Capturing Moments with the Nikon 1 J4: A Review of the Ultimate Compact Camera for BeginnersKeywords: Nikon 1 J4, compact camera, beginners, review

Learn why the Nikon 1 J4 is the perfect camera for beginners looking for a compact, fast and easy-to-use device to capture life's most precious moments.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon 1 J4 article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 10 2014

Announced

18 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1'
SensorCMOS
Weight232g
MSRP$849USD

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Nikon 1 J3 thumbnail

Nikon 1 J3

Released Nov 30 2013 | 14MP resolution

Overview of the 1 J4

Whether you're travelling, taking family portraits, or simply snapping photos for your social media feed, the Nikon 1 J4 compact camera is here to help you capture life's best moments with ease. As a camera designed specifically for beginners, the Nikon 1 J4 offers intuitive controls, fast autofocus, and interchangeable lenses that allow you to capture high-quality photos and videos without the need for professional-level expertise. Read on to find out more about why the Nikon 1 J4 is the ultimate compact camera for anyone looking to capture unforgettable memories.

Nikon 1 J4 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon 1 J4 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

18.4MP sensor for high resolution images
Hybrid AF system for fast and accurate focusing
1080p/60fps video recording for high-quality footage
Built-in Wi-Fi for easy sharing and remote control
Compact and lightweight design for portability
Creative modes and effects for artistic expression

Cons

Small sensor size may result in lower image quality in low light
Limited lens selection compared to other mirrorless cameras
No hot shoe for external flash or microphone
Short battery life may require frequent charging
No viewfinder, only a rear LCD screen for framing shots
Limited manual control may frustrate advanced users

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon 1 J4

Weather sealed
Dimensions100 x 60 x 29mm
Weight232g
Thickness29mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon 1 J4 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 Resolution1,037k 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 1,037k dots. This makes the Nikon 1 J4 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Nikon 1 J4 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the 1 J4 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon 1 J4 has a 18MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 18 pixels. Nikon 1 J4 has a native ISO range of 160 - 12800 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

Apr 10 2014

Announced

160 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor1'
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution5232 x 3488 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon 1 J4 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, 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 J4 is excellent

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'

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StoragemicroSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life300 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL22
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon 1 J4 supports microSD/SDHC/SDXC 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 J4 uses the EN-EL22 model of battery pack. This is rated for 300 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 J4 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 J4 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 J4 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 171 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 J4?

The Nikon 1 J4 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon 1 J4 weather sealed?

No the 1 J4 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon 1 J4 announced?

The Nikon 1 J4 was announced on Apr 10 2014

Does the Nikon 1 J4 have in-body image stabilization?

No the 1 J4 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 J4?

The 1 J4 has a native ISO range of 160-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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