Nikon 1 V3

In summary

Excellent still imaging performance for its relatively small sensor size, however it’s difficult to recommend the Nikon 1 V3 enthusiastically when Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, and even Sony offer  CSCs with larger sensors, built-in EVFs and 3x zoom kit lenses,  for less than the asking price of the V3 plus lens. For most Australians (and others in the Southern Hemisphere) a viewfinder is essential. No monitor screen to date is easy to view in bright outdoor lighting.

Photographers who shoot landscapes and make large prints should probably look elsewhere when choosing a small camera system. Family snapshooters who like the Nikon 1 system and need fast autofocusing may be better served with one of the J-series models, which are smaller, simpler and cheaper.

 

Full review

The V3 is the third model in the V-series, which represents the ‘serious’ sector in the Nikon 1 lineup. Nikon appears to be experimenting with the series because each model has been different from its predecessor. The V3 offers the highest resolution but lacks critical items like a built-in viewfinder and a decent grip ““ and its general design and feature set are more likely to appeal to snapshooters than serious photographers.  

Angled front view of the Nikon 1 V3 with the 10-30mm kit lens. (Source: Nikon.)

The V3 is mainly sold in kit form, with the bundle including the 10-30mm kit lens. In the USA, buyers also receive an add-on grip and EVF. This accounts for a large part of the difference between the US and Australian prices. The grip and EVF weren’t supplied with the review camera so we can’t comment on them.

Like its predecessors, the V3 is made in China. We reviewed the Nikon 1 V1 in November 2011 and the Nikon 1 V2 in March 2013. The table below compares the three models in the V-series.

	V1	V2	V3
Effective resolution	10.1 megapixels	14.2 megapixels	18.4 megapixels
Image processor	EXPEED 3	EXPEED 3A	EXPEED 4A
Body styling	‘Brick’ with grip bar	Mini SLR with large grip	‘Brick’ with shallow grip
Monitor	Fixed 3-inch TFT LCD, 921,000 dots		Vari-angle TFT LCD touch-screen, 1,037,000 dots
Viewfinder	Built-in EVF, 1,440,000 dots		Optional EVF
ISO range	ISO 100-3200 (extendable to ISO 6400)	ISO 160-6400	ISO 160-12800
AF system	135-point Hybrid contrast/phase detection	73-point Hybrid contrast/phase detection	171-point Hybrid contrast/phase detection
Frame advance rates	Approx. 10, 30, or 60 fps	Approx. 5, 15, 30, or 60 fps	Approx. 6, 10, 20, 30, or 60 fps
Built-in flash	No	Yes	Yes, GN 5 (m/ISO100)
Memory card	SD, SDHC, SDXC		microSD
Wi-Fi	No	Optional via WU-1b adaptor	Yes
Dimensions	113 x 76 x 43.5 mm	107.8 x 81.6 x 45.9 mm	110.9 x 65.0 x 33.2 mm
Weight (with battery & card)	383 grams	337 grams	324  grams

As the table shows, the main advantages the V3 has over its predecessors are higher resolution, an updated image processor, an adjustable monitor with slightly higher resolution, a wider ISO range and a slightly more sophisticated AF system. On the downside, the lack of a built-in viewfinder is a big negative, particularly in Southern Hemisphere countries, and reversion to ‘brick-shaped’ body styling suggests there’s not much to separate the new camera from a point-and-press J-series model.

Swapping to microSD cards will be a huge inconvenience for many. They’re small and easy to mislay. The card slot just inside the right side connector door is fiddly to access and if you fumble while loading and unloading the card is dropped. Regular SD/SDHC/SDXC cards are almost ubiquitous and easy to find in a wide variety of retail outlets. Cards using the smaller format are much less easy to locate.

Finally, the pricing of the V3 is problematic. Nikon’s D3300 DSLR camera is selling with two lenses for less than the price of the V3 with one lens. You can save about 30% if you buy the D3300 with the standard 18-55mm kit zoom. It seems the price penalty for the small camera is unnecessarily high (more on that below).

Who’s it For?
 It’s difficult to think of anyone who would be prepared to pay more for an 18-megapixel V3 with no viewfinder and a 3x zoom lens which requires microSD cards than for a 24-megapixel DSLR camera with an optical viewfinder and an 18-105mm (5.8x) lens, or even a lower-resolution M4/3 with an EVF. And it’s not just a few dollars more.

Even if they were looking for a pocketable camera with a touch-screen and built-in Wi-Fi, the Panasonic GM1 (which also lacks a viewfinder) is smaller, lighter and cheaper. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 is only marginally larger and heavier than the V3 ““ but it has a larger sensor and comes with a built-in, high-resolution EVF. It’s only slightly (around $60) more expensive than the GM1 but cheaper than the V3. Both these cameras use SD cards and there are many more dedicated lens choices with M4/3 cameras.

The V3 has a more sophisticated AF system than the GM1 and E-M10, although neither of those cameras could be described as having slow autofocusing. However, they can’t match the 20 fps continuous shooting with full phase detection autofocusing provided by the V3; or the ability to record at up to 60 fps with focus and exposure locked from the first shot.

The V3’s ISO options are a little bizarre.  Where most cameras provide settings in 1/3EV steps, the V3 uses 1EV steps. But that’s not all; where most cameras let you select the upper (and sometimes lower) limits for auto ISO, the V3 provides three pre-sets: A800, A3200 and A6400 (indicating the upper limit for each setting) ““ and you can’t set a minimum shutter speed.

In addition, there are separate settings for the two highest sensitivities (ISO 6400 and IS0 12800) with and without noise reduction. But for all other settings, noise reduction can be switched on or off via the camera’s menu. It’s strange to offer separate settings for the highest values since noise reduction processing further softens already soft images.

There are enough ‘creative’ shooting modes to cater for snapshooters, with Nikon’s Live Preview mode making it easy for novice users to adjust the camera to stop action or blur backgrounds using on-screen graphical aids. Nikon’s Picture Control processing options include Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait and Landscape settings and all can be adjusted and re-saved as Custom Picture Controls.

The Creative Palette makes it easy to select the camera’s HDR (high dynamic range) and Easy Panorama modes. It also includes five ‘artistic’ filters: Soft, Miniature Effect, Selective Colour, Cross Process and Toy Camera Effect. There’s nothing really new here as most of these effects have been available for a year or two in rival manufacturers’ cameras.

The V3 provides some interesting video capabilities and users can record a still frame while shooting a movie clip without dropping a frame. But if you trigger recordings with the movie button, most functions default to automatic and the screen displays with a 3:2 aspect ratio, which doesn’t match the 16:9 aspect ratio of the recordings.

For the reasons outlined above, the V3 won’t fully satisfy serious photographers and it’s a bit pricey for family snapshooters. Given the difference in sensor sizes and availability of lenses, we think most photographers would be better off with a Nikon DLSR or an M4/3 camera.

Build and Ergonomics
 Actual build quality is reasonably good, as you would expect from a Nikon camera at the V3’s price point, although for the price you would expect some kind of weather proofing. The camera has a metal chassis and is otherwise nicely finished. The buttons are moderately large for a small camera and the dials feel solid.

But some specific parts are sub-optimal. The dials don’t lock and can be easily dislodged. The on/off switch on the top panel is easy to hit inadvertently, particularly when you’re sliding the camera into a pocket or pouch or when you’re adjusting the mode dial. The arrow pad resembles those used on Coolpix cameras, which will suit snapshooter upgraders but irritate Photographers with serious objectives.

The grip moulding on the front panel is shallow and the thumb pad on the rear panel is a little skimpy. But the rubberised cladding on both is genuinely non-slip. However, it’s easy to inadvertently hit the exposure compensation on the arrow pad if your thumb isn’t carefully positioned.

The new sub-command dial on the front panel, which is used to adjust aperture settings in the A and M shooting modes, isn’t in the best position but can be reached when the camera is held with both hands. The AF-Assist LED   has been moved to the opposite side of the lens mount as a consequence.

Top panel of  the Nikon 1 V3.  (Source: Nikon.)

The body re-design has required some control shifting. The Movie button is now in the front right hand corner (again, not an ideal location), while the main command dial is partially inset into the top panel. A new Creative mode has been added to the mode dial for accessing special effects.

The cover of the accessory port and pop-up flash lie flush with the top panel to the left of the mode dial. Both features were present in the previous model.

Rear view of the Nikon 1 V3 with the monitor flipped to face upwards. (Source: Nikon.)

The most noteworthy feature on the rear panel is the adjustable monitor,   which now supports touch controls. The screen is hinged and pulls out to allow it to be tilted up to an almost horizontal position for waist-level shooting. It also tilts down a full 90 degrees for over-the-head shooting. But it doesn’t pull up for ‘selfies’.

Otherwise, the control layout is a lot like the previous camera’s, with the same four buttons lined up along the left side of the tilting screen and the same arrow pad with surrounding dial. A new programmable Fn button has been added above the arrow pad and a new Feature button below it.

The Feature button is a bit like a simplified Quick Menu button. Pressing it displays the shooting mode, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, metering and focusing patterns, Picture Control and white balance settings.   (Strangely, you can’t change the dial settings; the main command dial always controls shutter speed with the sub-command dial adjusting aperture settings.)

The HDMI and USB ports and memory card slot are located beneath a plastic cover on the right hand side panel. A similar cover on the left panel protects the connector for an external microphone. The strap eyelets on the sides of the camera are asymmetrically positioned but seem to be able to support the camera reasonably well on the neck strap.

The metal-lined tripod socket is located on the base panel in line with the optical axis of the lens. The battery compartment is on its right hand side and may be difficult to open if you fit one of the larger removable tripod plates.

New Functions
 Nikon has re-designed the menu system in the V3 to make it a little more like its DSLR menus, although not quite as readily usable. There are now six sections, dedicated to Playback, Shooting, Movies, Image Processing, Setup and Wi-Fi.  The Shooting, Movies, Image Processing and Setup pages begin with ‘reset’ settings that restore defaults. The Image Processing page is new and includes the white balance, ISO sensitivity, Picture Control, Custom Picture Control and High ISO Noise Reduction functions.

You can also adjust functions displayed on the Feature button screen via the touch screen. The touch controls are generally pretty good and based upon the standard tap, slide, pinch and spread gestures.

Tapping can be used to focus upon a selected area and trigger the shutter as well as for adjusting functions which are normally displayed along the lower edge of the monitor. These vary with different shooting modes. Sliding, pinching and spreading are mainly used when viewing pictures to flick fro frame to frame, zoom in or zoom out. Thumbnail views are accessed   via a pinch gesture in full-frame playback.

There are two programmable function (Fn) buttons on the rear panel; Fn1 just above the arrow pad and   Fn 2  accessed by pressing the sub-command dial. The optional grip adds a third Fn3 button.

The default settings are white balance, ISO and movie recording but you can re-assign them via the Assign Fn Button setting in the setup menu. Options include exposure compensation, metering, white balance, ISO, Picture Control, AF area and movie recording.

Features like Motion Snapshot (MSS), Best Moment Capture and Live Image Control have been available in previous Nikon 1 cameras and the Picture Control settings are standard on most Nikon cameras. The battery capacity is relatively low at roughly 310 shots/charge, compared with around 700 shots/charge for the D3300. But it’s similar to the 320 shots/charge for the OM-D E-M10 and better than the 230 shots/charge for Panasonic’s GM1.

Sensor and Image Processing
 The sensor in the V3 is a new CX-format (13.2 x 8.8 mm) CMOS chip designed by Nikon and manufactured by Aptina. It has an effective resolution of 18.4 megapixels and no low-pass filter.

Nikon doesn’t provide details of the total number of photosites on the chip but Nikon guru, Thom Hogan, says it lags behind the Sony 20-megapixel 1-inch type chip (which is slightly smaller) because ‘the Sony sensor uses BSI technology to increase the fill factor and the Nikon sensor doesn’t‘.

Like other Nikon 1 cameras. The V3 can record in both JPEG and NEF.RAW formats, the latter compressed as 12-bit files. Continuous shooting is supported at frame rates of six, 10, 20, 30 and 60 fps, with a maximum buffer capacity of 40 frames in all but the slowest mode, where the mechanical shutter operates.

NEF.RAW files are typically around 24.3MB in size and image size is not adjustable, as it is for JPEGs. The table below shows typical image sizes and the approximate number of images that can be stored on a 16GB microSDHC card.

Image quality	Image size	File size	No. of images
NEF.RAW	5232 x 3488	24.3MB	625
JPEG Fine	5232 x 3488	11.0MB	1300
	3920 x 2616	6.5MB	2300
	2608 x 1744	3.2MB	4700
JPEG Normal	5232 x 3488	5.8MB	2600
	3920 x 2616	3.5MB	4300
	2608 x 1744	1.9MB	7900

The camera also supports panorama recording in JPEG format with both quality settings available. The table below shows typical image sizes and the approximate number of images that can be stored on a 16GB microSDHC card.

Image quality	Image size		File size	No. of images
JPEG Fine	Normal Panorama	4800 x 920	4.4MB	3400
		1536 x 4800
	Wide Panorama	9600 x 920	8.6MB	1700
		1536 x 9600
JPEG Normal	Normal Panorama	4800 x 920	2.3MB	6500
		1536 x 4800
	Wide Panorama	9600 x 920	4.4MB	3400
		1536 x 9600

The Smart Photo Selector mode records a purst of shots when the shutter is released. The camera selects the best shot and four runners-up, based upon composition and motion.

This mode is dieal for capturing fleeting moments that are difficult to time or anticipate. The table below shows typical file sizes and storage requirements to record the five selected images.

Image quality	Image size	File size	No. of images
NEF.RAW	5232 x 3488	121.4MB	125
JPEG Fine	5232 x 3488	55.1MB	275
	3920 x 2616	32.3MB	469
	2608 x 1744	15.9MB	952
JPEG Normal	5232 x 3488	29.0MB	522
	3920 x 2616	17.6MB	860
	2608 x 1744	9.4MB	1500

Video
 When movie recording is engaged with the movie record button the camera defaults to the last recording mode selected, with resolution set at the last setting to be used. If select the movie mode via the mode dial, an Advanced Movie setting lets you choose a movie type from five options: HD movie, slow motion, fast motion, jump cut and 4-second movie. No soundtrack is recorded with the last four options.

In the HD movie mode, pressing the F (Feature) button lets you adjust aperture, shutter, white balance and ISO settings and select exposure and Picture Control modes. You can also adjust frame sizes and frame rates; all by tapping on the touch screen. Maximum recording times for the various movie modes are shown in the table below.

Movie mode	Frame rate	Max. Recording time
Auto, Creative, P, A, S and M	60, 50, 30 fps	10 minutes
HD Movie	60, 50, 30 fps	10 minutes
Slow Motion	120, 400, 1200 fps	3 seconds
Fast Motion	Approx. 8 fps	20 minutes
Jump Cut	60, 50, 30 fps	20 minutes
4-second movie	30 fps	4 seconds

Although the 120 fps slow-motion mode records with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, the frame size is reduced and the aspect ratio changes when the faster slow-motion modes are selected, with recordings in the 400 fps mode offering 768 x 288 pixel frames and the 1200 fps setting recording at 416 x 144 pixels. The quality in these clips is pretty low and three seconds isn’t long enough to cover more than a brief time span.

The fast motion mode records at 1920 x 1080 pixels. Up to 20 still images can be captured while recording a movie clip in all modes except slow motion mode. These shots are captured with a 3:2 aspect ratio and the menu includes an Auto Image Capture setting that will record between one and four shots per minute, user selectable.

Wi-Fi
 Integrated Wi-Fi enables the V3 to connect to smart devices running Nikon’s Wireless Mobile Utility app, a free download available through popuar app markets, including Google Play and the iOS App Store. The camera’s menu provides two options for commecting to Android devices: Push-button WPS and PIN-entry WPS. View SSID is availabel for both Anbdroid and ISO devices.

After choosing the connection method on the camera’s menu, you must launch the Wireless Mobile Utility app on the smart device, open the Wi-Fi menu on the camera and enter the PIN displayed on the smart device’s screen or select the camera’s SSID from the list displayed.

Options available are fairly basic. The shutter can be triggered by touching an icon at the bottom of the smart device’s screen. It releases after you lift your finger from the icon ““ as long as the camera can focus.

The default (and only) shooting mode is P (programmed auto), using single-servo/auto area AF. The focus point is not displayed, although aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings are, although you can’t adjust them remotely from the smart device’s screen.

Wi-Fi   can be used to transfer photos from the camera to the smart device and share images via email or by upload them to the a social network site. Users can choose thumbnail sizes in the playback display and select between the recommended size (1920 x 1080) and VGA when downloading multiple images. The Wireless Mobile Utility app can’t be used for viewing or downloading movies.

Playback and Software
 Playback functions are similar to other Nikon cameras and include full-frame and thumbnail displays. Users can stet through images by pressing the horizontal buttons on the arrow pad or rotating the multi selector. The main command dial controls playback zoom.

Thumbnails can be displayed with detailed information, including  a brightness histogram and in depth shooting data. The camera also supports thumbnail playback (4, 9 or 16 images)  and calendar playback with 16 thumbnails displayed. In-camera rotation, protection, resizing and cropping of images are available

The Highlights display shows flashing areas where highlights are over-exposed. Images can also be rated by up to five stars. Five options are available for slide show playback, including selecting images by date, file format and panorama mode.  

Movie playback includes selection of frame intervals and playback times. Movies can be played with or without soundtracks and clips can be trimmed in-camera and combined to make longer movies.    
 The bundled software is Nikon’s View NX2, which has been around since 2010 and combines image management with basic editing and raw file conversion (NEF.RAW only). The camera is also supported by Adobe Camera Raw, which is our preferred raw file converter. It was used to convert NEF.RAW files in our tests.

Performance
Two lenses were supplied with the review camera: the 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, which is bundled with the camera (and was reviewed in November 2011) and the 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM, which is reviewed separately. Test results reported on in this section are based on the 10-30mm lens.

Most of our shooting tests were carried out during a week of on-going wet weather in Sydney, which presented the camera with a reduced brightness range, compared with normal sunny conditions. However, the review camera showed the same tendency as the V2 to produce ‘blown out’ highlights with contrasty subjects, as illustrated in the image below.

 

As before, this is probably caused by the relatively small sensor and densely-packed photosites. Active D-Lighting, which was switched on for the shot displayed above, couldn’t provide adequate compensation.

Exposure metering was accurate in most situations, although the camera often had difficulty with backlit subjects unless spot metering was used. Otherwise we seldom needed to resort to exposure compensation.

Autofocusing performance was significantly better in low light levels than we found with the V2 we reviewed and we had no problems focusing on most subjects after dark (unless contrast was low). In average-to-bright conditions, the AF system was difficult to fault and on a par with the speeds of the better M4/3 cameras.

Subjective evaluation of test shots showed them to be detailed with the relatively high saturation in JPEGs that is typical of small-sensor digicams. This was confirmed by our Imatest tests.

Imatest showed a significant improvement in resolution over the V2, partly because of the higher inherent resolution of the sensor, although the lack of an anti-aliasing filter should also have helped.  Like the V2, the V3 was able to exceed expectations for the sensor’s resolution with both JPEG and NEF.RAW files (the latter converted into 16-bit TIFF format with Adobe Camera Raw).

However, resolution declined steadily as ISO sensitivity was increased, with the discrepancy between JPEGs and raw files remaining relatively constant, as it did with the V2. The graph below shows the results of our Imatest tests.

 
 Long exposure JPEGs captured at night showed little evidence of noise up to ISO 1600, with a progressive increase in noise thereafter. This is probably a result of high levels of default noise-reduction since raw files recorded with ISO settings above 3200 contained a lot of colour noise. Post-capture noise reduction applied when converting raw files into editable formats resulted in less visible noise than in-camera NR.

By ISO 3200, slight softening was visible in both file types and at ISO 12800, noise and colour shifts were obvious and images were rather blotchy. In-camera high-ISO noise-reduction processing tended to make both colour and pattern noise more noticeable.

Flash exposures were more even across the camera’s sensitivity range than we expected with the 30mm focal length. There was slight under-exposure at ISO 160 and slight over-exposure at ISO 12800 but other settings were evenly exposed. However, flash exposures at ISO settings of 3200 and higher were softened and flattened and noise was evident at the two highest sensitivities.

Auto white balance performance was similar to the V2’s. While the review camera failed to suppress the colour cast of incandescent lighting, it came closer to neutral colour rendition under fluorescent light and very close with flash exposures. All three presets over-corrected slightly for their respective lighting types. Manual measurement delivered neutral colour rendition.

We used the 10-100mm lens for our tests of the V3’s video capabilities since this lens has been purpose-designed for movie recording. The quality of the clips we obtained was similar to the V2’s (acceptable but not as good as most potential competitors) and saturation levels were fairly high. Soundtracks were clearer with the power-zoom lens.

Image quality in the slow-motion clips deteriorated rapidly as frame rates increased and the 416 x 144 pixel clips recorded at 1200 fps were barely usable. We also found the AF system struggled to produce sharp images when tracking subjects that moved any faster than a slow walking pace. Essentially these settings are more of a novelty addition than functions that are genuinely useful.

Our timing tests were carried out with a 16GB SanDisk microSDHC UHS-1 card, which boasts a maximum speed of 30MB/second. Start-up and shut-down times were similar to the V2’s at less than a second with the 10-30mm kit lens.

Average capture lag was less than 0.1 seconds and eliminated with pre-focusing. Shot-to-shot times in single-shot mode averaged 1.2 seconds. The average processing time for a JPEG file was 2.1 seconds, while NEF.RAW files averaged 2.9 seconds and RAW+JPEG pairs 3.4 seconds.

In the regular (6 fps) continuous shooting mode, the review camera captured 10 frames in 1.2 seconds, regardless of the file format.   It took 7.8 seconds to process a burst of JPEGs, 11.4 seconds for the NEF.RAW files and 17.8 seconds for the RAW+JPEG pairs, which is marginally faster than the V2 for the same settings at 5 fps. We measured the buffer capacity for this setting and found the camera paused after   57 frames, which were captured in 8.8 seconds.

Swapping to 10 fps, the camera recorded   40 frames in 3.95 seconds before stopping, which is in line with specifications. The buffer capacity is limited to 40 frames at burst speeds of   20 fps, 30 fps and 60 fps and recording speeds were in line with specifications for each setting. It took more than 30 seconds to empty the buffer memory, regardless of the burst speed.

Conclusion
 Although its still imaging performance is excellent for its relatively small sensor size, it’s difficult to recommend the Nikon 1 V3 enthusiastically when Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, and even Sony offer  CSCs with larger sensors, built-in EVFs and 3x zoom kit lenses,  for less than the asking price of the V3 plus lens. For most Australians (and others in the Southern Hemisphere) a viewfinder is essential. No monitor screen to date is easy to view in bright outdoor lighting.

Photographers who shoot landscapes and make large prints should probably look elsewhere when choosing a small camera system. Family snapshooters who like the Nikon 1 system and need fast autofocusing may be better served with one of the J-series models, which are smaller, simpler and cheaper.  

 

SPECS

 Image sensor: 13.2 x 8.8 mm CMOS sensor with 18.4 megapixels effective
 Image processor: EXPEED 4A
 A/D processing: 12-bit
 Lens mount: Nikon CX
 Focal length crop factor: Approx. 2.7x
 Image formats: Stills ““ NEF.RAW, JPEG (Exif V. 2.3), RAW+JPEG; Movies ““ MOV (H.264/MPEG-4  AVC) with PCM audio
 Image Sizes: Stills ““ 3:2 aspect: 5232 x 3488, 3920 x 2616, 2608 x 1744, Panorama modes: 4800 x 920, 1536 x 4800, 9600 x 920,  1536 x 9600; Movies: 1920 x 1080/60p (59.94 fps) 1920 x 1080/30p (29.97 fps) 1280 x 720/60p (59.94 fps) 1280 x 720/30p (29.97 fps);  Slow-motion movies 1280 x 720/120 fps (aspect ratio 16 : 9; plays at 30p/29.97 fps), 768 x 288/400 fps (aspect ratio 8 : 3; plays at 30p/29.97 fps), 416 x 144/1200 fps (aspect ratio 26 : 9; plays at 30p/29.97 fps), Fast-motion, jump-cut, and 4-second movies (aspect ratio 16 : 9) 1920 x 1080/30p (29.97 fps) Motion Snapshots (movie portion, aspect ratio 16 : 9) 1920 x 1080/60p (59.94 fps) (plays at 24p/23.976 fps)
 Image Stabilisation: Lens based
 Dust removal: Image sensor cleaning
 Shutter speed range: Mechanical shutter: 1/4000 to 30 seconds; Electronic shutter: 1/16,000 to 30 seconds plus Bulb and Time (M mode only, max. 2 minutes; Time requires optional ML-L3 remote control); flash synch 1/250 sec with mechanical shutter, 1/60 sec with electronic shutter
 Exposure Compensation: +/- 3EV in 1/3- EV increments
 Exposure bracketing: No
 Other bracketing options: None
 Self-timer:   2 or 10 seconds delay
 Focus system: Hybrid autofocus (phase-detection/contrast-detect AF); 171 focus points; the centre 105 support phase-detection AF  
 Focus modes: Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A), Full-time AF (AF-F), Single AF (AF-S), Continuous AF (AF-C), Manual focus (MF); Single-point, auto-area and subject tracking selection; Face priority available
 Exposure metering:  TTL metering using image sensor with Matrix, centre-weighted and spot modes
 Shooting modes: Auto; P with flexible program, S, A, M; best moment capture (Active Selection, slow view and Smart Photo Selector); advanced movie (HD movie, slow motion, jump cut, fast motion and 4-second movie), Motion Snapshot
 Creative modes: Creative palette, HDR, easy panorama, soft, miniature effect, selective colour, cross process, and toy camera effect
 Picture Controls: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape, selected Picture Control can be modified; storage for custom Picture Controls
 ISO range: Auto (ISO 160″“6400, 160″“3200, 160″“800 available in P, S, A, and M modes),ISO 200 to 12800 in steps of 1EV
 White balance: Auto, incandescent, fluorescent, direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine tuning
 Colour space: sRGB and Adobe RGB
 Flash: Built-in pop-up flash, GN 5 (m/ISO100); i-TTL flash control using image sensor; -3 to +1 EV compensation in steps of 1/3 EV
 Flash modes: Fill flash, fill flash + slow sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction + slow sync, rear-curtain sync, rear curtain + slow sync
 Sequence shooting: Max. approx. 20 shots/sec.  with Continuous AF (6, 10, 30 and 60 fps available)
 Buffer memory depth: 46 JPEGs, 21 raw files, 21 RAW+JPEG (at 6 fps); max. 40 frames in other continuous shooting modes
 Storage Media: Single slot for micro SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards
 Viewfinder: Optional DF-N1000 EVF
 LCD monitor: 3-inch TFT LCD touch screen with 1,037,000 dots; can be tilted 87 degrees down and angled to face upwards; brightness adjustable
 Playback functions: Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 16 images or calendar) playback with playback zoom, movie and panorama playback, slide show, histogram display, auto image rotation, and rating option
 Interface terminals: USB 2.0, Micro HDMI (Type D), stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter), multi-accessory port
 Wi-Fi function: IEEE 802.11b: DSSS/CCK IEEE 802.11g: OFDM, Supports WPS, Open system, WPA2-PSK Encryption: AES
 Power supply: EN-EL20a  rechargeable lithium-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. 310 shots/charge
 Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 110.9 x 65.0 x 33.2 mm (excluding projections)
 Weight: Approx. 324  grams (body plus battery and memory card)

 

TESTS

 Based on JPEG files.

Based on NEF.RAW files processed with Adobe Camera Raw.

 

 

 

SAMPLES

 

 Auto white balance with incandescent lighting.

 
Auto white balance with fluorescent lighting.  

Auto white balance with flash illumination.
 
 

30-second exposure at ISO 160; 16mm focal length, f/5.
 
 

10-second exposure at ISO 800; 16mm focal length, f/6.3.
 
 

8-second exposure at ISO 1600; 16mm focal length, f/8.
 
 

8-second exposure at ISO 3200; 16mm focal length, f/11.
 
 

4-second exposure at ISO 6400; 16mm focal length, f/11.
 
 

2-second exposure at ISO 12800; 16mm focal length, f/14.
 
 

Flash exposure at ISO 160; 30mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
 
 

Flash exposure at ISO 800; 30mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
 
 

Flash exposure at ISO 3200; 30mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
 
 

Flash exposure at ISO 6400; 30mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
 
 

Flash exposure at ISO 6400; 30mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
 
 

Flash exposure at ISO 25600; 30mm focal length, 1/60 second at f/5.6.
 
 

21mm focal length, ISO 400, 1/500 second at f/4.8.
 
 

30mm focal length, ISO 800, 1/160 second at f/5.6.
 
 

10mm focal length, ISO 1600, 1/500 second at f/3.5.
 
 

30mm focal length, ISO 800, 1/200 second at f/5.6.
 
 

Panorama shot; normal mode, 18mm focal length, ISO 160, 1/800 second at f/5.
 
 

Still frame from movie clip recorded in Full HD (1920 x 1080) mode at 60p.
 
 

Still frame from movie clip recorded in Full HD (1920 x 1080) mode at 30p.
 

Still frame from movie clip recorded in HD (1280 x 720) mode at 60p.
 
 

Still frame from movie clip recorded in HD (1280 x 720) mode at 30p.
 

Still frame from slow-motion movie clip recorded at 120 fps.
 
 

Still frame from slow-motion movie clip recorded at 400 fps.
 
 

Still frame from slow-motion movie clip recorded at 1200 fps.
 
 Additional image samples can be found with our review of the 1Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD Zoom lens.

 

Rating

RRP: n/a; ARP: AU$995; US$1200 (as reviewed with 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom Lens) (US price includes grip and EVF)

 

• Build: 8.8
• Ease of use: 8.0
• Autofocusing: 8.8
• Still image quality JPEG: 9.0
• Still image quality RAW: 9.0
• Video quality: 8.0

 

 

 
 

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