I needed a small little camera with a DSLR feel. After having used almost all mirrorless cameras I ended up choosing the Nikon 1 J1. It's small size but hefty weight make it feel great in the hand. The lens could've been better made in my opinion and a little less costly. But I mostly use my own lens, all I had to do was buy a few adapters. The picture quality is amazing for a 1" sensor. There are few features and even fewer controls and buttons. If you want to go manual or change a setting, you usually need to go menu diving. The mode wheel has 4 modes and is barren. They could've added a manual mode but oh well. Aesthetically it's pleasing. It's cut lines and clean rectangular demeanor make it a very fashionable little camera. It also comes in a range of colors to suit every person.
I like to shoot in mamual mode and in raw files, so this camera has it all. Not half as bulky as my dslrs, but just as much fun. Good, crisp images. Set it to manual and keep your eye on the light meter, you can't go wrong.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Alright so overall this camera is a very nice "point and shoot" hefty upgraded version of a everyday camera so to speak. You can adjust some things manually, which is one of nice things. But is not really set up well at all for doing so. Picture quality is pretty decent, it does a good job. I did buy a lens adapter so it will fit standard Nikon lenses and it's definatly nice to have that exspeschally since it triples to lens zoom:) all in all it's a good buy for traveling, and "compact" (unless you're putting reg lenses on it) not something for real photography. But it's pretty good. Ps one other thing if you put regular Nikon lenses on it obviously the larger and Heavier than The j1's lenses so it's real top heavy and the j1 does not have a grip anywhere to hold it (or like the slr models the hand grip/station) so it's hard to hold. Anyways it's a good buy for entree photographer trying to learn the basics or as a travel camera.Read full review
I was looking for a "point & shoot" that wasn't generic like the cheap stuff you can get at Walmart. The DSLRs are obviously the way to go for premium quality photos, but I wanted the portability of a smaller form factor camera without sacrificing ALL of the functionality. The Nikon 1 series does just that. The menus are easy to navigate, the manual is straight forward and easy to understand. It has controls that makes the camera simple to use and automated for those who don't want manual control, but it also has the ability to go a little deeper and adjust aperture, shutter speeds, exposure, and lots of other things to make the camera do what you want. This little guy is packed with features that allow it to deliver quality photos in a palm sized package.
I immediately took note of this camera when it first came out, but the price was a little up there for something I did not need. I have lugged my Canon 20D on many vacations/family outings/hiking/events ect... and while it has been a very reliable camera I have no intention of "retiring" at this point, it can be a pain. Especially with lenses, filters and attachments. I used my cheap point and shoot breaking before an upcoming trip as an excuse to finally buy a refurbished J1 and have been very impressed. I especially appreciate the manual focus feature, manual exposure mode, having some control over light (though basic), and overall the greater control one has if they want to take some creative shots. Not quite at the level of a DSLR, but close enough to be a deciding factor between bringing a camera gear backpack or just a small camera bag when traveling. It also seems to work well when "left to its own devices" as a point and shoot on auto mode. I was actually quite surprised how well that tiny flash worked in low lighting and how nice the images came out. My old point and shoot took horrible, grainy pictures always focused on anything but the subject unless you were outside at noon. And while not really having to do with the camera itself, I am impressed by the range of affordable accessories designed for it so one can get better use out of it. As soon as I really got started with this camera, I was already wanting some accessories and was able to get the 30-100mm lens, an aftermarket Holga lens with creative filter turrets, telephoto+wide angle converter, extra battery+charger and case+screen protector for under $300. My similar collection of extras for my canon cost 2x that (not even including lenses). My only gripes about this camera is it has no grip and the flash setup. The "flat" body design doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and I would not use this camera without the strap for fear of it slipping out of my hand. There isn't even a rubber grip like cheap point and shoots have (and a case isn't much help). Im also slightly concerned about how spindly the "pop up" flash unit is. It looks like it's asking to be snapped right off if you aren't careful. Plus, I wish there was a hotshoe, but you have to buy the 2x as expensive V1 to get that option :-(. Overall, this does seem to be a nice camera that bridges that gap between DSLR control/quality and point and shoot size/ease without sacrificing an unacceptable amount of either. If you're purchasing this camera and hoping for a less expensive DSLR alternative because it has interchangeable lenses, you will be disappointed. But if you buy it with an open mind as a intermediate camera, it will probably meet or exceed your expectations.Read full review
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