Nikon 1 J3 vs Nikon D7000

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon 1 J3 and the Nikon D7000, 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 J3 was introduced in November 2013 and Nikon D7000 was introduced in November 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Nikon 1 J3 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

      Nikon D7000 Highlights

      • 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 39 Focus Points (39 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 6.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      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.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon D7000.

      PROS

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      •   Video Capture
      •   135 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz)
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      •   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
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth


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

      AVERAGE

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      •   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
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)

      Advantage of Nikon 1 J3

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon 1 J3 over Nikon D7000.

      Nikon 1 J3 vs Nikon D7000
      More Focus Points 135 vs 39
      More Cross-type Focus Points 41 vs 9
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 15.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Lighter 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz) vs 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)

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

      Advantage of Nikon D7000

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon D7000 over Nikon 1 J3.

      Nikon 1 J3 vs Nikon D7000
      Larger Sensor 1-inch vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14.2 Megapixel vs 16.2 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 160 vs 100
      Max Image Resolution 4608 x 3072 vs 4928 x 3264
      Higher Bit Depth 12-Bit vs 14-Bit
      Center Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Viewfinder vs Optical (pentaprism)
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/8000 sec
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/60 sec vs 1/250 sec
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Average Metering vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 420 vs 1167
      Higher DxO Color Depth 20.4 vs 23.5
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.0 vs 13.9
      Higher DxO Overall Score 52 vs 80
      Microphone Input vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Longer Battery Life 220 shots vs 1050 shots
      More Storage Slots 1 vs 2

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Nikon D7000.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      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.

      STRENGTHS Nikon 1 J3 Nikon D7000
        Video Capture
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Type C Mini Type C
      WEAKNESSES Nikon 1 J3 Nikon D7000
        No Image Stabilization
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Video Resolution1920 x 10801920 x 1080
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi via optional WU-1b mobile adapter via Eye-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon D7000 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 921k dot resolution.


      Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder on Nikon D7000

      Nikon D7000 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Nikon 1 J3.

      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. Nikon D7000 features a 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400 and expands to 100 - 25,600 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
      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

      Nikon 1 J3 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3072 resolution. Nikon D7000 is equipped with EXPEED 2 processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3696 x 2448, 2464 x 1632 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Nikon 1 J3 has Nikon 1 lens mount and Nikon D7000 has Nikon F lens mount. Due to 1-inch sensor in Nikon 1 J3 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 APS-C sensor in Nikon D7000 its crop factor is equal to 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 Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Nikon 1 J3 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D7000 nothing can be done. On Nikon D7000 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon 1 J3 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon 1 J3 has a Type C HDMI and Nikon D7000 has a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Nikon 1 J3 comes with EN-EL20 battery pack with battery life of 220 shots and Nikon D7000 comes with EN-EL15 battery pack with battery life of 1050 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Nikon 1 J3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot. Nikon D7000 has Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slots.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Nikon 1 J3 has Electronic shutter. Nikon D7000 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 J3, and up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D7000. Nikon 1 J3 can shoot continuously up to 15.0 fps. Nikon D7000 can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps.


      Focusing

      Nikon 1 J3 has Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
      AF-assist illuminator system with 135 (41 cross-type) focusing points and Nikon D7000 has 39 (9 cross-type) focusing points. Nikon D7000 has detection range from -1 to +19 EV.


      Exposure

      Exposure meterings of Nikon D7000 ranges from 0 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 range on Nikon 1 J3 and ±5 EV range on Nikon D7000. You can also do exposure lock and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon 1 J3 and exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D7000.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 5.00 m on Nikon 1 J3 and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Nikon D7000. Nikon D7000 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/60 sec on Nikon 1 J3 and 1/250 sec on Nikon D7000.

      Physical Parameters

      Nikon 1 J3 body has dimensions of 101 x 61 x 29 mm (3.98 x 2.4 x 1.14") and Nikon D7000 body has dimensions of 132 x 105 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.13 x 3.03"). Nikon 1 J3 weighs 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz) and Nikon D7000 weighs 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz).

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      101 mm

      61 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      132 mm

      105 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      61 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      105 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon D7000

      Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon D7000 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      81
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      POOR
      48
      •   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
      GOOD
      70
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      POOR
      49
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   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
      GOOD
      78
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      GOOD
      81
      •   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)
      GOOD
      79
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      GOOD
      84
      •   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
      GOOD
      79
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Nikon 1 J3 and Nikon D7000 and give them scores of 59 and 69 out of 100 recpectively. 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.


      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      OVERALL
      59
      OVERALL
      69

      Sensor

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      AVERAGE
      63
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.2 Megapixel
      •   160 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low DxO Overall Score - 52
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 80

      Photo

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      AVERAGE
      61
      •   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
      GOOD
      70
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 6.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

      Video

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      14
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      GOOD
      74
      •   135 Focus Points
      •   41 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      GOOD
      83
      •   -1 EV Min AF Detection
      •   39 Focus Points
      •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      GOOD
      73
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

      Connectivity

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      75
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Nikon 1 J3

      Nikon D7000

      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 201 g (0.44 lb / 7.09 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 220 shots
      GOOD
      75
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 780 g (1.72 lb / 27.51 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1050 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots


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

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