Nikon 1 J3

    59
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    Highlights

    • 14.2 MP 1-inch CMOS Sensor
    • 160 - 6,400 Native ISO
    • 135 Focus Points (135 Cross-type)
    • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
    • 15.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • 30 min Video Recording Limit
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Nikon 1 J3 was announced in 2013 and is a 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm) Mirrorless camera with 14.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 160 to 6,400. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution.

    Nikon 1 J3 can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Here is the Nikon 1 J series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Nikon 1 J series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Nikon 1 J5
    Compare
    		April
    2015    		 20.8 MP
    1-inch    		 160 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    1,037k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon 1 J4
    Compare
    		April
    2014    		 18.4 MP
    1-inch    		 160 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    1,037k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon 1 J3 November
    2013    		 14.2 MP
    1-inch    		 160 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon 1 J2
    Compare
    		August
    2012    		 10.1 MP
    1-inch    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon 1 J1
    Compare
    		January
    2012    		 10.1 MP
    1-inch    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    460k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Nikon 1 J5 vs 1 J4 vs 1 J3 vs 1 J2 vs 1 J1.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon 1 J3.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   135 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Light - 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz)

    CONS

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
    •   160 Lowest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/60 sec
    •   No External Flash Connectivity
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/16000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 15.0 fps

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Nikon 1 J3 to its predecessor 1 J2 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Nikon 1 J3 vs Nikon 1 J2
    Higher Sensor Resolution 14.2 Megapixel vs 10.1 Megapixel
    Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3072 vs 3872 x 2592
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 15.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 420 vs 363
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.0 vs 10.8
    Lighter 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz) vs 238 g (0.52 lb / 8.40 oz)
    DOWNGRADES Nikon 1 J3 vs Nikon 1 J2
    Higher Native ISO 160 vs 100
    Lower DxO Color Depth 20.4 vs 21.3
    Lower DxO Overall Score 52 vs 54
    Shorter Battery Life 220 shots vs 230 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon 1 J3 vs 1 J2.

    Successor

    In 2014 Nikon 1 J3 was replaced by Nikon 1 J4. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon 1 J3 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Nikon 1 J4 vs Nikon 1 J3
    Higher Sensor Resolution 18.4 Megapixel vs 14.2 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 12,800 vs 6,400
    Max Image Resolution 5232 x 3488 vs 4608 x 3072
    More Focus Points 171 vs 135
    More Cross-type Focus Points 105 vs 41
    Touch-to-Focus vs
    Center Autofocus vs
    Continuous Autofocus vs
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Touch Screen vs
    Higher Resolution Screen 1,037k dot vs 921k dot
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 60.0 fps vs 15.0 fps
    Built-In Wi-Fi vs via optional WU-1b mobile adapter
    Longer Battery Life 300 shots vs 220 shots
    DOWNGRADES Nikon 1 J4 vs Nikon 1 J3
    Timelapse Recording vs
    Heavier 232 g (0.51 lb / 8.18 oz) vs 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon 1 J3 vs 1 J4.

    Screen

    Fixed screen

    Nikon 1 J3 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution.

    Sensor

    Nikon 1 J3 features a 14.2 megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 116.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 160 - 6,400.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Nikon 1 J3's 1-inch sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 4608 x 3072 resolution.


    Lens Mount

    Nikon 1 J3 has Nikon 1 lens mount. Due to 1-inch sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 2.7x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.7.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon 1 J3.

    Nikon 1 J5
    Image cannot be found

    1-inch

    20.8 MP

    Nikon 1 J4
    Image cannot be found

    1-inch

    18.4 MP

    Nikon 1 J1
    Image cannot be found

    1-inch

    10.1 MP

    Nikon 1 J2
    Image cannot be found

    1-inch

    10.1 MP

    Nikon D3500
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Nikon Z30
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.9 MP

    Pentax K-1 II
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    36.4 MP

    Sony a7C II
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    33.0 MP

    Canon 5DS
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Nikon Z50
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.9 MP

    Pentax K-7
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    15 MP

    Nikon Z5
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.3 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Nikon 1 J3 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Nikon 1 J3 comes with EN-EL20 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Nikon 1 J3 has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter. Camera can shoot continuously up to 15.0 fps.


    Focusing

    Nikon 1 J3 has Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
    AF-assist illuminator system with 135 (41 cross-type) focusing points.


    Flash

    Nikon 1 J3 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 5.00 m. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/60 sec. Flash compensation can be set from -3 to +1 EV with 1/3 EV steps).

    Physical Parameters

    Nikon 1 J3 has dimensions of 101 x 61 x 29 mm (3.98 x 2.4 x 1.14"). It weighs 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    101 mm (3.98")

    61 mm (2.4")

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    61 mm (2.4")

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    Nikon 1 J3 dimensions

    Nikon 1 J3 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Nikon 1 J3 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Nikon 1 J3 gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    POOR
    48

    Nikon 1 J3 gets a score of 48 and is POOR choice for Sports photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   135 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 15.0 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots

    Wildlife Photography

    POOR
    49

    Nikon 1 J3 gets a score of 49 and is POOR choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   135 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 15.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots

    Portrait Photography

    AVERAGE
    60

    Nikon 1 J3 gets a score of 60 and is AVERAGE choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   135 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/60 sec
    •   No External Flash Connectivity

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Nikon 1 J3 gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   135 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    84

    Nikon 1 J3 gets a score of 84 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots

    Nikon 1 J3 Evaluation

    We evaluate Nikon 1 J3 and give score of 59 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    59

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    63

    We give Nikon 1 J3 a score of 63 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
    •   160 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    61

    We give Nikon 1 J3 a score of 61 for Photo parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/16000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 15.0 fps
    •   Low Flash Sync Speed - 1/60 sec
    •   No External Flash Connectivity

    Video

    BAD
    16

    We give Nikon 1 J3 a score of 16 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    GOOD
    74

    We give Nikon 1 J3 a score of 74 for Focusing parameters.

    •   135 Focus Points
    •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    57

    We give Nikon 1 J3 a score of 57 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Viewfinder

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Nikon 1 J3 a score of 65 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    42

    We give Nikon 1 J3 a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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