent choice for those who love to travel light and prefer to have a large selection of optics, including those from third-party manufacturers.

Fuji X-E1

Canon's mirrorless camera boasts an 18 MP APS-C sensor, a port for an external microphone, compact dimensions, but it does not have a viewfinder. In addition, the display is non-rotatable, so for non-standard angles you have to try a little. The cost is about 550 dollars.

Micro 4/3 matrix camera. There is also a good design, and a swivel display, and a viewfinder, and just a cool matrix stabilization system that will smooth out tremors in your hands. But there is no port for an external microphone. The camera costs about 850 dollars.

Another representative of the Micro 4/3 cannot boast of ultra-compact dimensions - outwardly, the camera resembles a small SLR. But at the same time, there are a lot of advantages here - a microphone input, a viewfinder, a touch screen that rotates along three axes, a huge number of mechanical controls. The cost is approximately $750.


Mirrorless technology is based on an electronic viewfinder. Its use allows you to reduce the dimensions of the camera compared to SLR cameras, while maintaining advanced functionality and interchangeable lenses.

The first mirrorless cameras, which appeared in the early 2000s, were not in demand due to the high cost and reduced capabilities. But for last years the situation has changed. Technical specifications modern models are comparable to DSLRs and are second only to professional equipment. But the mass distribution of mirrorless cameras is constrained by the high cost and undeveloped fleet of optics. The use of adapters and non-native lenses often leads to a decrease in quality.

All manufacturers of photographic equipment, including the leaders of the "mirror" market Canon and Nikon, are actively mastering mirrorless technologies, but so far their success in the new field cannot be called outstanding. The palm here belongs to Olympus and Panasonic, but in recent years Sony has become the generally recognized leader.

Mirrorless cameras are steadily gaining market share and may eventually replace DSLRs. However, novelty is a deterrent to increasing sales. Even sellers of specialized stores are not always ready to provide competent advice. Therefore, when choosing, it is advisable to focus on reviews, reviews and ratings of the best mirrorless cameras.

The Best Mirrorless Cameras for Hobbyists

3 Canon EOS M50 Kit

Model not picky about consumables. Eye focus
Country: Japan
Average price: 44990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.6

Mirrorless with the best performance, if we take into account the loyal price of the gadget. There are interchangeable optics, a three-inch swivel display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a 25.8 megapixel matrix and 4K support. In the reviews, the owners of this mirrorless camera swear that 4K is dishonest, but even in Full HD, the M50 shoots amazingly.

Users after the experience of using this model for more than six months share their observations in the reviews. Autofocus is great: there is tracking focus, focus on the eyes, and the ability to select the focus point by tapping on the screen when using the electronic viewfinder. Thanks to a cheap Chinese adapter, you can connect a 50 mm STM lens. The camera also accepts cheap batteries without problems. Still pleased with the flexibility of the menu and many settings. All buttons can be reassigned. This is the best mirrorless camera for amateurs and not only.

2 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II Kit

The optimum ratio of price and quality. Optical stabilizer
Country: Japan
Average price: 39990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Behind the retro style lies an advanced electronic filling. The advantages of the camera include a large electronic viewfinder, high sensitivity, good color reproduction and fast autofocus. In the new version, a useful option appeared on the rotary touch screen: selecting the focus area with a finger on the screen.

But the best among the competitors of the OM-D E-M10 Mark II is the built-in 5-axis optical stabilizer, which is not found in all older models. With it, you can confidently shoot handheld at slow shutter speeds in low light and record video.

There are no complaints about the image resolution in video mode, the maximum video frequency is 120 frames. The rate of fire is also great. 8.5 frames per second is enough for professional reportage photography. The buffer is not rubber, but roomy: the maximum series of shots is 22 in RAW format. Of the minuses, users note an illogical menu, but you can get used to it.

1 Sony Alpha ILCE-6000 Kit

Most popular mirrorless camera
Country: Japan
Average price: 39490 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Despite its compact size, this mirrorless camera will outperform most amateur DSLRs. The main thing competitive advantagebest speed autofocus. Record-breaking 179 points provide full frame coverage, sony can easily cope with any dynamic scenes. Reporters will not be let down by the impressive shooting speed of 11 frames per second.

A tenacious tracking autofocus could make the model a leader in video quality. Full HD resolution and recording speed meet modern requirements, but the manufacturer decided not to focus on video. There is no microphone jack on the case, and users complain about the camera overheating during prolonged continuous use.

Indisputable dignity Sony Alpha ILCE-6000 is also low noise. ISO up to 3200 is rated as working, and 6400 is guaranteed to fit for a home album. Other useful features include Wi-Fi, NFC and a swivel screen.

The only drawback of a mirrorless camera is the cost, which novice photographers will find unreasonably high.

The best mirrorless cameras for advanced users

3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 Kit

Best for video shooting
Country: Japan
Average price: 43309 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.5

A mirrorless camera that takes mediocre photos and shoots gorgeous video. At its disposal is a 16-megapixel matrix, the ability to record video up to 30 minutes in 4K resolution, an electronic viewfinder, a swivel touch screen and a fast tracking autofocus. In reviews, this model is called the best low-cost solution for videographers.

The software has a variety of video assistants. There are many settings. The built-in microphone does its job perfectly. Its light weight and slim dimensions make it the best choice for advanced users looking for a camera for 4K video shooting and more. Bonuses: powerful battery, good sound recording, gorgeous video detail. The main drawback is not the highest quality case materials. The plastic looks flimsy.

2 Sony Alpha ILCE-7S Body

Full frame camera
Country: Japan
Average price: 97385 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

The release of the full-frame Sony Alpha A7s was a technological breakthrough in the world digital photography. By increasing the size of the pixels, the manufacturer has achieved previously unthinkable sensitivity. In the daytime, this solution does not give advantages, but in the dark, Sony shows incredible results. Experts agree that when setting ISO up to 6400, the use of noise reduction is not required. Wide dynamic range captures details even in complete darkness. Other advantages include a metal case, a flip-out display and Wi-Fi.

A mirrorless camera has impressive video potential. Contrast focusing does not lose autofocus even if the subject is constantly moving. All settings are adjusted during shooting. The frame rate of the movie reaches 120 frames per second, and when connected to an external recorder, recording in 4K is possible.

Sony's main complaint is a weak battery. When traveling and shooting for a long time, you will need several spare blocks. In addition, the mirrorless has a low rate of fire: 5 frames per second is not enough for reporters, but the manufacturer set himself other tasks.

A mirrorless camera is best for shooting in low light. Of course, it has some shortcomings that the released second version eliminates, but the cost of the new model is disproportionately higher.

1 Sony Alpha ILCE-6500 Kit

Quality 5-axis image stabilization
Country: Japan
Average price: 92102 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Neat mirrorless camera with excellent features and compact dimensions. This "Alpha" shoots in 4K resolution, has a 25-megapixel camera, a flip-out touch screen and supports interchangeable lenses. 5-axis stabilization works well. Autofocus pleases not only with clarity, but also with quick response - the manufacturer calls autofocus in his creation the fastest in the world. There are a lot of phase focusing points - 425 pieces.

The reviews write a lot of pleasant things about this mirrorless camera. There are also complaints: a weak battery, not always correct focus on "non-native" lenses, low write speed via USB. Users note that the gadget almost does not heat up, pleases with ergonomics and low weight, and is distinguished by high-quality stabilization. The kit includes a kit lens, so you won't need any additional investment to start taking pictures.

The best mirrorless cameras for professionals

4 Sony Alpha ILCE-7M3 Body

Image quality
Country: Japan
Average price: 141990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Full-frame 24 megapixel sensor that produces photos at a resolution of 6000x4000. Autofocus is hybrid and pleases with speed, a large number of points, a tracking function and “smart” work in portrait shooting. There are headphone, microphone and USB type-C jacks, as well as support for two flash cards at once. The screen rotates only in the up and down position, which is convenient when shooting from the stomach, for example, but vertical photos from above will have to be taken blindly. But the focus points can be specified directly on the screen: the system will understand you.

Viewfinder electronic with 100% coverage of the field of view. The battery is quite capacious - it lasts for 510 photos, although in burst mode the Alpha ILCE-7M3 is capable of delivering several thousand frames on a single charge. Users in the reviews note that the camera can withstand more than a 5-hour interval in active mode without recharging.

3 Fujifilm X-T20 Body

Best price
Country: Japan
Average price: 49990 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.7

Compact universal version of Japanese quality. The device is great for both video and photo in professional quality. Here is a 24-megapixel matrix that creates video content in 4K without crop. The screen is touch and swivel, the diagonal size is three inches. I am glad that the camera does not overheat even when recording video in ultra format.

Despite the touching size, the camera is able to produce an excellent picture with excellent quality. It is a pity that there is no function to change the ISO when recording a video. Otherwise, this is a professional mirrorless camera with interchangeable optics, encrypted for a budget compact camera. The camera hit the top best cameras not only thanks to the pleasant price, but also to the surprisingly high quality of the footage.

2 Sony Alpha ILCE-A7R III Body

Support for two memory cards
Country: Japan
Average price: 189400 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The compact professional version with a 44 megapixel matrix and support for 4K video also made it to the top. Autofocus performs its function properly even at dusk. In portrait shooting, autofocus focuses on the eyes - conveniently. The stabilization is matrix and helps out a lot when shooting. The viewfinder is electronic and of high quality. The processor is powerful and even while saving the captured frame, the user can change settings and navigate through the menu.

The menu, unfortunately, is heavily overloaded - in the labyrinths of settings it is difficult to quickly navigate and get to the desired characteristics. But even with poor lighting, the photos do not lather and are of high quality. Another nice bonus for wedding and "reportage" photographers - high speed shooting. Up to 10 frames are created per second. Each megapixel of the matrix is ​​felt and expressed as pictures. The case is pleasant, the wheels are metal, the buttons are tight, so that every press is felt. The shutter button is smooth.

1 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Kit

High resolution pictures. Work speed
Country: Japan
Average price: 189898 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

A mirrorless compact option for professional photographers. Here is a 20-megapixel camera that shoots at a resolution of 5184 x 3888, an electronic viewfinder, a touch-sensitive rotary LCD. Autofocus is hybrid and works quickly, correctly and accurately. The number of focus points is amazing - 121. There is manual focus and even an electronic rangefinder.

The case is made of metal and protected from dust and water. The gadget sits perfectly in the hand, providing a comfortable grip with a well-thought-out body shape. Auto ISO is programmable, which allows you to get a high-quality frame without noise. The detail is amazing, especially in RAW format. The white balance in automatic mode works decently - the color reproduction is natural. For portraits and reportage photos - this is the best model, taking into account price and quality. In addition, there is excellent stabilization, fast operation (from power on to frame processing) and tenacious focus with a tracking function.

This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Nikon is one of the largest manufacturers of cameras and photographic equipment. In its assortment there are compact ("soap dishes"), and mirror, and mirrorless devices - and of various classes, from amateur to professional.

What to look for when choosing a camera

When choosing a camera, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

    Lens type - integrated or interchangeable. The first option is suitable only for beginner photographers, while the second one is suitable for professionals;

    Bayonet. This is the lens connection standard. Nikon usually uses a proprietary F mount, so almost any lens with this mount can be attached to its cameras (including both Nikkor proprietary series and third-party ones);

    The presence of a kit (complete) lens. Greatly simplifies the life of novice photographers and amateurs. For professionals, body-only packages are suitable, without a lens in the kit, since they allow you to customize the camera and its photographic qualities without overpaying;

    The type of the camera itself. Compact "soap box" - a solution only for beginners; ultrazoom - for those who like shooting from a long distance, not ready to spend money on an expensive telephoto lens; mirrorless or SLR camera - for professionals and "enthusiasts";

    Special features. It can be burst speed, kit lens optical quality, sensor resolution, or autofocus type, depending on the customer's needs.

    If you plan to use the camera in a private studio (or "build a studio around the camera"), it is also recommended to pay attention to the input and output interfaces for connecting peripheral equipment such as microphones, flashes or a remote shutter.

Types of Nikon cameras

There are the following types of Nikon cameras:

    Compact, also popularly called "soap dishes". The easiest solution for everyday shooting. Usually they are equipped with fixed telescopic lenses, are small and medium specifications. But even this is enough for easy use: of course, you won’t be able to get studio-quality photos, but you can take a few pictures for memory;

    Ultrazooms. These are special cameras for photographing objects from a very long distance. They are equipped with an integrated lens with a huge zoom: for example, the Nikon Coolpix P900 has 83x optical and 166x electronic zoom. In such cameras, a special zoom mechanism is used, which provides such a strong "approximation". And yes, they can be used to create a dolly zoom effect, although this will require practice;

    SLR (DSLR) cameras. One of the most common types of professional photography equipment. They differ in a rather complex design, but they are equipped with an optical pentaprismatic viewfinder. It is thanks to him that the photographer can observe the scene in real time with truly zero delay. However, when actually shooting, the image in the viewfinder disappears to expose the frame;

    Mirrorless cameras. Used by both amateurs and professionals. They differ from mirror ones in their simplicity of design - the mirrors themselves and the pentaprismatic viewfinder are removed from it, and the frame is constantly exposed to the sensor. The viewfinder, in turn, in such cameras is electronic, so it may have millisecond delays before the image is displayed.

    There are no differences in shooting quality (as still images, etc.) between a SLR and a mirrorless camera. In both cases, after the shutter is pressed, the frame is directly and completely exposed on the sensor. But mirrorless cameras, due to their simplified design, are usually cheaper, thinner and lighter than DSLRs - but the latter provide truly zero delay when the image is displayed on the viewfinder.

Rating of the best Nikon cameras

nomination place Name of product price
The best amateur Nikon SLR cameras 1 33500 rub.
2 55000 RUB.
3 29900 RUB.
The best professional Nikon SLR cameras 1 87000 RUB.
2 185000 RUB.
3 256000 RUB.
Nikon's Best Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera 1 21900 RUB.
The Best Nikon Compact Cameras 1 -

-
Nikon's best rugged compact camera 1 23700 RUB.
Best Nikon Ultras 1 32900 RUB.
2 25000 RUB.

The best amateur Nikon SLR cameras

One of the best cameras for people who just want to get high-quality pictures without bothering with settings, RAW and other exposures. However, the camera also supports all this. Therefore, those pictures that “out of the box” turned out to be of insufficient quality from a visual point of view can always be corrected in a graphics editor.

Other pluses include a swivel LCD display, the presence of a Wi-Fi module for instantly sending pictures to a connected smartphone or laptop, fast and quiet autofocus, good quality shooting in the dark.

Disadvantages include rapid battery drain when using the LCD as a viewfinder or when Wi-Fi distribution, lack of optical stabilization on the sensor, weak GPS and a case without dust and moisture protection.

The camera is sold in two configurations - with a lens 18-55 and 18-105. The second one is recommended for purchase. However, the lens of the camera is interchangeable, the mount is standard - F.

Advantages

    Ease of use, thanks to which good shots even novice photographers will succeed;

    Various delivery sets;

    Lots of useful features for working "on the go" - swivel screen, Wi-Fi, GPS;

Flaws

    Little autonomy;

    Optical stabilization only in the lens.

The main advantage of this camera is the focus mode. Regardless of the shooting conditions and scene, it provides excellent sharpness and depth in the visual center of the frame. Focus quality is maintained even in movie mode.

The Nikon D7100 also features a new APS-C sensor without a low-pass filter for true-to-life colors and wide headroom. dynamic range. The latter is especially important when shooting in RAW with subsequent image correction.

Among the shortcomings - the poor quality of shooting in low light conditions. Above ISO 1000, noise appears in the image.

The camera is sold in two configurations - with a lens 18-105 and 18-140. It is recommended to choose from your wishes.

Advantages

    Excellent autofocus for its price segment;

    Great sensor with HDR support.

Flaws

  • Suitable for shooting only in good lighting conditions.

Perhaps, best camera for newbies. Despite the small functionality (fixed LCD display, no Wi-Fi, buffer for 3-5 shots in RAW), it is easy to set up, high saturation and natural colors in finished photos, low weight and excellent portability for a DSLR. Separately, it is worth mentioning the quality of the sensor. When using the optimal (non-whale) lens, you can get a "picture" that is not inferior to the flagships.

True, it has slower autofocus than the D5300; no focus sealing; no bracketing and full HDR. In addition, she, like some other amateur Nikon DSLRs, starts to “make noise” at high ISO values, as a result of which she is not suitable for shooting in low light conditions without a flash.

At the moment, only one configuration is available - with an 18-55 lens.

Advantages

    Good sensor;

    Small weight and dimensions.

Flaws

    Slow and not always accurate autofocus;

    Doesn't work well at high ISOs.

The best professional Nikon SLR cameras

A full-frame camera with a powerful processor that delivers 6fps continuous shooting at a true 24MP resolution. Equipped with a smooth and fast focusing system, a tilting screen, many preset shooting modes and scenes, a folding screen and a fairly large buffer. The most important advantage - well suited for photographing with high ISO values ​​- noise is observed only after 6400.

Among the shortcomings, one can only single out the presence of a low-pass filter on the sensor (but this is quite subjective), leading to difficulty when shooting with HDR or in RAW for post-processing; weak Wi-Fi and a minimum shutter speed of 1/4000.

Advantages

    Ease of use;

    Fast processor;

    Large buffer;

Flaws

    low-pass filter on the sensor;

    The minimum shutter speed is 1/4000.

Full frame camera with powerful processor, large buffer and working ISO up to 25600 inclusive. The proprietary D4 sensor provides bright, rich yet natural colors with all shades preserved. HDR support allows you to get dramatic shots. Convenient management.

Disadvantages - there is no internal illumination of the focusing system, as a result of which autofocus can be "lost" in low light conditions; no built-in flash; no focus peaking (contour alignment level).

It is important to note that this camera is designed for use with manual lenses. The auto focus mode is added to it "for show". In particular, the mechanism has migrated from the older D600 model, it is not too fast and, as mentioned above, is "lost" in the dark.

Advantages

    Excellent sensor;

    Powerful processor;

    Wide range of working ICO;

Flaws

    Not suitable for beginners;

    Not the most best job autofocus in the dark.

A flagship camera with a powerful processor, fast and high-quality autofocus, working ISO up to 25600 and a huge number of settings for any shooting scenarios. Very high shooting speed, even in RAW, excellent color reproduction, swivel screen. However, this is a flagship camera, so all the necessary "professional" features and qualities are in place in it.

The disadvantage is, in fact, only one. The camera uses the proprietary XQD memory card standard. As well as drives and card readers for them are quite rare.

Advantages

    Excellent sensor, powerful processor, large buffer;

    Ergonomics.

Flaws

Nikon's Best Interchangeable Lens Mirrorless Camera

Compact 1” mirrorless camera with Nikon 1 mount. Provides good photo quality thanks to a modern sensor with excellent color reproduction. Easy to use - equipped with a rotary touch LCD display, has a small weight and size. Separately, it is worth mentioning the design that imitates classic cameras.

Among the shortcomings - it is not suitable for shooting long videos, and the maximum video frequency in 4K resolution is ... 15 frames per second.

It is worth considering that the flash is built into the kit lens. Therefore, it will not work to use any overhead filters or polarizers. In addition, the camera simply does not have a hot shoe, so it is impossible to install an external flash either.

Advantages

    Convenient to use;

    Good photographic qualities;

    Attractive design;

Flaws

    Rare mount;

    No hot shoe;

    Not suitable for video shooting;

The Best Nikon Compact Cameras

Convenient and easy to use compact camera with an 8-megapixel sensor, the presence of optical stabilization in the lens, 3.5x optical zoom and support for preset shooting modes. The best solution if you need "just a camera" for simple everyday shooting.

Not suitable for video shooting due to the low resolution of the finished files. But compact, light (200 grams in the collection) and inexpensive.

Advantages

    Compact and lightweight;

    Preset shooting modes;

    Easy to use;

Flaws

  • Not suitable for video recording.

The main advantage of this camera is excellent color reproduction and sharpness for its price segment. When shooting in sunny weather, very “warm”, atmospheric and pleasant shots are obtained. In addition, it is very easy to operate, has a strong and durable body, and also supports macro mode.

Of the shortcomings - it is better not to shoot a video.

Advantages

    Excellent color rendering;

    Easy to use;

    Compact and lightweight;

Flaws

  • Not suitable for video recording.

Nikon's best rugged compact camera

16-megapixel camera that supports 4K video recording at 30 frames per second. It is carried out in a protected case that survives falls and shallow drownings. It features an LCD screen, fast and accurate focusing, ease of use, support for smartphone control and many preset modes.

There is only one drawback - the built-in battery has a small capacity. Fully charged enough for 300-350 shots without flash.

In addition, the camera is equipped with fairly accurate and fast (for its price segment) autofocus, as well as a sensor that provides natural and saturated colors.

Among the shortcomings - a poor-quality built-in microphone and a rather noisy zoom drive.

Advantages

    Supports 4K 30fps;

    Good autofocus;

    Time-lapse shooting mode;

Flaws

  • Noisy zoom drive.

Which Nikon camera to buy

    When choosing a Nikon camera, it is worth considering the intended use. If you want to shoot just “everyday life”, then amateur or professional camera and is not needed at all, just a “soap dish” will suffice. But if image quality is critical, then you should pay attention to the mirrorless Nikon 1 J5.

    For novice photographers, amateur-level SLRs are suitable. Perhaps the best of them is the Nikon D5300 with a lens included. It is equipped with a sufficient number of both preset modes and manual settings - so that you can create your own shooting style.

    Then, having learned to photograph and formed your own style, you can purchase a professional-level DSLR. With a sufficient budget, the flagship model is recommended - Nikon D4s or Df. If there is no six-figure amount for the camera, you can purchase the B750.

    But protected cameras and ultrasounds have a very specific scope of use. The first ones are suitable for taking them with you on vacation; the second - for shooting distant objects or even astrophotography.

Attention! This rating is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.