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Nikon 1 V1 Comparison Review

The Nikon 1 V1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was officially introduced in September 2011 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 10 megapixel.

camera

Is the Nikon 1 V1 a good camera? The V1 has a Camera Elo of 1455. This rating puts the V1 below average of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the V1 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Nikon 1 V1 is more than 13 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2011.

Headline Specifications
Nikon 1 V1
Mirrorless system camera
Nikon 1 mount lenses
10 MP, 1" Sensor
1080/60i Video
ISO 100 - 3 200 (100 - 6 400)
Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)
3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge
113 x 76 x 44 mm, 383 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Nikon 1 V1 vis-à-vis a credit card. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Nikon 1 V1 vs credit card front
V1 versus credit card top view
V1 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon 1 V1 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
    Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon 1 V1 113 mm 76 mm 44 mm 383 g 350 n Sep 2011 US$ 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G15 107 mm 76 mm 40 mm 352 g 350 n Sep 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X10 117 mm 70 mm 57 mm 350 g 270 n Sep 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon 1 J4 100 mm 60 mm 29 mm 232 g 300 n Apr 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon 1 J5 98 mm 60 mm 32 mm 231 g 250 n Apr 2015 US$ 399ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon 1 V2 109 mm 82 mm 46 mm 278 g 310 n Oct 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon 1 V3 111 mm 65 mm 33 mm 381 g 310 n Mar 2014 US$ 799ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-P3 122 mm 69 mm 34 mm 369 g 330 n Jun 2011 US$ 799ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic G2 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 428 g 360 n Mar 2010 US$ 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic G10 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 388 g 380 n Mar 2010 US$ 499ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GX1 116 mm 68 mm 39 mm 318 g 320 n Nov 2011 US$ 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon 1 V1 was launched in the US market at a price of $799. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Nikon 1 V1 features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon 1 V1 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Nikon 1 V1 sensor measures

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
    Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Nikon 1 V1 1-inch 10.0 3872 25921080/60i21.311.034654
2.
 
Canon G15 1/1.7 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.911.516546
3.
 
Fujifilm X10 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/30p20.511.324550
4.
 
Nikon 1 J4 1-inch 18.2 5232 34881080/60p20.810.742653
5.
 
Nikon 1 J5 1-inch 20.7 5568 37124K/15p21.112.047965
6.
 
Nikon 1 V2 1-inch 14.2 4608 30721080/60p20.210.840350
7.
 
Nikon 1 V3 1-inch 18.2 5232 34881080/60p20.810.738452
8.
 
Olympus E-P3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.810.153651
9.
 
Panasonic G2 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.349353
10.
 
Panasonic G10 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.141152
11.
 
Panasonic GX1 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60p20.810.670355

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The V1 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the V1 can use is 1080/60i.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon 1 V1 and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
    Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Nikon 1 V11440 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
2.
 
Canon G15optical n3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/4000s 2.1/s Y Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X10optical n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Nikon 1 J4none n3.0 / 1037 Fixed Y 1/4000s 60.0/s Y n
5.
 
Nikon 1 J5none n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 60.0/s Y n
6.
 
Nikon 1 V21440 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 15.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon 1 V3optional n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 60.0/s Y n
8.
 
Olympus E-P3optional n3.0 / 614 fixed Y 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Panasonic G21440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
10.
 
Panasonic G10202 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
11.
 
Panasonic GX1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon 1 V1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
    Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Nikon 1 V1-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Canon G15Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Fujifilm X10Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Nikon 1 J4-stereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
5.
 
Nikon 1 J5-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Nikon 1 V2-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon 1 V3-stereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
8.
 
Olympus E-P3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Panasonic G2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Panasonic G10Ymono / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Panasonic GX1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---

Further information on the features and operation of the V1 can be found in the free online Nikon 1 V1 Manual or on the Nikon support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the V1 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
     Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Nikon 1 V1..+..69/1004.5/54/5 Sep 2011 US$ 799ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G154/5+..76/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 US$ 499ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X10......76/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2011 US$ 599ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon 1 J43/5......4.5/54/5 Apr 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon 1 J5........4.5/54.5/5 Apr 2015 US$ 399ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon 1 V23/5......4.5/54/5 Oct 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon 1 V33/5....76/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2014 US$ 799ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-P3..83/100..74/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 US$ 799ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic G2......72/1004/54.5/5 Mar 2010 US$ 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic G103/5....70/1004/54/5 Mar 2010 US$ 499ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic GX13/5+..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Nov 2011 US$ 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Nikon 1 V1 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the V1.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Nikon 1 V1?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon 1 V1?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon 1 V1?

Nikon does not publish a shutter rating for the V1. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Nikon 1 V1?

Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your V1 has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Nikon 1 V1?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon 1 V1?

No, the Nikon 1 V1 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Does the Nikon 1 V1 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Nikon 1 V1 for flash photography?

The V1's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Does the Nikon 1 V1 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Nikon 1 V1 use?

The camera gets its power from the Nikon EN-EL15 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon 1 V1
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Nikon 1 mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2011
    Launch Price USD 799
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3 872 x 2 592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.41 μm
    Pixel Density 8.64 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3 200 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6 400 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 54
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 11
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 346
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 1440k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy100 000 actuations
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL15 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)350 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 113 x 76 x 44 mm
    (4.4 x 3.0 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 383 g (13.5 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

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