Nikon 1 J2 Official

Nikon has launched a new interchangeable lens camera, the Nikon 1 J2, promising Full HD video and crystal-clear stills from a shooter that slips into your pocket. Fresh to the Nikon 1 System, the new J2 measures a compact 106 x 61 x 21.8 mm and is constructed from sturdy metal with a choice of six colors, and pairs a 10.1-megapixel CX-format CMOS with EXPEED 3 processing and ISO 100-3200 (6400), with a 3-inch 921k dot LCD display on the back for framing.

As well as stills up to 3,872 x 2,592 there's support for Full HD video at either 60i or 30p, each of which uses a 73-point AF array for better locking onto – and staying locked to – moving subjects. Burst photography is supported at up to 10fps with AF enabled, or up to 60fps with first-frame AF lock, and there's a Motion Snapshot Mode option which combines a single still with a short slow-mo movie clip. Smart Photo Selector, meanwhile, takes advantage of the J2's turn of speed and fires off a few frames, leaving the camera's smarts to pick which it believes is the best one.

A new Creative Mode offers various presets for Panorama, Selective Color, Miniature, Soft, Night Landscape, Backlighting and Night Portrait photography, though those with a mind to tinker can also set their own exposure and other settings. A stereo microphone is joined by HDMI and USB connectivity, and the battery is good for around 220 shots on a single charge.

As for lenses, the standard model is the 10-30mm lens we've seen already, but Nikon has a new option launching alongside the J2. The 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lens has a 2.5x zoom and will be offered in black or white finishes, and is obviously compatible with both the new J2 and the original J1.

Nikon also has a wet surprise up its sleeve, in the form of the WP-N1 underwater housing. Suitable for the new J2 and the original J1, paired with the 10-30mm lens, the casing is waterproof up to 40m while still allowing the cameras to shoot photos and video.

The Nikon 1 J2 will be available in white, black, silver, pink, deep red and orange (with the red and pink models having matching textured grips) when it goes on sale in September. It will be priced at $549.95 with the 10-30mm lens, while the 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lens will drop late in that month for $189.95. The WP-N1 waterproof housing will arrive at the same time, priced at $749.95.