Nikon Introduces New 1 V3 Mirorless Digital Camera
Nikon's new 1 V3 mirorless digital camera is aimed at enthusiasts offering more flexibility than previous models at a higher price.
Nikon's latest 1-System camera features an advanced autofocus system, twin control dials, super-fast continuous shooting (with AF), Raw support, and 1080/60p video. The V3 also supports an optional 2.36 million dot EVF as well as a convenient grip featuring an additional shutter release, custom button, and control dial.
The V3 now has three control dials - one on the front of the camera, another on the top, and a third around the four-way controller on the back of its body. It also offers
a pair of customizable buttons (Fn1 and Fn2).
As with other Nikon 1-Series cameras, the V3 does not have a standard hot shoe. Instead, it has Nikon's proprietary accessory port, to which you can attach a flash or stereo microphone. The camera has a built-in flash, with a guide number of 5 meters at ISO 100.
While the V2 had a fixed LCD, the V3 has a tilting, 3" touchscreen with 1.04 million dots. As you'd expect, you can use the touchscreen to focus and take photos, and flip through photos in playback mode. The buttons on the left of the display tilt as well, as does the hidden infrared port for an optional wireless remote.
The V3 now uses microSD cards instead of the traditional SD cards used by the V2. It comes with a new 18.4 megapixel CX-format (1"-type) CMOS sensor - up from 14.2MP on the V2. The sensor has no anti-aliasing filter, which promises higher resolution. Both sensors have Hybrid Autofocus, which combines contrast and phase detection. The V3 has an advantage over its predecessor, not only having more contrast detect areas (171 vs. 135), but more phase detect points as well (171 vs. 73).
All of those phase detect areas provide nearly 100% frame coverage, which gives the camera a lot more area in which to work with when it comes to subject tracking.
The V3 can shoot sequentially at an impressive 20 frames per second, with continuous autofocus.
The new sensor allows 60p video recording, up from 60i on the V2. There are a number of high speed modes as well, with the ability to shoot 720p video at 120 fps being the most notable.
Another movie function is Jump Cut, which captures video every other second. The V3 always has 20 full resolution stills in its buffer, and automatically removes the bad ones, so when you press the shutter release, the camera will save what it considers the best shots.
The DF-N1000 electronic viewfinder is bundled with the camera in the U.S., and optional in other markets. The viewfinder has 2.36 million dots and covers 100% of the frame. An eye sensor will switch between the LCD and EVF automatically.
Another accessory is the GR-N1010 grip.
Both of these accessories will be included in the U.S., but are optional in other regions.
The Nikon 1 V3 comes with a power zoom version of the 10-30mm F3.5-5.6 lens. The ring around the PD-Zoom version serves as the zoom controller, moving the lens through its 27-81mm (equiv.) focal range.
The Nikon 1 V3, kitted with the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens, the DF-N1000 Electronic Viewfinder and the GR-N1010 Grip will be available in April 2014 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $1,199.95. The 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom and the 1 NIKKOR VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses will also be sold separately for $299.95 and $999.95 SRP, respectively.
The V3 now has three control dials - one on the front of the camera, another on the top, and a third around the four-way controller on the back of its body. It also offers
a pair of customizable buttons (Fn1 and Fn2).
As with other Nikon 1-Series cameras, the V3 does not have a standard hot shoe. Instead, it has Nikon's proprietary accessory port, to which you can attach a flash or stereo microphone. The camera has a built-in flash, with a guide number of 5 meters at ISO 100.
While the V2 had a fixed LCD, the V3 has a tilting, 3" touchscreen with 1.04 million dots. As you'd expect, you can use the touchscreen to focus and take photos, and flip through photos in playback mode. The buttons on the left of the display tilt as well, as does the hidden infrared port for an optional wireless remote.
The V3 now uses microSD cards instead of the traditional SD cards used by the V2. It comes with a new 18.4 megapixel CX-format (1"-type) CMOS sensor - up from 14.2MP on the V2. The sensor has no anti-aliasing filter, which promises higher resolution. Both sensors have Hybrid Autofocus, which combines contrast and phase detection. The V3 has an advantage over its predecessor, not only having more contrast detect areas (171 vs. 135), but more phase detect points as well (171 vs. 73).
All of those phase detect areas provide nearly 100% frame coverage, which gives the camera a lot more area in which to work with when it comes to subject tracking.
The V3 can shoot sequentially at an impressive 20 frames per second, with continuous autofocus.
The new sensor allows 60p video recording, up from 60i on the V2. There are a number of high speed modes as well, with the ability to shoot 720p video at 120 fps being the most notable.
Another movie function is Jump Cut, which captures video every other second. The V3 always has 20 full resolution stills in its buffer, and automatically removes the bad ones, so when you press the shutter release, the camera will save what it considers the best shots.
The DF-N1000 electronic viewfinder is bundled with the camera in the U.S., and optional in other markets. The viewfinder has 2.36 million dots and covers 100% of the frame. An eye sensor will switch between the LCD and EVF automatically.
Another accessory is the GR-N1010 grip.
Both of these accessories will be included in the U.S., but are optional in other regions.
The Nikon 1 V3 comes with a power zoom version of the 10-30mm F3.5-5.6 lens. The ring around the PD-Zoom version serves as the zoom controller, moving the lens through its 27-81mm (equiv.) focal range.
The Nikon 1 V3, kitted with the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens, the DF-N1000 Electronic Viewfinder and the GR-N1010 Grip will be available in April 2014 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $1,199.95. The 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom and the 1 NIKKOR VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses will also be sold separately for $299.95 and $999.95 SRP, respectively.
