First look: Nikon 1 AW1

[RC]

Well, so I got a Nikon 1 AW1 ruggerized and waterproof to 15m interchangeable lens camera for outdoor and kayaking shots yesterday and I've been doing some test shots with it comparing it to my Canon 5D mark II with the new EF 24-70 f/4L IS USM lens.

Obviously its not going to be any sort of match to the Canon due to sensor size (1" CX-form vs. 35mm full-frame) neither is it going to have a chance in a hot place to compete in the dark. But for what it is I'm positively suprised with the image quality and focus/handling speed.

Attached are a couple comparison shots, both converted from RAW (CR2 and NEF) with Lightroom lens correction and manual noise reduction and sharpening applied, had to limit file size to max. 9MB to fit into the 40MB/post limit on FOG.

[attachimg=1]
Nikon 1 AW1 Flowers

[attachimg=2]
Canon 5D mark II w. EF24-70 f/4L IS USM Flowers

[attachimg=3]
Nikon 1 AW1 Trees and Lamp post

[attachimg=4]
Canon 5D mark II w. EF24-70 f/4L IS USM Trees and Lamp post

As you can see in day light the AW1 does a rather good job for such a small sensor and less pixels (14MP vs. 21MP). Unfortunately is has quite pronounced graininess in normal inside lighting which can be corrected to some extent in post, but you will smooth a lot of detail out. Luckily its fairly snappy with its flash so as long as you use it like a point 'n' shoot it works inside as well.

I haven't had a chance to take diving with me yet, but that's obviously the thing I cannot do with my Canon (unless I'd win the pools  to have money for a Nauticam shell).

In conclusion a rather ok piece of kit for the 500€ I paid for it with the kit 11-27.5mm lens (~30-75mm in 35mm eq.).  [smile]

 

[VW mick]

Nice

But I think you should be buying more tools lol

 

[Kev]

What's the video like?

 

[wow]

The LEAST you could have done for this forum is use it to take some pictures of WOOD?

[poke] [poke] [poke] [big grin]

I've always been a Nikon guy but have to admit that I like the Canon photos quite a bit better in this case. Of course, I realize that we're comparing Apple's to Cumquats...

 

[RC]

Bog standard 1080p30 or 1080i60 or then marginally usable 640p400 or something like 240p1200 slomo modes.

More usable than my 5D's video mode though. 

More usable for me is the 15fps shootin stills and some trick modes around that and gapless stills during video recording in full resolution.

The major downfall of this camera with current lenses is the lack of IS while filming video. I.e. I consider this a stills camera above water at least.

 

[SittingElf]

The Nikon's shot of the tree and lampost looks somewhat washed out compared the 5D2.

I see that a lot on cropped sensor cams, but not on my 7D which takes outstanding pictures with great saturation.  I also have a 5D3 that I use for static, studio work, and a 1DX that does NOT go with me to work in Nigeria!!! [scared]

Love those "L" lenses!  I have eight of 'em.

Cheers,

Frank

 

[RC]

I didn't do any colour correction to the pictures and the Nikon was shot on standard profile whereas my 5D has a custom colour profile based on the vivid preset which explains the richer colour of the Canon shots.

But you can see the resolution difference very clearly in the bush pictures and the lack of finer details in the Nikon shots.

The Nikon nails auto white balance a lot better than my Canon which always errs on the yellow side.

 

[Sparktrician]

It seems to me that the Nikon is giving better detail in the lowlights than the Canon, yet the highlights are better on the Canon. 

 

[mike68au]

I've had the AW1 for around 14 months now and have found it to be a very capable camera.  I also have a Nikon D700 and some good glass.  As an easy to use point and shoot with the ability to get creative when needed the AW1 holds it's own.... It doesn't compare to the FF D700 and i wouldn't expect it to.  But i love the connivence of it's size and waterproof capabilities.

Here are a few random shots i took on my recent trip to the US in July.  These are just random snap shots likely shot on Full Auto or possibly Aperture Priority.  All were shot in RAW and i have adjusted them to my liking in Apple Aperture.

 

[es07Eric]

Plaudits to Nikon for not cranking up the MP on this one!  It absolutely pains me to see all of these new cameras boasting such high MP counts.  I mean I understand why they're doing it, but it's got to stop somewhere! 

My Canon 7D is absolutely the worst performing camera in my lineup due to it's ridiculous pixel density, it's an absolute pain to clean up low light situations; it has been relegated as a back up to my Rebel!  [tongue]

While I can say the edge goes to the Canon on this one, I'm certain that it's due to that 24-70 you've got mounted to the end of it!