Nikon 1 V3 mirrorless camera with 18.4-megapixel sensor announced

Japanese camera maker Nikon on Thursday announced the latest in its series of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras - the Nikon 1 V3. In addition to it, it also announced the latest entrants to its long list of Nikkor lens. The two variants inducted are the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom and the 1 Nikkor VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto lens.

The Nikon 1 V3 will be available in a combined kit along with the 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom lens, the DF-N1000 Electronic Viewfinder and the GR-N1010 Grip. The total unit will retail for $1199.95 (roughly Rs. 73,288) beginning April this year.

In addition the two Nikkor lens will also be available separately. The 1 Nikkor VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom will sell for Rs. 8,450, and the 1 Nikkor VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto lens for Rs. 64,950. It is made with Super ED Glass and the 70-300mm lens is equipped with built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) and Nano Crystal Coating to ostensibly prevent ghost and flare.

The Nikon 1 V3 features a 18.4-megapixel CX-format image sensor and a new EXPEED 4A image processor. It features a tilting 3-inch LCD screen with a touch panel and has the ability to shoot 1080p/60fps video. It also shoots slow motion video at 720p/120fps. In addition the camera shoots images at a rate of 20fps, combined with a Hybrid AF system. It has a rated ISO range of 160-12,800.

Speaking about the announcement, Masahiro Horie, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon, says, "With an incredible feature set, a newly crafted ergonomic design and sporting the elite high-speed performance that has become a hallmark of the Nikon 1 System, the V3 is ready to help users make amazing images and HD video."

As far as connectivity is concerned, the Nikon 1 V3 features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and also is compatible with smartphones and tablets, via which users can share pictures online. It also has features like the Miniature Effect, Easy Panorama and Selective Color, which are present in models like the Nikon 1 AW1 and the Nikon 1 J3.

In addition there are new modes like Creative Palette, Toy Camera and Cross Process. Other mainstay features of the Nikon 1 systems like Slow View, Live Image Control and Motion Snapshot are also there in the Nikon 1 V3.

Accessories that are offered along with the Nikon 1 V3, include the DF-N1000 - a 2359k-dot electronic viewfinder and the multi-accessory grip GR-N1010. In addition, it is compatible with the Nikon 1 external flashes and the ME-1 external microphone used with the AS-N1000 multi-accessory port adapter.