A late night walk at ISO 3200 with the Nikon J1

88 Comments

1. Awaiting a rugged version of the RX100 so I bought the AW version of this

2. I own a Nikon J1 with several lenses – 10mm, 18.5mm and 10-30mm – and I love the images it produces. People have said I could have bought a proper camera for what I’ve spent on this system but it suits my needs perfectly. It’s ultra portable and allows me to capture images whenever I feel like grabbing it. I don’t examine every inch of the pic like some do, I just smile if I’ve caught it just right.

3. Hello. I found this blog as a result of trying to figure out how to get my J1 to take photos in very low light situations. Exactly what setting should I use? I have it set to auto to go up to 3200. But in low light, the focus that typically turns into a green rectangle just turns into a red rectangle and I am unable to take a photo. Prior to this camera, I had several canons and never came across this issue. I plan on taking this camera to Maui and I need to know how to take sunset photos as well as at a luau where I cannot use a flash. Thanks for any help you can provide.

   • How low of light are we talking? The J1 and V1 were some of the best mirrorless for AF in any light. If you are in DARKNESS no camera will focus without an AF assist lamp. With focusing you need to focus on something that has some contrast if you are in very low light but if the light is too low there is no camera that will focus without aid or help.

4. Hey Steve,
   Great post! I have a J1 and tried to take a shot of the moon last night in the Bay Area but was unimpressed by my results.

   How do you change the shutter speed? I tried setting it to Shutter Priority mode but it didn’t seem to slow down the shutter speed any!

   Care to share?

5. I cant believe I read this entire post. I enjoyed the article for what is was. Because of that
   I am really thinking of getting the mini Nikon cam.

   I can understand one’s feelings and thoughts about a system or brand. What I dont understand is the the amount of wind that needs to be generated to express yourself. If we were all in a room together standing in a circle, some of us would be on the ground blown away by all the (and Im not saying hot air) strong winds prevailing. This is the most fun site on the web. Mr. H works hard to put
   his “own” twist on things in review or in photos. It is positive, helpful and just plain not normal, as photo sites go. It grieves me to hear people come here to argue and get “their” point across. All I can say is make your point and leave it at that, not to act like wounded hyenas with continual cries and groans shrieking through the night air. Enought is enough.

   The sad part of all this is, it wasnt the first time and certainly won’t be the last. I for one am glad Steve is around, he is a rose among the thorns and has given me many a good read with great pics, even though I don’t own a Leica nor ever will. Go find some other site to trash.

6. I really enjoy the article post.Much thanks again. Want more.

7. Hi Steve, mainly on your recommendation and a try out in-store, I have just bought a V1 on ebay in as new condition. The AF as you say is amazingly fast, just what I’ve been looking for for my street photography. Can I ask, how would set the V1 up for this use? Thanks in advance

   • Set the V1 up for street use? Well, not much to do really but 1st thing to do is to turn off Active D Lighting for best picture quality. I would also turn off any NR. I always use center focus point as well as I focus and recompose – force of habit I think. Oh and shoot RAW for sure. I always shoot RAW + JPEG.

     • Thanks Steve for such a rapid response. Yes I had it set up almost the same as you apart from the Active D lighting, so have turned that off now too. Thanks for the tip!

     • Forgot to say, what about ISO? I’ve heard the auto ISO tends to select too slow a shutter speed?

8. Steve, thanks for a great site. I also found your site while researching Nex cameras. That brings me to my question; how do you regard the Nex C3 compared with the V1/J1, Nex 5N and EP3s you talk about? You stated you’d have a hard time choosing between the V1 and Nex 5N, but what about the C3 (that I just paid so dearly for)?

   • The C3 is great – has superb IQ and is tiny. The V1/J1 is different. The J1 is a little larger, and will not give you as clean high ISO files, nor any shallow Depth of Field. The C3 is a great little camera. I liked it with the 16. The J1 will focus a bit faster, track much faster and video wise, they are both great. All personal pref. For fast tracking AF, the J1/V1 wins but for overall IQ the C3 will be the better cam.

9. I have found that there are many camera users whose primary concern is the technical prowess or lack thereof(in their opinion) of a camera. Of the aforementioned group, many of these folks have little or no appreciation of the combination of photography and post-processing skillsets that lead to the final image.

   I like the images Steve produced. They serve as an example of both his skills and that of the J1.

10. I think a lot of commenters are missing the point here. It’s not that the V1 can take a shot in low-light conditions; a lot of cameras can do that nowadays, and it was one of the reasons I actually considered getting the NEX-5N (and how I found Steve’s site, actually).

    The fact is, a lot of the commenters here, if they had bothered taking their camera out for a walk under the same conditions, wouldn’t probably even consider the fact that they had the opportunity to take the kinds of shots Steve did in this post. The shots are always there for the taking if you know where to look; it’s knowing how to look for them that’s a hard lesson to learn. It’s like Edward said actually, it’s a matter of knowing what the limitations are and then using them to your advantage.

    At the same time, I wish Steve had taken a shot at an ISO and shutter speed that approximated how the view actually looked to his eyes instead of how the camera lit it up so people can see how much difference came out from the camera processing so people would stop complaining how the pictures just look so-so despite not seeing how it looks originally.

    And as much as I’d like to keep this comment positive, to the guy who implied that Nikon “contributed” to Steve; you’re a right tosser, aren’t you?

11. Wow, those are horrible, even the weird, artsy over-contrasty grainy B&W setting you normally use to help hide things didn’t help these out at all. But the images in good and in somewhat poor light are admirable, with great color.

12. I’m in the process of returning an Olympus EPL3 due to a shutter problem with it, and just want a smaller, high quality camera I can take with me everyday in a small belt pouch, etc. I also have my Nikon D5100 with a couple of good primes, that I also use. Played with the J1 last night at Supertarget, and yes, it does have a certain MOJO about it…bright LCD, quick, easy menu system….I personally don’t want to use my Iphone for my impromptu photo ops, feels it makes one lazy and you can only do so much with the images

    This is Steve’s opinion, and if you have ever read his blog before, he has used A LOT of cameras on the market today.

13. I continued to be amazed at how much “to do” is made about this camera b/c of the sensor size. Would there be this much devisiveness and contriversy if Nikon had use a 4/3 sensor? Steve i admire your conviction and courage to measure camera’s on usability and results…not just technical specifications.

14. Steve, thanks for taking these shots. I haven’t used Nikons for years now, but I think Nikon have done an excellent job with the V1. When I picked it up in store I was delighted by the clear viewfinder and easy to read menus that I could even see without my reading glasses! The results I have seen posted online look great to me and I think you are absolutely right to praise this camera (and the J1) credit where it’s due..I say..Keep on showing what this little camera can do! How many times have you heard people say..I couldn’t get the shot because there wasn’t enough light, it was too dark.. etc. Here’s a product that CAN. Good for Nikon! For those ‘afraid’ of the dark it seems to be pretty damn good in daylight too!

    • Thanks Steve. The J1/V1 is superb in good light, and just about equal to M4/3 in low light though better than the Oly line in low light. I feel the V1 is a well built little wonder of a camera. Seriously. I also like the easy to read and scroll through menu system. It is very simple and not filled with ridiculous options. This system has so many haters but also many passionate users who adore it. Probably the most controversial camera release of 2011!

15. I think that people are missing the point of this post that this is a test under extreme conditions. Nobody tests cameras under pitch black conditions because yes, the pictures won’t look spectacular. But I feel like Steve’s point is if this camera can squeeze these pictures out of such limited light and still using the AF then imagine the abilities under more optimal lighting. The N1 series definitely has it’s limitations, as any camera does, but it does have some admirable qualities that I think most of the photog community is missing because they’re so focused on the sensor size. I personally am invested in the micro four thirds format, and can agree that I have a lot of difficulty in settings nowhere near as dark as this and the AF stands no chance. Even shooting a 5D in pitch black can be a fight sometimes, so I find this pretty neat. Nikon definitely extracted a lot from the supposedly inferior smaller sensor.

16. Steve. My comment about misleading was meant as humor. 🙂

    My point was that your ability to conceptualize the shot is what works in these photos. I don’t have mft anymore but nex 5n doesn’t give me too many issues in the dark.

    Additionally I just disagree that the iq is on par with mft though with pd it is probably faster in good light and more accurate to focus.

    There are many reasons I don’t see that from sharpness to dr, from various samples I’ve reviewed.

17. Night time is my thang.
    Amount of shots Ive messed up cause camera wasnt upto snuff.
    Even though these photos look so digital Id rather have keepers,
    Silver Efex can make up for their digitalness.

18. I think the 1 Series, and Steve’s preference for it, falls under “different strokes for different folks”. It seems like everybody wants to label these cameras “bad” because of X reasons. The truth of the matter is that it is all about your expectations and preferences. I don’t think I would like the 1 series for the same reason I don’t like my MFT kit zoom- it is difficult to get shallow depth of field effects, which are important to me. That doesn’t mean they are bad cameras, it just means they are bad for me.

    By all accounts, the 1 series handle very well and have some great strengths. I bet if you bought one to replace your family P&S, they would be fantastic. They seem like a great all-arounder. I bet my wife or my father-in-law would love it, where as the NEX-7 or even NEX-5n would just frustrate them. That doesn’t mean they are wrong, it just means they want a different camera than me.

    As always, good stuff Steve.

    • You hit the nail on the head Wes. Thanks!

    • I second Wes’ comment. Too many people who comment on this site critique a camera or a style because it doesn’t fit with their style. What they miss is that the best potential benefit of a site like this is the opportunity to learn about different styles. There isn’t just one.

      It is ignorant to say it is not possible to get an interesting photo using high ISOs in low light. The fact that Steve didn’t find a great shot when he walked around the block at 1 a.m. doesn’t mean that there is no place on Earth where a really interesting photo could be taken in very low light. I have visited many interesting places that could only be photographed in very low light. I just finished a trip where others were getting stunning shots of a Buddha statue inside a dimly lit temple hand held at ISO 12500 and I could not get the same without a tripod because my camera only goes to 1600 ISO. Flash could not be used because the scene was too large for a flash to fully and evenly illuminate.

      For that reason I am very interested in learning about the low light capabilities of the many new cameras offered today and I thank Steve for covering that. A lot of choices are coming to market and a site like this is indispensable for narrowing those choices to the ones most likely to work best for me and other readers.

      That said, I would knock Steve for dissing the Canon G1 X as a “mass market” camera with a slow zoom before he has had a chance to shoot it or see if it will perform as well as the V1 and provide higher IQ because of its bigger sensor. The “slow zoom” on the Canon is actually faster than the kit lens on the J1 he shot for this post. And the V1/J1 is marketed to the “masses” as much as any camera. I have seen the V1 and J1 offered in special displays in Sears. (Not to mention that marketing has no relevance to IQ). I understand that the V1/J1 has interchangeable lenses but for my needs it is a positive to have a lens built in so I only have to carry one item when I am just out and about.

      So I look forward to reading an equally fair review by Steve of the G1 X when it is finally available for use.

      • It seems to me, and it looks like the numbers are backing this up, that Nikon’s big mistake with the 1 series is making a camera that internet posters don’t want. Fortunately for them, most of the market don’t post on photo enthusiast websites! To give an idea of how prevalent the 1 series is getting, I can buy a J1 or V1 here in Lesotho. I can’t say that about any other mirrorless system.

        • Yes agree but most of them post on faceface or twits are us.

          I like the technology behind the 1 series, just feel they compromised too much. However they still sell like hot cakes.

          For me a small camera is the iphone 4/s or P&S. Good small cameras are the nex or oly ranges. For anything else I am saving for the x-pro1 and getting rid of all my canon gear because its big and bulky for family, travel and indoor shots.

19. Hey Steve, I love your site. And I think that the Nikon 1 series definitely does have its merits, yet people seem to be backlashing against your positive reviews of this camera. You have done side-by-side camera comparisons in the past like most recently with the GX1 vs EP3.

    I know this is more of a fun post, but I don’t think the photos do much to make the case for this being a good high ISO, low light camera. Personally, I’d love to see side by side shoot out of:

    Nikon V1 vs Sony NEX 5N vs EP-3

    I think you did a great job composing the night shots, but until you prove otherwise, I must agree with Edward’s post and some of the other naysayers.

    • LIke i said, no other mirrorless would have done any better in these conditions, let alone even focused. Ive done side by sides and shown the 1 series images in normal light, and they are, IMO fantastic. But in super dark, ISO 3200 and super slow shutter speeds? Even the 5n would have suffered here. It is actually amazing that a camera like this even focused and gave pretty noise free results. The E-P3 would have been a MESS here. As for backlash, it is what it is. I am not going to lie and say the camera system is lousy when I feel it is not just to please those who never owned or used one. I say it like I feel it at all times. I had massive backlash when the M9 came out as so many were telling me it was garbage, and now some of those same people own one. Anyway, it is what it is! So many choices out there these days and everyone will have their preferences. To see ISO 3200 images that were not converted with alien skin, you can see the 3200 V1 images at night I posted as well

      http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/12/03/some-low-light-high-iso-snaps-with-the-nikon-v1/

      • Hahaha….Right on! Man, all the haters. It’s amazing.

20. Cmon steve, stop playing with these toys. If you only had 700-800 to buy one camera system for the next 4 years you def would not even look at this.

    • I would buy the V1 if I only had $850 to buy one camera system for the next few years. That is a fact. What else would I buy for $800? I’d take the V1 over anything else in that price range. I bought the V1 and all lenses after I reviewed it and still use it daily. It goes out with me more than any other camera right now. For $800 I could get an E-P3 and kit zoom – I feel the V1 and kit zoom give better results than an E-P3 and kit zoom. I could buy a GX1 and kit lens, but again, Id prefer a V1 easily over a GX1. There is the 5n and kit lens which would be a tough one but I prefer the rendering and colors and EVF, as well as the build, AF and metering from the V1 – but that would be more tough to decide on. I couldn’t buy an X100 or Leica so yea, at that price Id most probably take a V1. No question.

      I did buy a V1 system with all of the lenses. Did not buy a GX1, or Fuji X10 after I reviewed them. Today I own my Leica M9-P, which is my baby… and I also own an E-P3. The V1 gets the most use for my daily personal photos. My NEX-7 is still on order and I also have a Fuji X-Pro on order.

      • The camera built, the super fast AF, the colors out of the camera (JPEG I assume), the EVF. This is all very nice. However, because of the small sensor, the images will always look like taken with a point and shoot. I have a D700 that I love and a X100 that I hate. But my favorite camera is my GF1 (I got a GX1 recently but did not really used it yet). Sure, the GF1 sucks at anything above 400 ISO but put the 20mm f1.7 (and probably even better with the 25mm f1.4) and you realize that you can produce magnificent images with a lot of sharpness and some nice silky bokeh. You are not limited in any way. The small N1 sensor with its large DOF is simply not appropriate for the type of image that I want to produce. So, I would say that for 800$ you could get a lot more with one of these latest Olympus and the many lenses that you could get for that price.

21. If Sony can put PDAF into the next Gen NEX cameras, that would be it for me. I would have no reason to use a DSLR. At the moment, I keep my 5D for serious work, but if a NEX-8 had better AF, it really is game over. I have to agree, I have not been happy with the IQ on the 1 series. Also, your pic of the lights, is exposed for the lights, this photo needed a faster lens or a higher ISO and exposes the weakness of the 1 series.

    • I exposed that for the lights BTW. Room was pitch black, no other lights on and it was 1am. So didn’t want to expose for the black walls 🙂

22. Steve, I’m sure you – and many others ‘get’ this camera, but for me, the results shown here illustrate my lack of interest in the Nikon 1 range.

    As you say in this review: ” the monster Sony NEX-5n ” has a larger sensor and ” even better low light performance ” ….. ” it’s IQ is fantastic, and the body is even smaller “.

    So why did Nikon effectively cripple a camera (small sensor/bigger form) when it could have been so much more … ?

    Beats me!

    • Nikon crippled the camera to not jeopardize their lucrative entry/mid-level dslr sales. None of these pictures seem to prove the opposite. Unfortunately for Nikon, they’re not alone in this world, and the other manufacturers are only too happy to fill the gap that Nikon leaves to jeopardize their dslr sales.

    • It’s not crippled at all! Again, the NEX would have given just about the same results here with its kit lens. There would have been grain, blurriness, etc. It was VERY VERY dark and the images here make it look much brighter than it was. The NEX would have been larger, slower (probably would not have locked focus in these due to no light) and given just about the same results. May have been less grain but still would have had the slow shutter speeds and blur. The 1 series takes fantastic colorful and sharp images in daylight which I have shown in the V1 review. The V1 is a superb camera, I wouldn’t have kept it with all of the lenses if it was not. I think for me, what sets it apart is what it CAN do more that what it can not do. The things it can do, no other mirrorless has done to date. The things it is not so good at, others cameras have beaten it. But to be honest? At this point in time the V1 is my fave mirrorless camera for daily use. No muss, no fuss. Have you shot with one of these and used one at home? (not in a store). Just curious.

      • No Steve – I haven’t shot with one of the Nikon 1 series in anger – but that’s not my point. I’m not likely to want one, as I feel better options are available.

        Put simply, if Nikon can get this performance from a small sensor, then why did they not go with a larger sensor etc. to get even better results. If the Nex is APS and comes in a smaller package, what real advantage does Nikon’s smaller sensor offer?

        The only thing the 1 series REALLY seems to offer is a certain variation on ‘cute’. I can live without cute. I’m not criticising the camera per se, I simply don’t ‘get it’.

        It’s another Nikon ‘nearly’ digital camera. OK for what it is (if slightly over priced) but not stunning, groundbreaking or mould-breaking … merely ‘competent’ … exactly what Nikon seems to be aiming for nowadays.

        Where is their ‘wow’ camera – the ones Nikon (in it’s film days) seemed able to turn out with regularity? I don’t mean flagship models – just great mid-range stuff. I used to be a die-hard Nikon user, but not since digital came on the scene.

        • I understand some of this angst over Steve’s love for the little Nikons but it would seem that the haters are missing the point completely. Personally, I have little interest in small sensors and will not be purchasing either the V1 or J1 but based on Steve’s review and the review of a fellow Austin, TX based photographer that I know personally and respect – Kirk Tuck – I get it. The Nikons are superior handling cameras with excellent deep DOF style IQ and surprisingly good high ISO performance, given their small sensors.

          The joy of using a camera that responds instantly to user input is something that cannot be overlooked or under appreciated and is invaluable to a novice who wants to improve their photography.

          Is this camera for the photographer that wants all the options and IQ of a large sensor system with fast lenses? No, of course not but Nikon was savvy in recognizing that there is a market out there for a camera that can keep up with both toddlers and teenagers on the sports filed while providing excellent IQ and the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. This is the “new parent”/”soccer mom” camera of the future for the customer that thinks they need a DSLR to take good photos (but would use the kit lens and keep the camera set to program mode) but wants a smaller package.

          The fact that the Vs perform so well is apparantly appreciated by pros who are let down by the handling performance of cameras like the X100 (I unloaded mine for that reason as well). And I bet novices think they are just awesome.

          • Same here, I “unloaded” the x100 as well even though IQ is excellent.

            Was getting really tired of the very slow and unpredictable AF. Fine for landscape and other more static stuff in daylight, but in low light with people moving around it got a little tiresome.

            That is where the J1 came in with it’s blazing fast and very precise AF, very good IQ (and yes, IQ is very,very good), colors etc.

            If I want even better IQ, I just grab my d700, but for anything else it is a breeze to just bring the small J1.

          • Chad – I think your response sums up the 1 series. Kirk Tuck and Steve live in relatively ‘well lit’ areas of the USA. Here, in dull, grey, sludgy, UK … a high ISO to IQ ratio performance is more important than mere zip fast AF in bright sunlit conditions. (Fast AF seems the only true attribute of the Nikon 1 cameras)

            I can get great results from ANY camera – even a cameraphone – in good light. But in Northern Europe, light falls away fast indoors, or at each end of the day. Instead of packing away my gear, or using flash, I can great results (despite the naysayers) out of both my X100 and Nex models at high ISO. I’ve no issues with either handling or IQ of these cameras might I add.

            I totally agree with your comment that the Nikon is ” … the “new parent”/”soccer mom” camera of the future … ” Better than a compact, more flexible than a big DSLR perhaps, but not what many enthusiast photographers want – hence the criticism.

            As a former Nikon fan I feel it could have made it ‘bigger and better’. With the P&S market being eroded by smartphone imaging, they may (again) be losing market dynamics in pursuing a potential dead-end route.

            I think mirrorless is the future; replacing DSLR for all but pro use. The ‘soccer mom’ market will use whatever is cheapest or handiest option regardless – camera, smartphone etc. – even iPads are now visible everywhere as image making machines.

            Not sure Nikon fits into that niche market on a number of counts….

23. Steve
    Thank for this great review! Every one is going to a big sensor camera an they really underestimate the power of small camera. Well for me is Nikon. I knew nikon over come .am gonna get one today

    • Thanks, but this wasn’t a review at all, just a fun post. Enjoy!

    • Hmm…gotta jump in here…when Olympus produced the “smallish’ 4/3’s sensor, many in the media and the likes of this blog (and others0, poo-pooed it because it wasn’t a “serious” camera.

      Suddenly, Fuji does the X100 with an APC sensor (just a hit bigger than 4/3’s) and now Nikon comes out with it’s mirror-less camera, and many of you “see the light”.

      Whether digital or film, bigger will always be better. The smaller the sensor, the quicker the image degrades, and more importantly, the less DOF options you have. 2.8 on a point and shoot will yield a significant difference than 2.8 in 35MM or MF film or digital.

      They can screw with electronics but cannot screw with physics.

      • Of course a larger sensor will give better results. A Nikon D3s would have squashed any of these types of cameras in the dark. I have been a fan of the Micro 4/3 cameras since their inception, but would never use them for pro work nor would I use the V1 for pro work. But as a walk around family shooter and even some more serious stuff, then yes without question. The fact is ANY of these cameras will fill the needs of 95% of us. The people who buy these shoot their kids, their vacations, some video here and there. Any mirrorless camera made today will provide results that are more than good enough for these needs. The question you then ask yourself is, “which one do I enjoy using the most”. For me? I love the V1, and the E-P3 about equally. Usability goes a long way with me which is why as fabulous as the X100 is, I had to let it go due to the camera getting in the way a few times.

        For serious or pro work I use my M9P (which I also get heat for as NO ONE uses an M9 for pro work right)? The Leicas excel at getting out of the way as well. But yes, larger sensors can shoot in the dark better than smaller ones, that is without any doubt.

        • Steve – When you go on about your pro work and how you would never use the V1 for that, you should really add the caveat “though some might.”

          Fact is “Pros” publish images taken with all types of cameras…digital P&S and $25 Holga included. You do know of Henry Reichhold who makes some pretty impressive panoramas using Nokia camera phones, right?

        • Steve, what sizes have you printed to with these cameras? I’d guess they are good to 12×18 without resampling?

24. Steve, why do you think these cameras are fast? They feel pretty slow in comparison to even a GF1 to me. I wouldn’t call the camera fast in comparison to a 5N either they are about equal. Beyond that the image quality is ok for a $400 camera but not at the current price point.

    • The 1 series are much faster than a GF1 or E-P3 or GX1. Ive shot them side by side and the Nikon 1 is blazing fast but also accurate each and every time. They use phase detect AF (what DSLR’s use) when there is decent light and when the lights get low they use contrast detect. There is no doubt they are faster than M 4/3 cameras, at least to me as I have used them all. IQ wise, they go head to head with M 4/3 and beat most of them in high ISO as well when you shoot RAW and take out any NR. Any M4/3 camera shooting at 3200 in almost black conditions with a kit zoom would have done much worse here.

      • Again, Nikon does NR on all RAW’s beyond ISO 800,

        and M43 really kicks Nikon 1 but at high ISO’s
        as you can see at dpreview and imaging resource comparisons, dont agree? make your own comparison and show us.

        ISO 1600
        http://d-spot.co.il/forum/uploads/monthly_12_2011/post-9160-132515652802.jpg

        • Already did one where the V1 kicked the E-P3’s behind at higher ISO. You can see that in my V1 review. I always get better results at high ISO with the V1 over the E-P3, so at least that M4/3 doesn’t kick the V1’s behind. This is fact.

          • Steve, thank you for your reply.

            I’ve re-visited your V1 review, indeed at that comparison i prefer the Nikon’s ISO 3200 over the E-P3,
            But there is still a lot of contreversary going on, a lot of experienced review sites like IR,DPREVIEW, or the only body that actually tests sensors – DXO, show a considerable (at least one stop) advantage to M43,

            Therefore i strongly believe it wouldn’t be a bad idea if you would consider redoing the high ISO test to put a stop to all the controversy thats going on – after all i’m sure its not fun to defend your opinions against talkbakers again and again,
            therefore a more definite, high iso comparison between M43 and Nikon 1 would go a great length to strengthen your point,
            because with all due respect to your V1 review, a small crop, of a single sample, is not enough to prove all of other websites wrong (i know its not your goal to prove others wrong, but still, thats the current situation, the reality)

            Thank you for your work, we all appreciate it!!!

      • I have owned the M3, GF1, GH2, EP2 and currently own an M9 and 5N. I tried the J1 and V1 because you liked them so much, but I found them to be way to slow. To this day I try every display Nikon 1 I see at camera shops and stores (15+ at this point), but they all perform the same. I like the build/size/pq, but can’t stand how slow they are in my experience. Can you make a video of how it performs for you?

    • This cameras are not fast, they are no better than a Canon s95. I have tried them and believe me they aren’t so good. I am a professional designer and a photo editor for the biggest stock agency. All of Steve’s photos are HEAVILY processed. One cannot think that a camera will output files like that. Nikon must me contributing a bit here, since Steve who always seems to diss Canon-Nikon all of a sudden claims that this V1-J1 is the best camera out there. As fun as it is to visit this site, which I admit, I do not buy this love for the Nikon V1.
      But then again, Steve seems to like every camera he reviews…

      • So not true. The AF is blazing and faster than any Canon S camera. The AF tracking is simply amazing, and even in the dark it will AF. My photos are also NOT heavily processed! It’s ALL done in RAW using ACR. For example, the photos in my V1 review were mostly JPEG but the RAW files were just adjusted during conversion. I adjust three settings. Usually White Balance if needed, Saturation up or down if needed, and black level. Thats it. I do nothing else to them. The photos in this post were shot RAW, converted and for THESE I placed a blue filter B&W over them using Alien Skin. I have not done ANY heavy processing to the V1 files. As a matter of fact, these files require the least processing of any files I have shot with besides the Fuji X100.

        Also, I never said this is the best camera out there. What are you reading? It’s a GREAT camera, period. It gets the job done with the least amount of headache. It just works. It is almost as if Apple has made the V1, lol.

        I do like all of the cameras I review, which is why you do not see reviews for every camera out there. Those are the ones i do NOT like, so I do not spend my time writing about them. Im a positive guy, not a negative guy. 🙂

        But you are so wrong on the AF. The V1 is the fastest AF camera I have shot with, DSLR or Mirrorless. It’s up there with the pro Nikons and Canons. But don’t take my word for it. Virtually every review and owner report has said the same. I just say what I feel, and I feel that the V1 is a superb camera, and yes, worth the $850 for the kit. Wouldn’t have bought one otherwise.

        Thanks for your opinions though.

        • Steve, I have generally agreed with your reviews, which is why I find the slow auto focus confusing. What settings are you using? So far I haven’t found a camera that comes close to the GH2 for AFS.

    • They are fast. Very fast. Had an e-p2 some time ago and the j1 has blazing fast and precise AF in comparison in almost any light.

25. Steve,

    I think this is slightly misleading for some newcomers. Hre’s why. In every shot I have seen where you pushed the boundaries with the little cameras you do so utilizing your skill to use the limitations as an effect! 🙂

    Seriously though my point is, people should realize that in all your high iOS late images, the shutter also seems quite slow. You manage to make the blur work..but your average newcome would sit at home wondering why they couldn’t get a sharp image.

    I’ll have to get on a computer to look at exit info, but it seems like you’d have to go to 6400 or 12800 to get a good crisp image devoid of motion blur..

    Even despite liking your stylings and appreciating your skill, I have yet to be impressed by even one shot you have taken with these cameras. I get that you like the usability, but the quality is not very good from what I’m seeing, co pared to mft, etc.

    I’m sure working with top full frame cameras gives you the feeling of…good enough, or…pretty decent for the size…but putting this in perspective, I can’t, based on the images you have presented, feel these cameras are in any way a better choice than micro four thirds or nex from an iq standing.

    What I do continue to see are muddy motion blurred images shot by someone who knows how to utilize the shortcomings as a positive for overall content. Which says a great deal about you in the positive, and a great deal about the camera to the opposite.

    • Sorry for the typos..lshould have double checked iPad correction! Hopefully it still makes sense.

    • .
      Thanks for that, Edward. You’ve put it far better than I could have put it myself! ..And with great courtesy and tact.

      • .
        Ah, thanks Steve; the extra “headphones in the office” pic has made things much clearer..!

        • I have to agree, it does add some depth to the discussion. And for the sensor size it’s very clean.

    • Hey Edward, nothing misleading here at all! As for the blur, yea, it was DARK. The photos show more light then there actually was. If i used a Micro 4/3 camera it would not only NOT have even focused, it would have been MUCH more muddy and blurred. Seriously, there was no light. ALl I did was convert to B&W (well, a blueish hue) and resize. I did nothing else to these so there was nothing misleading involved. The images in my V1 review taken in light show the quality of this camera during the day with light and for my tastes I slightly prefer it’s output to M4/3 as it is more crisp and with superb color. But, the Micro 4/3 system still has the advantage due to the lenses. Just had to chime in because all I did here was convert to B&W. Any blur in the trees could have also been wind as the shutter speeds were slow and ISO high. When lights are gone, ANY camera will get noisy at ISO 3200. To be honest, most mirrorless cameras I have used would not have even locked focus in any of these situations. That is where I am impressed with these 1 series cameras the most.

      • Steve,

        I think you missed the 🙂 after the misleading comment. All I meant was you conceptualizer the images (as one should) but very well including knowing the shortcomings of the camera, turning these deficits into attributes.

        Outside of these shots I still maintain there hasn’t been a shot yet where I was impressed in any way with the iq.

        I’m not seeing what you are regarding crisp files, compared to mft or nex. All of the images I see are much closer to point and shoot bridge camera quality, with better high iso.

        Again, I haven’t shot one of these ameras and they may be a joy to use, which is important..lout from an iq viewpoint they are uninspiring, whether it’s these samples or some shot in old lights.

        One specific group was the stae fair photos. Another fine example of your skill, and the not so great nature of the iq coming from these little nikons.

        • Many do not like the IQ from these cameras because of the lack of shallow depth of field. In that way, they could resemble a P&S, I agree. It is a weakness of the system as I have said before, but Nikon does have some goodies on the way this year. WHere this stands apart from a P&S to me is the color depth, the 24MBPS video, and the great build, feel and speed (and EVF). So it is like a super P&S in a way with better quality all the way around. But without shallow depth of field, many feel the IQ is not up to par because they are not seeing that depth. It is possible though with the 30-110 but nothing like using a 25 1.4 on M4/3.

          I find the images very sharp

          http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/bestb.jpg

          http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSC_1398.jpg

          http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSC_2034.jpg

          http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSC_10821.jpg

          http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/DSC_1111.jpg

          Thanks for the comments and opinions, always welcome.

          • I think the first one is particularly compared. And it’s quite possible that the lens(es) show more favourably at close focal distances.

            That said, they don’t seem any sharper to me than many shots you’ve made with mft.

            I all for a great camera. I’m still looking for a great small camera having been let down in various ways.

            I said before, I should probably try one of these, but I still see maybe equal quality in the best case with mft, and usually from what I’m seeing you are achieving better iq with other systems.

            Anyway what one constitutes as better is purely subjective I suppose…corner sharpness wide open (lol), dof, fine gradations.

            Thanks for the samples and the continuing reports.

          • Curious… I don’t know where in this thread I should post this, so here goes: I have been shooting a Canon G10 for a few years and I have been able to get some bokeh from that thing, granted mostly on Macro, but if the Nikon V1 is sporting a bigger sensor, isn’t it likely that there is more potential for getting bokeh in the Nikon? Just wondering… Steve, keep up the bad-ass site and I dig how you stay calm when folks are dogging your opinions…

        • Edward…you are REALLY far off base and the more you write the more it shows. Honestly, you come across like a heavily invested Sony or m43 system owner with an ax to grind.

          And Steve’s N1 images (however bad or good) should not be the issue. There are plenty of other positive reviews and fine image samples of N1 on the net. Is this the only site you visit?

          Almost everyone who’s “actually tried” N1 cameras are impressed, not only with the performance, but the IQ, as well. My own V1 files rival (and in some instances surpass) my D7000 files for certain IQ aspects. It’s true the V1 can not achieve the same background blur, and its files are smaller with less resolution, but that’s about it.

          It’s time you learn about objectivity.

          • Kevin, you clearly have no idea how long I’ve been coming here or the cameras I have tried.

            Still the point is I have no axe to grind, nor do I feel I’m off base, I’m opening on that which I see in the images, and I know I’m not alone. Additionally, I’m not sure why you are so aggressive, but maybe there’s some fanboy going on from the other side. 🙂

          • “fanboy” seems to be the go to word people use when they run out of arguments in this forum.

            Would have been wonderful if these babies were around when I was a broke college student trying to spend my pennies on a point&shoot.

          • +1

      • “nothing misleading here at all!”

        Except for the fact that your wrong about the NR, because nikon’s RAW are all cooked beyond ISO 800,

        • When I prices the V1’s RAW files using ACR I see no evidence of smoothing at all. Just fine grained noise and super sharp results. If they are applying smoothing it is NOTHING like the smoothing other cameras apply that make them smudgy and smeared. The V1’s output at high ISO is crystal sharp as long as you have enough light to use a decent shutter speed.

26. Hi Steve. Love the picture of the trespass sign. I like the arty/edgy look you got with these.

    • Thanks, thats about the only look you can go for with any camera when there is no light and you are using slow shutter speeds and high ISO, lol. This was just a walk around the block. My son used his old D2H and had to use manual focus as it was too dark.

27. great review but the pictures look like Holga pictures

    • That’s the elephant in the room: just because technology lets you *expose* a frame in low light, the quality of the light may not always produce a worthy picture.

      For me high ISO’s are not the God send many speak of. Yea, I get being able to shoot 2.8 at 3200 in a dim church, etc., but for the most part, light is 10X more important than how “clean” the sensor is that records it.

28. Let’s not diss Steve for the image quality of his night shots. I’m of the belief that photographs done at night simply aren’t that interesting. This insistence for high ISO capability for night-work is very much a non-starter for me. A photograph – as Winogrand said – is light reflecting from different objects within a frame. How is that possible in the dark? 🙂

    Where 3200ISO comes into play for me would be in low-light using a camera at f/8-16 and at high shutter speeds. This would be useful on a skyscrapered street in late afternoon, for instance. Otherwise I’d prefer to use flash and slow my shutter down to collect ambient light. Best of both worlds.

    If anyone can show me a great photograph taken in the dark that couldn’t be done at a slower ISO speed and where the use of flash would have been detrimental, then I’ll be willing to eat my hat.

29. I agree with Ulf, the pictures do not look too overwhelming. On the other hand I did not really expect that, given the sensor size. And what Nikon achieved with the size constraints is quite amazing.

    I own a GF1 and I still love it, love it, love it. As I have some lenses for m43 now, I do not really see the point of getting the Nikon 1 cameras. But If I had to I would probably take the J1. I found that I am one of the few people who likes working with the screen more than with the viewfinder. LOL, I even found myself numerous times that with my SLR I wanted to frame my shot with the LCD screen.

30. I actually bought a J1 during the holidays. I like the image quality specially in good light however, I am planning to sell it to make money for either a Nikon D7000 (plus a 50mm f/1.8 or faster) or hopefully, a Fuji X-Pro1. It’s just limiting for me specially that I am currently taking up photography as a hobby (I have played with my brothers Canon T3i for about 6 months so I have some grasp on concepts and application before buying the J1 which, for me, was a mistake. I do like the J1 with the fast AF and superb metering however, I want to learn more of the manual aspects of photography (that’s why I’m tempted to buy a film SLR).

    BTW Steve, big fan of your blog. I love your style more than other review sites where they go too much technical in the details that they forget the “feel” of the camera. Though it’s good to know the spec sheet, there is nothing better to put a camera into its paces on real world situations and relaying it to the readers. Thanks again and do keep on going!

    (Also, if you have any recommended cameras for me that can really teach me or help me to learn, please do provide insight! Thanks!)

31. Hi. Always nice to read your articles. Newer tested the Nikon J1 or the V1. But cant say I am very impressed by these pictures, nice enough @ 3200. But not impressed.
    What camera did your son shoot with that night? And can you post his pictures here in this post just for fun ?
    Best regards.

32. I have an old 40D and it takes better shots at iso 3200. No saying they are the same but for the money the Nikon is producing poor quality. Why should people spend this amount of money on a small sensor camera with limited lens which have terrible reach.

    • Again, it was DARK. What you see here is not what it looked like in reality. The image of my son walking? I could not see any details of him but yet the camera focused and when I saw the shot on the lCD it was much brighter than reality. No other camera would have fared much better in these conditions with a slow zoom lens at slow shutter speeds and ISO 3200. Fact.

      • Steve – this is the point..that it is DARK. At some point, just put the camera down – they are made for daylight or studios (and Seal shows!).

      • Steve,
        I really loved to see what this camera can do in low and very low light situations without BW tune-ups or special situations selected to its shine.
        Take a boring Bar-situation at low light and take a photo of the room in colour.
        Show me how that sensor takes that without falling into any NOISE coloration.
        BW masks noise quiete well. Thus at a distance those pictures are of no value to me to get into your sell. Don’t get me wrong I like to get the nikon, but I don’t get that lend for a while to test, as you do. I’ve got a Sigma DP2x that takes excellent pictures in daylight and if you find the working scenes, at night, too. But, it actually is a crappy shitty pain in the ass camera if you raise ISO above 100 in mid to low-light using colour. noise banding is standard with that. But what do you get looking around with reviewers? perfect shots, only. I know now how they fake it. Thus I don’t trust your Nikon pictures, as of yet.
        If it’s that good, why do all test comparisons of all the other sites show, actually the camera is as noisy as all other small sensor cameras.
        Carlos.

33. I bought the J1 instead of the V1 because I wanted the smaller camera. So far I’m very happy with it. Only have the 10mm and are hoping for more primes, but got the FT1 adapter to use it with my other AF-S lenses in the tele end.

    I easily get tempted by new gear and are eagerly awaiting the Fuji X-Pro1. When will this end? Problem for me is that there are no real ultimate camera and all are compromises. I’m weak for Nikon and this is the first non-DSLR Nikon I’ve owned. Now, I only wish they would use the same sensor in their P&S models.

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