Desi Glamour

All of that changed on September 21, 2011 with the announcement of the Nikon 1 system comprisiand V1 mirrorless models that become available on October 20. The J1 is the entry-level camera while the V1 contains a few extra features such as electronic viewfinder (EVF), higher dot composition LCD monitor and an i-TTL sensor that can accommodate an optional external flash unit.

Outwardly, the cameras appear very similar with the V1 being differentiated by a hump on the top of the body housing the EVF and a small ridge on the right front to afford a better grip. Internally, the image capture hardware is identical: a 10.1 megapixel resolution CMOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8mm, designated as "CX" in Nikon terminology and providing a 2.7x crop factor. Nikon's new EXPEED 3 image processing engine drives the system and reportedly provides rapid response, fast AF and high-speed performance. In addition, the new dual core EXPEED 3 processor works to maximize battery efficiency while providing high-speed processing and faster transfer rates.

Both cameras feature a new AF system that, according to Nikon, provides "...incredibly fast, split-second response." Nikon goes on to describe it as a "...newly developed hybrid system that continuously evaluates the scene at hand for optimal results, and can switch between phase detection and contrast detect AF to best suit the scene." Nikon claims this new system is the "world's fastest autofocus," albeit under a set of conditions that we will discuss later.

The nominal continuous high-speed shooting rate is 5 frames per second (fps) at full resolution, but the electronic shutter offers 10, 30, or 60 fps rates at full resolution as well. The camera can capture still images in JPEG, NEF (RAW) or NEF/JPEG combinations. Full HD video can be captured at 30 or 60 fps, and there are rates of 400 and 1200 fps for slow motion work. ISO ranges from 100 to 3200, with a 6400 setting available.

The J1 is available in red, white, black, silver and pink bodies and will be offered in kit form: a single lens kit with a 10mm f/2.8 pancake lens at an MSRP of $649.95; a two lens wide angle kit with the pancake and a 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom and a two lens zoom kit offering the 10-30 and a 30-110 mm f/3.8-5.6. Both two lens kits retail for $899.95. Finally, there is a dedicated pink two lens zoom kit that lists for $929.95, but includes a pink leather hand strap as well as a pink wrapping cloth not found in the other zoom kits. Here's a look at the wide and telephoto ends of the 10-30 and the telephoto end of the 30-110; that covers the focal range extremes offered by these three lenses.

he advent of the mirrorless interchangeable lens digital camera dates back to mid-June 2009 and the Olympus PEN E-P1. By September of that year, Panasonic had entered the fray with the Lumix GF1, and since then Samsung, Sony, and Pentax have introduced products in this market segment. But while rumors swirled around Canon and Nikon, both Olympus and Panasonic introduced third-generation mirrorless models before either of the Big Two officially acknowledged their intent to enter the race.