A Comprehensive Review of the High Demand Nikon 1 S1 Camera

Nikon 1 S1 Camera has been making rounds in the market for its outstanding features. From its sleek design to its incredible image quality, this camera has captured the attention of photography enthusiasts. In this review, we dive into the details of Nikon 1 S1 to give you an in-depth understanding of its capabilities. Keywords: Nikon 1 S1, review, camera, image quality, design, photography enthusiasts

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon 1 S1 article cover photo

Key Features

Jun 21 2013

Announced

10 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor Type1-inch
SensorCMOS
Weight197g
MSRP$499USD

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Overview of the 1 S1

If you're someone who is passionate about photography, you must have heard about the Nikon 1 S1 Camera. This compact camera is a favorite among both amateur and professional photographers because of its remarkable features. From its design to its image quality, the Nikon 1 S1 Camera has captured the hearts of many. In this comprehensive review, we will deep dive into the capabilities of the Nikon 1 S1 Camera. We'll cover everything from its design to its modes and settings, so you can get a clear understanding of whether this camera is a good fit for your photography style. Let's get started!

Nikon 1 S1 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon 1 S1 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
Good low-light performance
Compact size
Good video quality
RAW image capability
Good image stabilization
Affordable price
Easy-to-use interface
Wireless connectivity
Creative modes and features

Cons

Small sensor size
Limited lens options
Mediocre battery life
No viewfinder
Plastic build quality
Limited control over settings
Limited manual focus capability
No external microphone jack
Slow continuous shooting speed
Limited dynamic range

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon 1 S1

Weather sealed
Dimensions102 x 61 x 30mm
Weight197g
Thickness30mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon 1 S1 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 S1 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 S1 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the 1 S1 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon 1 S1 has a 10MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 10 pixels. Nikon 1 S1 has a native ISO range of 100 - 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

Jun 21 2013

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

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

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

56 / 102

Color Depth

21.4 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.1 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

397 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon 1 S1 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 S1 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 Life220 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL20
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon 1 S1 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 S1 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 S1 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 S1 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 S1 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 S1?

The Nikon 1 S1 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon 1 S1 weather sealed?

No the 1 S1 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon 1 S1 announced?

The Nikon 1 S1 was announced on Jun 21 2013

Does the Nikon 1 S1 have in-body image stabilization?

No the 1 S1 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 S1?

The 1 S1 has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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