Planning to buy a Nikon 1

[leonkehoe]

Hi guys,

I've received plenty of compliments on my photography, all of my photos have always been taken on the phone I've owned at the time, so now I'd like to invest in a 'proper' camera to see what I can do.

The Nikon 1 has caught my eye. I don't want to go full blown DSLR, they seem rather over the top from where I'm standing? Big clunky things that aren't convenient to carry with you. The Nikon seems like a good compromise?

What do you guys think? Is it a good choice? Should I buy something else?

Thanks,

Leon

[Bobster]

i personally know a photographer who was given a N1 to test drive.. he likes his Pano G1 better than the N1 - although it may have been because it was a pre-production model, it took a whole 5 seconds to power on..

[kalniel]

Depends what you mean by a proper camera.

The step up to a DSLR is an enabler in many ways, some of them I appreciate are:

Large sensor size - this not only enables better IQ/signal:noise ratio, but importantly enables more creative control through depth of field.
Comfort of use - primarily I want using a camera to be enjoyable and comfortable
Speed of use - whether that's option selection or responsiveness of the camera and AF speed etc.
Lens selection - an interchangeable lens system allows you to get the best quality glass for the type of shot you want, and expands the range of parameters you can shoot with

If you don't want to go to a full DSLR for portability reasons, consider which of the above you still want to keep - it's very hard to find a camera in a compact body that has all the above, certainly without breaking the bank!

There are number of DSLR sensors in a compact body cameras available now, with interchangeable lenses: Olympus Pen E-P3/E-PL3, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, Sony Nex 3/5 etc. Ricoh are bringing one out next year I think.

[leonkehoe]

I think the Nikon 1 has me in its clutches and it won't let go. I've told the missus I want it as a joint Christmas/Birthday present (she gets £50 voucher from Amazon if she buys it too!). It's a very popular camera so I expect lens selection will increase.

[kalniel]

*shakes head*

"Should I buy a Nikon 1?"

"No."

"OK I'm buying a Nikon 1"

[Bobster]

*shakes head*

"should i buy a nikon 1?"

"no."

"ok i'm buying a nikon 1"

qftt

[redddraggon]

Nikon 1 seems rather expensive for what it is.

The M4/3 or Nex options seem far more enticing to me.

[leonkehoe]

Guys, nobody explicitly said do not buy it. Besides, the sensor is relatively large, I've held it and it's comfortable, it has interchangeable lenses and it has a 'super high-speed auto focus'. The full specs are here.

[kalniel]

Guys, nobody explicitly said do not buy it.

We both implied it fairly strongly

Besides, the sensor is relatively large

It's closer to a compact camera than a DSLR size though:

it has a 'super high-speed auto focus'.

Must be good then

Seriously, we might think you shouldn't buy it, but at the end of the day, YOUR enjoyment of it is the most important thing. If you ask us, which you did, we'll give our opinion, that's all.

[leonkehoe]

The sensor is large, relative to the number of megapixels and the camera's body.

I put 'super high-speed focus' in single quotes because marketing spiel annoys me. It wasn't meant to be taken as part of my justification for buying it...

The reviews are positive.