Nikon 1 J1: The Ultimate Compact Camera for Everyone

The Nikon 1 J1 is a versatile camera that blends high-speed performance, outstanding image quality, and ease of use. With its compact design and interchangeable lenses, the Nikon 1 J1 is a perfect camera for travel, family events, and everyday photography. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the features that make the Nikon 1 J1 a top camera and why it’s worth adding to your gear collection.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon 1 J1 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 20 2012

Announced

10 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1-inch
SensorCMOS
Weight234g
MSRP$899USD

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Overview of the 1 J1

When it comes to capturing memories and stunning scenery, having a high-quality camera is essential. The Nikon 1 J1 offers just that, with its user-friendly design and top-of-the-line features, making it an ideal camera for beginners and professionals alike. This compact camera comes in a sleek, stylish body and offers a wide range of interchangeable lenses to customize your photography experience. The Nikon 1 J1 is equipped with a 10.1 megapixel CX-format sensor, and an EXPEED 3 image processor that guarantees high-speed performance and stunning image quality. The sensor and processor work in unison to deliver amazing clarity, even in low-light settings. Additionally, the camera's autofocus system makes capturing moving subjects or taking multiple shots with continuous shooting mode a breeze. The Nikon 1 J1 is also incredibly intuitive to use. On top of its easy-to-navigate display screen, the camera’s physical buttons are well-placed and easily accessible. The camera is lightweight, making it easy to hold, while its flash allows for stunning results in any lighting conditions. If you're looking for a versatile, portable, and high-quality camera, then the Nikon 1 J1 is a must-have. With its impressive image quality, quick performance, and easy-to-use features, this camera model is sure to be a game-changer for your photography experience.

Nikon 1 J1 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon 1 J1 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Fast autofocus
Compact size
High-speed shooting
Interchangeable lens system
Easy to use
Good image quality

Cons

Smaller sensor
Limited lens selection
Short battery life
No viewfinder
Limited manual control
Pricey compared to other mirrorless cameras.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon 1 J1

Weather sealed
Dimensions106 x 61 x 30mm
Weight234g
Thickness30mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon 1 J1 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution460k dots
Body typeRangefinder-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 460k dots. This makes the Nikon 1 J1 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Nikon 1 J1 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the 1 J1 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon 1 J1 has a 10MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 10 pixels. Nikon 1 J1 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Jan 20 2012

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1-inch
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3872 x 2592 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

56 / 102

Color Depth

21.5 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

372 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon 1 J1 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the 1 J1 is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC card
Battery Life230 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL20
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon 1 J1 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon 1 J1 uses the EN-EL20 model of battery pack. This is rated for 230 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon 1 J1 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. However it lacks an external flash shoe, which limits you to using the built-in flash.

Shutter

The Nikon 1 J1 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon 1 J1 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 135 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon 1 J1?

The Nikon 1 J1 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon 1 J1 weather sealed?

No the 1 J1 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon 1 J1 announced?

The Nikon 1 J1 was announced on Jan 20 2012

Does the Nikon 1 J1 have in-body image stabilization?

No the 1 J1 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon 1 J1?

The 1 J1 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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