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The V3, shown here with the new power

CNET Editors' Take March 12, 2014 9:01 PM PDT

(Credit: Nikon)


Nikon takes its flagship interchangeable-lens camera line to new heights, promising the fastest burst with autofocus at full resolution in its class. The Nikon 1 V3 not only outdoes the AW1 with a 20fps continuous-shooting rate, but incorporates an updated autofocus system that covers more of the imaging area than previous versions, plus a new version of its 1-inch sensor that (like many of Nikon's cameras of late) drops the anti-aliasing filter from the sensor for the promise of sharper images. In a considerable redesign of the V2, the camera has a much smaller grip and drops the built-in EVF in favor of a bundled add-on unit.



(Credit: Nikon)


The bulked-up feature set includes a tilting touch-screen LCD and built-in Wi-Fi. In addition to a bump in video frame rate to 60p, the camera also has 720p slow-motion capability, and there's electronic image stabilization available in movie mode. A new creative mode aggregates a lot of existing filters but adds the ability to change parameters. Nikon includes an add-on grip with the kit (GR-N1010) that compensates for the slimmed down grip on the body when you've got a heavy lens attached; it has a second shutter, subcommand dial, and function button.


Speaking of lenses, the V3 comes with a new kit lens. Nikon's jumping on the power zoom bandwagon with an electronic version of its 10-30mm CX-mount staple. Dubbed the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom, it has the same specs as its standard sibling but is about a half-inch shorter and an ounce lighter. It also costs more than $100 more; its manufacturer price will be $299.95 when bought standalone. And because one of the benefits of opting for a small-sensored camera is more compact telephoto lenses, Nikon debuts the 1 Nikkor 70-300 f4.5-5.6 VR, with an effective focal range of 189-810mm and some of the higher-end coatings. While it's pretty compact -- only 4.2 inches long at rest -- it's fairly heavy at over a pound (19.7 oz./560 g), and not inexpensive at just under $1,000.


Fujifilm X-T1Nikon 1 V2Nikon 1 V3Olympus OM-D E-M5Sony Alpha ILCE-6000 (A6000) Sensor (effective resolution)

16.3MP X-Trans CMOS II


14.2MP CMOS 12-bit


18.4MP CMOS 12-bit


16.1MP Live MOS 12 bits


24.3MP Exmor HD CMOS n/a


23.6 x 15.8mm


13.2 x 8.8mm


13.2 x 8.8mm


17.3mm x 13mm


23.5 x 15.6mm


OLPF

No


Yes


No


Yes


Yes


Burst shooting

8fps unlimited 47 JPEG/n/a raw


5fps (mechanical shutter) (60fps with fixed focus, electronic shutter)


20fps (60fps with fixed focus)


9fps 17 JPEG/11 raw


11fps n/a


Viewfinder

EVF 0.5-inch 2.4 million dots 100% coverage 1.2x/0.77x


0.5-inch EVF 1.44 million dots 100% coverage n/a


Bundled EVF 0.5-inch 2.4 million dots 100% coverage n/a


EVF n/a-inch 1.44m dots 100% coverage 1.15x/0.58x


OLED EVF 0.4-inch 1.44 million dots 100% coverage 1.07x/0.71x


Autofocus

49-area contrast AF; phase-detection AF


41-point phase detection, 135-area contrast AF


105-point phase detection 171-area contrast AF


35-area contrast AF


175-point phase detection, 25-area contrast AF


Best video

1080/60p H.264 QuickTime MOV (14 minutes)


1080/60i/30p H.264 MOV


1080/60p/30p H.264 MOV


1080/60i QuickTime MOV @ 20, 17Mbps


AVCHD 1080/60p @ 28Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24Mbps


LCD size

3-inch fixed LCD 1.04 million dots


3-inch fixed 920,000 dots


3-inch tilting touch screen 1.04 million dots


3-inch tilting touch screen OLED 614,000 dots


3-inch tilting touch screen 921,600 dots


Size (WHD)

5.0 x 3.5 x 1.8 (inches) 129.0 x 89.8 x 46.7 (mm)


4.2 x 3.2 x 1.8 (inches) 107.8 x 81.6 x 45.9 (mm)


4.4 x 2.6 x 1.3 (inches) 110.9 x 65 x 33.2 (mm)


4.8 x 3.5 x 1.7 (inches) 121.9 x 88.9 x 43.2 (mm)


4.8 x 2.9 x 1.8 (inches) 120 x 67 x 45 (mm)


Body operating weight (ounces)

15.6 oz 442.3 g


9.8 oz (est) 278 g (est)


11.4 oz (est) 324 g (est)


15.1 oz 428.1 g


12.1 oz (est) 344 g (est)


Mfr. price (US $)

$1,299.95 (body only)


$799.95 (body only)


n/a


$999.99 (body only)


$649.99 (body only)


$1,699.95 (with 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens)


$899.95 (with 10-30mm lens)


$1,199.95 (with 10-30mm PD lens)


$1,299.99 (with 12-50mm lens)


$799.99 (with 15-60mm PZ lens)


n/a


$1,049.95 (with 10-30 and 30-110mm lenses)


n/a


$1,099.99 (with 14-42mm lens)


n/a


The cheaper Nikon 1 models seem to be more in demand, and the V3 comes in at the high end of the spectrum; there's quite a bit of competition in its class, including Nikon's cheaper but weatherproof AW1. It'll be interesting to see if its worth it for the high-speed burst. A lot depends on how deep the buffer is and how sustainable it is not just for JPEG -- and Nikon tends to default to a lower-quality JPEG -- but for raw.


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