The rest of control/key layout is the same - for better and for worse. We easily used it in bright sunshine after pumping up the brightness a bit. This is one of the better screens we’ve recently used, with rich contrast and colors that pop. There are two critical differences on the back between the two Nikon 1s: the high-quality 1.44MP viewfinder, and a decidedly improved LCD screen (921K dots versus 460K). As mentioned, the J1 has a built-in flash in place of the hot shoe, so definitely put the SB-N5 Speedlight on your shopping list.
#Black Plasma Rig V1 Download movie#
On the top deck of the V1 is the hot shoe, the raised bump for the EVF, on/off, shutter, and red-dot movie buttons. There are some limitations, however, depending on the lens, but still you can use your older glass. If you have some Nikon F mount DSLR lenses in your drawer, they should work with the V1 by using the FT-1 adaptor ($270). Currently, there are four lenses available, so your options are a bit limited, but key focal ranges are covered.
Here you also find an AF Assist lamp, stereo mics, and the Nikon 1 mount. We like the V1’s understated looks and the logos pop nicely from the front. The J1 is 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.2 and weighs 8.3 ounces, also body only. It’s much larger than the J1, measuring 4.4 x 3 x 1.7 (WHD, in inches) and tips the scales at 10.4 ounces (body only). The Nikon 1 V1 has a clean, sophisticated look (see photos). Nikon was kind enough to send the new VR 10-100mm power zoom to test, and that’s a cool $750. So let’s add $150 to the price - now we’re nearly at a grand.
Where the J1 has a small built-in flash, the V1 just has the hot shoe. Actually the flash really isn’t optional since, if you don’t get it, forget flash photography. That’s not to say the two cameras are radically different - their engines and basic feature set are the same - but the V1 has some spice that makes it more appealing such as a high-quality electronic viewfinder, a much better LCD screen, and a hot shoe for optional accessories such as the SB-N5 flash or a GPS unit. Now, we finally received the dressed-in-black V1, which is geared to advanced photographers rather than the point-and-shoot J1 crowd. The J1 has since come down from its initial levels, but even at $600, it’s not worth it. We tested the 10-megapixel Nikon J1 awhile back and felt the company’s first Compact System (mirrorless) Camera was overpriced, especially compared to the 12MP Olympus E-PM1, which you can get for around $450 with a 14-42mm lens and flash.