Nikon 1 J5

The DSLR camera that puts you in the picture

Compact system cameras (CSCS) combine the simplicity of point-and-shoot with the interchangeable lenses of DSLRS. There are plenty to choose from, but the Nikon 1 series has always stood out. These little cameras can capture bursts of shots at breakneck speed, which allows for slow-motion video and the option to take a load of pictures then choosing the best to save.

The J5 now adds 4K video recording, but here speed is nothing to write home about; you only get a juddering 15 frames per second, making everything look like a Czech cartoon from the Soviet era.

Previously, the priority and manual shooting options (for photographers who want full control of their shots) were relegated to a sub-menu, but on the J5 they’re on the main dial. A second dial and rear wheel control other settings, and there’s a customisable Fn (function) button on the front, and touchscreen access for everything else. Meanwhile, the tilting screen makes it comfortable to shoot at different angles.

Like its predecessors, the J5 can capture 20 shots at up to 60 frames per second (fps). At 20fps it can even autofocus each time, but the results were more miss than hit for us, and the camera then made us wait 40 seconds while it saved the photos to the microsd card. You could miss some crucial action shots in that time.

Normal shooting performance was also annoyingly slow. We had to wait up to three seconds between shots, although this fell to half a second when we disabled image reviews after capture. Rival cameras don’t force you to choose.

The J5 is impressively tiny, partly because its sensor is smaller than others, which can limit image quality. Still, the J5 held its own, showing a visible advantage over basic compact cameras and smartphones. If you want shallow depth of field, for blurred backgrounds, nothing beats a big sensor. We found the J5 was more likely to blur the subject because of its tendency to pick slow shutter speeds on auto in low light.

We really like the design of the J5, but rivals such as the Sony Alpha A5000 offer faster performance and higher image quality, and generally cost less. If multiple lenses aren’t essential, we’d spend £400 on the Sony RX100 II, which has one great lens for superior image quality in an even slimmer, lighter body.

VERDICT: Strong on design and image quality, but performance is annoyingly inconsistent

★★★☆☆

ALTERNATIVE: Sony Alpha A5000 £249 A new low price makes this capable allrounder more appealing

Compact with good image quality, but performance is inconsistent