Nikon v1 at discount. Worth it?

[gdourado]

Hello,

How are you?
Today I saw the Nikon v1 with the 10-30, new, at the price of 260 euros.
That is half the price of the rx100 and cheaper than any other advanced compact.

I currently have no camera and shoot only casual shots with the iPhone 5.

I lost interest in photography and the whole process of digital workflow and editing and all that.

After trading my 20d, 5d and lenses for a m43 setup, because I thought it was the bulk and weight that kept me from shooting, I also sold all my m43 gear and decided to take a break on photography.

This was about 5 months ago.
But now, the v1 for the price has me wondering...

Is it a good camera? Should I buy it? Or will I just get tired of it again after a couple weeks?

Cheers

 

[OldITGeek]

If you think you want to take photos, then yes.

It's a great little camera, and cheap, Nikon and cheap normally don't go together

 

[IsamuM]

Yes, it is totally worth it for that price.

 

[gdourado]

The thing is that the Nikon V1 is really cheap now and I can even get the kit with the 10-30 and 30-110 for 380 Euros.
I can than add the 18.5 for another 140 and have a pretty good kit...
The thing I am thinking is if I will feel limited by the small sensor.
I've already had a 5D and some APS-C cameras and also some M43's cameras...
But a 2.7 crop sensor would be a first...

The think is, are cameras like the X-E1, NEX-5 or OMD worth 4 times the cost of the V1?
And is the 1 system likely to keep being developed by Nikon or is it a dead end system?

Cheers!

 

[IsamuM]

I think it really depends on what you want to use it for.

I doubt if many of us here use only the Nikon V1. I think most of us also have FX or DX kits, and like the V1 as a walk-around camera because of its light weight and small size. It also has the advantage of being able to use Nikon DSLR lenses with the FT-1 adapter.

So, I guess that is the question that you will have to ask yourself.

As for whether it is a dead end system, I doubt if even Nikon knows the answer to that. I do know, however, that the Nikon 1 system, especially the J1, is selling pretty well in Japan.

 

[gdourado]

For the same price, what could be a better option?
Kit 1 - Nikon V1 + 10-30mm + 30-110mm
Kit 2 - Samsung NX1000 + 20-50mm + 30mm

Cheers!

 

[7006]

I would not go for Samsung just yet. They are learning fast but their lenses are not as good as Nikon's.

 

[Anthony747]

At that price it was a no brainer for me. Great camera.

 

[gdourado]

I am currently torn between the V1 or the Canon G1X.
Here is what I posted on another forum about this choice:


Technology has these things... Something is new and very expensive and some time later, that same thing is no longer the newest thing and as such, it is not the most expensive thing either...

This is true for both the Nikon V1 and the Canon G1X.

Both these cameras had some major price cuts recently and that made me look at them with a renewed interest...

I am currently looking into buying a new camera.

I currently have none.

My point to buying a camera is to mainly use it as a travel camera. I like travelling a lot either on my own country or abroad and I would like a camera to allow me to take some nice pictures but not get in the way of the travelling experience.

I already travelled with a backpack with 2 DSLR bodies and some lenses, just with one DSLR and a general purpose zoom, and with a M43 kit with a body and 4 lenses...

All of these, always ended up getting in the way.

I took some great shots, no doubt, but then I come home, see them all once, show a few to my family, edit and post process a handful and that's that...

I always got the feeling I could enjoy the trip more if I wasn't lugging a big and heavy photokit or just worrying too much about capturing the images... At the end of the day I am not a professional photographer and taking the shots is not the goal of my trip...

So, for my last trip to Mallorca in the summer, I just took my iPhone with me, no camera at all and it Was liberating... No great shots, but I brought memories in the form of pictures and enjoyed the trip alot...

But liking photography and technology in general, I miss a real camera. Something with proper controls, ergonomics and better IQ. But I don't want to go back to DSLRS that get too much in the way...

I will not be doing portrait photography, or sports, or landscapes...

Just general travel photography and use the camera in some family occasions and social gatherings...

So, for this, I have my eye on either the V1 or the G1X... The Nikon with the 10-30 and 30-110 is the same price as the G1X. The V1 with just the 10-30 is about 35% cheaper than the G1X.

I know they are very different cameras...

For one, the V1 is a system camera and the G1X is just a very advanced and "big" point and shoot.

The V1 has a smaller sensor with a 2.7 crop factor, but it can take faster lenses like the f1.8 18,5mm. But that is the only one. I don't own a nikon DSLR and I don't plan to, so if I go with the V1, it will be to use just native lenses.

With the 10-30 on the V1, the G1X has the better IQ due to it's larger sensor. It also offers a body with more direct controls. The V1 relies more on menu diving to adjust settings.

The G1X also offers more control over DOF than the V1 with the 10-30 lens.

The V1 has a 1.44 mDot EVF while the G1X has an OVF with 80% coverage, no information and very small.

The G1X has just contrast detect auto focus while the V1 offers hybrid AF. It is faster and can track moving subjects...

The V1 can cover more focal lengths, but it has the hassle of one having to switch lenses to get that extra FL... The G1X is always ready within it's lens 4X zoom.

The V1 can become more expensive if I star buying lenses.

The G1X is a bit bigger and heavier, but thanks to it's smaller profile with the lens retracted, it is easier to fit in a large coat pocket or a non camera bag.

I guess this pretty much sums the differences between the two...

But since they are such different cameras, I don't know which one to choose...

I also though about other systems, like the M43 again with an OMD or a Samsung NX camera or even a NEX-6... But those systems are more expensive, have bigger and heavier lenses and I would probably end up building another kit with great IQ and performance, but it would get in the way again...

So, for my purpose, which is the better option? The V1 or the G1X?

CheerS!

 

[crashton]

For my money I'd go with the V1 2 lens kit. If you want to grow with the system you can. With the G1X that is it. No chance to add lenses if you feel the need.

I'd suggest a 10mm f2.8 to use on the V1. It makes for a light & somewhat compact camera.

For what it is worth I find the controls on the V1 to be fine. Yes there is menu diving, but after a while it becomes second nature. The GX1 has better controls if that is of utmost importance to you.

Good luck you have a tough decision to make.

 

[hangman]

You are asking questions that only you can answer. All the answers here are based on peronal opinions, and unless you share the same opinions, you will not be happy. It seems that your biggest priority from your post is for the camera to not interfer with your travels. That it must be small, light and not get in the way. From what I can tell, you value that over optimal image quality. With that, if my priorities were as such, I would get the olympus TG2 camera or any of the other "tough" cameras. They are waterproof (if you happen to have some water adventures during your travel), they are shock proof (for when your travel takes you to rough terrain), and its freeze proof (for when your travels take you to feezing locations).. Again, these are just my opinions based on what you stated you want the camera for..