Fast shooter The small J4 has many of the features of Nikon’s more expensive V3. Amy Davies finds out if the image quality is as good
ikon has added a new compact system camera to its Nikon 1 family, not long after introducing the V3 (reviewed in Digital Camera 154). The Nikon 1 system has become a pretty established CSC brand, with a variety of models available to suit different needs. The J range sits smack-bang in the middle of the line-up, offering many of the same functions as the higher V3, but in a smaller body.
Announced roughly a year after the J3 made its debut, the J4 features the same 18.4-million pixel CX format (one-inch) sensor and Hybrid AF system as the V3. This means it doesn’t have an anti-aliasing filter, for better detail resolution, and its 171 focus areas are said to help lock onto subjects quickly.
NKey features
Along with the sensor, the J4 shares the same image processor as the V3 and, like the V3, it doesn’t have an electronic viewfinder (EVF). With the J4, however, there’s no hotshoe mount for attaching additional accessories, although there is a built-in flash.
An improved hybrid autofocusing system has been introduced, featuring 171 contrast-detection and 105 phasedetection points. The cameras in Nikon’s 1 range also have the ability to take stills incredibly quickly, with up to 60 frames per second (fps) shooting available. While the rear screen doesn’t tilt as it does on the V3, it is touch-sensitive, which is useful for making changes to settings and quickly changing the autofocus point.
Other useful and interesting features include integrated Wi-Fi, full HD video recording and a Creative Palette, which enables you to see effects applied to your image as you shoot. To do this, slide your finger around the ring on the touchscreen, or rotate the multi-selector.
The J4 comes bundled with the 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens as standard, which is both retractable and a power zoom. There’s a decent range of optics available for the Nikon 1 range now, including both prime lenses and zooms.
Build and Handling
The J4 features a much more compact design than the V3. Despite the lack of a finger grip, it still sits fairly nicely