I reckon the Nikon 1 J5 could be essentially the most reasonably priced retro-themed mirrorless digicam available on the market, however is it (and was it) ever any good?

These days, Nikon’s penchant for retro aptitude is well-known, because of the Nikon Zfc and Nikon Zf. However again in 2015, the Nikon 1 J5 was an enormous departure from the legendary producer’s bulbous DSLRs and even the smooth, fashionable look of its family of ultra-compact mirrorless cameras that made up the Nikon 1 system. The Nikon 1 J5, then, stands out as a classic throwback among the many remainder of the system’s colourful array of avant-garde our bodies such because the Nikon 1 S1. Squint just a little and also you’d be forgiven for considering the Nikon 1 J5 is an OM System / Olympus or Fujifilm digicam. And actually, it shares numerous similarities with, say, Olympus’ PEN vary, however with an excellent smaller sensor.

And it was that small 1-inch sensor that drew essentially the most criticism through the 1 system’s quick reign. Nikon designated these 13.2 x 8.8mm sensors as CX, to suit neatly alongside its DX (APS-C) and FX (full-frame) cameras. With the discharge of the Nikon 1 J5, it’s apparent Nikon was making an attempt to shift the narrative as a result of the J5 was the primary and solely Nikon 1 digicam to boast a backside-illuminated sensor. This 20.8MP CMOS sensor was powered by the, then, new EXPEED 5A image-processing engine. And the J5’s picture high quality actually is admirable and arguably the very best within the 1 system line-up, as long as you handle your expectations. This can be a tiny sensor in any case.

One other boon for the Nikon 1 J5 was a few specs it kind of borrowed from the Nikon 1 V3, which launched the yr prior. Particularly, its surprisingly zippy autofocus, because of its hybrid AF system and 105 phase-detection AF factors. In addition to its means to carry out 20fps burst capturing whereas utilizing AF. On the time, Nikon claimed that the J5’s burst capturing – just like the V3 earlier than it – was unbeaten by some other digital digicam with interchangeable lenses. Fairly the accolade for just a little 1-inch mirrorless system. The Nikon 1 J5 was additionally the primary Nikon digicam to shoot 4K video. However with its framerate capped at 15p, this was extra of an arrogance characteristic versus something helpful.

Bodily, the digicam’s high plate encompasses a mini pop-up flash, mode dial, and command dial. On the again, you’ll discover one other command dial, which works akin to Canon’s Fast Management Dial, and a tilting rear LCD display screen. There’s additionally an Fn button on the entrance of the digicam. Just like the Nikon 1 V3, you get a welcome thumb grip, missing on a number of the different fashions.

So, would I like to recommend the Nikon 1 J5 right this moment? Properly, for those who’re a photographer with a small finances and you’ve got your coronary heart set on a retro-themed, interchangeable-lens, mirrorless digicam, it’s nonetheless a good possibility, supplied you’re prepared to work with a 1-inch sensor. It is also a terrific shout if you would like a extremely moveable digicam with the flexibility of interchangeable optics. If you need a much bigger sensor and finances isn’t an possibility, essentially the most comparable cameras accessible proper now would in all probability be the Olympus PEN E-P7 and Fujifilm X-M5.