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Product Description
Product Description
Creative Expressions with Delightful Ease
The perfect shot waits for no one. Thanks to Nikon you can now own a camera that not only ensures you stay one click ahead of the action with fast intelligent performance, but can fuel your imagination with the all-new versatile Creative Mode to inspire the finest work of art. The Nikon 1 J2 was designed by people who know photography, with portability and effortless operation in mind. With high-speed autofocus and functions such as Motion Snapshot and Smart Photo Selector, the exceptional Nikon 1 J2 allows you to capture artistic memories that will last a lifetime.
Available in a range of colours with compact 1 NIKKOR lenses to match, the clever Nikon 1 J2 is a true digital imaging system operating between the boundaries of still and moving imagery to capture those defining moments you would otherwise miss.
The Perfect Companion for Photographers on the Move
This slender, pocket sized camera is ultra-portable, perfect for any party, a trip to the park or for those globetrotters who like to travel light. Not much bigger than the average smart phone, this camera is surprisingly lightweight for an interchangeable-lens digital camera. Available in a range of six colours from a high gloss white finish to stunning pink with matching lenses for a cool appearance, this camera really is impeccable in design.
Intuitive Operation
The bright 921k-dot , 7.5cm (3-in) LCD monitor, with protective glass allows a wide-viewing angle, perfect for studying every detail in your photos and movies–indoors or out. With clear menus featuring easy-to-understand icons, minimal operational buttons, a built-in flash and a conveniently placed mode dial, you won’t be fumbling with numerous camera controls when trying to capture that key shot. When you really don’t want to think about a thing, you can shoot in auto mode and let the Scene Auto Selector choose the best camera settings for you. With the high-quality imaging technology and the myriad of other advanced functions the operation remains simplicity itself.
Focussing on Speed and Performance
With the fastest autofocus system (AF) in the world[1], unique shooting modes, and brilliant low-light performance, this camera boasts all you need to capture standout stills and movies.
Always striving to deliver the best performance, Nikon’s super high-speed CX-format, AF CMOS image sensor ensures your subject will always be captured in stunning detail. Developed to offer the ideal balance between speed, light sensitivity, resolution and depth-of-field it enables detailed 10.1-megapixel images of subjects moving at any speed, and any light.
The powerful EXPEED 3 image processor has been engineered to deliver unparalleled levels of speed and performance in any situation. Equipped with two powerful engines that can process images at an incredible 600 megapixels per second, the Nikon 1 J2 has superior noise reduction and with this technology allows the camera to operate with groundbreaking shooting modes.
The Advanced hybrid AF (autofocus) system focuses so fast you can capture moments without any delay. This mechanism instantly switches between Phase-Detection AF for shiny or moving subjects, and Contrast Detect AF if your subject is stationary, or poorly lit. And whichever system it chooses, the quick shot-to-shot turnaround gives you the freedom to shoot moments as they unfold without worrying about a thing.
Shooting Modes to Amaze
Nikon 1 shooting modes have been developed to offer results that will amaze you and anyone who sees them. Designed to let you capture shots you never would have believed possible, these innovative functions can start recording images before you fully press the shutter button and continue after you’ve clicked.
Motion Snapshot incorporates the vibrancy of a movie into a still picture, bringing a photo to life in just one click. Easily accessed via the mode dial and using the camera’s ability to capture images before you fully press the shutter button, it simultaneously records a one-second slow-motion movie and a still image. As soon as you’ve taken your shot, it instantly combines the two to create a “living image” and capture a moment in time as never before. You can also select a tune from 4 different types of music available, to add emotion to the moment.
Smart Photo Selector provides you with the opportunity to seize the perfect picture in a split second. Pressing the shutter at exactly the right moment to capture a baby’s fleeting smile or that winning goal, is not always easy. With Nikon’s pre/post capture technology, Smart Photo Selector flies into action as soon as you press the shutter button. It begins to capture images before you even take the shot, and continues after you’re done, ultimately shooting 20 high-resolution images in quick succession. The best shot is instantly displayed on the monitor, and four reserve shots are saved. It automatically deletes the images that have out-of frame figures, blinking eyes or are blurred. The camera recommends shots based on factors such as facial expression, composition, and focus, so you’ll never again miss that smiling face.
High-speed continuous shooting tracks the moving subject and captures a stunningly sharp image in an eternity of a split second. Engineered to deliver full-resolution images at up to 60 frames per second[2], practically no movement will be too fast to capture. And when you want to focus tightly on one subject, the camera can automatically track the subject you’ve chosen and still capture full-resolution images at 10 frames per second.
With Advanced movie recording you can shoot full HD movies so you can enjoy your creations on the big screen TV with your friends and family. Record Full HD movies up to 20 minutes (1920 x 1080/60i or 1920 x 1080/30p) or up to 29 minutes (1280 x 720/60p). You can also capture high-resolution still images (3840 x 2160, aspect ratio 16:9) by pressing the shutter-release button even while shooting a movie without interruption or shutter sound. And for dramatic effect you can shoot footage in extreme slow motion at either 400 fps(640 x 240/30P) or 1200 fps (320 x 120/30P).
The all-new Creative Mode applies filters and effects to still images before you shoot, so you can enjoy a fresh, fun view of the world. Or if you’re happy with the existing view but want to enhance it, fit it all into one shot, or ensure it is perfectly lit, the Nikon 1 J2 can assist.
A dynamic Panorama image is easy to capture by simply moving the camera following the monitor display. The camera lets you move vertically or horizontally to create magnificent 180 or 360-degree panoramas.
The Night Landscape and Night Portrait functions capture clear photos in low light by instantly combining multiple shots taken at fast shutter speeds. For portraits the camera automatically combines images of the background and the subject captured with the flash, to fully render both the subject and the background. Backlighting HDR (high dynamic range) controls overexposure and underexposure to render a well-balanced, natural image with little noise and with an extensive range of tones.
Turn a familiar scene into a world of toys with the Miniature effect. A diorama-like image can be created simply by placing focus at the centre of the screen. Express your creativity through the Selective colour option by emphasising specific objects or points in the landscape with colour while turning the rest to monochrome. Activating the Soft tool creates a gentle romantic-looking shot by applying a blurred frame to a sharply focussed image.
Finally the PSAM shooting modes give you the choice as to which elements of exposure - aperture or shutter speed - you wish to control.
A Powerhouse of Imaging Innovation
The family of 1 NIKKOR interchangeable lenses cover practically every type of scene, are all optimized for movie recording, and boast a compact design for superior portability. When you want to use your favourite NIKKOR D-SLR lens, you can do so via the F-mount adapter (the FT 1) that attaches to the camera's 1-mount, and the camera's multi-accessory port gives you the freedom to expand your system even further.
[1] Among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses as determined by Nikon performance tests. Measured when using the single-point AF mode and the shortest focal length of a standard zoom lens (1 NIKKOR VR 10–30mm f/3.5–5.6), as of June 1, 2012.
[2] When shooting full-size images with the Nikon 1 J2, you can shoot at approx. 60 fps for up to 12 frames. Focus mode is set at AF-S; focus and exposure for the first frame is fixed.
Box Contains
1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
EN-EL20 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (with terminal cover)
MH-27 Battery Charger
BF-N1000 Body Cap
UC-E15 USB Cable
AN-N1000 Neck Strap
ViewNX 2/Short Movie Creator CD
User's Manual
Reference Manual CD
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Customer Reviews
The camera body is small, metal and feels as high quality as you would expect from Nikon. However, I have largish hands and long fingers and struggled to hold it comfortably. There is no handgrip or protrusion on the front of the body and just a small area next to the rear control dial for your thumb. I have a Sony NEX-7 and find that reasonably comfortable to hold one-handed; because the Nikon is smaller still, I was continually worried that it might slip from my hand. My wife has smaller hands and found it more suitable. It's not a huge issue but something to bear in mind.
The 10-30mm lens retracts into itself via a locking button, and must be released before the camera can be used. The unlocking mechanism also usefully switches on the camera so there is no two-step fumbling when that once-in-a-lifetime scene appears. With lens attached the camera will fit into a coat pocket but is still slightly bulkier than a compact with fully retractable zoom. Talking fully-retractable, there is a small pop-up flash built-in and, since there is no hot shoe, usefully has a range of flash functions from anti-red eye to fill-in.
The rear control dial allows the camera to be left in fully-auto mode (green symbol) or switched to other modes, some of which have various sub-modes. For example the Creative mode lets you choose from a particular type of image (such as Night Portrait, Soft or panorama) or select the more advanced Aperture or Shutter priorities and Manual. The latter are not especially intuitive with the controls assigned to them but I guess if you're a more advanced user and the J2 is the only camera you have when some amazing light occurs it might be useful.
In Smart Photo Selector mode, the camera takes a number of shots before you press the shutter completely down so if your timing is slightly off when photographing people or action there is still a chance of getting the shot. The camera auto-selects what it thinks is the best image and 4 'candidates' for best image. However note that the flash cannot be used in this mode so parties will either need to be outside or in good light indoors.
The camera can shoot full-HD videos at normal speed or at lower resolution in slow motion. In HD mode it is also possible to capture still frames while recording, though this will be at 16:9 movie ratio. The image stabilisation is very effective while recording video and I was able to capture some good footage while hand-holding the camera.
My first impressions of image quality were a little disappointing as there seemed to be some smearing of detail. However the default setting is for JPEG normal, which means that the camera applies a fair amount of compression. I set this to Fine and images were much sharper; this may impact the frames per second as files will be larger but I didn't notice any difference in practice. There is also the option for RAW and RAW+JPEG, which will allow finer control over results. In fact, this was useful as I found that the white balance was fooled on a couple of occasions. This afternoon the sun was out and the leaves on the trees were a beautiful golden brown. I was disappointed that the camera white balance overrode this and gave the trees a green cast. I switched to shooting in RAW so that I could correct this later but I wonder how many users of this camera would be using RAW and post-processing their images. SLR owners using the J2 as a second camera probably would (I would) but my wife will be using this going forward and she isn't interested in PP, she wants good quality straight from the camera. At around £500 this isn't cheap for a point and shoot.
The auto-focus is very fast and accurate, much more so than my NEX-7. Taking pictures indoors late in the afternoon, the J2 was still snapping into focus long after the Sony's AF had given up and gone to bed. Images at low ISO were sharp and detailed, and bumping up the ISO indoors wasn't a disaster either. There is a smearing of detail rather than overt noise but given the tiny size of the sensor results were quite impressive. However even when the flash was enabled indoors the camera did have the tendency to keep the ISO raised which was a little disappointing. One thing worth mentioning is that if you zoom right in on the LCD, fine detail does appear to be soft but downloaded and viewed on a computer screen and printed at standard sizes it's not as noticeable.
Overall, there is obviously a market for this camera as the J1 was a hit for Nikon but I'm not sure who it appeals to. As a second camera for an SLR user, yes it's small and pocketable but using it in aperture or shutter priority is not as easy as, say, on the NEX-7. More likely to appeal to Nikon SLR users is that you can fit the SLR quality Nikon lenses through an optional adaptor.
It's also pretty expensive for its standard configuration as a point & shoot. However, it is very well made and the main selling point is the speed of the shutter, allowing images to be captured before you fully depress the shutter thus increasing the chances of capturing facial expressions and actions that often go missing. For parents that, plus the decent video capture functionality, may be the most important aspects for you and there is no doubt that it can capture sharp and colourful images.
Nikon D300 and various lenses as well as a Canon G9 Powershot.
The first thing that struck me about the Nikon 1 J2 was the build quality, excellent, and the best I have used in the compact class.
It looks and feels like a mini D-SLR and has style as well as quality of construction.
I usually prefer to shoot RAW images with my D300 rather than in- camera processed JPEG's. RAW allows for much greater post shooting adjustments and corrections without loss of image quality.
The J2 allows for shooting in RAW, JPEG or both simultaneously.
If you use Aperture or Capture NX you will need a new plug in to process the NEF files.
Nikon has some new software, which is supplied on disc along with detailed manuals, also on another disc.
Next, the $64,000 question, taking pictures.
The J2 is easy to use with a wide range of options and intuitive software.
The J2 takes brilliant pictures with really good low light capability.
The lens quality is typically Nikon, superb. You can enlarge your shots to jumbo size and the detail is pin sharp.
The flash extends out of the top of the camera body and is tiny but quite powerful.
There are the usual shooting modes, Programmed, Aperture and Shutter Priority and Manual. There is a plethora of creative options and a Movie function as well.
Now I only use a camera like this to shoot still pictures, I have a separate movie camera for video purposes. Therefore I have not tried the movie option, besides in my case 95% of my photography is still images. I would think given the quality of this camera movies would probably be quite good but I would still recommend buying a purpose made video camera, horses for courses etc.
I won't go into the creative options, pretty much all digital cameras have them, sepia, black & white, landscape and portrait modes etc and it's easy to look them up in the technical specs or on the web if they are of particular interest to you.
Cons; I have several cons. This is a small camera which when fitted with the 30-110mm lens is a little top heavy, this is probably, partly due to the afore-mentioned build quality.
No power zoom is another consideration, on bigger units such as my D300 with any telephoto lens, these fit more snugly into your hand and I find are easier to hold. Manual zoom is easy, but on small compact models I find power operated zooming helpful, but on the J2 you have to adjust manually, perfectly doable but fiddlier than I would like.
I am not sure that the maximum 110mm Zoom range is enough
to justify the purchase, I feel that a more powerful zoom option is required or else I think a conventional compact with a decent zoom and power operation would probably be my choice.
The lack of an optical viewfinder is also an issue for me but you can manage with the screen okay, although I wish the screen angle could be adjusted.
I also wonder why Nikon couldn't fit a hot-shoe for better flash or video light options.
The J2 is trying to be a really compact D-SLR but with the limited range of lenses etc, I would either buy a full size D-SLR or a great compact.
Reservations aside, this camera does take beautiful pictures in all conditions, and is especially good in poor light, and it has great style and looks, do I like it?, yes I do, would I buy it?, probably not for me unless at the very least Nikon increase the range of lenses available. You pays your money, and you takes your choice.
Firstly the camera came securely packaged and well protected.
The box came with camera, two different lenses, a battery pack for recharging, a camera strap, PC software plus a CD instruction manual and the usual warranty information.
This is an impressive looking camera for the semi professional photographer who wants to do more than just point and shoot. The camera looks and feels good, it is of far superior quality than any previous and cheaper camera I have owned. The casing is sturdy and the lens caps fit securely and easily to protect the lens. The lenses are easy to attach and detach and I found them both to be easy to use...even for a photographic novice.
The camera has movie capabilities and I used these at a family gathering over the weekend with ease. The resulting movie capture was perfect with sharp images and sound. I don't usually use the movie function in cameras as my feeling is they don't meet the standard of dedicated movie cameras. This camera did that for me and I will definitely use this function again.
Photo quality is as excellent as I expected it would be for a camera of this price. The images are pin sharp and the camera performs well in all light conditions. I got some excellent photos of the badgers which visit my parent's garden each evening...the photos were quite simply the best quality images I have ever captured of them given the poor light conditions when they visit.
The PC software comes with all the editing you would expect, sepia, black and white, red eye, portrait, landscape etc and were simple to use.
Having a rechargeable battery is a big plus for me, I am forever buying batteries for the cheaper point and shoot camera.
Cons (and to be honest there are not that many)
This is not a camera for those who want a simple point and shoot device. It can be used for this but you could get the same for a fraction of the price. It IS a lovely "point and shoot" camera but you don't need to pay this price for that.
There is no internal memory card, this needs to be bought separately. Okay they are cheap enough but I was surprised by the lack of any basic inclusion. I am informed by photographer friends that this is standard for professional and semi professional cameras though.
Would I buy this camera? This camera is well out of my price range for a normal point and shoot so probably not. On the other hand if I was a photography student or semi professional then I absolutely would and consider it well worth the price for the capabilities it gives.
Disappointing for such an expensive camera.
Size and interchangeable lenses are good.
Why? Because they do not properly support PAL. Read more
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