Photography

Nikon improves AF and continuous shooting for 1 system V3 addition

Nikon improves AF and continuous shooting for 1 system V3 addition
The Nikon 1 V3, including optional EVF and grip
The Nikon 1 V3, including optional EVF and grip
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The optional 2,359k-dot DF-N1000 electronic viewfinder
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The optional 2,359k-dot DF-N1000 electronic viewfinder
The GR-N1010 Grip adds another function button, a sub-command dial and an extra shutter release button to the V3's existing spread of controls
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The GR-N1010 Grip adds another function button, a sub-command dial and an extra shutter release button to the V3's existing spread of controls
The Nikon 1 V3 with optional EVF and grip
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The Nikon 1 V3 with optional EVF and grip
The GR-N1010 Grip adds another function button, a sub-command dial and an extra shutter release button to the V3's existing spread of controls
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The GR-N1010 Grip adds another function button, a sub-command dial and an extra shutter release button to the V3's existing spread of controls
Nikon has treated the camera to a new 3-inch tilting touchscreen display panel at 1,037k-dot resolution
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Nikon has treated the camera to a new 3-inch tilting touchscreen display panel at 1,037k-dot resolution
The Nikon 1 V3 has a built-in flash, but its high ISO noise reduction prowess will likely see it used infrequently
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The Nikon 1 V3 has a built-in flash, but its high ISO noise reduction prowess will likely see it used infrequently
Top view of the Nikon 1 V3
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Top view of the Nikon 1 V3
The Nikon 1 V3 with external flash
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The Nikon 1 V3 with external flash
The Nikon 1 V3 packs an 18.4 megapixel CX-format (13.2 x 8.8 mm) CMOS image sensor and a new EXPEED 4A image processor
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The Nikon 1 V3 packs an 18.4 megapixel CX-format (13.2 x 8.8 mm) CMOS image sensor and a new EXPEED 4A image processor
The 3-inch tilting touchscreen display panel at 1,037k-dot resolution
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The 3-inch tilting touchscreen display panel at 1,037k-dot resolution
The V3's 1 NIKKOR lens options run to eleven, but the optional FT-1 Mount Adapter opening up even more glass to the system
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The V3's 1 NIKKOR lens options run to eleven, but the optional FT-1 Mount Adapter opening up even more glass to the system
The V3 is capable of recording 1080p HD video at up 60 fps, and videographers benefit from electronic vibration reduction in the shape of Movie e-VR to help minimize the effects of camera shake
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The V3 is capable of recording 1080p HD video at up 60 fps, and videographers benefit from electronic vibration reduction in the shape of Movie e-VR to help minimize the effects of camera shake
The Nikon 1 V3, including optional EVF and grip
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The Nikon 1 V3, including optional EVF and grip
View gallery - 13 images

Nikon is adding a new member to its 1 system mirrorless camera range. The company is claiming the world's fastest continuous shooting frame rate (among interchangeable lens digital cameras) for the V3, which also brings a new image sensor, an impressive hybrid autofocus system, high ISO noise reduction prowess and built-in Wi-Fi. The new model is also a little more compact than 2012's V2, having had the built-in electronic viewfinder stripped away.

The Nikon 1 V3 packs an 18.4 megapixel CX-format (13.2 x 8.8 mm) CMOS image sensor and a new EXPEED 4A image processor. The competition-trouncing continuous shooting runs to 20 frames per second (fps) with full autofocus, which should make the capture of fast-moving subjects relatively painless, and the Hybrid AF system boasts 171 contrast focus areas in single-point AF mode, with 105 phase detection areas in the center. There should be little need for the built-in flash, thanks to low-light-friendly ISO160 to 12800 sensitivity.

The Nikon 1 V3 has a built-in flash, but its high ISO noise reduction prowess will likely see it used infrequently
The Nikon 1 V3 has a built-in flash, but its high ISO noise reduction prowess will likely see it used infrequently

The camera has 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.3 in (111 x 65 x 33 mm) body-only dimensions and tips the scales at 11.4 oz (324 g), and is capable of recording 1080p HD video at up 60 fps. Videographers benefit from electronic vibration reduction in the shape of Movie e-VR to help minimize the effects of camera shake, full-time continuous autofocus, and the ability to fire off some stills at the same time as recording video. Reducing the video recording resolution just a little to 720p gives the option of capturing 120 fps slow motion footage.

The V3 is the first 1 Series outing for integrated Wi-Fi, which offers photographers almost instant image review on a wirelessly connected mobile smart device running Nikon's Wireless Mobile Utility app, as well as remote operation. Though Nikon has treated the camera to a new 3-inch tilting touchscreen display panel at 1,037k-dot resolution, the integrated electronic viewfinder (EVF) of old is now an optional external high resolution (2,359k-dot) DF-N1000 unit.

The V3's 1 NIKKOR lens options run to eleven, but adding an FT-1 Mount Adapter (not supplied) opens up even more glass to the system. Among creative features such as Easy Panorama and Selective Color, users will also find that Slow View, Live Image Control and Motion Snapshot have returned to the V-Series with this model. The compact camera will shoot about 310 stills before the supplied Li-ion battery needs a recharge.

The V3 is capable of recording 1080p HD video at up 60 fps, and videographers benefit from electronic vibration reduction in the shape of Movie e-VR to help minimize the effects of camera shake
The V3 is capable of recording 1080p HD video at up 60 fps, and videographers benefit from electronic vibration reduction in the shape of Movie e-VR to help minimize the effects of camera shake

The new Nikon 1 V3 is due for release in April for a suggested retail price of US$1,199.95, and the bundle includes a new 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens, the DF-N1000 EVF and a GR-N1010 Grip (which adds another function button, a sub-command dial and an extra shutter release button to the V3's existing spread of controls).

Product page: Nikon 1 V3

View gallery - 13 images
3 comments
3 comments
Readout Noise
All that impressive tech is wasted on such a teeny tiny sensor. The CX-format (13.2 x 8.8 mm) is no foundation for a high-level camera system. I can't imagine who buys into this system?
Even 4/3rds format (17.3 × 13.0mm), which is just under 2x as large in area as CX-format, is too small in my book.
APS-C format, approx 3x as large in area as CX-format, is the minimum "floor" size for a worthwhile system; full frame 35mm is better, and medium format is best!
SLB
Wellll, Readout, even leaving cost aside for a moment, there's also weight to consider. I love my D600, but having it strapped to my neck for even a couple of hours, even with a relatively light lens, gets pretty tiring. I would actually consider a small, light mirrorless as a second camera for just walking around.
I don't know if this is the one I would pick, but I think it's worth considering.
Mestengo
The reviewer forgot to mention that the 1 series overheats and shuts down after about 20 minutes of video recording in 78 degree heat.