Introduction
The Nikon 1 J5 is a new compact system camera featuring a 20-megapixel 1”-type CX sensor format sensor with no low-pass filter and the Nikon 1 lens mount. Boasting continuous shooting speeds of 20fps with continuous autofocus and 60fps with fixed-point autofocus, 4K and Full HD 60p video capture, time-lapse movie shooting, an advanced hybrid auto-focus system with 171-points, Best Moment Capture and the unique Motion Snapshot Mode, the Nikon J5 also offers more conventional shooting modes like Programmed Auto, Aperture and Shutter Priority, as well as Metered Manual. Also on-board is a tiltable 3-inch touchscreen LCD display, an electronic shutter, a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800, next-generation EXPEED 5A image processor, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, a new control wheel, an aluminium housing and a built-in pop-up flash. The Nikon 1 J5 is available in three colour combinations: all-black, silver-white and silver-black. The Nikon 1 J5 costs £349.99 body-only, $499.95 / £429.99 / €539.00 with the 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens, $749.95 / £559.99 / €709.00 with both the 1 Nikkor 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom and 1 Nikkor VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lenses, and $1,049.95 with the 1 Nikkor 10-100mm f/4-5.6 lens.
Ease of Use
The Nikon 1 J5 is mostly made out of aluminium with magnesium alloy reinforced parts and is therefore heavier than you would think based on its size alone (98.3 x 59.7 x 31.5 mm), weighing in at 231g for the body only (40g heavier than its predecessor, the J4). It now has a small hand-grip which can accommodate two fingers, a big improvement on the grip-less J4, plus there’s an new thumb-grip on the rear too.
The new J5 has a clean, minimalist front plate that’s dominated by the Nikon 1 lens mount. Instead of being a scaled-down version of the good old F mount, it’s a completely new design that provides 100% electronic communication between the attached lens and the camera body, courtesy of a dozen contacts. Just like on the manufacturer’s F-mount SLR cameras, there is a white dot for easy lens alignment, although it has moved from the 2 o’clock position (when viewed front on) to the top of the mount. The lenses themselves feature a short silver ridge on the lens barrel, which needs to be in alignment with said dot in order for you to be able to attach the lens to the camera. While this may require a bit of getting used to, it actually makes changing lenses quicker and easier.
