The Nikon 1 J3 digital camera | Nikon 1 system digital camera

Learn & Explore Tip of the Day

June 20, 2013

To get a shot of someone at sunset, turn on your flash and place the person with the beautiful sunset behind them. With the flash on, they will be illuminated. With the flash off, they will be silhouetted.

June 19, 2013

Take plenty of pictures. With the split-second nature of sports, it is extremely hard to capture every moment perfectly. Shooting a lot will increase the odds of getting the one great photo you'll want to share. Put the camera on continuous shooting to maximize your efforts.

June 18, 2013

Keep an eye on your LCD after you take photos of people, and when you find a particularly flattering shot, show it to them. Nothing makes a person relax like knowing that the photos you’re taking make them look good.

June 17, 2013

Sitting around a campfire and roasting marshmallows? You can get some great shots in the light of a fire, but remember that if the fire’s in the picture, the camera’s meter can be fooled by the brightness of the flames. Compose and meter your exposure on your subjects’ faces to expose them properly.

June 16, 2013

Take plenty of photos during your Father’s Day celebrations. Remember to print multiple copies, so everyone can have their own photographs of dad to cherish.

June 15, 2013

Planning to take a vacation by the beach? Look for a compact digital camera that’s waterproof, such as the Nikon COOLPIX AW110, S31 or get an underwater housing for your camera. You’ll be able to take your camera under water and capture what goes on below the surface.

June 14, 2013

Use panning for a different action shot. Slow down your shutter speed and follow the subject (panning) with your camera as you take the picture. This will blur/streak the background and keeps your subject in focus. Try to shoot about 1/30 of a second as you follow the action.

June 13, 2013

When shooting groups of five or more people, make sure you stagger them. Put tall folks in the back and the shortest ones in front. It may seem simple, but blocking out just one face can ruin a group portrait. Always tell them, “If you don’t have a clear view of me, the camera can’t see you.”

June 12, 2013

Want a unique video of sports action? Use the slow-motion mode that many Nikon digital cameras offer. By shooting the action faster than normal and played back at normal speed, your subject’s movements are slowed down and look more deliberate.

June 11, 2013

When shooting bodies of water, use a polarizer filter to reduce glare. It will increase the contrast of the overall image, making colors seem deeper and more vivid.

June 10, 2013

When photographing animals of any kind—pets, birds in flight, animals at the zoo—try to zoom in as close as you can or use a longer lens to isolate the animal from its background. By getting a close-up view you have a greater chance of capturing a wonderful expression on the face of the animal, which will give you a more interesting photograph.

June 9, 2013

Spend a day taking photos using the effects modes that your camera offers. Check your camera manual to see where to find the effects available on your specific camera.

June 8, 2013

Baseball games provide a lot of angles. Get low, near first base. From there you can see most of the infield action, plus home plate. Try shooting through the backstop with a long lens as the pitcher warms up. But don’t get too close to the action. You don't want to get hurt.

June 7, 2013

Check the weather before an outdoor event. Protecting your camera and lens is critical. Consider buying a rain hood for your camera. It will protect your camera and allow you to keep shooting. If you don’t have one, use a gallon-size plastic bag or trash bag with rubber bands to protect your gear.

June 6, 2013

When composing a sports picture, leave some room for the action. For instance, if a runner is going left to right, leave more room on the right side of the frame for him/her to run into. This will make a big difference on the impact of the image.

June 5, 2013

Change your white balance during a sunrise or sunset. Take your camera off auto white balance and switch to Cloudy or Shady white balance. This will add more strength to the reds, oranges and yellows. Auto White Balance tries to keep colors neutral.

June 4, 2013

Posing a bride and groom for photos is sometimes difficult. Concentrate on close shots of just the two of them, with clean backgrounds. Then create a fun group shot having them in the center, with others gathered around them. Just make sure no one gets in front of them. After all, it’s their day.

June 3, 2013

Use a polarizing filter to lessen or eliminate reflections from glass. This works really well on windows of stores or cars. But the trade-off is that your exposure will be a bit longer, as the light is cut down by almost two stops.

June 2, 2013

Try shooting panoramas if you’re at a sport stadium, beach or park, for more interesting images. Some Nikon Digital Cameras have an Easy Panorama mode or a Panorama Assist mode, which make these photos easy to capture.

June 1, 2013

Use a small flashlight to light up a scene. Put one behind or under an object at night to create an interesting glow or use it instead of a flash. Take long-exposure shots using a flash as a light source and you can create interesting glowing sections of your photos.

May 31, 2013

At a gathering of friends or family take an extra camera and let everyone know they can take pictures with it. Leave it out and let anyone grab it and shoot away. Then use one of the photo sharing sites to make sure everyone can get a copy of the photos they took.

May 30, 2013

At a wedding, watch what the photographer is doing and pick something different to shoot. If the photographer is shooting the cake cutting, take pictures of the band. If the photographer is shooting the bouquet toss with a wide-angle lens from behind the bride, use a telephoto to capture people trying to catch the flowers. You’ll capture a part of the wedding that wouldn’t have been documented otherwise.

May 29, 2013

Look around you when you’re shooting at sunset. The objects that look boring during the day magically come to life when the rays of the sun hit them. Buildings, cars and anything reflective take on a special quality at sunset.

May 28, 2013

Patience is a virtue. But it’s a necessity when taking pictures of children and pets. Slow down, watch and keep shooting. A healthy dose of patience can really pay off in much better pictures.

May 27, 2013

Bring your camera when you go to your local Memorial Day Parade. You can make great pictures of your children as they get ready, as well as while they’re marching on the parade route.

May 26, 2013

When photographing cars, try getting a different perspective. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the hood ornament with the hood stretched out behind. Get low and shoot up on the car. Grab a ladder and shoot a bird’s eye view. You’ll create a photograph that captures a car as art.

May 25, 2013

Babies are great subjects because they’re so darn cute. Focus on the teeny body parts with a macro lens. Pudgy hands, small ears, and teeny elbows—they’re even cuter when they’re the subjects of your photo.

May 24, 2013

Ask people to write down their e-mail address on a piece of paper and take a photo of that paper along with their photos. That way you’ll always have their e-mail address on file. Send them a copy of the photo as a thank-you for their time.

May 23, 2013

May 22, 2013

Planning to take a vacation by the beach? Look for a compact digital camera that’s waterproof, such as the Nikon COOLPIX AW100, AW110, S30, S31 or get an underwater housing for your camera. You’ll be able to take your camera under water and capture what goes on below the surface.

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Ignite Your Creativity

Bring your vision to life with the remarkable speed, image quality, creative features and design of the Nikon 1 system. New innovations make it easier to catch the moments that matter, apply artistic effects and share your creations with friends and family. The 14.2-megapixel Nikon 1 J3 camera is so easy to use, you'll forget how advanced it truly is.

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Big inspiration and performance in a beautiful little package.

Ignite your creativity with some of the most stunning images you've ever shot. The 14.2-megapixel Nikon 1 J3 brings your vision to life as exceptional photos, HD videos and Motion Snapshots that will have you capturing more moments than ever. Beautifully designed, remarkably simple and faster than any camera you've ever experienced, the Nikon 1 J3 will become the centerpiece of your creative expression and an endless source of inspiration.

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First Look at the Nikon 1 J3 and S1

Create at the speed of life

Harness the remarkable speed and precision of Nikon 1

The first thing you'll notice about your Nikon 1 J3 is its extraordinary speed. The LCD display has absolutely no lag. That means you can frame shots faster, pan faster, zoom faster—do everything faster. The Hybrid AF System is the fastest in the world*, so your images will be crystal clear, whether you're shooting a soaring bird or a fidgety child. The shutter fires at a blazing speed—up to 15 shots per second continuously—so you can freeze even the fastest moving subjects.

*Among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses available as of
December 20, 2012; based on Nikon research.

View Fast Action Sample Photos

Nikon 1 J3 High Speed Continuous Shooting Example Video

Nikon 1 J3 Fast Autofocus Example Videos

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two photos, one of a man and woman with seagulls in the air behind them and another of them leaning against one another

Conquer fleeting moments

So many ways to catch the moments that matter

The best moments are made (and missed) in an instant. But imagine being able to slow down an important moment—to see live action in slow motion. With the Nikon 1 J3 camera's amazing Slow View mode, that's exactly what happens. Slow down what you're seeing on the LCD, then select the shot you want. Combine that with Smart Photo Selector, which fires 20 shots with a single shutter press and selects the best five for you, and you've got every advantage for catching those once-in-a-lifetime moments.

View Nikon 1 J3 Sample Photos

See Slow View in Action

Go beyond the still photo

Add stunning HD videos to your arsenal of expression

Your creativity isn't limited to still photos with the Nikon 1 J3. A single press of a button and you'll be recording in dazzling Full HD 1080p video with stereo sound. See something that would make a great still image while you're recording? Simultaneously shoot full-resolution photos without missing a beat. Get the best of both worlds.

View Full HD 1080p Video Sample

Nikon 1 J3 Simultaneous Still & Video Capture Example Video

photo of a woman lying on a couch with the Nikon 1 J3 next to her, on her smartphone

Share your creations anytime, anywhere

Wireless sharing to your smartphone or tablet

Your friends and family will love seeing your creations, and with the NIkon 1 J3, you'll never have to wait to share them. Add Nikon's WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter (sold separately), and instantly transfer your photos, videos or Motion Snapshots to your smartphone, tablet or compatible Wi-Fi(R) enabled device. Then share them as usual—by email, text message or by uploading them to your favorite photo-sharing website. It couldn't be easier!

View WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter Product Details

All of the Benefits of Nikon 1, Underwater

Waterproof protection for your Nikon 1 J3

Now your Nikon 1 J3 can really go everywhere—even down to 130 feet (40 meters) underwater! Compatible with the Nikon 1 J3 and the 10-30mm VR lens, the WP-N2 waterproof housing lets you keep taking photos and videos whether you're above the sea or below. The lightweight and sleek WP-N2 waterproof housing maintains your access to key camera controls and buttons, giving you the same creative control you enjoy—on land or underwater. Relive your nautical adventures with the brilliant photos and HD videos only Nikon 1 can achieve.

View WP-N2 Product Details

photo of a mom, young son and dog in a park

Put your creativity on display

Capture the essence of a moment like never before with Motion Snapshot, a unique blend of motion, stills and sound that can be shared as .MOV movie files or arranged into an exciting slideshow. Add artistic flare with the camera's Creative Mode—shoot in black & white, highlight a single color in an image, create expansive panoramas and more. You can even preview your shots before you take them with the Live Image Controls.

View Motion Snapshot Gallery

photo of sailboats in a marina in low light

Excel in low light

Like all Nikon cameras, the Nikon 1 J3 performs brilliantly in low light. High ISO sensitivity (up to 6400) lets you shoot without a flash at weddings, concerts, parties—places that usually require extra illumination. Your photos will be true to your memory of the moment; and in extremely dim situations, the pop-up flash automatically lights a great shot.

View Sample Photos

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Specifications

Type

Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lenses

Lens Mount

Nikon 1 mount

Picture Angle

Approx. 2.7x lens focal length (Nikon CX format)

Effective Pixels

14.2 million

Sensor Size

13.2mm x 8.8mm

Image Sensor Format

Image Sensor Type

CMOS

Total Pixels

15.13 million

Dust-reduction system

Dust Shield

Image Area (pixels)

Normal Panorama, horizontal pan (40:7 aspect ratio)
4,800 x 920
Normal Panorama - vertical pan (8:25 aspect ratio)
1,536 x 4,800
Wide Panorama - horizontal pan (80:7 aspect ratio)
9,600 x 920
Wide Panorama - vertical pan (4:25 aspect ratio)
1,536 x 9,600
Still Images (3:2 aspect ratio)
4,608 x 3,072
3,456 x 2,304
2,304 x 1,536
Still images (taken during movie recording; aspect ratio 3:2)
4,608 x 3,072 (1080/60i, 1080/30p)
1,280 x 856 (720/60p, 720/30p)
Motion Snapshot (16:9 aspect ratio)
4,608 x 2,592

File Format

Compressed 12-bit NEF (RAW)
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx 1:4), normal (approx 1:8), or basic (approx 1:16) compression
NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats

Picture Control

Standard
Neutral
Vivid
Monochrome
Portrait
Landscape
Selected Picture Control can be modified
User-customizable Settings

Storage Media

SD
SDHC
SDXC

Card Slot

1 Secure Digital (SD)

File System

Compliant with DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)
EXIF 2.3 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras)
PictBridge

Viewfinder

LCD

Lens Aperture

electronically controlled

Shutter Type

Electronic Shutter

Fastest Shutter Speed

1/16,000 sec.

Slowest Shutter Speed

30 sec.

Flash Sync Speed

Up to 1/60 sec.

Bulb Shutter Setting

Yes

Shutter Release Modes

Single-frame [S] mode
Continuous
Self-timer mode

Frame Advance Rate

Approx. 5, 15, 30, or 60 fps

Top Continuous Shooting Speed at full resolution

15 frames per second with AF; 30/60 fps with focus locked on first frame

Self-timer

2, 5, 10 sec. Timer duration electronically controlled

Remote Control Modes

WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter

Exposure Metering System

TTL metering using image sensor

Metering Method

Matrix
Center-weighted: Meters 4.5mm circle in center of frame
Spot: Meters 2mm circle centered on select focus area

Exposure Modes

Programmed Auto with flexible Program (P)
Shutter-Priority Auto (S)
Aperture-Priority Auto (A)
Manual (M)
Scene Auto Selector

Scene Modes

Portrait
Landscape
Night Landscape
Night Portrait
Close-up
Auto

Shooting Modes

Advanced movie mode (includes slow motion)
Auto Photo mode
Best Moment Capture mode (includes Slow View and Smart Photo Selector)
Creative mode (including: P, S, A, M, Night Landscape, Night Portrait, Backlighting, Soft, Miniature Effect, and Selective Color)
Motion Snapshot (16:9)

Exposure Compensation

±3 EV in increments of 1/3EV

Exposure Lock

Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

ISO Sensitivity

160-6400

Active D-Lighting

On
Off

Autofocus System

Hybrid autofocus (phase detection/contrast-detect AF)
AF-assist illuminator

AF-area mode

Single-point AF: 135 focus areas; the center 73 areas support phase-detection AF
Auto-area AF: 41 focus areas
Subject tracking
Face-priority AF

Focus Lock

Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single AF)

Focus Modes

Auto (AF)
Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A)
Single-servo AF (AF-S)
Continuous-servo (AF-C)
Full-time Servo (AF-F)
Manual Focus (MF)

Built-in Flash

Yes

Guide Number

5/16 (m/ft ISO 100, 20°C/68°F) Approx.
At ISO 160, Guide Number is approx. (6.3/20.7)

Flash Control

i-TTL flash control using image sensor available

Flash Mode

Auto
Auto with red-eye reduction
Fill-flash
Fill-flash with Slow sync
Red-eye reduction
Red-eye reduction with Slow sync
Rear curtain sync
Rear curtain with slow sync
Slow sync with red-eye reduction
Off

Flash Compensation

-3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3 EV

Flash-ready indicator

Lights when built-in flash unit is fully charged

White Balance

Auto
Incandescent
Fluorescent
Direct Sunlight
Flash
Cloudy
Shade
Preset Manual
Underwater
All except preset manual with fine tuning

Movie Metering

TTL exposure metering using main image sensor

Movie Metering Method

Matrix
Center-weighted: Meters 4.5mm circle in center of frame
Spot: Meters 2mm circle centered on select focus area

Movie File Format

MOV

Movie Video Compression

H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding

Movie Audio recording format

AAC

Movie Audio recording device

Built-in stereo microphone; sensitivity adjustable

Movie

HD: 1920 x 1080/60i
HD: 1920 x 1080/30p
HD: 1280 x 720/60p
HD: 1280 x 720/30p
Slow-motion: 640 x 240/400fps
Slow-motion: 320 x 120/1200fps
Motion Snapshot: 1920 x 1080/60p (plays at 24p)
Audio file format: ACC
Movie file format: MOV

Monitor Size

3.0 in. diagonal

Monitor Resolution

921,000 Dots

Monitor Type

TFT-LCD with brightness adjustment

Interface

USB: Hi-speed USB
HDMI output: Type C mini-pin HDMI connector

Supported Languages

Arabic
Bengali
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
Czech
Danish
Dutch
English
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hindi
Hungarian
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Norwegian
Polish
Portuguese (European and Brazilian)
Romanian
Russian
Spanish
Swedish
Tamil
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Vietnamese

Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings

Yes

World Time Setting

Yes

Battery / Batteries

EN-EL20 Lithium-ion Battery

Battery Life (shots per charge)

220 shots (CIPA)

AC Adapter

EH-5b AC Adapter
Requires EP-5C Power Supply Connector

Tripod Socket

1/4 in.

Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)

4.0 in. (101 mm) x 2.4 in. (60.5 mm) x 1.1 in. (28.8 mm)
Excluding projections.

Approx. Weight

7.1 oz. (201 g)
camera body only

Operating Environment

32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)
Less than 85% humidity (no condensation)

Supplied Accessories

EN-EL20 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
MH-27 Battery Charger
UC-E15 USB Cable
BF-N1000 Body Cap
AN-N1000 Strap
ViewNX 2
Short Movie Creator CD
User's Manual
Reference Manual CD

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

**Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
***Refer to the product manual or the Compatible Lenses Specification for additional details.

One Lens Kit

A highly versatile start to your Nikon 1 system: the Nikon 1 J3 and a matching 10-30mm standard zoom lens. Easily shoot low-light settings, wide-angle landscapes and group shots, detailed close-ups, and flattering portraits with softened backgrounds, and everything in between.

Kit Includes:

Nikon-1-J3-White Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-30mm f/3.5 – 5.6 VR White

Nikon-1-J3-Black Camera Body

Nikon-1-J3-Silver Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-30mm f/3.5 – 5.6 VR Silver

Nikon-1-J3-Red Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-30mm f/3.5 – 5.6 VR Red J2

Nikon-1-J3-Beige Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-30mm f/3.5 – 5.6 VR Beige

See each product’s supplied accessories for a full list of components.

Select Color:

$599.95 *SRP
Product Number: 27638

Authorized Dealers

Two Lens Zoom Kit

Extend the capabilities of the Nikon 1 J3 with two matching lenses that deliver 11x of total zoom reach. Attach the 10-30mm standard zoom lens for brilliant wide-angle and medium telephoto shots, then attach the 30–110mm lens for super-telephoto reach (almost 300mm equivalent on 35mm format!) and shoot detailed close-ups of the most distant subjects.

Kit Includes:

Nikon-1-J3-White Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-30mm f/3.5 – 5.6 VR White
1 NIKKOR 30-110mm f/3.8 – 5.6 VR White

Nikon-1-J3-Red Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-30mm f/3.5 – 5.6 VR Red J2
1 NIKKOR 30-110mm f/3.8 – 5.6 VR Red J2

See each product’s supplied accessories for a full list of components.

Select Color:

$849.95 *SRP
Product Number: 27648

Authorized Dealers

All-In-One Lens Kit

For the ultimate all-in-one lens kit, the Nikon 1 J3 is paired with the 1 NIKKOR 10-100mm lens for a wide 10x zoom range. Zoom out to 10mm for landscapes and wide vistas, and zoom into 100mm for close-ups and portraits (27-270mm equivalent on 35mm format), for a super-telephoto reach.

Kit Includes:

Nikon-1-J3-White Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR - White

Nikon-1-J3-Black Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR - Black

Nikon-1-J3-Red Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR - Red

Nikon-1-J3-Beige Camera Body
1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR - Beige

See each product’s supplied accessories for a full list of components.

Select Color:

$1,049.95 *SRP
Product Number: 27658

Authorized Dealers

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Extend your Creativity and Capabilities

Have fun and express yourself creatively with a wide range of accessories, including cases in matching colors.

Cases & Straps

View Cases

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Power Accessories

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1 NIKKOR Lenses

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View 1 NIKKOR Lens Accessories

Caps & Covers

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Cords & Cables

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Remotes

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Waterproof Housing & Accessories

View Waterproof Housing & Accessories

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

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Nikon Answers Site

We store all resolved problems in our solution database. If you can’t find a relevant answer, feel free to submit a question to our technical support team.

View Questions & Answers

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

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