Background and Identification
Announced on September 21, 2011, the Nikon 1 series is a mirrorless camera line utilizing Nikon 1-mount lenses and 1” CX format sensors. Cameras from the Nikon 1 series were discontinued in 2018, ending Nikon’s only mirrorless camera line after a run of seven years. The use of a 1-inch sensor aimed the cameras towards enthusiasts and general consumers as opposed to professional photographers. However, the Nikon 1 series cameras offered a compact and affordable option for consumers.
Nikon 1 series cameras with the 10-megapixel image sensor included the Nikon 1 V1, J1, J2, and S1. Cameras with 14-megapixels included the V2, J3, S2, and AW1 with a 14-megapixel sensor. The Nikon 1 series also featured cameras with the 18-megapixel image sensor including the J4. Then in 2015, the J5 model had a 20.8-megapixel sensor, one of the fastest of its time. Moreover, the Nikon 1 series featured cameras with some unique traits. For example, the Nikon 1 AW1 is fully waterproof and is the only interchangeable lens camera on the market that can be used underwater without an optional housing.
During its release, Nikon claimed that the Nikon 1 cameras had the world’s fastest autofocus—at 10 fps—even during videos and the world’s fastest continuous shooting speed at 60 fps, among other cameras with interchangeable lenses.