After considerable speculation, Nikon has finally unveiled its first mirrorless, interchangeable-lens cameras, the Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon 1 V1.
The cameras and four new lenses make up the new "Nikon 1" system, which is based on a one-inch sensor (13.2 x 8.8mm) with a lens crop factor of 2.7x. The new models are expected to go on sale in Australia in late October.
The V1 and J1 are similar in most respects though the larger V1 also includes a 1.4-million-dot electronic viewfinder, magnesium-alloy body, accessory port, input for an external microphone and mechanical shutter.
Both models feature a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3-inch fixed LCD and Full HD (1080i/30p) video.
The standout feature of the two cameras is their speed, with both models offering full-resolution continuous shooting at 10 frames per second with subject-tracking autofocus. Shooting speed can be boosted to 60 frames per second for 30-frame bursts. Nikon says the rapid frame rates (which are faster than those of the Canon EOS 7D and Nikon D300s) are down to its new EXPEED 3 image processor which can process up to 600 megapixels of information a second. Speed is helped too by a hybrid autofocus system which switches between a 73-point phase-detection system and 135-point contrast-detect system.
The cameras are compatible with "1 mount" lenses with four to choose from initially: 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 (equivalent to 27-81mm in the 35mm format), 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 (81-297mm equivalent), 1 Nikkor 10mm f/2.8 (27mm equivalent) and 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 (27-270mm equivalent). Several other 1-mount lenses are reportedly in development.
Nikon has also announced a lens adapter, which will allow 1-series cameras to be used with Nikon F-mount lenses though autofocus will only available with AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses.
Several accessories have been announced for the V1 (the J1 doesn’t have an accessory port) including the SB-N5 Speedlight flash and GP-N100 GPS unit. Other accessories include Nikon 1 branded cases and straps, lens hoods and camera grips.
The cameras and lenses will be available in black, red, white and pink. Australian pricing has yet to be announced.
Left: Nikon 1 J1 with 1 Nikkor 10mm f/2.8 lens (27mm equivalent). Right: Nikon 1 V1 with 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 (27-81mm equivalent).
Nikon 1 V1, rear view.
Nikon 1 J1, rear view.
Nikon 1 V1 with 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.