Nikon Unveils New CX Cameras & Lenses

The new Nikon 1 J3 (top) and Nikon 1 S1 (below) cameras. (Source: Nikon.)

The new Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon 1 S1 cameras offer enhanced speed and performance, high image quality and new easy-to-use creative shooting modes, along with Wi-Fi sharing via the  optional WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter. The Nikon 1 J3 features a 14.2-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor, while the Nikon 1 S1 sports a 10.1-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor. Both are paired with Nikon’s powerful EXPEED 3A image processing engine to feature a wide ISO range, from 160 to 6400 in the J3 and 100 to 6400 in the S1. Both cameras offer wide and bright 3-inch LCD screens as well as a new integrated flash that can be setup to go off automatically or can be manually popped up.

Both cameras include Nikon’s Advanced Hybrid Autofocus (AF) system with a  73-point AF array  and both support high-speed continuous shooting at 15 frames/second with continuous AF. They also feature user-friendly shooting modes and controls.  The J3 utilises improved menu navigation while the S1 features a graphic user interface (GUI) based mode selection. Both cameras include shooting modes like Auto Mode, Creative Mode, Advanced Movie, Motion Snapshot and Best Moment Capture as well as full manual exposure controls (P,S,A,M) and Selective Colour, Miniature, Soft, Night Landscape, Backlighting and Night Portrait modes. The Nikon 1 J3 also provides access to Easy Panorama Mode.

The Advanced Movie Mode supports simultaneous shooting of Full HD video and high-resolution stills. Full manual exposure controls (P,S,A,M) can be used and slow motion movies at both 400 fps and 1200 fps can also be captured when in this mode.  Both cameras share the Enhanced Motion Snapshot Mode, which produces a short, slow-motion movie sequence in addition to a single defining still image.  

Alongside the new Nikon 1 System cameras, Nikon also announced the addition of two new 1 Nikkor lenses, the 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 and 10-100mm f/4-5.6.  The new compact, ultra wide-angle zoom 6.7-13mm lens (equivalent to a focal length of 18mm to 35mm in FX/35mm format)   has a wide 100-degree angle of view. The 10-100mm telephoto zoom lens  is equivalent to a focal length of 27mm to 270mm in FX/35mm format. Both lenses include Vibration Reduction (VR). Nikon has also introduced   a  new WP-N2 Underwater Case that is waterproof to 40 metres for the new cameras.

The Nikon 1 J3 camera with the 10-30mm lens will be available in the USA February 2013 for the suggested retail price (SRP) of US$599.95. Additionally, the Nikon 1 S1 camera with the 11-27.5mm lens will be available in February 2013 for the suggested retail price (SRP) of US$499.95. The J3 will come in a variety of stylish colors including White, Black, Silver, Burgundy and Beige, while the S1 will come in White, Black, Red, Pink and Khaki.  

The two 1 Nikkor lenses, the 1 Nikkor VR 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 and 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4-5.6, will have suggested retail prices (SRP) of US$499.95 and US$549.95, respectively. The new WP-N2, the underwater case for either the Nikon 1 J3 or the Nikon 1 S1, will be available in February 2013 and will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of US$749.95.