Nikon 1 series
The Nikon 1 series is a line of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras from Nikon, originally announced on 21 September 2011. The cameras utilized Nikon 1-mount lenses, and featured 1" CX format sensors. The FT-1 adapter was available, which allowed Nikon 1 users to mount nearly all Nikon F-mount lenses, with significant limitations on non-autofocus lenses and autofocus lenses without an internal focusing motor.
Nikon discontinued the Nikon 1 series in July 2018 and launched the mirrorless -series cameras later that year, using full-frame sensors and a new Nikon Z-mount line of lenses. The Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6 were the first two models. As of 2024, the Nikon Z-series also has largely replaced Nikon's D-series DSLRs with APS-C and full-frame sensors.
Cameras
The series included the Nikon 1 V1, J1, J2, and S1 with a 10-megapixel image sensor, the V2, J3, S2 and AW1 with a 14-megapixel image sensor and further increased autofocus speed to 15 frames per second, and the 1 V3, J4 with a new 18-megapixel image sensor, further increased autofocus speed to 20 fps, 120 fps HD slow-motion at 1280 x 720 and 1080/60p. The J5 model added a 20.8MP sensor in 2015 and kept most other technical specifications the same as the J4 model.At the time of announcement, Nikon claimed that the cameras featured the world's fastest autofocus, with 10 fps—even during videos—based on hybrid autofocus, as well as the world's fastest continuous shooting speed among all cameras with interchangeable lenses. Slow-motion movies can be captured in up to 1200 fps with reduced resolution. Its inbuilt intervalometer enables time-lapse photography.
New technologies
- Nikon CX format with 2.7 times crop factor. Although the image sensor area of 13.2 x 8.8mm is about half of the Micro Four Thirds system and a quarter of the Nikon DX format, it delivers a good performance for this small size, comparable to older Four-Thirds sensors like Olympus E-5, Olympus PEN E-P3, Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 or older DSLRs like Nikon D40. The smaller sensor considerably increases the depth of field compared to a 35mm FX camera at the same angle of view and f-number.
- CMOS image sensor with integrated 73 phase detection sensors providing hybrid autofocus with both phase detection and 135-point contrast detect AF delivering what Nikon claimed to be fastest commercially available autofocus.
- Nikon 1-mount and F-mount adapter FT1 enabling the use of all F-mount lenses with integrated autofocus motors|F-mount lenses especially with integrated autofocus motor]. The FT1 adapter mounts and meters with all AI-P, AF, AF-S, D and G lenses and compatibles providing autofocus with all lenses with integrated autofocus motor. It further mounts Pre-AI, AI, AI-S and E lenses without metering as well as lenses which jut out the F-mount. Although not recommended, it is used with teleconverters for extreme telephotos.
- Lenses featuring Rear Focusing system with reduced moving masses and world's fastest extremely quiet Voice Coil motors or Stepping (STM) motors to speed-up autofocus.
- 3-Speed silent Power-Drive motor zoom in the Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom optimized for shooting HD movies.
- Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom integrates many technologies: 21 elements including 1 High Refractive Index, 3 Extra-low Dispersion and 2 aspherical lenses, Super Integrated Coating, internal focusing with world's fastest quiet Voice Coil motor, 3-speed silent PD-Zoom, Vibration Reduction, retractable lens mechanism and 7 rounded diaphragm blades. Together with the Canon EF 28-300mm lens it is the only current superzoom with 20 elements or more.
- Fast electronic shutter or additional electronically controlled mechanical focal-plane shutter.
- The V1 incorporates a 'multi accessory port' currently used for dedicated 1 Series flash and GPS units as well as AS-N1000 cold shoe adapter for mounting the ME-1 stereo microphone.
- High-speed dual multi-core image-processing pipelines with 600 megapixels per second speed: Expeed 3.
- Smart Photo Selector Mode enables selection of the best candidates out of a high-speed sequence.
- Advanced High-definition video recording allows uninterrupted filming while capturing high-resolution photos.
- Firmware updates of the Nikon 1 lenses are possible.
Other technologies
- As in all Nikon DSLRs with CMOS sensors, it integrates an active D-Lighting system, automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration and vignetting.
- Autofocus modes include 3D subject-tracking, 41 points auto-area, manual focus and others.
- Built-in time-lapse photography intervalometer
Lens system
Nikon developed an entirely new system of lenses and the Nikon 1-mount lens mount for the Nikon 1 series. These lenses are only compatible with 1-mount cameras. Nikon has not debuted a new lens mount since the F mount that routine users of the Nikon D series are accustomed to. Although the F-mount adapter FT1 enables the use of all F-mount compatible lenses, these lenses are meant to be portable and compact. There are 13 Nikkor lenses specifically built to fit the Nikon 1-mount in addition to several manual focus lenses from Samyang.- 1 Nikkor 10mm 2.8
- 1 Nikkor AW 10mm 2.8
- 1 Nikkor 18.5mm 1.8
- 1 Nikkor 32mm 1.2
- 1 Nikkor VR 6.7-13mm 3.5-5.6
- 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm 3.5-5.6
- 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm 3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom
- 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm 4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom
- 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6
- 1 Nikkor 11–27.5mm 3.5-5.6
- 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm 3.8-5.6
- 1 Nikkor VR 70-300mm 4.5-5.6
Accessories
Nikon presented at PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo 2011 many forthcoming lenses, LED video and macro lights and video kits. With the 1 series cameras having a non-standard hot shoe, the SB-N5 flashgun, which drew power from the camera itself, was made available. Every lens shown at the 2011 PDN PhotoPlus trade show but the macro lens of unknown focal length were eventually released before the system was discontinued.| Name | Camera | Bounce | Guide Number | Duration | Covers | W×H×D | Wgt. | Notes |
| SB-N5 | V-series | 0–90° / ±180° | s | |||||
| SB-N7 | V-series | 0–120° | s | 10 mm | ||||
| SB-N10 | AW1 | 80° | Waterproof to | |||||
| LD-1000 | Any with tripod socket | 65/130 lux | ±55° × ±72° |
| Name | Camera | Lens | Max. depth | W×H×D | Wgt. | Notes |
| WP-N1 | J1, J2 | 10–30mm | ||||
| WP-N2 | J3, S1 | 10–30mm | ||||
| WP-N3 | J4, S2 | 10–30mm, 11–27.5mm |
Other accessories
;FT1: This lens adapter allows many Nikon F-mount lenses to be used with a Nikon 1 series camera; the J5 has additional restrictions on compatibility. Autofocus is supported with AF-S lenses, and VR lenses support image stabilization. AF lenses without an internal motor are supported in manual focus mode, with a focus indicator available, and AI-type manual focus lenses are supported with limitations on metering and autoexposure modes.;GP-N100: This GPS unit, designed for the Nikon 1 V-series cameras, draws its power from the body and writes the current position to the file EXIF after the location has been acquired.
;N1-CL1: This single-element diopter attaches to lenses with a 40.5 mm filter thread and shortens the minimum focus distance. With the 10–30 mm lens, the minimum focus distance is, and with the 30–110 mm, the minimum focus distance is.
;WU-1a and WU-1b: These wireless adapters allow the user to download images directly from the camera to a smartphone or tablet connected wirelessly through 802.11b or 802.11g using WPA2-PSK security. It also allows the connected phone/tablet to act as a remote shutter release with some mode limitations. The 1a is compatible with the S2 along with some Nikon D-series DSLRs and advanced Coolpix cameras; the 1b is compatible with the AW1, J3, S1, and V2 in addition to the D600 and D610 DSLRs.