Nikon today bumped up resolution and made its new Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless interchangeable-lens compact digital camera selfie-friendly.
Nikon continues to refine its beginner-to-enthusiast level interchangeable-lens 1-series compact digital camera. Today Nikon announced the Nikon 1 J5, featuring a higher-resolution 1-inch CX sensor, upgrading video capture to 4K (sort of), and adding NFC wireless capabilities. The sensor can capture 20MP stills, a modest increase from its predecessor’s 18MP resolution. Nikon has also overhauled the camera’s design, providing a protruding handgrip and retro design.
Adorama is accepting pre-orders for the Nikon 1 J5 and will ship it on a first-come, first-served basis. Credit cards will not be charged until orders are shipped.
Transformer Camera! Multi-exposure shot showing flipscreen’s range of motion makes it look like a ninja.
More upgrades include a new, souped-up Expeed 5A image processor for improved image quality, an interval timer, a flip-up touchscreen, and many new creative modes. The camera sports a new design, adding a grip to the front of the camera and a few more physical controls in addition to the flip-out touchscreen LCD monitor.
Nikon 1 J5 Key features:
- 20.8MP sensor, 13.2×8.8mm
- ISO range 160-12,800
- RAW, JPEG image capture
- 171 single-point focus areas, 105 areas support phase-detection AF
- Up to 60fps burst rate
- 20 frame buffer capacity
- Video capture up to 3840×2160 in 15p
- Slow motion video
- Simultaneous still and video capture
Like its predecessor, the Nikon 1 J4, the Nikon 1 J5 is a speed demon. In fact, Nikon claims it’s as fast as a DSLR (and maybe even faster) when it comes to autofocus acquisition and burst rate. Since the first model came out, the Nikon 1 series has delivered some of the fastest focusing times of any camera, and this has helped make the Nikon 1 series so popular.
Upgraded Look and Feel
The silver-and-white version of the Nikon 1 J5 has a more retro look to it, and the addition of a protruding front grip is designed to make the camera easier to hold. In back of the camera, the 3-inch, 1037k dot touchscreen LCD has the same specs as its predecessor’s, but adds a new twist: The screen flips all the way up and over the top of the camera so users can compose and shoot selfies. This is bound to be an attractive option for the smart phone crowd.
Nikon has also added more creative modes, another feature designed to compete with smart phone filters. New Creative Modes include: Pop, Retro, High-contrast monochrome, Nostalgic Sepia, Cross screen, Fisheye, Skin softening, Night landscape, Night portrait, Landscape, Close-up and Portrait. These join HDR, Soft, Easy panorama, Miniature effect, Selective color, Cross process, and Toy camera effect.
Video Upgrades
The Nikon 1 J5 offers full 1920×1080 HD video at 30 or 60fps, as well as an option to record 4K video (3840×2160 pixels) at 15 frames per second. As with its predecessor, the camera also offers three slow-motion video options with resolution/capture rate tradeoffs: 720p at 120fps, 800×296 pixels at 400fps, or 400×144 pixels at 1200fps. The camera offers electronic vibration reduction at 30p and 60p frame rates, and allows the use of creative modes during video capture.
The Nikon 1 J5 also adds an interval timer and Active D-Lighting, which adds detail to shadows in high-contrast scenes.
Other Features
The Nikon 1 J5 is the first J-series model to offer both Wi-Fi and NFC wireless communications capabilities, and can be used with smart phones and tablets. The camera offers matrix, center-weighted and spot metering, as well as a variety of autofocus modes plus manual focusing.
Sports and action photographers looking to capture junior’s softball game or Lacrosse match should be able to keep up with the action thanks to the camera’s faster-than-DSLR AF capabilities, and burst rates of 5, 10, 20, 30 or 60fps.
The Nikon 1 J5 is just a tad heavier than its predecessor (9.4 oz instead of 8.2) but also a smidgeon smaller.
The Nikon 1 J5 will be available in a variety of configurations with kit lenses, starting with the basic 10-30mm for $496.95 for the Blackor Silverversions, up to $1,046.95 in a kit with the 10-100mm lensat Adorama. The camera will be available around the end of April. Free overnight shipping will be available.
Check out this quick video tour of the Nikon 1 J5; video provided by Nikon USA.
