Nikon 1 J2 review

Tiny sensor = noisy pictures

With all the larger-sensor / larger-pixel choices available, Nikon went with tiny. That gives higher noise and less sharpness than all other mirrorless cameras.

Sure, lenses for the other mirrorless systems are larger. But picture detail for the others approaches dSLR quality, especially at high ISOs. And that's how many folks will use these cameras, epecially indoors around the winter holidays.

For people who already have them, Leica-compatible lenses are small for their field of view and very well-made. They're a great lens alternative with the proper mount adapter. Their only drawback is that they're manual-everything. You set focus and lens-opening (aperture).

Most mirrorless cameras have manual focus aids, either the NEX cameras' focus peaking or 10X magnification. So that's not really a big deal. Just focus at maximum aperture, then stop down for the picture. Use any mirrorless' aperture-priority mode to make exposure settings simpler - just set an aperture and let the camera choose the correct shutter speed.

In fact, you can use the depth of field scale on these lenses to set focus that's sharp from a few feet to infinity at medium apertures, and leave it there. Then you don't have to worry about focus for most shots after your initial setting.

Yes, everything darkens as you stop down the aperture. But many mirrorless cameras will brighten their views to compensate for the darkening, so this isn't a problem either.

So the tiny sensor on the Nikon 1 series cameras is the biggest reason to buy something else.

By lecycliste on 3 Dec 2012

Tiny sensor = noisy pictures

With all the larger-sensor / larger-pixel choices available, Nikon went with tiny. That gives higher noise and less sharpness than all other mirrorless cameras.

Sure, lenses for the other mirrorless systems are larger. But picture detail for the others approaches dSLR quality, especially at high ISOs. And that's how many folks will use these cameras, epecially indoors around the winter holidays.

For people who already have them, Leica-compatible lenses are small for their field of view and very well-made. They're a great lens alternative with the proper mount adapter. Their only drawback is that they're manual-everything. You set focus and lens-opening (aperture).

Most mirrorless cameras have manual focus aids, either the NEX cameras' focus peaking or 10X magnification. So that's not really a big deal. Just focus at maximum aperture, then stop down for the picture. Use any mirrorless' aperture-priority mode to make exposure settings simpler - just set an aperture and let the camera choose the correct shutter speed.

In fact, you can use the depth of field scale on these lenses to set focus that's sharp from a few feet to infinity at medium apertures, and leave it there. Then you don't have to worry about focus for most shots after your initial setting.

Yes, everything darkens as you stop down the aperture. But many mirrorless cameras will brighten their views to compensate for the darkening, so this isn't a problem either.

So the tiny sensor on the Nikon 1 series cameras is the biggest reason to buy something else.

By lecycliste on 3 Dec 2012