Nikon 1 AW1 vs Nikon D810A

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon 1 AW1 and the Nikon D810A, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon 1 AW1 was introduced in September 2013 and Nikon D810A was introduced in February 2015. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon 1 AW1 over Nikon D810A.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D810A over Nikon 1 AW1.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon 1 AW1 has a 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution and Nikon D810A has a 3.2" screen with 1,229k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Nikon D810A

Nikon D810A has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.70x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon 1 AW1.

Nikon 1 AW1 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. Nikon D810A features a 36.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 12,800 and expands to 100 - 51,200 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Nikon 1 AW1 is equipped with EXPEED 3A processor and can take pictures up to 4608 x 3072 resolution. Nikon D810A is equipped with EXPEED 4 processor and can take pictures up to 7360 x 4912 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like FX: 5520 x 3680, 3680 x 2456; 1.2: 6144 x 4080, 4608 x 3056, 3072 x 2040; 5:4: 6144 x 4912, 4608 x 3680, 3072 x 2456; DX: 4800 x 3200, 3600 x 2400, 2400 x 1600 with 5:4, 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Nikon 1 AW1 has Nikon 1 lens mount and Nikon D810A has Nikon F lens mount. Due to 1-inch sensor in Nikon 1 AW1 its crop factor is equal to 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. Due to Full Frame sensor in Nikon D810A its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon 1 AW1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D810A nothing can be done. On Nikon D810A it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon 1 AW1 nothing can be done.

Built-in GPS on Nikon 1 AW1

Nikon 1 AW1 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Nikon 1 AW1 has a Mini HDMI and Nikon D810A has a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon 1 AW1 comes with EN-EL20 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots and Nikon D810A comes with EN-EL15 battery pack with battery life of 1200 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon 1 AW1 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon D810A has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC and one for CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA).

Shutter

Nikon 1 AW1 has Electronic shutter. Nikon D810A has Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter on Nikon 1 AW1, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D810A. Nikon 1 AW1 can shoot continuously up to 60.0 fps. Nikon D810A can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon 1 AW1 has Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
AF-assist illuminator system with 135 focusing points and Nikon D810A has 51 (15 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D810A has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 5.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon 1 AW1 and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D810A. Nikon D810A also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal or Wireless connection. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/60 sec on Nikon 1 AW1.

Nikon 1 AW1 body has dimensions of 114 x 72 x 37 mm (4.47 x 2.81 x 1.46") and Nikon D810A body has dimensions of 146 x 123 x 82 mm (5.75 x 4.84 x 3.23"). Nikon 1 AW1 weighs 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz) and Nikon D810A weighs 880 g (1.94 lb / 31.04 oz).

Nikon 1 AW1

Nikon D810A

114 mm

72 mm

146 mm

123 mm

72 mm

123 mm

37 mm

82 mm