Nikon 1 V3 Full Review
The Nikon 1 V3 replaces the Nikon 1 V2 and is the premium mirrorless camera in the Nikon 1 series, the new Nikon 1 V3 no longer features a built-in electronic viewfinder, but comes with an accessory port on top that supports an optional electronic viewfinder. The camera has a new 18.4 megapixel CX (1inch, 13.2×8.8mm) CMOS sensor, shoot at up to 20fps with continuous AF, or snap 40 RAW images at up to 60fps with focus fixed at the first frame. The Nikon 1 V3 is available as a kit with a VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom for £799.99, and with the same lens plus an EVF and grip for £1049.99.
Nikon 1 V3 Features
The Nikon 1 V3 has an 18.4 megapixel CMOS sensor without an optical low-pass filter to capture sharper detail, ISO160 – ISO12800, RAW image shooting. The camera has PSAM shooting modes, front and rear command dials, and programmable function buttons. The mechanical shutter is rated for 100,000 shots, and there is also the option of using the electronic shutter, which is used when shooting at high speeds.
There is a Hybrid AF system – the 171 point hybrid AF system allows shooting speeds up to 20fps with continuous AF, and the camera will automatically switch between the 105 phase-detection AF points and contrast detection AF, which extends to the edge of the frame to focus on peripheral subject.
Built in Wi-Fi lets you control the camera from your smartphone, as well as share images to social network sites via your smartphone. HD movies are recorded with hybrid AF and subject tracking, you can also shoot full resolution images while recording.
The camera has a solid metal body with a moulded rubber grip from the front to the back of the camera. The camera features a 3inch tilting touch-screen with a 1037k dot resolution. The touch-screen lets you set the focus point, shoot photos and adjust settings.
There are a number of optional accessories available, including an electronic viewfinder (EVF), the Nikon 1 DF-N1000 with a 2,359k dot resolution and near 100% frame coverage. An optional grip is available, the GR-N1010, which will help when using Nikkor DSLR lenses with the FT1 Mount adapter.
Key Features
- 18.4 megapixel CX format (1inch) CMOS sensor
- Nikon 1 lens mount
- 3inch 1037k dot tilting touch-screen
- 171 AF points, 105 phase detection
- EXPEED 4A image processor
- 20fps continuous shooting with continuous AF
- 60fps continuous shooting with fixed AF
- ISO160 – ISO12800
- Full HD, 60p video recording, microphone socket
- Full manual controls and RAW shooting
- Wi-Fi Connectivity
- Available in black
Nikon 1 V3 Handling
The Nikon 1 V3 feels very well built with a solid metal body and an updated and improved designed compared to the slightly DSLR looking V2. There are now two command dials on the V3, letting you set the aperture and shutter speed when in the relevant manual shooting modes. The rear command dial (Fn2) can be pushed in to change settings and acts as the zoom control in playback mode. Both the Fn1 and Fn2 function buttons can be customised. The camera has a good rubber grip that goes from the front of the camera to the back, giving a good area for your thumb to hold on to. For those that would prefer a larger grip, there is the optional grip that gives the camera a more DSLR styled hand-grip – this also adds a 3rd function button – as shown below, with the optional electronic viewfinder.
The Nikon 1 V3 gives side access to the HDMI / USB and MicroSD card slot, and has a microphone socket on the left hand side for connecting an external microphone. There are four buttons on the left hand side of the touch-screen, and these move with the tilting screen, so that it is still easy to use the buttons when the screen is tilted. The top mode dial makes it easy to switch modes, and the buttons on the back of the camera all fall neatly into position, so you can quickly change settings when holding the camera with one hand. The manual pop-up flash is accessed by a side button, and can be tilted up (and held in position with your hand) for bounce flash.
