Nikon Unveils 20.8MP Nikon 1 J5 Mirrorless Camera with Speedy 20FPS Burst Shooting & 4K Video

Nikon just announced the  20.8-megapixel Nikon 1 J5, the newest mirrorless model in Nikon’s portable Nikon 1 compact system camera line. The biggest headline feature about the Nikon 1 J5 is its extremely fast 20 frames per second (fps) continuous burst shooting with full autofocus AF.

The Nikon 1 J5 can even shoot as fast as 60 fps but with AF locked on the first frame. The camera can also shoot 4K video but at a rather slow frame rate.

The J5 has what Nikon calls a “hybrid AF system,” which uses 171 Contrast-Detect and 105 Phase Detect AF points. Nikon has also introduced a new Sports Mode in the J5, which helps optimize focus via a preset setting to freeze action shots, according to Nikon

The Nikon 1 J5 also features a new 20.8-megapixel Backside-illuminated (BSI) 1-inch CX-format CMOS sensor, a ramped up EXPEED 5A image processor, and a several new creative modes. The Nikon 1 J5 adds Nikon Snapbridge, which lets photographers wirelessly shoot and share photos from the camera to a compatible smartphone or tablet via built-in Wi-Fi or Near Field Communication (NFC2) technology.

Other New Features

The Nikon 1 J5 has a built-in flash and can shoot at an ISO range of 160-12,800. For extreme low-light shooting condtions, the camera’s High ISO Noise Reduction mode captures and stacks four frames simultaneously to help reduce noise when shooting at 6400 and 12,800 (with noise reduction enabled).

There are also some new design features on the Nikon 1 J5. You can now access manual controls and PSAM exposure modes via the Mode Dial, while the Command Dial allows settings to be changed quickly. A programmable function button helps access frequently used functions including ISO and white balance.

The J5 has a 3-inch 1,037k-dot touch LCD rear display with a 180-degree tilt to help frame shots from a variety of angles. The LCD screen tilts a full 180-degrees upward to help capture selfies. There’s also a new Self-Portrait Mode to more easily set skin softening, self-timer and exposure compensation using the touchscreen interface.

The Nikon 1 J5 has a variety of Creative Modes and Scene Modes for stills and video. Seven new effects are available including Nostalgic Sepia, Pop, Retro, High-contrast Monochrome, Fisheye, Skin softening (stills only) and Cross Screen (stills only).

Video Features

The Nikon 1 J5 offers 1080/60p HD video and shooting at up to 120 fps (at 720p) to create slow motion playback. New creative video tools include Jump-Cut, Fast Motion, 4-second movie and the new Time-Lapse Movie mode that captures up to 300 stills and replays them as a 10-second sequence.

An interval timer has also been added, which allows up to 999 images to be recorded in intervals between 5 seconds and up to nearly 100 minutes (99:59) to create time-lapse movies via external software.

Also new with the J5, creative effects including Selective Color and Cross Process are now available for video application. The Nikon 1 J5 can also capture high-resolution 4K video at 15p, which is quite slow but, hey, it’s still 4K!

Price and Availability

The Nikon 1 J5 camera will come in Silver and Black, Silver and White and all Black in a variety of kit configurations. The J5 with the 1 NIKKOR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens will sell for a suggested retail price of $499.95, while a kit with both the 1 NIKKOR  10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens and 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 goes for $749.95  in Silver/Black and Silver/White only.

The Nikon 1 J5 will also be kitted with the 1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4-5.6 lens for $1,049.95  in Silver/Black and Silver/White only. A ship date for the Nikon 1 J5 has not been set yet but Nikon says it “will be available soon.”

X