Nikon 1 V2 for Photographer

I kept thinking that a mirrorless camera should have what DSLRs have in advance, the phase detect focus system. But wait, Nikon have it.

Nikon 1 V2 is a 14 MP mirrorless camera with hybrid focus system. It means that the camera is able of focusing with the phase detect system, also by using contrast detect. That’s why dpreview called it “a more photographer friendly”.

Its design is very unique from the outside. The camera is very thin and comes with a hot shoe, though the built in flash doesn’t covered when flipped. It comes with a dials button and on the top. The control button on the backside now also works as a shortcut button to AF lock, white balance, burst mode, and flash mode. This is unlike Nikons DSLRs.

There is Best Moment Capture Mode, an advanced creative mode that allows individuals to use Slow View to slow down a moment they are capturing, in real time. By simply pressing the shutter button halfway down when focused, users can capture live action (approx. 1.33 seconds), while the view of the subject is displayed at five times slower than normal speed (approx. 6.66 sec). The action is replayed repeatedly as long as the shutter-release button is half-pressed. Fast action sports and events are transformed to slow motion right on the LCD screen.

Nikon 1 cameras are using 1 NIKKOR lenses. Nikon 1 accessories, as well as F-Mount NIKKOR lenses when connected to the FT-1 Mount Adapter will be compatible. It also comes better in lowlight with the new optional SB-N7 speedlight. The new speedlight is easy-to-use and travel friendly, and also uses common AAA batteries. The speedlight provides a guide number of 18 meters/59 feet (at ISO 100), as well as a supplied external wide flash adapter for wider shooting coverage.

Nikon 1 V2 camera with the 10-30mm lens already available since late November 2012 for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $899.95*. The SB-N7 speedlight will be available in January 2013 and will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $159.95*. More about the specification can be found below.

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Type
Type of camera	Digital camera with support for interchangeable lenses
Lens mount	Nikon 1 mount
Effective angle of view	Approx. 2.7 x lens focal length (35mm format equivalent)
Effective pixels
Effective pixels	14.2 million
Image sensor
Image sensor	13.2 mm x 8.8 mm CMOS sensor (Nikon CX format)
Dust-reduction system	Image sensor cleaning
Storage
Image size (pixels)	Still images (auto, P, S, A, M and best moment capture modes; aspect ratio 3:2) 4,608 x 3,072 3,456 x 2,304 2,304 x 1,536 Still images (advanced movie mode; aspect ratio 3:2) 4,608 x 3,072 (1080/60i, 1080/30p) 1,280 x 856 (720/60p, 720/30p) Still images (Motion Snapshots; aspect ratio 16:9) 4,608 x 2,592
File format	NEF (RAW): 12-bit, compressed JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1 : 4), normal (approx. 1 : 8), or basic (approx. 1 : 16) compression NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Picture Control system	Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape; selected Picture Control can be modified; storage for custom Picture Controls
Media	SD (Secure Digital), SDHC, and SDXC memory cards
File system	DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) 2.3, PictBridge
Electronic viewfinder
Electronic viewfinder	0.47-in., approx. 1440k-dot color TFT LCD viewfinder with diopter control and brightness adjustment
Frame coverage	Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical
Eyepoint	18 mm (-1.0 m-1; from center surface of viewfinder eyepiece lens)
Diopter adjustment	-3 to +2 m-1
Eye sensor	Camera switches to viewfinder display when it detects that viewfinder is in use
Shooting modes
Shooting modes	Auto, programmed auto, shutter-priority auto, aperture-priority auto, manual, best moment capture (slow view and Smart Photo Selector), advanced movie, Motion Snapshot
Shutter
Type	Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane mechanical shutter; electronic shutter
Speed	Mechanical shutter: 1/4,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 EV; Bulb; Time (requires optional ML-L3 remote control) Electronic shutter: 1/16,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 EV; Bulb; Time (requires optional ML-L3 remote control) Note: Bulb and Time end automatically after approximately 2 minutes.
Flash sync speed	Mechanical shutter: Synchronizes with shutter at X=1/250 s or slower Electronic shutter: Synchronizes with shutter at X=1/60 s or slower
Release
Mode	Single frame, continuous Self-timer, remote
Frame advance rate	Approximately 5, 15, 30, or 60 fps
Self-timer	2 s, 10 s
Remote control modes	Delayed remote (2 s); quick-response remote
Exposure
Metering	TTL metering using image sensor
Metering method	Matrix Center-weighted: Meters 4.5 mm circle in center of frame Spot: Meters 2 mm circle centered on selected focus area
Mode	Programmed auto with flexible program; shutter priority auto; aperture-priority auto; manual; scene auto selector
Exposure compensation	-3 to +3 EV in increments of 1/3 EV (user controlled in P, S and A modes)
Exposure lock	Luminosity locked at metered value with AE-L/AF-L button
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)	ISO 160-6400 in steps of 1 EV; auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 160-6400, 160-3200, 160-800) available (user controlled in P, S, A and M modes)
Active D-Lighting	On, off
Focus
Autofocus	Hybrid autofocus (phase-detection/contrast-detect AF); AF-assist illuminator
Lens servo	Autofocus (AF): Single AF (AF-S); continuous AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); fulltime AF (AF-F) Manual focus (MF)
AF-area mode	Single-point, auto-area, subject tracking
Focus area	Single-point AF: 135 focus areas; the center 73 areas support phase-detection AF Auto-area AF: 41 focus areas
Focus lock	Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Face priority	On, off
Flash
Built-in flash	Raised by pressing flash button
Guide Number (GN)	Approx. 5/16 (m/ft, ISO 100, 20°C/68°F; at ISO 160, Guide Number is approx. 6.3/20.7)
Control	i-TTL flash control using image sensor
Mode	Fill flash, fill flash + slow sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction + slow sync, rear-curtain sync, rear curtain + slow sync
Flash compensation	-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Flash-ready indicator	Lights when flash is fully charged
White balance
White balance	Auto, incandescent, fluorescent, direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual, all except preset manual with fine tuning
Movie
Movie	TTL metering using image sensor
Metering method	Matrix Center-weighted: Meters 4.5 mm circle in center of frame Spot: Meters 2 mm circle centered on selected focus area
Frame size (pixels)/ recording rate	HD movies and movies recorded in auto, P, S, A and M modes (aspect ratio 16:9) 1,920 x 1,080/60i (59.94 fields/s *) 1,920 x 1,080/30p (29.97 fps) 1,280 x 720/60p (59.94 fps) 1,280 x 720/30p (29.97 fps) Slow-motion movies (aspect ratio 8:3) 640 x 240/400 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps) 320 x 120/1,200 fps (plays at 30p/29.97 fps) Motion Snapshot (aspect ratio 16:9) 1,920 x 1,080/60p (59.94 fps)(plays at 24p/23.976 fps)
File format	MOV
Video compression	H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Audio recording format	AAC
Audio recording device	Built-in or optional external ME-1 Stereo Microphone; sensitivity adjustable
Monitor
Monitor	7.5-cm (3-in.), approx. 921k-dot, TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Playback	Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) playback with playback zoom, movie playback, slide show, histogram display, auto image rotation, and rating option
Interface
USB	Hi-Speed USB
HDMI output	Type C mini-pin HDMI connector
Multi accessory port	Used for designated accessories
Audio input	Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter)
Supported languages	Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (European and Brazilian), Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
Power source
Battery	One EN-EL21 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
EN-EL21 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery adapter	EH-5b AC Adapter; requires EP-5D Power Connector (available separately)
Tripod socket	1/4-in. (ISO 1222)
Dimensions/Weight
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 107.8 x 81.6 x 45.9 mm (4.2 x 3.2 x 1.8 in.), excluding projections; thickness of body (from mount to monitor) is 33.2 mm (1.3 in.)
Weight	Approx. 337 g (11.9 oz) with battery and memory card but without body cap; approx. 278 g (9.8 oz), camera body only
Operating environment
Temperature	0°C to 40°C/+32°F to 104°F
Humidity	85% or less (no condensation)

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7 Best Camera Under $150 (Always update every 3 months)

Update January 2012 (Always update every 3 months)

What if you wanted to buy a camera, not more than $ 150 (Rp. 1500.000,- in Indonesia). May be for your family wedding or sudden occasion. You wanted to buy a pocket camera cause sure you need an easy use, and easy to go camera. There’s a bunch of brands but you considering the famous brands because it’s “trustable”. May be because it won’t be so hard to find service center either, in case you got something wrong with your camera.
For sure you want the best of all. But since the best means different to different persone, let see what best for you.
In my research, you will find more than 10 camera from famous brands, but I pick 7 best for you to choose. Before comparing, lets figure it out one by one. Anyway, the order list here I made by myself based on my experience and taste of camera. I will tell you short description for these cameras about its best features comes within the camera, and see the the comparation table below it for more objective comparation. I’m focused on how the camera will produce a good picture and good to handle. Those feature such effects etc I would do it on computer. So, here they are.

1. Canon Canon ELPH 100 HS (Ixus 115 HS)

Since the Ixus family is now above $150, the only choice from canon now comes to Power Shot series, the PS A4000 IS.
The camera does come with a little bit odd interface. 16 MP for this tiny sensor and 8x zoom would surprisingly attract the market people. It shoots well in good light but struggle for lowlight. For you to know, as far as I know the PS A series are suffer for speed, may stay in the bottom list for shutter lag and autofocus works slow. This will make your picture sometimes a bit hit and mess. It does start-up very fast anyway.
It designed smoothly well, but the button behind the camera is hard to push since it’s manufactured as flat as the body. No mode button so you’ll have to go a set button and find it, but its easier to take video since the video button are exposed. Well if you are canon lovers I suggest you go find an Ixus 115 HS left in the store or spend $35 more for the Ixus 125 HS.


2. Panasonic FH7 (FS22)

Pana’s always good in speed, most of its camera have a very slight shutter lag and very fast startup. That because this 16 MP camera equipped with Venus Engine IV, makes it work very fast. It also as user friendly as its competitor above. It also have a sharp image and good color. The unique of this camera is it has a 60s slowest shutter speed, makes you able of taking stunning firework pictures. Leica lens start from 28mm wide angle end at 112mm (4x zoom). Touch autofocus for specific frame location focusing.
Unfortunately this fast camera has small aperture from 3.3 wide and 6.5 maks zoom. This compensates the shutter to take a little bit longer shutter (hate dark room).

3. Nikon Coolpix S4300

I always love Nikon’s pictures. It always does handle contrast and color outstandingly. It equipped with very wide zoom start from 26mm (widest among all) and end at 156mm (6x zoom). Touch autofocus for specific frame location focusing.
This 16 MP camera has a bit slight aperture at wide angle (F3.5 - F6.5).

4. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W620

This 14 MP camera comes with their BIONZ processor, makes it powerful in processing images. This is the only camera in this class comes with panorama feature.
If just it comes with image stabilization which is I think must for pocket camera, this one will look nicer.

5. Samsung PL170

What should I say, the company makes the camera unique with front LCD. As many people wish to take a good self portrait, this front LCD would be very useful. It also comes with Schneider-Kreuznach lens, to assure you a sharp picture.

6. Kodak EasyShare M575

This 14 MP camera also comes with panorama feature. Its “share” button allows you to upload images easily to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and Kodak's Gallery site.
No image stabilizer.

7. Olympus VR-310

Not so famous in this class, this 14 MP camera comes with an outstanding wide to zoom lens (24-240). Unfortunately I never saw a sharp picture taken with a long zoom lens pocket camera.

8. Fujifilm Finepix JZ100

This one is quite satisfying, so I put it in since now (jan 2013). Fujifilm is one of the most known in the world of filming and documentation, you see there’s a lot of film supported by Fujifilm. They don’t make DSLRs but their technology in camera sensors is well known as one of the best, the EXRs sensors.

At $150 there’s three choice of pocket camera, I’ll pick the newest in early 2012, Fujifilm FinePix JZ100. Except if you have special needs of taking photo under water, take the FinePix XP30. The funny thing about this camera I choose is that there I no white balance feature in the camera. Probably the company thought that its rarely used by the people, indeed.

This 14 MP camera is already equipped with optical image stabilizer to makes sure the camera takes sharp images. It also have a stunning wide lens that start from 25 to 200 mm (8x zoom) and 5 cm macro range. It means you can take picture of an object from the closest of 5 cm distance. Its aperture is quite wide, F2.9 - F5.9. The movie feature is already HD 1280x720 at 30 fps.

Though, the camera works slow with continuous drive of 1,2 fps. Work slow is one of Fuji’s camera problems, however the camera takes pictures with natural color..


To let you compare these products more objectively, read table here on dpreview.com.
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Each superiority and dissuperiority :

1.       Canon PS A4000IS

Major: Sharp image, nice body, fast start-up

Minor: very slow, focus

2.       Nikon coolpix S4300

Major: good color result

Minor: narrow aperture

3.       Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH7 (Lumix DMC-FS22)

Major: very fast

Minor: narrow aperture

4.       Fujifilm T200

Major: long zoom range

Minor: -

5.       Sony DSC W-620

Major: user friendly

Minor: no stabilization

6.       Samsung PL170

Major: front screen

Minor: lack of information about this one.

7.       Kodak M575

Major: on-camera software editing, easy share button

Minor: no stabilization, odd interface.

8.       Olympus VR-310

Major: widest 24mm lens, longest zoom range.

Minor: not so popular.

8.       Fujifilm Finepix JZ100

Major: so wide 25mm lens, long zoom range 200mm.

Minor: slow, no white balance..

Match it to your character. Every camera have its own superiority and lack. Pick the camera as the superiority match better for your character and purpose:

• If you are "picture quality" fanatic, I suggest you'd have the Nikon S4300
• If you want a longlasting look of a camera, still with good photo and video result you'd choose Panasonic FH7 (fast, good for a documenter), or Olympus VR-310.
• If you love narcistic photos, get a unique Samsung PL 170.
• Want to have the cheapest one, still with good result of picture and video? May be your choise would fall to Sony DSC W-620.

Canon SX50IS Best Prosumer in the Class

After my latest review for its lower class brother, let us see the true champion of prosumer camera the SX50 IS. This one assures you to get the feel of DSLR on your hand with a plenty useful features. First, let’s take a look of its body. I would say it’s designed more “space efficient”. Vary-angle LCD is very useful in capturing moments when you cannot put your eyes properly behind the camera. As usual, its select button also have a function as shortcut to ISO, WB, timer, and AF mode. I haven’t notice the menu but surely its gonna be very user friendly. The rounded handgrip gives a comfortable handling.

This might sound exaggerated but truly its equipped with 50x optical zoom lens (24-1200mm). Well I never really try it but if you are zoom lens fanatic you’d be doubtlessly consider this one. Good news it covered with Intelligent IS feature. Once more, the wide angle aperture start from 3.4, not so satisfying for lowlight. However it consistently keep the aperture opened good (6.5) at the longest zoomrange of 1200mm. Another good news is the CMOS sensor inside the body for better lowlight handling. It would be hard to focusing on moving objects while taking a very long zoom. So the company put the Zoom Framing Assist Seek button on the camera. It works by zooming out to include a wider angle view, enabling us to locate the moving object. Once you find it you just need to release the seek button to return to its original zoom position. Canon doesn’t mention the shutter lag time for this camera but the company claims that their High-Speed AF remarkably responsive to gives you 13 fps at full resolution with reduced lag time. Wanted to judge it personally, check its specification below:

Specifications for PowerShot SX50 HS

Imaging Processor	DIGIC 5
Image Sensor
Camera Effective Pixels	Approx 12.1 Million pixels
Lens
Focal Length	50x zoom: 4.3 (W) - 215 (T)mm (35mm film equivalent: 24 (W) - 1200 (T)mm)
Focusing Range	0cm (0in.) - infinity (W), 1.3m (4.3in.) - infinity (T)
	Macro:	0 - 50cm (0in. - 1.6ft.) (W), 30cm - 50cm (12in. - 1.6ft.) (T)
Image Stabilizer (IS) System	Len-shift type
LCD Monitor
Size	2.8-inch type (Approx. 461,000 dots)
Aspect Ratio	4:3
Features	Variangle
Electronic Viewfinder	Approx 202,000 dots
Focus
Control System	Continuous AF, Servo AF, Manual Focus
AF frame	Face Detect, Tracking AF, Center, FlexiZone
Metering System	Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot
ISO Speed (Standard Output Sensitivity, Recommended Exposure Index)	Auto, ISO 80 - 6400 1/3 step increments
Shutter
Speed	1 - 1/2000sec. 15 - 1/2000sec. (in Tv and M Modes)
Aperture
Type	Iris type
f/number	f/3.4 - f/8.0 (W), f/6.5 - f/8.0 (T)
Flash
Modes	Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off
Range	50cm - 5.5m (W), 1.4 - 3.0m (T) (1.6ft. - 18ft. (W), 4.6 - 9.8 (T))
Hot Shoe	Available
Shooting specifications
Shooting Modes	C1, C2, M, Av, Tv, P, Auto, Movie Digest, Sports, SCN*1, Creative Filters*2, Movie*3 *1 Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter*4, High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist *2 High Dynamic Range, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap *3 Standard, iFrame Movie, Super Slow Motion Movie *4 Smile, Wink Self-timer, Face Self-Timer
Continuous shooting	In P mode:	Approx. 2.2 shots/sec.
	In High-speed Burst HQ mode:	Approx 13 shots/sec.
Number of Recording Pixels	Still Images:	4:3 Large: 4000 x 3000, Medium 1: 2816 x 2112, Medium 2: 1600 x 1200, Small: 640 x 480, RAW: 4000 x 3000
	Movies:	iFrame Movie & Movie Digest: 1280 x 720 Super Slow Motion Movie: 640 x 480 / 320 x 240 Miniature effect: 1280 x 720 / 640 x 480 Others: 1920 x 1080 / 1280 x 720 / 640 x 480
Power Source	Battery pack NB-10L
Number of Shots (CIPA Compliant)	Approx. 315 (with LCD on)
Movie Recoding Time (Actual Usage Time)	Approx. 1hr. 15mins. (with LCD on)
Dimensions (CIPA compliant)	122.5 x 87.3 x 105.5mm (4.82 x 3.44 x 4.15in.)
Weight (CIPA compliant)	Approx. 595g (21oz.) (including the battery and memory card) Approx. 551g (19.4oz.) (camera body only)

If you think of buying it, you could have it with price around $ 567. At this range of price I would have a DSLR for better image quality. But if you need a versatile camera, this one I recommend it.

Canon SX500IS Amateur Photo Hobby Must See

This November 2012 Canon release their new ultracompact prosumer Powershot SX500 IS. The decendant of SX 3 digit series look like the bulk SX10 IS, only without external flash hot shoe. This 16 MP camera price is about $ 392.

It have 30x zoom lens (24-720) with High-Speed AF for fast image focusing. It also has an Intelligent IS features which automatically choose the best IS mode based on camera and object motion. At maximum telephoto it’s Zoom Framing Assist helps taking pictures of moving object. See full specification below

Specifications for PowerShot SX500 IS

Imaging Processor	DIGIC 4
Image Sensor	Camera Effective Pixels:	Approx. 16.0 Million pixels
Lens	Focal Length:	30x zoom: 4.3 (W) – 129 (T)mm (35mm film equivalent: 24 (W) – 720 (T)mm)
	Focusing Range:	0cm (0in.) – infinity (W), 1.4m (4.6ft.) – infinity (T) Macro: 0 – 50cm (0in. – 1.6ft.) (W)
	Image Stabilizer (IS) System:	Len-shift type
LCD Monitor	Size & Aspect Ratio:	3.0-inch type (Approx. 461,000 dots), 4:3
Focus	Control system:	Continuous AF, Servo AF / Servo AE, Manual Focus
	AF frame:	Face AiAF, Tracking AF, Center
Metering System	Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot
ISO Speed (Standard Output Sensitivity, Recommended Exposure Index)	Auto, ISO 100 – 1600 1 step increments
Shutter	Speed:	1 – 1/1600sec. 15 – 1/1600sec. (in Tv and M Modes)
Aperture	Type:	Iris type
	f/number:	f/3.4 - f/8.0 (W), f/5.8 - f/8.0(T)
Flash	Modes:	Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off
	Range:	50cm – 5.0m (W), 1.4 – 3.0m (T) (1.6ft. - 16ft. (W), 4.6ft. – 9.8ft. (T))
Shooting Specifications
Shooting Modes	M, Av, Tv, P, Live View Control, Auto, SCN*1, Creative Filters*2, Discreet, Movie*3 *1 Portrait, Face Self-Timer, Low Light, Snow, Fireworks. *2 Fish-eye Effect, Miniature effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect. *3 Standard, iFrame Movie.
Continuous Shooting	Approx. 0.8 shots/sec. (In P mode) Approx. 2.8 shots/sec. (In Low Light mode)
Number of Recording Pixels	Still Images:	4:3 Large: 4608 x 3456, Medium 1: 3264 x 2448, Medium 2: 1600 x 1200, Small: 640 x 480
	Movies:	iFrame Movie: 1280 x 720 Others: 1280 x 720 / 640 x 480
Number of Shots (CIPA Compliant)	Approx. 195
Movie Recoding Time (Actual Usage Time)	Approx. 50mins.
Power Source	Battery pack NB-6L
Dimensions (CIPA compliant)	104.0 x 69.5 x 80.2mm (4.09 x 2.74 x 3.16in.)
Weight (CIPA compliant)	Approx. 341g (12.0oz.) (including the battery and memory card) Approx. 318g (11.2oz.) (camera body only)

Its scrolling button behind the camera gives you the feels of handling their pro-DSLR. Unfortunately I'm not much like the "boxxy" design. With 3.5 aperture at wide angle its not gonna be the best of low-light, the good news is its consistently keep its aperture good on 5.8 at it's longest zoom (720mm).

Think of buying it on the store? for price around $ 392, I think its worthed.