Nikon 1 J1 Review: A Retro Digital Camera for the Modern Photographer

When Nikon jumped into the mirror-less digital camera market in 2011, they did so to a polite smattering of applause. At that time, mirror-less cameras from Sony and Fujifilm were rapidly replacing DSLRs, and the world’s tech press and photographers alike had long awaited Nikon’s response. What followed was the somewhat bewildering Nikon 1.

Initially offered in the forms of the consumer-grade Nikon 1 J1 and a higher-spec Nikon 1 V1, Nikon’s 1 series cameras were unexpected, and left contemporary reviewers largely underwhelmed. Even so, in the first months of its release, the Nikon 1 J1 became the best-selling compact camera in the world. But this success was short-lived.

The small 10MP sensor of the Nikon 1 didn’t compare well against the competition (even if only on paper), and the cameras’ imaging performance was quickly paced (and outpaced in some regards) by smartphones. The segment of the market which may have responded well to a dedicated camera, real photo nerds, was let down by the 1 series’ point-and-shoot trappings, with many opting instead for Sony’s hi-tech mirror-less cameras or the photographer-focused designs of Fujifilm cameras.

Perhaps most crucially, Nikon 1 cameras were priced too high for casual camera users.

Despite the investment in creating a brand new lens mount, a new system of lenses, and about a dozen different cameras, within just six years Nikon had discontinued the 1 series and shifted focus to the new, more sophisticated, and forward-thinking Z series.

But all of that is ancient history. Today, a time when Nikon 1 series cameras can be bought for $150 on eBay and just a bit more from a reputable camera shop, these tiny, retro cameras are a fantastic value, capable of making incredible photos, beautiful to look at and to hold, and a joy to use.

After spending a few months with the Nikon 1 J1, I admit it; I love the Nikon 1!

Nikon 1 J1 Specifications

• Sensor: 1″ (13.2 x 8.8mm) 10 megapixel Nikon CX format CMOS Sensor (2.7x crop factor)
• Max Resolution: 3872 x 2592
• Image Processor: Nikon’s EXPEED 3
• Lens Mount: Nikon 1 mount
• Shutter: Mechanical shutter capable of speeds from 30 seconds to 1/16000 sec
• Shooting Modes: Aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, Program; Subject and scene modes
• Metering Modes: Multi, center-weighted, spot
• Exposure compensation: -3 to 5 in 1/3 EV steps
• ISO: 100-3200 (boosted 6400)
• White Balance: Auto, custom, plus 6 presets
• File formats: JPEG, NEF (Nikon’s RAW, 12-bit compressed)
• Focus Modes: 73 point focal plane autofocus (Contrast Detect at the sensor, and Phase Detect); Multi-area mode, Selective single-point mode, and Tracking; Manual focus mode
• Display: 3.0-inch LCD viewfinder (non-articulating)
• Flash: Built-in flash (pop-up); 5 meter range; Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
• Additional Features: Active D-Lighting, Inbuilt time-lapse photography intervalometer, In-camera Picture Control. Movie-mode in 1080p and slow-motion movie in 400fps & 1200fps (5 seconds, reduced resolution)
• Power: EN-EL20 Lithium-ion Battery with AC adapter and power supply connector, battery life (shots per charge) approx. 230 shots
• Dimensions: 106 x 61 x 30mm
• Weight: 8.4 ounces (240 g) without lens

In the ever-evolving world of photography, where megapixels and advanced features often overshadow everything else, the above spec sheet may look underwhelming. In truth, the spec sheet is almost irrelevant.

Today, the Nikon 1 J1 stands as a capable companion for photographers despite what the numbers may say. Especially for those younger people who may be looking for a compact, interesting, and aesthetically pleasing retro digital camera to supplement their higher-spec modern camera, or their phone, or their film camera, the Nikon 1 is a lovely thing.

Sometime in 2021, I grew tired of music streaming services and subscriptions, tired of ads interrupting my audiobooks and breaking through my romantic reveries when listening to The Killers’ Hot Fuss (an album that’s somehow two decades old, and which was the soundtrack of the summer during which I met my wife). One day, I snapped, and ripped apart my basement searching for the long ago-archived third generation iPod of my college years, paid $60 for a new solid state drive and battery, installed them with a cheap soldering iron, and loaded that gorgeous pearlescent MP3-playing revelation with every bit of audio I own.

Like a wristwatch, or the iPod, the Nikon 1 J1 still holds its charm and utility, especially for those who appreciate entirely capable electronics that were purposefully-made to fulfill a single task without interruption or delay or intrusion. They do one thing well.

Tell time.

Play music.

Make photos.

It’s just better this way.

Design

There are many different Nikon 1 bodies, and a number of design variances among them. The original J1 reviewed here is sleek, almost Leica-ian in its simplicity. A more pretentious reviewer might call it Bauhaus, or reference the fact that (from a top view) it kind of looks like a tiny Leica M3.

The higher spec Nikon 1 V1 is more utilitarian, having an in-built viewfinder that necessitates a viewfinder hump. It looks more like a “serious camera,” but still retains the overarching simplicity and sleekness of the J1. Later 1 series models were offered in vibrant colors; pink, orange, red, olive green, and more, and some of these liveries are simply stunning. The Nikon 1 AW1 is waterproof and rugged, yet even this model looks refined and elegant.

Each of the models have a compact form factor and lightweight body, which makes them ideal travel companions, fitting comfortably into a small bag or even a large pocket. To my surprise, I’ve sort of fallen in love with them all (especially the AW1 with its optional silicon shell, reminiscent of my favorite Nikon, the Nikonos V).

User Experience

The Nikon 1 J1 offers a straightforward and enjoyable user experience. The major controls include a large shutter release button on the top (beautiful knurled in concentric rings), a mode dial on the back, a variable control toggle switch which adjusts different settings in different modes, and a dial which quickly adjusts major parameters such as exposure compensation, flash, shooting modes and focus modes. There’s also a menu button with which we can access anything and everything.

The camera’s menu system is intuitive, making it easy to navigate settings and modes, and users who know a thing or two about using a camera will quickly acclimate. For users who aren’t accustomed to using a dedicated camera, the lack of a complicated array of buttons and dials is actually a blessing in disguise, encouraging users to focus on composition and creativity rather than getting bogged down in technicalities.

The J1’s 3-inch LCD screen, though not a touchscreen and lacking articulation features, is bright and clear, providing a good view of photos even in bright sunlight. The absence of an electronic viewfinder might be a drawback for some, but for many young photographers used to smartphone photography, framing shots using the LCD screen feels natural.

I personally prefer my camera’s LCD to have articulating hinges, which simplifies waist-level shooting. This camera lacks that.

It can be a little bit slippery in single-handed operation, given that the camera is so small and glossy. There’s a tiny rubber thumb grip on the back which offers a surprisingly large amount of grip. It’s like a tire on a MotoGP bike. Somehow, it keeps the thing from hitting the asphalt. Strap lugs on top and a wrist-strap loop on the bottom right corner give additional purchase (I fitted mine with a Nintendo Wii Remote wrist strap, which is also somehow retro, and about as cool as a Third Gen iPod).

The built-in flash is decent, but it produces the sort of blown-out results that professional photographers detest. It’s overpowered close up, and yet drops off almost immediately at range. There’s a very narrow sweet spot in which the flash is well-modulated.

But I could just as easily argue that blown out portraits and “imperfect” flash photos are sort of awesome. They’re of a time. They have personality. Some of my favorite shots have utilized technically awful flash characteristics. Don’t yell at me. Yell at Daido Moriyama.

I spent some time using the camera’s more gimmicky modes, too.

Motion Snapshot is one such mode in which the camera takes a high-resolution still image, plus a one-second movie vignette. Upon playback (on the camera), the camera creates a series of frames played in slow motion, accompanied by user-selectable mood music. It’s very weird, and barely relevant, since once uploaded to a computer, the video plays at normal speed and without sound. The images and the video are saved as different files, but can be combined. Apple did it later (and better) with Live Photos on the iPhone.

In Smart Photo Selector mode, the camera takes 20 photos at 30 fps, selects the best 5, and then reduces that selection to one for a final photo recommendation. The camera selects the best picture based on criteria such as the subject being out of frame, out of focus, blurred or having its eyes closed. It kind of works, but I never use it, and you won’t either.

There’s a number of picture modes, as well, including Standard, Neutral, Vivid, etc. The only one I used was Monochrome, which I loved, just as I did when I shot the 5 megapixel Contax TVS Digital a few years ago.

But mostly, I shot the J1 as I shoot all of my cameras; in aperture-priority mode, controlling aperture and exposure compensation until I got the shot I wanted in RAW, with editing later in Lightroom.

Performance and Image Quality

The 10.1 MP CX-format sensor of the Nikon 1 J1 might seem underwhelming by today’s standards, but as mentioned earlier, this becomes less and less important as time goes on. Regardless of what the spec sheet says, the J1’s image quality is surprisingly good, with vibrant colors and decent detail, especially in well-lit conditions.

Where this is a system camera, it’s challenging to rate image quality without having used every lens. The 10mm lens that I used shows some distortion, some minor chromatic aberration, and ghosting and flaring when shooting into the sun. Those readers who have been here before will know that I don’t really care about any of these flaws. I shoot the photos and embrace the imperfections, and you should too.

The camera’s hybrid autofocus system, combining phase-detection and contrast-detection, ensures quick and accurate focusing and more than holds up against more modern counterparts in bright light. In dim lighting, the autofocus struggles from time to time, but it’s still quite good. Shooting my kids on July 4th as they twirled with sparklers yielded surprisingly strong images.

White balance is nicely modulated in automatic mode. Auto ISO does fairly well, too. However, the camera has a tendency to keep the ISO low in favor of extending the shutter speeds. This can result in an abundance of camera shake and blurred photos when shooting in low-light conditions compared with other cameras of similar ISO capability. It’s possible to rectify this, of course, by switching to manual ISO or setting it to a high ISO and moving on.

Where it’s Lacking

One area where the J1 shows its age is in battery life and connectivity. The battery provides a modest number of shots per charge, so carrying a spare is advisable for extended shooting sessions. As for connectivity, the lack of built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is a reminder of the camera’s 2011 origins. Users will need to transfer their pictures from the camera to a computer, and from there we can print, share, upload, whatever. This is my usual workflow anyway. I don’t want a camera with a social media account. I want to be less connected to social media and more connected to the camera.

The small sensor, too, comes with some drawbacks. To start, depth-of-field is very deep, no matter what lens we’re using. There’s very little fast glass for this thing, and achieving strong subject isolation is not as easy as it is with larger sensor cameras.

When fitting some of the system’s lenses, the camera suddenly loses one of its major selling points; its compactness. Mount any of the system’s many zooms and suddenly the Nikon 1 isn’t very pocketable. This is why I prefer the “pancake” 10mm.

A video mode exists, but I didn’t use it. The resolution isn’t high enough for my video needs, nor is the slow motion mode as good as the one in my phone. For me, retro digital cameras are still-frame cameras only.

Final Thoughts on the Nikon 1 J1

I end my time with the Nikon 1 J1 pleasantly surprised. In the time I’ve used it, it’s helped me make some lovely photos, and I think its impact on me will be a lasting one. In the time since I bought this J1, I’ve explored the wider world of Nikon 1 series cameras, and I’m certain my shelves will soon be home to a number of these cameras – the later models have higher MP sensors and more advanced guts packaged in the same or very similar simple bodies. They also come in flashy colors; one in orange, one in green, a pink one for my daughter, and who knows when I might need a waterproof version. After all, my site can always use more reviews.

Today, the Nikon 1 J1 is not just a digital mirror-less camera; it’s a delightful journey into the past, offering an alternative to the overstimulating, feature-dense cameras of today, and a refreshing break from the distraction of a cell phone. For photographers seeking a unique, retro-inspired experience, the Nikon 1 J1 provides a perfect blend of simplicity, performance, and charm, in a number of different aesthetic styles, and at a very low price.

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