Nikon enters the mirrorless camera market with the V1 and J1

Nikon has just announced two new 10-megapixel SLR-like cameras, the Nikon V1 ($900 with kit lens) and Nikon J1 ($650 with kit lens), the first models in a new product category for the company. In doing so, they've joined most other major SLR camera manufactures—excepting Canon—in producing an SLR-like type of camera.

Like most models in this category, the J1 and V1 are small, compact, and lightweight, but they include sensors that are larger than those of basic cameras. They also let you use interchangeable lenses, just like SLRs.

The two new Nikon cameras have a lot in common:

• An advanced hybrid autofocus system with 73 focus points that combines phase detection AF with contrast-detect AF.


• Various burst modes, including the ability to fire off 10 frames per second with full autofocus.


• A new CX format for lenses with a 2.7x magnification factor for all lenses, which is greater than most in this class.


• A Motion Snapshot feature, which captures a second of video followed by a still photo and plays back in a slow-motion slideshow format.


• HD-resolution video captured at 1920 x 1080/60i or 30p.


• 3-inch displays, although the V1 has about 921,000 dots and the J1 has about 460,000 dots.

And here are some of the major differences between the two:

• The V1 includes an electronic viewfinder (with 1.4 million dots) but no pop-up flash. The camera is compatible with a new small external SB-N5 Speedlight flash, which costs $150 and fits into a proprietary hot-shoe port. That port can also be used with another Nikon accessory, a GPS module, which costs $150, for geotagging photos and video.


• The J1 doesn't have a viewfinder, but it does include a built-in flash.

In addition to the cameras, Nikon unveiled four new lenses designed specifically for these new models, including three zooms and one prime lens:

• Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, included kit lens


• Nikkor VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, $250


• Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6, $750


• Nikkor 10mm f/2.8, $250

The two new cameras can also accept Nikon's wide range of larger SLR lenses, although you need a special mount adapter to use those. The lenses will also have the same 2.7x magnification factor.

The Nikon V1 and J1 SLR-like cameras will be available in late October.

The Nikon V1 (photo: Nikon)

—Terry Sullivan