Nikon 1 V1 review

Recently we reviewed the Nikon 1 J1, a compact system camera (CSC) that carved a clear niche for itself in this buoyant sector of the digital camera market. This time it’s the V1 that is under the spotlight. Launched at the same time as the J1, it comes with a price tag and various features that are aimed at photography enthusiasts rather than discerning point-and-shooters.

The most obvious difference is the electronic viewfinder, which sits in a housing that protrudes above and to the back of the camera’s otherwise minimal form. Its 1.44-million-dot resolution matches the viewfinder on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, and direct comparisons suggest that the same high-quality component has been used. A sensor detects when the camera is raised to the eye, and switches to the viewfinder automatically.

It’s not just the viewfinder that makes the V1 physically larger than the J1. It also uses a bigger battery, raising the battery life from 230 shots on the J1 to a much more respectable 400 shots. The V1 also has a front-facing stereo microphone, a minijack microphone input and a small ridge for a more secure grip.

These extra features add to the bulk and weight – the V1 weighs 383g without a lens, whereas the J1 weighs 277g. However, we can’t imagine many keen photographers objecting too strongly. It feels reassuringly solid and is still much smaller than any SLR.

Inside, there’s a mechanical shutter, which not only makes a satisfying clunk but also eliminates the rolling shutter effect, where the bottom of the frame is captured slightly later than the top. This isn’t a huge problem for the J1 though. The V1 can be switched into electronic shutter mode, and it took some fairly extreme tests, photographing a fan at a very fast shutter speed, to pinpoint the differences. The V1 also has more buffer memory, which means that the headline 60fps continuous mode lasted for 30 frames – a big improvement on the J1’s 12 frames. The buffer took a full minute to clear, though, even when using a fast UHS-I card.

One feature the V1 lacks is an integrated flash. There’s a hotshoe instead, but it’s a proprietary design and there’s currently only one compatible flashgun – the Nikon SB-N5. This costs £128 including VAT and sits snugly around the V1’s viewfinder hump, with power drawn from the camera. It can be tilted and swivelled to bounce light off walls and ceilings, but with a guide number of 8.5m at ISO 100, it’s not really powerful enough for these techniques. We’d have preferred to see a standard hotshoe.

It’s no surprise that the V1 uses the same sensor as the J1, but we are surprised to find exactly the same controls. The menus are extremely responsive to user input, but presenting virtually all photographic controls as a list over four menu pages doesn’t lend itself to quick, frequent adjustment. The mode dial has the same four modes as on the J1, with quirky slow-motion and burst options but no priority or manual exposure modes – these are tucked away in the menu. We can’t believe that including P/A/S/M options on the dial would somehow confuse or upset potential buyers, especially at this price.

Colours are rich and smooth in outdoor shots, but the wide-angle lens means many shots benefit from cropping, whereupon the 10-megapixel resolution may prove insufficient

We tested the V1 with its 10mm pancake kit lens. Physically, it’s about half the length of the 10-30mm lens we tested with the J1, and a little lighter, but its brighter f/2.8 aperture is offset by the lack of optical stabilisation. In practice, the zoom lens is just as effective in low light. The 27mm (equivalent) wide-angle view isn’t ideal for general shooting. While it’s easy enough to crop photos on a computer, this risks exposing the limitations of the relatively meagre 10-megapixel sensor. We applaud Nikon for choosing a modest resolution to keep noise levels down, but it’s worth noting that our favourite CSC, the Sony NEX-5N, exhibits both more detail and less noise, thanks to its much larger sensor. The V1 is quicker than the 5N to focus but its shot-to-shot time in normal use was distinctly poor at around two seconds. The 5N took less than 0.7 seconds between shots.

There’s plenty of detail at ISO 800 but also a fair amount of noise in the shadows

For the most part the V1 is a pleasure to use, but it’s a camera without an obvious audience. Point-and-shoot photographers needn’t spend this much and won’t like the lack of an integrated flash. Experienced photographers will want the best possible image quality (which it doesn’t offer), and will be frustrated by the limited physical controls and slow shot-to-shot performance. The non-standard hotshoe is another disappointment for SLR owners who already own a flashgun. Considering the camera’s relative bulk, we’d have liked an articulated screen and a more substantial handgrip.

It also seems overpriced compared to the J1. Prices vary depending on the kit lenses, but there’s typically a £300 premium for the V1. The viewfinder justifies much of this extra cost, particularly when you consider than the optional viewfinder for the NEX-5N costs £240 including VAT. However, the V1’s viewfinder is only likely to be a key attraction for SLR users who want a smaller backup camera – once again, they’ll be put off by the limited physical controls. For us, the main benefit over the J1 is the larger buffer, which promotes the fast continuous mode from interesting gimmick to genuinely useful feature. However, it’s not enough to elevate the V1 above rival cameras with higher image quality, better controls and lower prices.