Nikon V1 & Nikon J1 Cameras, plus New Lenses Announced. Feedback here!

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Alright photo geeks. Indeed, Nikon just announced their new line of compact cameras, the “1” series. Two bodies — the V1 and the J1 — along with four lenses: a 10mm f/2.8, 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 30-110mm f/3.8-f/5, and 10-100mm f/4.5-5.5 “power zoom” lens.

Here’s some highlighted specs on the beefier V1 in case you haven’t heard:

_12mp, CMOS sensor
_1080HD video (30, 60i frame rates…can get 60p at 720HD)
_RAW file + jpg (5 fps)
_SD card
_ISO 100 – 3200, 6400 hi
_$899.95 retail price

Confession: Its no secret that I dig little cameras, and I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!, but please note I HAVE NOT touched one of these cameras, nor been briefed in detail about them.

So.. We (I ?) knew this was coming, but rather than me spouting off about having played with the system (I can’t), or telling you what your feelings about this system should be (I won’t), I’m turning the tables on you.

What’s your take? Love, hate, indifferent? Insights?

[Just a hunch, but your comments on this post – glowing or otherwise – might help inform Nikon about what your thinking.]

Link to so more info here via B&H.

I have been a Nikonian since the late ’70s! Love Nikon optics and the DSLRs that came out of Nikon from 2006 on have been extraordinary. I have also shot Canon and have to say, stellar cameras. It’s just that my lens investment and gear familiarity has been Nikon for so long, it’s how my entire shooting experience goes.

As a Nikon enthusiast, I am actually a bit disheartened to see this release. Yet (yawn) another point ‘n shoot (w/ some options) camera in a market flooded with these things. Why am I disheartened? Canon has continued to improve and release fine high end dSLRs and Nikon *seems* to be content with their current d700/d3X/d3S FX cameras as they push the DX and point ‘n shoots out the door.

I understand from a commercial, bottom line, perspective they likely make most of their money (in the camera division) with the DX and point ‘n shoot line – but this does concern me as I’d like a little bit more in the FX line. The d3X is fantastic and as I don’t shoot video, that would be a model I’d like to see refined and tweaked. Just a few more FPS, a tweak in high ISO noise and maybe just a little less expensive.

The bigger issue, not all that long ago I carried a PDA (palm pilot) and cell phone. Then as cell phones became more powerful, sophisticated and versatile – I no longer carried or needed a PDA. Once Palm Pilots were everywhere – are PDAs even made anymore? Now! iPhone / Droid / etc. Your phone. It has a camera built in, they are getting better and better! The iPhone 5 is rumored to have a superior camera than the iPhone 4. Who doesn’t run out the door with their phone. If I am thinking I am going to want to shoot, I grab my dSLR. I bet these small point ‘n shoots, despite features and options, will disappear as PDAs did. Perhaps a niche market here with these gimmicky point ‘n shoots. And don’t get me wrong, they’re fun to play with – but the Coolpix I have from 3 years ago (which I rarely use, my iPhone is always with me) works just fine.

So, who are these little cameras marketed towards? If Nikon is going after the group that wants to share images of their daily experiences, family gatherings, etc. They’re throwing another camera in a bloated market kinda’ late AND the market I just mentioned is most likely using their phones to take these pics, process with a myriad of aps (Snapseed is really cool!) then posting to Flickr, Facebook, etc. As phones improve, aps improve, etc. This category / market of / for camera will be tiny.

Nikon, if I were you, I’d contact Apple and offer to co-develop optics and function for the next iPhone and iPad, streamline your point ‘n shoots and really concentrate on your dSLR (FX too, please).

How about wireless transmittal of images to laptop (wireless tether) or wifi device. Some point ‘n shoots can do this.
Built in GPS.
More MP (not in a mega-pixel war, but landscapes or ability to crop in and still have enough MP for a big print, Sweet!)
High ISO tweaks, Nikon rocks this, keep ahead of the game!
FPS – just a few more (don’t want to do video capture, still want to make pictures, but some action & HDR shots would be a little easier to nail)
CLS, again this rocks, but is losing ground to Pocket Wizards, EL-Skyports and the bigger yet portable (Profoto Acuteb2 & Elinchrom Quadra) that work with them. How about a Nikon 600ws portable strobe system.
Speaking of CLS, want to really knock it out of the park, in addition to IR line of sight add the ability to use a radio signal!
Finally, Lenses! In my opinion, the best in the world at your price point – keep ’em coming!

Ok, there’s my long view on why I’m not impressed or pleased that Nikon has spent time and resources on another small camera to fill a market with a potentially limited future.

-phew-

Chase, You Rock! Thanks for indulging me/us here.

Sincerely,

Doug

138 replies on:
Feedback: New Nikon 1 System: V1 & J1 Cameras, plus Lenses

Caleb says:

September 23, 2011 at 11:53 am

This camera is an answer to a question nobody asked.
1. Doug E. says:
  
  September 23, 2011 at 2:43 pm
  
  I have been a Nikonian since the late ’70s! Love Nikon optics and the DSLRs that came out of Nikon from 2006 on have been extraordinary. I have also shot Canon and have to say, stellar cameras. It’s just that my lens investment and gear familiarity has been Nikon for so long, it’s how my entire shooting experience goes.
  
  As a Nikon enthusiast, I am actually a bit disheartened to see this release. Yet (yawn) another point ‘n shoot (w/ some options) camera in a market flooded with these things. Why am I disheartened? Canon has continued to improve and release fine high end dSLRs and Nikon *seems* to be content with their current d700/d3X/d3S FX cameras as they push the DX and point ‘n shoots out the door.
  
  I understand from a commercial, bottom line, perspective they likely make most of their money (in the camera division) with the DX and point ‘n shoot line – but this does concern me as I’d like a little bit more in the FX line. The d3X is fantastic and as I don’t shoot video, that would be a model I’d like to see refined and tweaked. Just a few more FPS, a tweak in high ISO noise and maybe just a little less expensive.
  
  The bigger issue, not all that long ago I carried a PDA (palm pilot) and cell phone. Then as cell phones became more powerful, sophisticated and versatile – I no longer carried or needed a PDA. Once Palm Pilots were everywhere – are PDAs even made anymore? Now! iPhone / Droid / etc. Your phone. It has a camera built in, they are getting better and better! The iPhone 5 is rumored to have a superior camera than the iPhone 4. Who doesn’t run out the door with their phone. If I am thinking I am going to want to shoot, I grab my dSLR. I bet these small point ‘n shoots, despite features and options, will disappear as PDAs did. Perhaps a niche market here with these gimmicky point ‘n shoots. And don’t get me wrong, they’re fun to play with – but the Coolpix I have from 3 years ago (which I rarely use, my iPhone is always with me) works just fine.
  
  So, who are these little cameras marketed towards? If Nikon is going after the group that wants to share images of their daily experiences, family gatherings, etc. They’re throwing another camera in a bloated market kinda’ late AND the market I just mentioned is most likely using their phones to take these pics, process with a myriad of aps (Snapseed is really cool!) then posting to Flickr, Facebook, etc. As phones improve, aps improve, etc. This category / market of / for camera will be tiny.
  
  Nikon, if I were you, I’d contact Apple and offer to co-develop optics and function for the next iPhone and iPad, streamline your point ‘n shoots and really concentrate on your dSLR (FX too, please).
  
  How about wireless transmittal of images to laptop (wireless tether) or wifi device. Some point ‘n shoots can do this.
  Built in GPS.
  More MP (not in a mega-pixel war, but landscapes or ability to crop in and still have enough MP for a big print, Sweet!)
  High ISO tweaks, Nikon rocks this, keep ahead of the game!
  FPS – just a few more (don’t want to do video capture, still want to make pictures, but some action & HDR shots would be a little easier to nail)
  CLS, again this rocks, but is losing ground to Pocket Wizards, EL-Skyports and the bigger yet portable (Profoto Acuteb2 & Elinchrom Quadra) that work with them. How about a Nikon 600ws portable strobe system.
  Speaking of CLS, want to really knock it out of the park, in addition to IR line of sight add the ability to use a radio signal!
  Finally, Lenses! In my opinion, the best in the world at your price point – keep ’em coming!
  
  Ok, there’s my long view on why I’m not impressed or pleased that Nikon has spent time and resources on another small camera to fill a market with a potentially limited future.
  
  -phew-
  
  Chase, You Rock! Thanks for indulging me/us here.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Doug
Wiktor says:

September 23, 2011 at 11:22 am

I can’t work out who is this for? £800 for a P&S?.Myself maybe not so entitled to a pro opinion being still a “fresher” in the game,aspiring to get better and currently running around with d7000 and happy as hell with it.On the other hand I am in search for a side small sized camera but this just is just not good on many levels,as mentioned above.No manual controls,P7100 seems a better choice,and its cheaper.So Nikon 1… I AM A PUBLICITY STUNT, a fashion item perhaps.Beyond my reach financially,below expectations.I’d rather just save up for a new lens.

Bests
Melissa says:

September 23, 2011 at 10:50 am

I really want a small awesome camera for our day-to-day but I think I’ll wait a bit more. Not having on camera controls is a deal breaker for me. Last time I owned a nice point and shoot I was so frustrated with how difficult it was to change the settings in the menu that I sold it a month later. At least Nikon added a viewfinder on this guy. I also find it annoying that most of these cameras only offer the LCD screen so we’re almost there… just need a few improvements and I’m buying it.
Rachel O says:

September 23, 2011 at 10:16 am

I would definitely love to take it for a test drive for a few weeks. Love the smallness, but agree with another commenter. Will probably wait to see what Canon can pull out of the hat. These types of cameras seem to be the new trend. That can only mean better thing for us as consumers.
Martin Beebee says:

September 23, 2011 at 8:29 am

I honestly don’t care — I just don’t see the need for a mirrorless camera in my bag. Seems this is directed at the enthusiast who wants decent quality but not a point-and-shoot. I suppose some pros would have fun carrying this around for spontaneous or street shooting, but it wasn’t on my radar before, and it’s not on there now.

The least they could have done though is make it look nice. The X100 really nailed it combining the look with the intent — these are just embarrassing.