Nikon 1 J5

[jayzzz]

After more 'research', it looks like the Sony a5100L is the closest competitor to the Nikon 1 J5.
But after even more reading and comparison with Sony a5100L, a6000, Canon M3, Panasonic GF7, GX7 features, I am all set to go for the N 1 J5, and may add a f/1.8 prime!

The features are overwhelming and exceeds my D7000 so much I may leave that at home! The only missing lens is f/2.8 zoom which I use a lot with my D7000.
Hopefully the J5 IQ is good enough, as it has the smallest sensor amongst competitors, with all the hype about larger APS-C sensors in Sony/Fuji having better IQ blah blah.

 

[jayzzz]

Nikon 1 J5 was released last weekend. Did anyone buy it yet?

 

[alfie]

Anyone seen it outside of courts?

 

[boboshot]

was thinking of getting this camera but decided to go for GF7 instead.
The main reason being Panasonics just have better app. to control the phone thru wifi.

 

[alfie]

The choice to get this camera really stems from what lens you have. As a nikon user, getting the J5 was a simple choice as I get to hook this up to my 300/4 with the FT1 adapter to become an effective 800mm to shoot birds/nature with

Just picked up mine from Jurong Point courts. The silver version is a real beauty, high ISO performance is quite amazing too.

 

[jayzzz]

Looks like for now, it's exclusively sold in Courts only...all the normal shops I called up can't sell it...

Like that cannot bargain liao...or maybe can ask for more freebies...
Or else can wait for PC Show in early June to see if any good promos.

 

[jayzzz]

was thinking of getting this camera but decided to go for GF7 instead.
The main reason being Panasonics just have better app. to control the phone thru wifi.

I was looking at GF7 also, but if I'm leaving my SLR at home, I want to get a camera with good IQ esp in low light...hence will die die get the J5...and fingers x it's IQ is good enough...

 

[alfie]

I was looking at GF7 also, but if I'm leaving my SLR at home, I want to get a camera with good IQ esp in low light...hence will die die get the J5...and fingers x it's IQ is good enough...

I've actually got really decent shots at ISO12800 at a pub. (Its not going to match a Nikon Df, but its way better then an iphone, and I could focus better the other mirrorless cameras we had)

Took my J5 for a spin around my office with the Nikon 300mm F/4 PF with the FT1 adapter. 20fps is really fun, but it did take close to a minute to flush to buffer.


Yellow-Vented bulbul (Pycnonotus Goiavier) by Elvin Tan, on Flickr

 

[Event_Horizon]

What memory card did you use?

 

[alfie]

What memory card did you use?

Sandisk Extreme 60mb/sec MicroSDXC 64gb. I will most prob try it out with the 80mb/sec version soon.

I just retimed it, yes it does take 1 min to write 20 RAW+JPG frames. JPG alone is faster.

 

[Event_Horizon]

Sandisk Extreme 60mb/sec MicroSDXC 64gb. I will most prob try it out with the 80mb/sec version soon.

I just retimed it, yes it does take 1 min to write 20 RAW+JPG frames. JPG alone is faster.

wow. assuming a RAW+JPG is around 36mb. 36*20/60=12MB/sec
Your sandisk extreme should be max out at 40MB/sec write based on advertised specs.
Either the microsd interface on the camera is slow or the advertised numbers are way off for the card.

 

[alfie]

wow. assuming a RAW+JPG is around 36mb. 36*20/60=12MB/sec
Your sandisk extreme should be max out at 40MB/sec write based on advertised specs.
Either the microsd interface on the camera is slow or the advertised numbers are way off for the card.

Its a U-3 card (able to sustain 4K writes) I suspect the 'slowness' is the camera needs to create a JPG file from each buffered images.

Will test out more. My problem is now running out of battery after doing so much bursting. haha.. (Only one battery, cant get more yet ! Have to steal my fren's batt everytime)

 

[daredevil123]

alfie, have you tried just shooting raw?

 

[alfie]

alfie, have you tried just shooting raw?

I just gave that a try and it definately is faster.

(Very rough estimates)
RAW+JPG = 20 shots take around 1+ min
RAW only = 20 shots takes around 45 seconds
JPG only = 20 shots takes around 30 seconds

Once RAW support on DXO Optics pro (My normal raw editor) comes in for J5, I will shoot raw only.

 

[Event_Horizon]

Maybe you can test your card real throughput on a computer with good card reader.
You may want to disable in body d-lighting and nr.
There is nothing like having a fast shooter that cannot clear buffer fast enough.
Is there a limit for the number of jpeg in each burst?
Thanks

 

[alfie]

Maybe you can test your card real throughput on a computer with good card reader.
You may want to disable in body d-lighting and nr.
There is nothing like having a fast shooter that cannot clear buffer fast enough.
Is there a limit for the number of jpeg in each burst?
Thanks

I just tried disabling the extra stuff like d-light, nr, distorition. I did a raw only test (since this be the best way to shoot for me) and it still takes approximately 45seconds.. (2seconds per frame to flush) Will get a faster sdxc card next week to test.

The buffer is limited to 20 frames.. raw+jpg Or raw or jpg.. no difference. Well its not a d810/d7200 or a v3 (which has a larger 40 frame buffer)

 

[Event_Horizon]

I just tried disabling the extra stuff like d-light, nr, distorition. I did a raw only test (since this be the best way to shoot for me) and it still takes approximately 45seconds.. (2seconds per frame to flush) Will get a faster sdxc card next week to test.

The buffer is limited to 20 frames.. raw+jpg Or raw or jpg.. no difference. Well its not a d810/d7200 or a v3 (which has a larger 40 frame buffer)

Nice review

In the old j1, disabling d lighting makes no diff. Disabling nr makes a diff. Even at the lowest resolution and basic jpeg, it will 'only' shoot r83 at 5fps.
Using the high speed e shutter 60fps mode will always limit to r12 no mattet raw or jpeg. Clearing the buffer will take longer saving to raw.

 

[Allan Teo]

Unfortunately, it is reported that the J5 will Overheat in Video recording after 10 minutes.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3215970

*The camera did overheat in Video mode after about 10 minutes of shooting which was a problem with the V1 too.*

Very sad nikon still cannot get it right..

 

[alfie]

Brought the J5 while cycling and shot a video of a blue-throated bee-eater.

The WB was set at Auto, and i suspect the changing cloud cover caused some color shift randomly..

[video=youtube;dijdCKZFPpg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dijdCKZFPpg[/video]

Here's a still shot with the Nikon 300mm F/4 PF


Blue-throated bee-eater (Merops viridis) by Elvin Tan, on Flickr

 

[richiemccaw1]

Very good video quality. Impressive output from the J5..