Auto-Focus and Image Quality
I found the auto-focus on the Nikon 1 V3 to be very fast and accurate under good lighting conditions, including AF-C at 20 fps. I was able to capture some nice runs of images of birds in flight with the V3 under good lighting conditions. Here is a single frame capture from a run of 15 AF-C images.
In low light the AF on the Nikon 1 V3 does struggle a bit and wasn’t quite as good as my V2 as it hunted for focus a bit more in these kinds of challenging conditions.
The V3 does not have a low-pass filter and images are slightly sharper than the V2 as a result. Birders and wildlife shooters will appreciate the added feather and fur detail etc. that this allows.
I did not notice any difference in terms of dynamic range or colour depth between the Nikon 1 V3 and my V2. The same shooting considerations that one would take with other Nikon 1 cameras would apply to the Nikon 1 V3. As with other Nikon 1 cameras I’ve found that it is better to underexpose an image if needed in order to help avoid losing highlight details. Shadow details tend to be easier to recover from RAW files in post.
Even though the dynamic range and colour depth performance of the sensors used in Nikon 1 cameras have not really improved since the V1 was introduced in September of 2011, I find it interesting that Nikon has been able to maintain relative performance levels even after dramatically increasing pixel density from 10.1 MP on the V1, to 14.2 MP on the V2, and now up to 18.4 MP on the V3. The higher pixel density does come in handy as it allows for more potential cropping which birders and wildlife photographers will appreciate with the V3.
Low light performance is at the same level with other Nikon 1 cameras and to get the most out of the Nikon 1 V3 it is important to shoot in RAW and use software that is very adept at noise reduction. I use DxO OpticsPro 10 as my sole RAW processor and I find it does a terrific job with its PRIME noise reduction function.
When coupled with some of the best quality Nikon 1 lenses such as the 32mm f/1.2 or the CX 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 the V3 can produce some very good quality images.
Hi tom,
I am a nikon 1 j5 user , and i am inspired by you. I bought j5 in may 2016 and i i’ve already 5 lenses.
And now i need your opinion. Somehow i miss the evf, and i felt a little distrubed changing lens all the time. I thought i’d like to buy a second camera.
The option are the v2 , v3 or just wait for v4 or j6 with evf maybe? If i choose v2, do you think it will be an upgrade for my gear? Since j5 has better performance than v2.
After i read this article i dont think v3 is an option, due to its high price and common performance with my j5. So should i wait for the v4 or j6?
Thx tom for your attention.
Edwin
Hi Edwin,
Having an extra body can make things easier, especially when travelling. A camera body with an EVF is preferred by many people as it makes it easier for certain types of images, birds-in-flight for example. During my recent trips I travelled with a pair of J5s and a V2, with a 1 Nikon zoom attached to each. It certainly made it very quick to capture my images and move on.
No one knows what Nikon will be doing with the Nikon 1 line up in terms of new bodies, although a J6 is the best bet. Whether it will have an EVF is unknown.
One option that you could pursue is a good, used V2 or V3. That way you could get your second body for an affordable price, while allowing yourself some time to see what Nikon does with future Nikon 1 bodies. The sensor in the J5 is better than the ones in the V2 or V3 so there is some trade-off. The V2 and V3 have larger buffers so they are better when shooting birds-in-flight in continuous auto-focus at fast frame rates.
Tom
great summary. i’d just like to add for some of us holding out for a V4, a regular hot shoe and Nikon CLS would be additional desirable features.
Hi whisky,
Glad you enjoyed the article! I added a regular hot shoe…thanks for catching that for me!
Tom
Thanks again Tom for the review. I have been shooting with the v3 exactly 3 times now and overall I am impressed. I am over the micro SD thing (I think) but that was a major strange move from Nikon. I also don’t like the grip remove to change the battery, but I love the additional dial it gives me to make my experience with it – just like my D7100.
One point I HATE is no battery icon until it is about out. Maybe I will adjust to that, maybe not.
You are spot on with the comments on body. I think they were trying to keep the J and the V in line, but the penalty is simply too high. Also the EVF isn’t nearly as good as the v2, colors and mine is dimmer as well.
I do however love the feel of the grip and the touch screen has been a wonder. So nice to touch and change! Also love the Fn buttons set for my preferences. I have my back knob set for exposure comp and can press and turn for adjustment – simply brilliant. For this reason alone – I will keep the v3.
IQ still shows the 1″ sensor but hey I love the portability that gives me.
70-300 arrives TODAY. I am thrilled about that add-on.
At the end of the day my v2 and v3 will stay with me.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Always great to hear from you – and I’m glad you liked the review! I think Nikon did a lot of things right with the V3…but also took a couple of steps backwards with it as well. Hopefully that will be corrected with a future V4. I think you will love the CX 70-300! I found it to be a great combination for birds etc. If you set the EVF to turn off the rear panel you’ll be amazed with how much the battery life is extended.
Tom
Hi Tom –
Thanks for the good review. While I have been eyeing the V3, I have opted to wait for the V4 before replacing the V1 (which I totally enjoy). Personally, I don’t see the issue with the micro SD card – I never remove my cards unless replacing them, because I transfer data via cable. I agree with you, too, that the V3 combined with the 70-300 seems to produce better images than the V2 and 70-300. Anyway, keep up the good work!
–Naomi
Hi Naomi,
Thanks for your positive comment – I’m glad you enjoyed the review! I was disappointed with some of the design choices that Nikon made with the camera, and like you, I’m waiting to see what happens with a future V4. Having said that, I did enjoy shooting with the V3 a lot more than I anticipated and found it to be a very capable camera. Interesting that you transfer data via cable. I’ve not done that but I think it is something for me to consider.
Tom
Great review!
I was going to buy a V3 but was put off by the external EVF, different battery and micro SD card. I hate micro SD cards – so small and fiddly and then you need to put them into a an SD card holder to read then.
I thought the money was better spent on the CX70-300 lens which is superb! I don’t regret my choice.
Oddly, I prefer the files from the V1. They are ‘grainier’ but seem more organic than the V2 files.
But, it’s going to be interesting to see what Nikon bring out for the V4! Like you, I hope it’s more V2 style.
Hi Bob,
I totally agree that the CX 70-300 lens is superb! I don’t regret buying mine either! The soon-to-be-released J5 is rumoured to have a new 20.8MP sensor and 4K video. If Nikon goes back to a V2 style of camera with the V4, keeps all of the good things with the V3 and adds the 4K etc. it may tempt me to buy a copy.
Tom