Also, I am looking for some time a "perfect" replacement for my SLR equipment (Canon 550D), because my SLR camera with 2 lenses and flash often is too flashy / unwieldy for many quick photo opportunities. The image quality of the Canon is undisputed but very good.
So far, I could count the following system cameras for a certain time to my portfolio.
* Samusng NX 11 (the size of a SLR, price ok performance, APSC 14.6 Mpixels sold for successor)
* Samusng NX 20 (the size of a SLR, top model, APSC-20 Mpixel, unfortunately return for firmware problems)
* Olympus Pen E-PM2 (small, price-performance good, MFT-16 Mpixel, weaknesses in Videoton (AF), still in the portfolio)
* Compact Nikon S9100 (good Compact, 12-megapixel, super easy for beautiful snapshots)
* Nikon 1 S1 (just in the test ...)
Although the cameras have sensors of different sizes, I can now compare something. Because not only the sensor size, but also the number of pixels in relation to the sensor and the electronics behind it is crucial for the image quality. From modern system camera I expect now image qualities just below mid-range SLR's. Equal first I must confess, I have not yet found a "real" SLR replacement and yes, the system cameras bring powerful and in 1-2 years it will probably be ready ;-).
For Nikon principle:
The opposite compact cameras slightly larger sensor and the ability to use interchangeable lenses, justify the use of the name "system camera". The Nikon 1 S1 is of all the above, the smallest and lightest system camera (197 gr. Housing without lens). She has a very chic white, minimalist plastic housing with integrated mini flash (guide number 5) and ordinary plastic caps for USB located behind / HDMI connections. The TFT with its 3-inch (460,000 pixels) is sufficiently large and provides the image is neat. The memory card compartment swallows harmless SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards. The capacity of the relatively small battery lasts me for about 200 shots. The somewhat older 10 Mpixel sensor (CX-format) of the camera is going from the surface forth greater than that of many compact cameras, but again much smaller compared to the sensors of the competing system cameras. First doubts about the Nikon system concept here I came up with. It must be noted that the smaller the sensor is, the smaller is also the lens and thus the entire camera are designed, but unfortunately falls less light on a small sensor, which increases its noise performance in low-light environments. A Mode Dial and a viewfinder missing by design, but the camera again fits in your pocket.
Features:
Of course here again a virtual dial in the program menu (F-key) and you can make various pre-programmed or partially manual / manual camera settings (P, S, A, M). Interesting are the fast AF settings (Hybrid focus with phase / contrast detection) and the very brisk burst shooting (15 / s). Since the small Nikon has really something on it. Many menu settings in the ISO range, color space, image quality, AF, flash compensation, etc. can be configured separately. Quite funny, I also found the "moving snapshot", a short slow-motion film sequence by photo trigger, the camera plays when playing background music. Such gimmicks (Blur, Live Slow Motion, Live Image Control, Creative Style, etc.) there are many more. But who really uses often, especially as it is so must always durchhangeln through several menu steps and then an apparent snapshot is already past. Even calculating so many creative images makes the otherwise nimble camera to create something. But ok, these functions are at least available and are often important selling points. Why then but lacks a panorama mode, not yet open up to me.
Legal sense again, the camera can be turned on and off not only by power button, but also by Lens (park position).
What I miss:
Something unforgivable I find the complete absence of an optical image stabilizer. This belongs in a "system camera" in my opinion, at the sensor or in the integrated lens, easy to and without this one has often unintentionally blur in the image. The Nikon 1 S1 is attempted electronically, in which one uses the high ISO values, thus shortening the exposure time, but which increases the image noise generally. A small hot shoe would have been perfect. At a focus ring, the lens dispensed, unfortunately, and due to the lack of touch screen operation is sometimes a bit cumbersome. Who already knows System cameras, is purely electronic wonder measly shutter sound even on the (thankfully switched off), but the only info on the edge.
Image Quality:
I will here not so much "talk", it's like some whining at a fairly high level of image quality. In my opinion, the camera is very good (including videos) for daylight shots. Enlargements of the photos to Din-A4 make any big problems is that images are sharp and the colors of course. Emphasized particularly the shooting in mode - Smart Photo Selector. Here are automatically made several recordings and only the best lands highlighted on the memory card.
In the evening, atmospheric shots without flash and with tripod / edition, over medium print size is (zB13x17, possibly even up to DIN-A4) high even to ISO 1600 all quite tidy and up to ISO 2000, noise reduction takes usually more effective (at least!) , Going through ISO 3200 addition, it is softer and increasingly noisy. The colors are then reproduced rather bland in P mode. In full-automatic mode jumps anyway permanently lightning out, here help only the manual controls and possibly a recording in the available RAW format in order to post. But lacking an image stabilizer entirely, it is freehand difficult to obtain sharp images, at least if you want to amplify the cutouts on the PC later, falls on the. In the trimming processing one would immediately be the limit, here you realize the sensor also for nowadays rather low 10 Mpixel resolution at.
Remarks:
I find the camera still may loose measure with good compact, is more image quality, even in low-light area, even beyond. On the system with colleagues Micro Four Thirds and APSC sensors the Nikon 1-S1 can be linked subjectively not always. Granted, many casual photographers are the limits of the camera might not even notice that. At least not in deductions to postcard size. For the ambitious hobby photographer, I think it is possibly only partially suitable, there is quite a lot for the current price in the market. One should also stay times and remember that a camera (the review time) for a "half thousand" already is a decent budget heading down to earth. For the Nikon 1-S1 is not for me perfectly enough and there's a lot cheaper alternatives that offer at least equivalent video and snapshot qualities and are additionally image stabilized, possibly a touch TFT (swiveling?) Own or more intense sensors. In addition, a modern camera should provide a panorama mode and various image processing functions.
Consideration:
At the moment I am not sure whether this kind of minimalist system cameras are really useful as a snapshot cameras, compared to high end Kompakkameras. As SLR replacement (image quality) they are not fit. My good compact Nikon S-9100 (12 Mpixel, 18x zoom, image stabilized, for far below 200.-) the appropriate daylight snapshot camera on the go seems to be. It is a little more manageable, does not need interchangeable lenses and to developed Din-A5 format photo (postcard size) I see little difference between the two devices ... In low-light environments I see the Nikon 1 S1 turn forward.
This raises then eventually the question: Who is the target audience for the camera?
The Nikon 1 S1 is certainly suitable for hobby photographers who want to send a tiny camera in many situations fundamentally good pictures by automatic, fast AF and prefer not want to miss the opportunity of interchangeable lenses. Since an image stabilizer and a flash shoe is absent, it is less suitable for the ordinary blur illumination in larger premises darker and speaks to professional probably not peripherally at. For large hands, the camera is quite unwieldy!
Since the camera is in the white version is very chic (reminiscent of an Apple product) I would imagine that even for the "lady of the world" as a chic Design utensil with good photo properties.
If an image stabilizer and possibly a hot shoe available, I would definitely aim for 4 stars, for the present value (Feb.2013) I forgive but only 3 star (not bad).
The price drop is enormous in this sector, who has little patience, can certainly save a lot of money in a short time or already priced in an almost equivalent previous models (J1 / J2) recourse with the same sensor.
Addendum on 09/26/2013, camera is for 299, - available:
Since that occurred, what I already knew 1/2 year ago, can the camera for under 300 - now highly recommend it. The price / performance ratio now and it gives a chic ordinary camera, which would then be 4 stars.
