Review Date: October 24, 2011
Category: Point-and-Shoot to Beginner Amateur
Nikon 1 V1
Photoxels Silver Award – Interchangeable Lens Camera
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Nikon 1 V1 Review is based on a production model. All sample images are unretouched, except where specified.
DSLR performace. Point-and-Shoot simplicity. This is what the Nikon 1 V1 aims for and the decisions behind its design and operation all point to this camera being unabashedly targeted to the point-and-shoot crowd who desires to upgrade to better performance and image quality without totting around a large and cumbersome DSLR.
If you are part of this target market, you will be charmed by the compact size and portability of the Nikon 1 V1 and the 1 System. The V1 has a nice heft and quality construction. It turns on almost instantly in less than 1 sec. and focus is fast and precise in both good and low light conditions. Handling is very good and every control clicks, rotates and toggles responsively to your touch. The Nikon 1 V1 stays with a true and tried P&S layout design so you can feel right at ease without encountering the frustration of having to learn a new system configuration. While advanced users have full access to all the manual functions via the MENU, P&S users will stick to what’s readily available via the buttons and dials.
Image quality is very good with low noise even at the high ISO 1600. Though noise is readily visible at ISO 1600 when viewed at 100%, you won’t notice it when sized to your monitor or in regular sized prints. Enthusiasts will scrutinize and find fault with some detail loss in the images, but the P&S users to which this camera is squarely targeted won’t care one bit and will be delighted by the image quality and the ability to capture great low light images.
The Nikon 1 V1 is a fine compact mirrorless camera with the image quality, low light capability and ease of use point-and-shoot photographers are asking for.
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