see also:

• mirrorless camera systems
• Micro Four Thirds system
• Nikon F dSLR system

• Nikon announced its foray into the mirrorless camera market with its 1“ 2.7x crop sensor format called Nikon 1 in September 2011.
• unfortunately the small sensor means very limited ability to get shallow depth of field (DOF) and this will severely limit a enthusiast's ability to grow with this system and learn the finer points of photography, although the new 32mm f/1.2 lens would be a reasonable portrait lens if one could afford it
• the S series of cameras are the budget level cameras
• the J series of cameras are the budget-mid-level cameras
• the V series of cameras have more controls and functionality
• the AW series are rugged waterproof cameras
• most potential buyers would do better looking at the Micro Four Thirds system with its larger sensor and larger lens range and more camera body options
• see my blog post

• announced April 2015
• 1”-type 20.8MP BSI-CMOS sensor no anti-aliasing filter
• 171 CDAF and 105 Phase Detect AF points
• 20fps with C-AF, 60fps with AF on 1st frame only
• world's shortest release time lag
• new Sports Mode
• new control layout - mode dial, command dial
• high ISO 4 frame stacking mode to reduce noise
• EXPEED 5A image processing
• 4K video capture at 15 fps
• 1080 60p or 720 120p
• new Time-Lapse Movie mode that captures up to 300 stills and replays them as a 10-second sequence
• 180deg upwards tilting LCD screen for selfies
• new Self-Portrait Mode, to easily set skin softening, self-timer and exposure compensation using the touchscreen interface
• shutter 30sec to 1/16,000th sec, flash sync 1/60th sec
• built-in Wi-Fi with NFC
• 98 x 60 x 32 mm (3.86 x 2.36 x 1.26″)
• 231g w battery
• http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9248669689/nikon-1-j5-offers-20-8mp-bsi-sensor-and-revamped-look

• announced May 2014
• mid-level model
• as for S2 but:
  • 18mp sensor
  • 20 images captured in HD video auto mode
  • 720 120p slo-mo video mode
  • 171 contrast detect focus areas and 105 phase-detect AF points for incredible autofocus accuracy
  • WiFi for smartphone tethering

• announced May 2014
• entry level model
• 14mp sensor, 20fps burst rate
• 1080/60p HD video (max. 10 minutes) + simultaneous full res. still image capture (10 best images automatically)

• announced Mar 2014
• 18mp no AA filter, Expeed 4A processor
• 171 AF points with Hybrid AF
• burst 60fps with single AF; 20fps C-AF
• 3“ 1mDot touch, tilting TFT-LCD screen
• optional:
  • 2359k-dot DF-N1000 EVF
  • GR-N1010 grip
  • AS-N1000 Multi Accessory Port Adapter
    • ME-1 external microphone
    • external Nikon 1 flashes
• shutter 30sec-1/16,000th, flash sync 1/250th
• built-in flash (GN 5m (ISO100))
• 1080/60p video with C-AF plus 720/120p, 288/400p, 144/1200p plus motion snapshot 1920×1080 24fps x 4secs
• new Movie e-VR (Electronic Vibration Reduction)
• WiFi smartphone connectivity but appears there is no smartphone remote control
• timelapse
• 111 x 65 x 33 mm (4.37 x 2.56 x 1.3″)
• 381g
• $US1199 with EVF, grip and 10-30mm PD-zoom lens
• for comparison, Micro Four Thirds system offers a much larger sensor, much more extensive lens range, more shallower depth of field (DOF) options, higher image quality at high ISO and a range of less expensive cameras including:
  • the Panasonic GM-1 camera which is smaller and almost half the weight but the V3 does have some nice extra features - optional EVF, opt. external flash, more AF points, faster burst rates, faster C-AF and better video.
  • the Olympus OM-D E-M10 camera is similar weight, smaller (than the V3 with EVF), more versatile, higher image quality, built-in EVF, more features and ergonomics, and full control by smartphones although the V3 will give you get better C-AF, video and the 20fps burst rate.

• announced Sept 2013
• rugged waterproof version of the Nikon 1 J3 camera
• waterproof down to 15 meters (49 ft), shockproof from up to 2 meters (6.6 ft), and protected against cold as low as -10 degrees Celsius (14F)
• also 2 waterproof lenses announced:
  • 11-27mm (30-74mm equiv)
  • 10mm (27mm equiv)

• 14mp

• announced Aug 2012
• improves upon the Nikon 1 J1 with new features such as a Creative Mode that provides a variety of photo effects to users, a metallic body, a higher resolution LCD screen and the addition of stylish new color offerings.
• 10.1mp

• the more serious enthusiasts Nikon V1 camera
• 113mm x 76mm x 44mm
• 294g w/o battery
• 3” 920K dot fixed LCD
• 1.4 million dot EVF with eye detection activation (similar to the Panasonic GH-1/2 cameras)
• 5fps mechanical shutter burst rate (to 1/4000th sec, and a flash sync of 1/250th sec) with limitations in addition to the electronic shutter
• magnesium alloy body
• Multi-Accessory Port for attaching SB-N5 compact flash or GP-N100 GPS module
• 3.5mm stereo microphone jack
• infrared receiver ports on the front and back of the camera
• but no hotshoe still
• $899 with 3x kit lens

• 106mm x 61mm x 30mm body
• 277g w/o battery
• 3“ 460K dot fixed LCD screen
• 1/60th sec flash sync
• no EVF
• pretty colors
• $649 with 3x kit lens

1 Nikkor 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 VR

• = 18-35mm

1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm F3.5-5.6:

• 27-81mm eq. range

1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom

• 27-81mm eq. range
• announced Mar 2014

1 Nikkor 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens:

• announced Aug 2012
• no VR!

1 Nikkor 10-100mm f/4-5.6

• = 27-270mm

1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm F3.8-5.6 lens:

• 81-297mm eq. range

1 Nikkor 10mm F2.8 pancake lens:

• = 27mm f/7.6

1 Nikkor 18.5mm f/1.8 lens:

• = 50mm f/4.9

1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2:

• = 86mm f/3.2 portrait lens
• 52mm filter
• close focus 0.45m
• 7 rounded blades
• 235g, 47mm long
• ~$US900, available June 2013

1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6:

• 27-270mm 10x power zoom for HD video

1 NIKKOR VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6

• announced Mar 2014
• 189-810mm fov eq