Nikon D1

    55
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    Highlights

    • 2.66 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
    • 200 - 1,600 Native ISO
    • 2.0" 130k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 4.5 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Nikon D1 was announced in 2000 and is an APS-C (23.7 x 15.6 mm) DSLR camera with 2.66 Megapixel CCD sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 200 to 1,600. The camera has a Fixed 2.0" screen with 130k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder.

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

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

    Nikon Dx series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Nikon D6
    Compare
    		February
    2020    		 20.8 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 102,400 Fixed 3.2"
    2,359k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon D5
    Compare
    		January
    2016    		 20.8 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 102,400 Fixed 3.2"
    2,359k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Nikon D4s
    Compare
    		February
    2014    		 16.2 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 25,600 Fixed 3.2"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D4
    Compare
    		January
    2012    		 16.2 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 12,800 Fixed 3.2"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D3S
    Compare
    		February
    2010    		 12.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 200 - 12,800 Fixed 3.0"
    921k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D3X
    Compare
    		February
    2009    		 24.5 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D3
    Compare
    		April
    2008    		 12.1 MP
    Full Frame    		 200 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2Xs
    Compare
    		June
    2006    		 12.4 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 800 Fixed 2.5"
    235k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2X
    Compare
    		June
    2005    		 12.4 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 800 Fixed 2.5"
    235k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2Hs
    Compare
    		February
    2005    		 4.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    235k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D2H
    Compare
    		December
    2003    		 4.1 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    211k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D1H
    Compare
    		September
    2001    		 2.7 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D1X
    Compare
    		June
    2001    		 5.3 MP
    APS-C    		 125 - 800 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot
    Image cannot be found Nikon D1 November
    2000    		 2.66 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 1,600 Fixed 2.0"
    130k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Nikon D6 vs D5 vs D4s vs D4 vs D3S vs D3X.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon D1.

    PROS

    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/16000 sec
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec
    •   Environmental Sealing

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 2.66 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Small Screen - 2.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)

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

    AVERAGE

    •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps

    Successor

    In 2001 Nikon D1 was replaced by Nikon D1X. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Nikon D1 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Nikon D1X vs Nikon D1
    Higher Sensor Resolution 5.3 Megapixel vs 2.66 Megapixel
    Lower Native ISO 125 vs 200
    Max Image Resolution 3008 x 1960 vs 2000 x 1312
    DOWNGRADES Nikon D1X vs Nikon D1
    Lower Native ISO 800 vs 1,600
    Lower Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 4.5 fps

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Nikon D1 vs D1X.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Nikon D1 has a 2.0" Fixed screen with 130k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 96% coverage and 0.80x (0.53x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Nikon D1 features a 2.66 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 369.7 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 1,600.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Nikon D1's APS-C 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-C23.7 x 15.6 mm369.7 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 2000 x 1312 resolution.


    Lens Mount

    Nikon D1 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    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 D1.

    Nikon D2Xs
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.4 MP

    Nikon D2H
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    4.1 MP

    Nikon D3S
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    12.1 MP

    Nikon D5
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    20.8 MP

    Nikon D4
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    16.2 MP

    Nikon D1H
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    2.7 MP

    Nikon D4s
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    16.2 MP

    Nikon D2Hs
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    4.1 MP

    Nikon D6
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    20.8 MP

    Nikon D3
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    12.1 MP

    Nikon D3X
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.5 MP

    Nikon D1X
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    5.3 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Nikon D1 has Combined electronic (CCD) and mechanicall shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/16000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 4.5 fps.


    Focusing

    Nikon D1 has focusing points and from -1 to +19 EV detection range.


    Flash

    Nikon D1 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/500 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Nikon D1 has dimensions of 157 x 153 x 85 mm (6.18 x 6.02 x 3.35"). It weighs 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz), so it is a heavy camera.

    157 mm (6.18")

    153 mm (6.02")

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    153 mm (6.02")

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    85 mm (3.35")

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    Nikon D1 dimensions

    Nikon D1 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 D1 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Nikon D1 gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    POOR
    50

    Nikon D1 gets a score of 50 and is POOR choice for Sports photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    55

    Nikon D1 gets a score of 55 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Portrait Photography

    AVERAGE
    65

    Nikon D1 gets a score of 65 and is AVERAGE choice for Portrait photography.

    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Small Screen - 2.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

    Street Photography

    AVERAGE
    68

    Nikon D1 gets a score of 68 and is AVERAGE choice for Street photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)

    Travel Photography

    AVERAGE
    68

    Nikon D1 gets a score of 68 and is AVERAGE choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)

    Nikon D1 Evaluation

    We evaluate Nikon D1 and give score of 55 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
    55

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    58

    We give Nikon D1 a score of 58 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 2.66 Megapixel
    •   200 Lowest Native ISO
    •   1,600 Highest Native ISO

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    62

    We give Nikon D1 a score of 62 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/16000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 4.5 fps
    •   High Flash Sync Speed - 1/500 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Nikon D1 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    GOOD
    81

    We give Nikon D1 a score of 81 for Focusing parameters.

    •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Nikon D1 a score of 65 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Small Screen - 2.0"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 130k dot

    Connectivity

    BAD
    25

    We give Nikon D1 a score of 25 for Connectivity parameters.

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

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    74

    We give Nikon D1 a score of 74 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Heavy - 1200 g (2.65 lb / 42.33 oz)


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

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