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Less than a year after its first foray into the compact system camera market, Nikon has
revealed its replacement to the J1 in the form of the J2.
It’s more of a tweaked upgrade than a complete overhaul, with a few small changes being made.
Probably the most notable difference is the screen resolution, which has been upped to
921,000 pixels to provide a clearer and brighter view.
Secondly, a new Creative Mode has been added to the mode dial. This gives quicker access
to the camera’s manual and semi-automatic modes. Simply press this Function button to
access P/A/S/M modes, as well as new digital filters such as Soft, Miniature Effect and
Selective Colour. Panoramic mode can also be accessed from this button.
There’s several new colour variations for the J2, with some selected models featuring
brushed metal and textured finishes. Stick with the basic colours, such as black or white
and you get the same small body as on the J1.
Also exactly the same is the 10.1 million-pixel CX format CMOS sensor, the Nikon 1 lens mount,
full HD video recording and the ISO range.
Along with the J2, Nikon announced a new 11-27.5mm pancake style kit lens, which is much more
compact than the standard 10-30 option. A new underwater housing, which is compatible
with both the J1 and the J2, has also been launched which allows you to take the camera
down to 40 metres underwater.
One of the most interesting features of the Nikon 1 system is Smart Photo Selector. This
takes 20 high resolution images starting before you fully press the shutter. The camera automatically
selects the best five shots for you to choose the best moment.
Another fun feature is Motion Snapshot, which creates a slow motion movie at the same time
as a still image to create a “living image” effect.
As the sensor, processor and autofocus system is the same as its predecessor, image quality
from the J2 is on a par with the J1.
Look out for my full review of the Nikon 1 J2 at TechRadar.com / in this month’s (week’s)
issue.