• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon J1 advantages over Sony A77 II

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    396g vs 1351g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    57.9 fps vs 11.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A77 II advantages over Nikon J1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1230k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon J1

Review Excerpt

  • Very small body, with solid feel; Fast AF; No-nonsense interface. Excellent video capture, Good picture quality.

  • Body could be smaller for sensor size; High ISO isn't as good as other compact system cameras; Battery life below average; Weak flash; Confusing controls.

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon J2

Nikon J1
Nikon J2
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Sony A77 II
Nikon J2
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon J1
Nikon J3
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
Sony A77 II
Nikon J3
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S1

Nikon J1
Nikon S1
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
Sony A77 II
Nikon S1
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $199
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon 70D

Nikon J1
Canon 70D
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A77 II
Canon 70D
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1149
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Nikon D7200

Nikon J1
Nikon D7200
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Thinner
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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