Key Features
Nov 30 2013
Announced
14 megapixels
Resolution
Brand | Nikon |
Sensor Type | 1-inch |
Sensor | CMOS |
Weight | 201g |
MSRP | $599USD |
Other similar cameras

Nikon 1 J1
Released Jan 20 2012 | 10MP resolution

Nikon 1 J2
Released Aug 09 2012 | 10MP resolution

Nikon 1 J4
Released Apr 10 2014 | 18MP resolution
Overview of the 1 J3
In today's fast-paced world, we don't want to miss a thing, and that's where the Nikon 1 J3 comes in. This high-quality camera is designed with the modern photographer in mind, providing advanced features and intuitive controls that make capturing stunning photos and videos a breeze. Whether you are taking pictures of your family, traveling, or pursuing your passion for photography, the Nikon 1 J3 has everything you need to capture life's special moments with precision and style. In this post, we'll take a closer look at what makes this camera so great, including its autofocus system, image quality, and durability. We'll also explore its design and talk about how it can enhance and simplify your photography experience. Get ready to capture life's moments like never before with the Nikon 1 J3!
Nikon 1 J3 Pros and Cons
Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon 1 J3 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
Cons
Build and Construction
Body and dimensions
Nikon 1 J3
Weather sealed | |
Dimensions | 101 x 61 x 29mm |
Weight | 201g |
Thickness | 29mm |
Weather Sealing
The Nikon 1 J3 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 Finder | None |
Screen Type | Fixed Type |
Screen Resolution | 921k dots |
Body type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Suitable for:
Photography | Above Avg. |
Videography | Above Avg. |
Travel | Above Avg. |
LCD Screen
This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Nikon 1 J3 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 J3 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the 1 J3 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.
Image Quality
Nikon 1 J3 has a 14MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14 pixels. Nikon 1 J3 has a native ISO range of 160 - 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
Nov 30 2013
Announced
160 - 6400
ISO Range
Sensor | 1-inch |
Extended ISO | null - null |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3072 pixels |
DXO Sensor Scores
Overall
52 / 102
Color Depth
20.4 / 26.5
Dynamic Range
11 / 14.8
Low Light ISO
420 / 4505
DXO mark sensor scores
The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon 1 J3 camera has 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 J3 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
Crop factor calculator
Crop factor
2.7x
Full frame equivalent
64.80000000000001mm
This camera: 1-inch
24mm
Connectivity, storage, battery
Storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Battery Life | 220 shots |
Battery Model | EN-EL20 |
HDMI | |
USD | |
Wireless Connectivity |
Storage
The Nikon 1 J3 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 J3 uses the EN-EL20 model of battery pack. This is rated for 220 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 J3 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 J3 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 J3 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.
FAQ
The Nikon 1 J3 features a CMOS sensor
No the 1 J3 does not have weather sealing.
The Nikon 1 J3 was announced on Nov 30 2013
No the 1 J3 does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.
The 1 J3 has a native ISO range of 160-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.
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