Nikon 1 S1 - review of the model, customer reviews and experts

Last year, within the framework of the international exhibition CES, the debut of the mirrorless Nikon 1 S1 camera took place. Feedback from representatives of the manufacturer company characterized the camera as a compact device with a simple menu and control, which is quite high performance. The appearance of it on the market is connected, first of all, with the rise in price from the version to the version of the older generation, which is called J. As a result, it became necessary to fill the vacant niche with a cheap modification. That's why the Nikon 1 S1 was created. Overview of the camera is described in more detail below.

general description

The model is built on the same platform as the above mentioned J series. In terms of size, this camera is quite compact and fits comfortably in the inside pocket of a jacket or in a bag. Together with this because of the plastic glossy surface to hold the device with one hand is not quite convenient. In addition, the distance from the lens to the beginning of the body is quite small. The model is available in black, pink, white, red and camouflage color scheme. Without taking into account the lens and battery, it weighs 197 grams, and its dimensions are 102 x 60.5 x 29.7 millimeters. The debut of the device in the domestic market took place in February last year. As for the cost of the Nikon 1 S1, the price of the modification is 499 US dollars.

Appearance

On the front panel of the case there is an objective and a button for its removal in case of need of replacement. There is also a highlight for focusing, which in parallel plays the role of an indicator of automatic descent. The side left panel is empty, while on the right there is a key for activating the flash and two inputs protected by special lids - HDMI and USB 2.0. They are used to connect external devices to the Nikon 1 S1. The first customers' testimonies indicate that people with short nails often have problems with access to these connectors, because the plugs are designed with the casing on one level and have only a small gap for the pick-up.

At the top there is a quick-launch button for video, a power indicator, two microphones and a built-in flash. The bottom is provided with a battery compartment, sockets for installing a memory card and a tripod, as well as a built-in speaker. On both sides there are fasteners for the strap included in the basic equipment.

The liquid crystal display with a diagonal of three inches by 460 thousand pixels is located on the back of the Nikon 1 S1. The review of it is quite extensive. To the right of it you can see the buttons used to control the menu, view and delete images. There is also a disc in which the function switch is integrated into four positions (timer mode selection, continuous shooting, flash operation and exposure compensation). The input key is its center. It should be noted that the model does not have a wheel for selecting the shooting mode, which is not very convenient when using the Nikon 1 S1. The feedback of many owners of this device is a vivid confirmation of this.

Main characteristics

The camera uses an entirely new processor for processing images EXPEED 3A. In addition to it, you can not fail to note the sensor type CMOS size of 10.1 megapixels. Due to this, the camera is capable of serial shooting at full resolution at a rate of 15 frames per second. Such speed can not boast of any other mirrorless device not only from Nikon. The market review indicates that it is now difficult to find similar cameras with such characteristics from other manufacturers. The ISO sensitivity is in the range of 100 to 6400 units. The device is equipped with a retractable flash, as well as a very fast automatic focus for capturing photos and video. Among other things, it provides a technology with which you can take snapshots of objects in motion.

Image Quality

Pictures taken with the Nikon 1 S1 model are quite high quality. In the event that the settings are correctly selected, the pictures are not only saturated and beautiful, but also have a large resolution. If you increase them to 100%, even small elements are not blurred and do not turn into "mess". This indicator is not typical even for some SLR cameras. Separate words deserve a function, which is called "Night Landscape". The fact is that it provides an opportunity to make excellent photos even in the dark without using a tripod. The noise level in this case is quite tolerable, while the color rendition is practically not lost. The received files are saved in the formats JPEG, NEF RAW, and also NEF RAW + JPEG. What are the images made with Nikon 1 S1? Examples of photos can be seen below.

Separate words deserve such a function as "Shooting the best moment." Its highlight is that, when activated, the device begins to take pictures at the stage when the shutter button is not fully pressed. The result of the mode is a series of images.

Shooting video

The video is recorded in Full HD format. The duration of a single clip in this model is limited to twenty minutes. It should be noted that even despite the desire to cheaper novelties, the video is accompanied by a stereo sound. Information regarding the recording settings of the Nikon 1 S1 camera is displayed in the upper left corner, while the microphone sensitivity is initially set automatically. However, the user has the ability to manually configure three different levels of it or disable at all. As for the advanced characteristics of video shooting, it is possible to select the mode and focus area, resolution, frame rate, as well as the type of metering. Among other things, the device is equipped with a priority function for persons.

Turning on and off

You can switch the Nikon 1 S1 on and off at once using two methods. In this case, it's about pressing the appropriate power button or extending the lens. At the same time, one can not but note the nuance that, if the device is functioning in the photo view mode, it is possible to use only the first of the mentioned methods.

Menu

Immediately after entering the device menu, six positions are available: "Capture mode", "Setup", "Videos", "Image processing", "Survey" and "Preview". The choice of the required item is made by entering it. Not all positions are available at the same time, which is not very convenient. In this case, in order to get to the expanded menu, you should click on the left side of the wheel to scroll. Similarly, there is a choice of filters and effects, for example, "Night Scenery", "Back Lighting", "Night Portrait" and so on.

Features such as "Miniature Effect" and "Smoothing Filter" have become the most useless of all those that are provided for the Nikon 1 S1. Review of the opinions of many experts and users of the device proves that their implementation is not even at an average level, leaving much to be desired. Due to the inability to adjust the power of the effects to be applied, when using these modes, as a rule, not very attractive photos are obtained.

Lenses

As it was mentioned above, it is necessary to lay out about 500 dollars for a standard configuration (with a zoom lens of 11-27.5 mm). Together with this, the characteristics of the camera can be significantly improved. Even during the presentation of the model at the CES, the representatives of the manufacturer showed additional lenses for the Nikon 1 S1. Both of them belong to the family 1 NIKKOR. The first of them is a VR of 6.7-13 mm f / 3.5-5.6 (18-35 mm equiv.), And the second is a VR of 10-100 mm f / 4-5.6 (27-270 mm Equiv.). Their cost, respectively, is about 500 and 550 US dollars. If desired, buyers can additionally purchase for their protection also a waterproof cover, which is estimated at $ 750. When used with a camera, you can safely dive to a depth of up to forty meters.

Shortcomings and difficulties

The biggest problems associated with the operation of the device usually arise when choosing manual modes of operation. In the event that the user wants to change the white balance independently , ISO or choose any of the Picture Control items prepared by the manufacturer, you should enter the image processing mode. The metering and focus metering characteristics are hidden in the "Shooting" item. In other words, people who can be classified as advanced users of this kind of technology will need a few minutes of time and a lot of manipulation just to make the kind of picture that they would like.

Another drawback of the Nikon 1 S1 model is that when certain modes are activated, the pictures will differ significantly in colors from what they saw in the lens at the time of focusing the image. Typically, this applies to manual modes during shooting in twilight. The result is a more gray picture than the one you would like to get. One can not but note the nuance that the manufacturers did not provide for the modification of the optical stabilizer of the image of the lens.

conclusions

In general, the model can be safely described as one of the most optimal options for people who want an easy-to-manage, compact and affordable camera that can make high-quality beautiful pictures. Moreover, it gives excellent results when operating in motion, so it is recommended to pay attention to active lifestyle lovers who travel a lot. On the other hand, the Nikon 1 S1 camera is far from being the most successful solution for those who like to customize the device to obtain ideal frames and images. Such people should pay attention to other modifications that provide quick access to functions that are used often.