Anyone have a Nikon J1 or V1

[MinnieForMe]

Looking for your opinions on image quality?

I'm thinking of selling my DSLR because I feel I'd do better with a glorified point and shoot (size wise - I would carry it more). I don't have focus points on my Pentax K-X and really do feel I need them. My SIL has the J1 and gets decent pictures but I'm thinking I'd like the V1 to have the speedlight.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I have been going back and forth too. I looked at the V1 in depth and it does not have the built-in flash which was a turn off for me.

 

[MinnieForMe]

After two hours in the store playing with the V1, it did come home with me as did the Speedlite. I actually preferred the V1 because the flash was optional. I take very few pictures with my flash on with my DSLR. However, I loved how light the camera still was with the speedlite on and it will be fun to be able to bounce my flash. I know with my DSLR I'd never be able to handle the weight of a speedlite and my camera. It's one of the drawbacks of walking with a cane. I don't have enough balance to handle it with one hand. The V1 is so lightweight that this will not be an issue for me.

The one huge drawback of the V1 is it's inability to produce good bokeh. It really is a glorified point and shoot. However, it's autofocus is amazing as is it's frames per minute. It walks all over my Pentax in that area. I see it as the perfect walk around camera for me, a Mom, who just wants to catch the moment. The other drawback was price. It did cost twice the amount of my Pentax DSLR. However, I have ten days to return it for a full refund at Ritz Camera so I'm off to play today!

 

[YesDear]

DW has a J1 and loves it. We went on a cruise two weeks ago and she took almost as many pictures as I did.

 

[rossb]

If you decide you don't like it then you should take a look at Micro 4/3. They are closer to SLRs in sensor size, form, and function, yet are still very small and light.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'd agree with Ross' suggestion - if you're happy with the Nikon overall, then stick with it - I'm sure it will do fine for you. But if you find yourself wanting better control over depth of field, a larger sensor will be the key (your DSLR sensor was much bigger than the V1's sensor). Micro 4:3 cameras have a larger sensor than the Nikon and should do better in that regard, and the Sony NEX has a full APS-C sensor like a DSLR. Both can still be reasonably compact units, with decent flashes and upgrade speedlight options, though maybe not QUITE as compact overall as the 1-system. Depends on what your priorities are.

 

[MinnieForMe]

It wasn't hard to convince myself that I need to keep both cameras - my new Nikon and my Pentax K-X. I'll probably sell my 55-200 lens but it's not worth much. I prefer my 55-300.

I'll use my Nikon for all around daily pictures and keep my Pentax with it's 24-70 f2.8 lens for portraits. I love it's bokeh!