NIKON 1 J4 MIRORLESS CAMERA REVIEW
By Nidhi Doshi, May 14th, 2014
Nikon's recently announced flagship V3 1 System camera gave us a look at the latest technology the company has been working on, and many of those features have trickled down to the new, less-expensive J4.
The compact J4 sports an aluminum housing and has a 3", 1.04 million dot touchscreen LCD for composing and reviewing your photos. It can record video at 1080/60p as well as 720/120p for some high speed action. As with most cameras these days, you'll find a Wi-Fi feature on the J4. To keep the size of the camera down, Nikon is now using microSD cards, instead of the traditional SD cards found on previous models.
The Nikon 1 J4 features an 18MP CX-format sensor (presumably the same as on the V3) which sports an improved Hybrid AF system. The AF system now has 171 contrast detect and 105 phase detect points, which allow for nearly 100% coverage across the frame. This, along with the Expeed 4 processor, allow for burst shooting at 20 fps with continuous autofocus (and 60 fps without). The camera has an ISO range of 160 - 12800, and uses multi-shot noise reduction at the top two sensitivities.
The compact J4 sports an aluminum housing and has a 3", 1.04 million dot touchscreen LCD for composing and reviewing your photos. It can record video at 1080/60p as well as 720/120p for some high speed action. As with most cameras these days, you'll find a Wi-Fi feature on the J4. To keep the size of the camera down, Nikon is now using microSD cards, instead of the traditional SD cards found on previous models.
The Nikon 1 J4 features an 18MP CX-format sensor (presumably the same as on the V3) which sports an improved Hybrid AF system. The AF system now has 171 contrast detect and 105 phase detect points, which allow for nearly 100% coverage across the frame. This, along with the Expeed 4 processor, allow for burst shooting at 20 fps with continuous autofocus (and 60 fps without). The camera has an ISO range of 160 - 12800, and uses multi-shot noise reduction at the top two sensitivities.
Features:
Remarkable images
With a large 18.4-megapixel CMOS sensor and ISO 160–12800, you can trust your memories to the Nikon 1 J4. Designed without an optical low-pass filter, the fast CX-format sensor makes the most of every megapixel to deliver richly detailed images even when you shoot in dim light. You can crop photos without losing any detail, and movies are sharp and clear. The EXPEED 4A dual-engine image processor ensures high-speed operation and exceptional results: one engine enables superior noise reduction, extraordinary sharpness, and richly graded images. The other ensures fast, reliable performance and seamless continuous shooting.
Incredible speed—breathtaking action
Ready in an instant, the Nikon 1 J4 won’t let you down when the action speeds up. Faster than a D-SLR, the camera offers blazingly quick continuous shooting speeds of up to 20 fps with continuous autofocus, and the camera can snap 20 RAW format images at up to 60 fps with focus fixed at the first frame. Every one of those split-second wonders is captured with pinpoint precision thanks to the Nikon 1 hybrid AF system, which uses 171 autofocus points (increased from 135 points) to lock quickly onto your subject. An impressive 105 phase-detection AF points—the same kind of AF as used in D-SLRs—are evenly spaced across the middle of the frame for spectacular action focusing and sharp movie shooting. Contrast-detect AF points extend to the edge of the frame and enable remarkably sharp detail, even in difficult lighting situations. Built to let you capture moments that come and go in a heartbeat, the camera responds instantaneously and the 1 NIKKOR VR 10–30mm f/3.5–5.6 PD-ZOOM kit lens enhances shooting speed by extending the instant you turn the camera on and retracting the moment you turn it off.
Touch panel simplicity
Equipped with a super responsive touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi, the small, fast, and perfectly formed Nikon 1 J4 is a joy to use. The electrostatic 7.5-cm (3.0-in.) 1037k-dot LCD touchscreen enables you to focus, shoot, and adjust key settings, or preview creative functions, simply by tapping the screen. You can also combine touch operation with conventional controls: select the AF point by tapping on the monitor, then shoot with the shutter-release button. Built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to do more with your images via a smart device: Send high-quality images straight from the camera to your smartphone or tablet for instant sharing², store images on your smart device, or access creative photo apps. A pleasure to be seen with, the exquisite minimal design boasts precisely squared, seamless edges that enhance the beauty of the camera’s aluminium body.
Go cinematic
From Full HD movies to colourful travelogues, Nikon 1 is your perfect movie partner. The smart choice for fuss-free filming, the Nikon 1 J4 shoots smooth action footage and boasts exciting movie modes that make it easy to add a touch of cinematic magic. As with all Nikon 1 cameras, the Nikon 1 J4 lets you capture high-resolution stills while filming simply by pressing the shutter-release button; Nikon’s new Auto Image Capture function analyses every frame and automatically snaps photos when conditions are best. New movie modes make it easy to create arresting clips: energise street scenes with Fast Motion, put an animated stop-motion feel on the passage of time with Jump Cut, or get expressive with to-the-point 4-Second Movie clips (you can stitch 8 together). Film in advanced movie mode and you can achieve dramatic effects with Slow Motion, a function that plays back a three-second, 120 fps HD movie clip over 12 seconds.
Nikon 1 innovations
Original Nikon 1 innovations offer quick and easy ways to always get the best shot or turn the ordinary into the extraordinary in-camera. The acclaimed Best Moment Capture mode now features Nikon’s new Active Selection function, which snaps up to 20 full-resolution shots in less than a second and lets you choose the one to keep. The all-new Creative Palette, available in the camera’s Creative Mode, offers a new way to apply artistic, studio-quality filters to photos before you shoot. Creative Palette adjusts brightness, saturation, and white balance as it cycles through various effects: all you need to do is slide your finger around the ring on the touchscreen, or rotate the multi selector, and the on-screen image changes to show you what you will capture the moment you take the shot.
Expandable system
Change perspectives with Nikon’s range of premium 1 NIKKOR lenses. All 1 NIKKOR lenses deliver the kind of high-performance optics you’ve come to expect from Nikon, and they are all optimised for movie recording. Their compact size and light weight contribute to the Nikon 1 system’s convenient portability, without sacrificing image quality. Pack the 1 NIKKOR 30–110mm lens to capture distant subjects. Grab the compact and stylish 10–100mm zoom lens with wide-angle capability for superb versatility, or use the 1 NIKKOR 18.5mm prime lens for portraits with smooth bokeh.
Remarkable images
With a large 18.4-megapixel CMOS sensor and ISO 160–12800, you can trust your memories to the Nikon 1 J4. Designed without an optical low-pass filter, the fast CX-format sensor makes the most of every megapixel to deliver richly detailed images even when you shoot in dim light. You can crop photos without losing any detail, and movies are sharp and clear. The EXPEED 4A dual-engine image processor ensures high-speed operation and exceptional results: one engine enables superior noise reduction, extraordinary sharpness, and richly graded images. The other ensures fast, reliable performance and seamless continuous shooting.
Incredible speed—breathtaking action
Ready in an instant, the Nikon 1 J4 won’t let you down when the action speeds up. Faster than a D-SLR, the camera offers blazingly quick continuous shooting speeds of up to 20 fps with continuous autofocus, and the camera can snap 20 RAW format images at up to 60 fps with focus fixed at the first frame. Every one of those split-second wonders is captured with pinpoint precision thanks to the Nikon 1 hybrid AF system, which uses 171 autofocus points (increased from 135 points) to lock quickly onto your subject. An impressive 105 phase-detection AF points—the same kind of AF as used in D-SLRs—are evenly spaced across the middle of the frame for spectacular action focusing and sharp movie shooting. Contrast-detect AF points extend to the edge of the frame and enable remarkably sharp detail, even in difficult lighting situations. Built to let you capture moments that come and go in a heartbeat, the camera responds instantaneously and the 1 NIKKOR VR 10–30mm f/3.5–5.6 PD-ZOOM kit lens enhances shooting speed by extending the instant you turn the camera on and retracting the moment you turn it off.
Touch panel simplicity
Equipped with a super responsive touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi, the small, fast, and perfectly formed Nikon 1 J4 is a joy to use. The electrostatic 7.5-cm (3.0-in.) 1037k-dot LCD touchscreen enables you to focus, shoot, and adjust key settings, or preview creative functions, simply by tapping the screen. You can also combine touch operation with conventional controls: select the AF point by tapping on the monitor, then shoot with the shutter-release button. Built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to do more with your images via a smart device: Send high-quality images straight from the camera to your smartphone or tablet for instant sharing², store images on your smart device, or access creative photo apps. A pleasure to be seen with, the exquisite minimal design boasts precisely squared, seamless edges that enhance the beauty of the camera’s aluminium body.
Go cinematic
From Full HD movies to colourful travelogues, Nikon 1 is your perfect movie partner. The smart choice for fuss-free filming, the Nikon 1 J4 shoots smooth action footage and boasts exciting movie modes that make it easy to add a touch of cinematic magic. As with all Nikon 1 cameras, the Nikon 1 J4 lets you capture high-resolution stills while filming simply by pressing the shutter-release button; Nikon’s new Auto Image Capture function analyses every frame and automatically snaps photos when conditions are best. New movie modes make it easy to create arresting clips: energise street scenes with Fast Motion, put an animated stop-motion feel on the passage of time with Jump Cut, or get expressive with to-the-point 4-Second Movie clips (you can stitch 8 together). Film in advanced movie mode and you can achieve dramatic effects with Slow Motion, a function that plays back a three-second, 120 fps HD movie clip over 12 seconds.
Nikon 1 innovations
Original Nikon 1 innovations offer quick and easy ways to always get the best shot or turn the ordinary into the extraordinary in-camera. The acclaimed Best Moment Capture mode now features Nikon’s new Active Selection function, which snaps up to 20 full-resolution shots in less than a second and lets you choose the one to keep. The all-new Creative Palette, available in the camera’s Creative Mode, offers a new way to apply artistic, studio-quality filters to photos before you shoot. Creative Palette adjusts brightness, saturation, and white balance as it cycles through various effects: all you need to do is slide your finger around the ring on the touchscreen, or rotate the multi selector, and the on-screen image changes to show you what you will capture the moment you take the shot.
Expandable system
Change perspectives with Nikon’s range of premium 1 NIKKOR lenses. All 1 NIKKOR lenses deliver the kind of high-performance optics you’ve come to expect from Nikon, and they are all optimised for movie recording. Their compact size and light weight contribute to the Nikon 1 system’s convenient portability, without sacrificing image quality. Pack the 1 NIKKOR 30–110mm lens to capture distant subjects. Grab the compact and stylish 10–100mm zoom lens with wide-angle capability for superb versatility, or use the 1 NIKKOR 18.5mm prime lens for portraits with smooth bokeh.
Key features:
-Large 18.4-megapixel CMOS sensor: fast CX-format sensor designed without an optical low-pass filter. Sharply captures fine textures and renders clean, crisp images.
-ISO 160–12800: auto ISO extends from 160–6400, and you can increase sensitivity to ISO 12800. Two sophisticated noise reduction settings reduce noise when shooting at ISO 6400 or 12800.
-EXPEED 4A: keeps you shooting spectacular images and HD movies at high speed.
-Wi-Fi enabled: connect, share, and create. Quickly and easily share high-quality Nikon 1 shots, or tap into a world of creative photo apps via your smart device.
-Touchscreen operation: electromagnetic 7.5-cm (3.0-in.), 1037k-dot LCD monitor.
-Advanced hybrid AF: 171-point AF system. Boasts 105 phase action points that lock onto action with incredible speed and precision.
-Lightning-fast fps: shoot at up to 20 fps with continuous AF, or snap 20 RAW images at up to 60 fps with focus fixed at the first frame.
-Movie magic: Full HD (1080p) movies (aspect ratio 16:9) at 60p/30p frame rates. Electronic VR enables blur-free footage for HD movies shot at 1080/30p or 720/30p. Capture high-resolution stills while filming, and view HD movies recorded at 120 fps in extreme slow motion.
-Cinematic movie modes: Fast Motion, Jump Cut, and 4-Second Movie.
-Nikon 1 innovations: Best Moment Capture (with the new Active Selection, Smart Photo Selector, and Slow View), Motion Snapshot.
-Creative Palette: apply artistic, studio-quality filters to photos before you shoot via the touchscreen or the camera’s multi selector.
-Portable Nikon 1 design: perfectly minimal, irresistible looks. The remarkably small and lightweight aluminium body is available in modern white, brushed black, silver and orange.
-1 NIKKOR kit lens: keep the action in focus with the 1 NIKKOR VR 10–30mm f/3.5–5.6 PD-ZOOM lens.
-Large 18.4-megapixel CMOS sensor: fast CX-format sensor designed without an optical low-pass filter. Sharply captures fine textures and renders clean, crisp images.
-ISO 160–12800: auto ISO extends from 160–6400, and you can increase sensitivity to ISO 12800. Two sophisticated noise reduction settings reduce noise when shooting at ISO 6400 or 12800.
-EXPEED 4A: keeps you shooting spectacular images and HD movies at high speed.
-Wi-Fi enabled: connect, share, and create. Quickly and easily share high-quality Nikon 1 shots, or tap into a world of creative photo apps via your smart device.
-Touchscreen operation: electromagnetic 7.5-cm (3.0-in.), 1037k-dot LCD monitor.
-Advanced hybrid AF: 171-point AF system. Boasts 105 phase action points that lock onto action with incredible speed and precision.
-Lightning-fast fps: shoot at up to 20 fps with continuous AF, or snap 20 RAW images at up to 60 fps with focus fixed at the first frame.
-Movie magic: Full HD (1080p) movies (aspect ratio 16:9) at 60p/30p frame rates. Electronic VR enables blur-free footage for HD movies shot at 1080/30p or 720/30p. Capture high-resolution stills while filming, and view HD movies recorded at 120 fps in extreme slow motion.
-Cinematic movie modes: Fast Motion, Jump Cut, and 4-Second Movie.
-Nikon 1 innovations: Best Moment Capture (with the new Active Selection, Smart Photo Selector, and Slow View), Motion Snapshot.
-Creative Palette: apply artistic, studio-quality filters to photos before you shoot via the touchscreen or the camera’s multi selector.
-Portable Nikon 1 design: perfectly minimal, irresistible looks. The remarkably small and lightweight aluminium body is available in modern white, brushed black, silver and orange.
-1 NIKKOR kit lens: keep the action in focus with the 1 NIKKOR VR 10–30mm f/3.5–5.6 PD-ZOOM lens.