It's official: Nikon is preparing to launch its first full-frame mirrorless camera. Nikon Z mirrorless system: introduction, features, lenses Nikon mirrorless camera

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.

Dynamic Range pleasantly 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-mmmooouuushshsnn - 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. In addition, a focal length of 30-70 mm equivalent can easily make it the main one on the 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 hand tremors. 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.

Until recently, it seemed that such giants of the photo market as Nikon and Canon were deeply behind the latest trends and were going to forever rest on the laurels of the success of traditional SLR technology, slightly diluting its slender rows with compact cameras with reduced functionality and small matrices.

But the fall of 2018 has come and Nikon has introduced brand new mirrorless cameras. And not some compacts, but real full-matrix ones. So the hegemony of the three companies Sony, Fujifilm and Olympus in this market seems to have come to an end.

We could not resist the temptation to test the new flagship model Nikon Z7. The camera is designed for advanced amateurs and professionals.

Nikon Z7: what's interesting?

So what's new with Nikon this time around? Firstly, this is of course the new Z-mount. This is the largest mount for full-frame cameras today - its external diameter is 55 mm, internal - 49 mm. Secondly, the mirror has, of course, disappeared from the camera design. Accordingly, there is no optical viewfinder, and now shooting can be done either through the electronic viewfinder or on the display.

In general, this greatly simplifies the process: all the results of exposure metering and white balance can be seen even before shooting, and not after it. If you are used to focusing on the histogram with the distribution of shadows and highlights, again, you will see it before you press the shutter button. This is the beauty of any mirrorless camera. By the way, in we compared the Nikon Z7 with the Nikon D850 DSLR and Sony Alpha 7RII.

Body and stuffing

The Nikon Z7 camera, as we expected, is much lighter and smaller than its "mirror" counterparts. But along with this, questions about ergonomics also appeared - if in a large hand the Nikon D600 full-frame DSLR lay like a glove, then with the Nikon Z7 the little finger hangs in the air. However, the problem can be solved by screwing the battery handle or installing a special lightweight ergonomic handle.

At the same time, the Nikon Z7 body, like most Nikon SLR cameras, has good weather protection and is not afraid of frost. Made of magnesium alloy - also a popular solution in this price segment, albeit adding a little weight compared to other, simpler cases (weight 675 grams with battery and memory card).

Since there is no mirror here, the working distance from the rear surface of the lens to the matrix is ​​much shorter than for DSLRs. That is, the camera turned out to be very compact in all three dimensions.

Of the interesting innovations, Nikon in the Z7 uses an internal five-axis matrix stabilizer, which allows you to shoot handheld at shutter speeds as much as 4 stops longer than usual (for example, up to 1 / 5sec when shooting handheld). The processor is the latest EXPEED 6. With lenses equipped with their own stabilizer, the effect can be further enhanced, and when shooting video, in addition to the matrix stabilizer, electronic image stabilization is also available.

On the top of the camera there is a convenient LCD display with technical parameters filming. It is almost square in shape, with inverted (light on dark) colors. It is very convenient in order not to occupy the camera display with this information and not to go into the menu once again. The main 3:2 aspect display is located on the back of the camera, and it is touch sensitive and movable. You can tilt the screen 45 degrees down and about 100 degrees up.

In general, the controls and settings menus are pretty much the same as earlier Nikon cameras, and with some experience with them, you won't have any problems. Focus modes are the same as in DSLRs. The block with the shutter button, power lever and a pair of function keys is slightly raised above the top panel. Two more customizable buttons are located next to the bayonet and in general it is convenient to work with them.

On the back of the camera there is a joystick for quick selection of the focus area, and a touch screen on the display - you can aim in any convenient way. Autofocus here uses a hybrid system that combines a contrast method with phase sensors that are located directly on the sensor.

The total number of focus points reaches 493, giving 90% area coverage. With manual focusing, you can turn on the focus peaking, adjustable both in color and intensity. There is focusing on the face, but so far there is no newest feature - focusing on the eyes. I hope it will appear with new firmware.

The viewfinder here is electronic and very high quality: large 3.69 million dot OLED, minimal lag and no stroboscopic effect when used with artificial light. When approaching, the camera on the sensor turns off the main display, though sometimes it does it too early and not always by the way.

The camera is equipped with a physical switch between photo and video modes, which is of course very convenient. For quick transfer of masterpieces to a smartphone, the camera has a built-in Wi-Fi module and Bluetooth Low Energy.

Nikon Z7 capable of shooting 4K 30p, FullHD up to 120p. Slow motion is available in FullHD, continuous shooting is limited to 30 minutes. In 4K mode, the camera withstood about 25 minutes of continuous shooting at normal display brightness, after which it began to overheat and turned off.

Matrix

Matrix in Nikon Z7 full-length (36 × 24 mm) with a resolution of 45.7 MP, and, unlike the matrices used by the company in recent years, produced by Nikon itself, has back-light technology, which gives advantages when shooting in low-light places. Sensitivity range - ISO 64-25600, expandable to 32-102400. Dynamic range of 14 steps, which allows you to work with RAW flexibly. And of course, an important thing is the 5-axis stabilizer already mentioned above.

Optics

The new design requires a different approach to optics, and therefore a separate line of optics has been developed for the new Nikon mirrorless cameras. Accordingly, smaller in size and weight than traditional F-mount optics. The Nikon Z7 is just equipped with a new 24-70 / 4 lens. In addition, the company presented a plan to release a line of new lenses for several years to come.

We have a lot of plans, let's say, but the main part of the new products awaits us ahead. Considering that only three lenses are available from the new line (35 mm 1.8 and 50 mm 1.8 primes are also presented), and more than 350 items have been released since 1959 with F-mount optics, the company has figured out how to smooth out the transition period to new optics.

Together with the camera, the FTZ adapter was also presented (isn't it a good name?), which is designed to use the camera with old optics. In our test, we tried the camera with F-mount lenses - Nikon AF-S 18-35 f / 3.5-4.5G and Nikon f / 2.8 AF-S 28-70mm. All lenses worked flawlessly and focused quickly and accurately. But there is one caveat - using an adapter adds weight to the camera and, complete with it, it weighs almost like Nikon's junior full-frame DSLRs. That is, the gain in weight when using the new camera will be clearly visible only with the use of new reduced and lightweight optics.

The 24-70/4 lens seemed quite sharp, focusing in the presence of a little bit of illumination works quite correctly and quickly. But there are questions about autofocus in the dark - sometimes he scoured and could not focus normally. At night shooting sometimes I had to switch to manual focus mode. We hope that this shortcoming will be eliminated in future firmware.

In addition, structurally, the lens is designed in such a way that it changes its dimensions when the focal length changes. This is not very good, because over time, dust is sucked into the lens in this way, which is why this type of design has long been called a “vacuum cleaner”.

Battery

As the camera body has shrunk, so has the physical size, and hence the battery capacity. Now on a single charge you can take about 310 shots, and this can be very frustrating for some professional photographers. For comparison, the battery of a Nikon D750 full-frame SLR camera makes it possible to shoot about 1200 frames on a single charge.

Memory cards

Nikon used a very controversial technical solution in the new mirrorless cameras - to equip the cameras with one slot for memory cards, but not just any, but for the latest XQD cards. These cards are certainly fast and promising, but so far the vast majority of photographers do not have them (such cards were used only on flagships, starting with D4). Meanwhile, the cost of such a card starts from 5,500 rubles, which is completely off-budget.

Total: our impressions

The fact that full-frame mirrorless cameras would appear in the range of photo giants was obvious. Nikon Z7 has become a great example of how you can successfully combine great experience and modern technologies. Now both advanced amateurs and pros will have to make a difficult choice between the D850 with a mirror and the Z7/Z6. And we would choose mirrorless.

While the smartphone market is gearing up for Samsung Unpacked and IFA, the photography sector is no less busy: Photokina will be held at the end of September, but even before this exhibition, Nikon will show a long-awaited product. Following rumors and hints, the company has finally officially confirmed that it will jump on the bandwagon of modernity with the introduction of its first full-frame mirrorless camera. Although this event, apparently, remains to be expected for about a month, some details are already known.

Mirrorless Full Frame Rumors Nikon camera have been sounding for a long time. The company even launched a special page that talks about the pursuit of light: countless rays come together to form an image at the end of their long journey. The silhouette of the camera at the end of the accompanying colorful Journey of Light video may serve as confirmation of some of the expected features of the camera.

The Nikon mirrorless camera should get a more compact body compared to the DSLR, similar to the Sony A7, but with an emphasis on ergonomics. Nikon has also confirmed the increased size of the new mount, which is rumored to be 55mm in diameter. The company also promised to release an adapter adapter for SL-F lenses (it is not clear, however, whether functions such as autofocus will be supported by it).

As for the rest of the characteristics, then about two models with different matrices. The first will receive a 24-25-megapixel BSI sensor, while the other will get a 45- or 48-megapixel one. Available - electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 3.6 megapixels, 5-axis image stabilization built into the body and an advanced autofocus system with more than 400 tracking points. Nikon's first full-frame mirrorless cameras are reportedly priced at $3,000 for the 25MP model and $4,000 for the 45MP model. Initially, the announcement was expected on July 23, but this did not happen. Fortunately, the code of the teaser page contained a hint indicating a certain event that will take place on August 23 - apparently, then it is worth waiting for a full-fledged launch.

This will be Nikon's second series of mirrorless system cameras after the Nikon 1 family, which was introduced in 2011 and . The Nikon 1 used small 1-inch sensors, unconventional controls, and a set of not particularly attractive lenses that consisted mostly of slow zooms, so that the image quality was sometimes closer to digital compacts than to DSLRs. An F-mount adapter was available, but due to sensor size focal lengths clipped to extremes, turning all but the most wide angle lenses, in telephoto.

The Nikon 1 was viewed by analysts as the company's attempt to break into the mirrorless market without creating competition for Nikon's core family of cameras and its F-mount lens portfolio that has been evolving since the 1950s. The problem is that it is impossible to create a competitive mirrorless camera based on an outdated mount. As such, today's announcement marks Nikon's recognition that mirrorless cameras are the future. professional photography, let the company say that it will continue to develop the SLR.

The Nikon 1 series is a unique example of how photomakers must navigate difficult situations in a changing market. While maintaining a strong position in the DSLR segment, Nikon has been able to find its own niche in the emerging class of mirrorless cameras by creating a range of models with a unique set of features.

Nikon 1 V3

Nikon 1 V3

18.3MP 10-30mm PDF3.5-6.6 3” 36,000 rubles.

The Nikon 1 series is a unique example of how photomakers must navigate difficult situations in a changing market. While maintaining a strong position in the DSLR segment, Nikon has been able to find its own niche in the emerging class of mirrorless cameras by creating a range of models with a unique set of features. One of these, of course, winning finds is the V3 camera, which cannot be found among competitors.

As a trump card in the struggle for the attention of photographers, the developers took advantage of the main advantage of the Nikon 1 system - the rate of fire provided by a small inch-format matrix. With an updated 18-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and 105 pairs of phase-detection autofocus sensors spread across almost the entire frame, the camera delivers incredible performance. A shooting speed of 60 fps with a series duration of 40 RAW shots with a locked focus and 20 fps with active focusing cannot now be provided by any “system” compact. Moreover, there was nothing like it even in the professional mirror segment.

Nikon 1 V3 demonstrates excellent results in high-speed video shooting. 120 fps recording mode is now available when 1280x720 resolution is selected. Videographic functionality provides full control of exposure parameters, sound recording level control, the ability to use an external microphone, including a condenser one, since the audio connector provides power if necessary.

To emphasize the main advantage of the Nikon 1 system - compactness - the body design has been largely redesigned. The device has become much smaller than its predecessors. The solid protrusion of the handle has shrunk to a slight tide, but those who value comfort and ergonomics over compactness can use an additional accessory - a detachable handle equipped with a second release button and a wheel with customizable functions. The built-in electronic viewfinder has become a victim of minimizing the dimensions of the case. However, for those who like to compose a frame looking through the eyepiece, the manufacturer offers to use the optional external viewfinder. It has excellent characteristics, in particular, it demonstrates 2.3 million points.

Nikon 1 V2

Nikon 1 V2

14.3 MP 10-30 mm F3.5-5.6 3” 26,000 rubles.

If Nikon 1 V3 can be recommended as a second camera for professional photographers, then the V2, which has faded into the background and has fallen in price, has every chance of becoming attractive to amateurs. It doesn't have the record-breaking performance of its successor and can't offer the same thoughtful ergonomics, but it's still a small fast camera with plenty of settings and manual control options. And if you consider that it is offered at a price less than a number of much less capable amateur "systems", then enthusiastic photographers should definitely consider it.

Compared to most mid-range mirrorless cameras, the V2 looks like a baby. Magnesium alloy body and large, quite comfortable handle make the device easy to use and well balanced. Two wheels for selecting parameters allow you to work relatively quickly with the installation of shooting settings.

The rate of fire inherent in all Nikon 1 cameras is reinforced here by the fast response of electronics to user requests and fast and sensitive hybrid autofocus. Compactness is achieved not least due to the small inch sensor. When shooting, two processors are involved at once, each of which is responsible for its own front of work, which allow the camera to achieve impressive (albeit not as record-breaking as the V3) performance. The device can record pictures at up to 15 fps and keep the subject in focus. Predictive shooting mode, or Slow View as it's called here, allows you to capture a series of shots before you even press the shutter, making it much easier to capture the right moment in the frame.

Specifications:

	Manufacturer
Average price*
Size, mm
Effective pixels, million
Lens, focus	Bayonet (compatible optics)
Digital zoom, magnification
Image stabilization***
Photography	ISO sensitivity**
Exposure range, sec
Story programs
Manual white balance
Connecting an external flash
Aspect Ratio 3:2
Aspect Ratio 16:9
	15 fps (45 JPEGs)
Video and sound	Video, pixels
Sound video
Sound comments
Dictaphone
	LCD monitor, inches
Viewfinder****
Memory cards
Food*****
Dimensions, mm
Announcement date

Nikon 1J4

Nikon 1J4

14.3 MP 10-30 mm F3.5-5.6 3” 19,900 rubles.

The fourth generation of "system" cameras of the Nikon J series, to a greater extent than its predecessors, corresponds to the generally accepted ideas of what a modern amateur camera should be. The novelty turned out to be well balanced in terms of functionality, dimensions and control structure. A simplified interface and a set of automated shooting controls should help beginners get the hang of the technique and end up with good results. At the same time, the camera offers a set of both creative and entertaining functions.

Thanks to the touch display that appeared in this camera, the user has the opportunity to change it in the right way, simply by pointing a finger at the screen, and not remember in which menu or which combination of keys or wheels it is installed. By tapping the screen, it is more convenient to manage the palette of artistic software filters, applying the desired effect in the right amount in a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe image. If the traditional control method is closer or you are too lazy to take off your gloves in the cold (the resistive screen is triggered only by contact with the skin), then touch input can be used only for some operations - for example, to select the focusing area - and all other actions can be performed using keys on the body.

From the flagship V3, the latest amateur model borrows more powerful electronics and the latest generation sensor with phase detection autofocus sensors. Thus, despite a noticeable increase in resolution, and hence the amount of graphic information for processing, J4 can now also shoot 20 frames / s with continuous autofocus. True, the buffer memory is smaller here, so the series will be shorter. The video mode has grown in frame rate when using the Full HD format.

It will not be very convenient to transfer material shot on J4 through a card reader, since microSD cards are used as storage media - extremely miniature, rather fragile, and most importantly, created specifically to get lost. The module for transferring photos and videos via Wi-Fi will be an alternative: not very fast, but much more reliable. With it, saving the finished material on the computer as an intermediate step can be eliminated and immediately send pictures and videos to online galleries or social networks.

Nikon 1AW1

Nikon 1AW1

14.3 MP 11-27.5 mm F3.5-5.6 AW 3” 26,000 rubles.

Speaking about the Nikon 1 paradigm as a field of unique "system" cameras, one cannot fail to note the AW1 camera. It can be submerged in water and shoot at depths of up to 15 meters without expensive housings and specialized lens ports. Previously, only compacts with built-in optics could boast of such a skill. The AW1 has two waterproof lenses to choose from. Naturally, all other Nikkor optics are available on land, including models produced for DSLRs. And although the inch format imposes some restrictions on the quality of the resulting images, the photos obtained with AW1 will certainly be significantly better pictures from amphibian compacts.

The designers have tried to give the durable sealed construction a completely “secular” look, and unlike many “waterfowl” cameras, the Nikon 1 AW1 does not betray its specialization in any way. It will look appropriate and discreet in any situation, not just in a dive center or ski resort.

With external neutrality, the camera is quite suitable for extreme travel. Thanks to the additional reinforcement of the design, the camera is not afraid of falling from a height of 2 meters on land. The device remains fully operational even when exposed to cold for a long time. The built-in GPS module with electronic compass and altimeter is an additional useful feature for the travel photographer. This camera, as well as the rest of the Nikon 1 system, stands out for its quick response to user actions, productive autofocus and fast burst processing. So shooting extreme sports, which is also associated with adverse environmental conditions, is the most suitable format for her work.

Specifications:

	Manufacturer
Average price*
Size, mm
Effective pixels, million
Lens, focus	Bayonet (compatible optics)
Digital zoom, magnification
Image stabilization***
Photography	ISO sensitivity**
Exposure range, sec
Story programs
Manual white balance
Guide number of the built-in flash, m
Connecting an external flash
Aspect Ratio 3:2
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Shooting speed (frames per burst)	15 fps (45 JPEGs)
Video and sound	Video, pixels
Sound video
Sound comments
Dictaphone
	LCD monitor, inches
LCD monitor resolution, thousand pixels
Viewfinder****
Memory cards
Food*****
Dimensions, mm
Announcement date

Nikon 1 S2

Nikon 1 S2

14.3 MP 10-30 mm F3.5-5.6 3” 15,600 rubles.

In terms of affordability in the initial segment, only Samsung cameras can compete with S2 (if, of course, we consider current, and not outdated models). Paying attention to this camera is for those who are looking for a camera with more versatility and better shooting quality than compacts in this price range can offer, but at the same time appreciate the "pocket". Here, the only rival of the S2 will again be the Samsung NX Mini, but the competitor loses significantly in terms of the number of lenses available.

With a low resolution of 14 megapixels, the sensor attracts with other advantages. First of all, it is equipped with sensors for determining sharpness by the phase difference of light waves. Thanks to this, autofocus has become not only accurate, but also fast. Do not underestimate the efficiency of focusing in an entry-level camera, as its the target audience unlikely to be puzzled by manual focus. There is no low-pass filter on the sensor, moire suppression is performed by software. As a result, the actual image detail will be higher than on most cameras with a higher nominal resolution. The Expeed 4A processor enables continuous shooting at 20fps in full image size with active autofocus. The model differs from the J4 in smaller dimensions, a conventional display with a medium resolution and the absence of Wi-Fi. A wireless interface, if necessary, can be obtained as an option: the WU-1a miniature transmitter will add the missing, but popular functionality.

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 this market is booming is because consumers want to enjoy the benefits of 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 will always outperform the superiority of 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 would make their sensors better against larger sensors. Both Sony and Canon, striving for excellence, favored the APS-C sensor size when releasing their mirrorless cameras.

The Nikon 1 mirrorless camera is really very compact. People who have already had the pleasure of using Nikon cameras and 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 dimensions 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: "The 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 problems up to ISO 1600 (improves over time), but in turn, the consumer gets new features that will be helpful and enjoyable. I think Nikon was able 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 goes into creating new technologies in this market and standing 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 mobile phone cameras, or you can take them with 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).