Review Nikon V1 and J1 Pocket DSLR

It’s probably understatement, but the pocket friendly DSLR camera landscape is heating up. Today, Nikon announced the Nikon J1 and V1, an interchangeable lens mount camera that boasts HD video capture and a super fast autofocus system that is currently unparalleled.

First, let’s get the core features out of the way. Behind the lens sits Nikon’s all new EXPEED 3 image processing engine. It can capture full HD video at 30fps or 10.1 megapixel images. For low light situations the J1 and V1 can increase their ISO to 3200, provided of course the built-in pop up flash doesn’t suffice.

So what makes the J1 and V1 unique? Aside from boasting and interchangeable lens system, they can snap up to 60 images a second if the focus is locked. That number drops to 10fps when full adaptive focus is activated, which uses up to 73-points to create a crisp image in not time flat, large in part thanks to the world’s fastest hybrid autofocus system.

There are of course your standard scene modes, and a feature called “Smart One” that snaps up to 5 images and then selects the best one based on exposure, face detection and focus.

By default the Nikon 1 series cameras can record HD movies at 30fps. However, they can also capture full motion video at 400 and 1200fps, though you’ll inevitably sacrifice picture quality.