Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

does anyone have either the Nikon J1 or V1 and would comment on the picture quality. Identify the lens if you will.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Have you looked at snapsort.com? They have good comparisons.

http://snapsort.com/learn/mirrorless

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

generally speaking reviews of either one haven't been too favorable... not that they are bad but that others are much better for $$$ Sony in particular seems to have hit a home run.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

One nice thing about Sony is their web site. I was looking for cameras that did panorama shots. The Sony site was the only one that let me search by feature. They sell refurbished equipment, too. I ordered a refurb for $120, and they deducted $10 when I checked out. I paid tax, but not shipping.

FredCDobbs Loc: Los Angeles area.

I just picked a J1 up and with my hands, I would not buy one. Smooth and as I recall, no grip ridge. Not secure in my hands. The reason I bought my comparable Sony NEX5n is the great hand grip. Arthritis and a wrist reconstruction have made me a serial "dropper"
Your mileage may vary.

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

Thank you Jerry and Fred, I agree Fred, I have arthritic hands the size of diner plates so a small smooth camera wouldn't be a good match. I like the Sony Nex series but I not sure about their kit lenses.

FredCDobbs Loc: Los Angeles area.

Don't know how much you want to spend but I was recently impressed checking out the Fuji X10. Problem for me is no zoom lens yet and I don't like carrying a bag.
It was very much like the old familiar range finder cameras I loved like the Minolta 9. Very substantial. Picture quality is supposed to be stellar. Not cheap and no zoom
You might check out the Lumix four-thirds cameras. I like them, good glass but noise levels at higher ISOs turned me off. I think they may have fixed that to a degree in later cameras. Personally, I'm Jonesing for a NEX 7.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

Guys,

I here to tell ya, SONY RULES!!! I've handled the J1 and V1 and I wasn't all that impressed, especially for the price & I'm a HUGE Nikon fan.

I bought the NEX-5N when the floods in Thailand put the NEX-7 production on hold. I absolutely love this camera except for the fact that it doesn't have a built-in viewfinder. I went and sprung for the optional EVF (not cheap!), but I'm too old to get my arms lengthened any further so I can focus with the LCD. I'm old school, I need a viewfinder.

I recently received my NEX-7 from BH & all I can say is WOW!!! I'm keeping my 5N & have the Sony 50mm f1.8 mounted on it & use the Zeiss 24mm f1.8 on the 7. I have just about all the E-mount lenses except for the 55-210mm zoom. I have the 18-200mm, so it seems a little redundant. I beleive Sony will expand the lens line-up down the road. For now, you can buy adapters that allow both cameras to accept the A-mount lenses but with all that bulk, it kind of defeats the purpose of a compact system camera.

The 5N is a good fit for me and I have pretty big mitts. The 7 is only slightly larger with even better build quality and provides more of a grip. The only downside is that the learning curve is a little steep (and the price, but it's still cheaper than the Fuji). However, once you get the hang of it, the added controls allow for a level of customization that makes just about all of the adjustments to be made from the viewfinder. Having a built-in EVF (which is excellent by the way) leaves the hotshoe available for the HVL-F20AM flash that I leave on the camera all the time. There's a pop-up flash, but it's kind of weak (Guide# 6) and anything longer than the 16mm pancake or 18-55mm kit zoom casts a shadow. By the way, the 18-55mm is a VERY good kit lens (11 elements in 9 groups and four of the elements are aspherical) and I've seen my share of sub-par kit lenses.

Image quality on the 5N is spectacular but the IQ on the 7 has to be seen to be believed (this is the same sensor/processor set up used in their A77 DSLR-24MP!!!).

I have a small Case Logic backpack that carries both cameras, all the lenses, flash units, extra batteries and a tabletop Slik tripod. It's lightweight & I keep it by the by the door when I run out to see the kids, go to the grocery store or whatever.

Nothing will replace my Canon 5D Mk II and that excellent L-series glass. Having said that, it's nice to have a bag you can grab on the run without lugging all the weight of a DSLR and assorted gear.

PD

FredCDobbs Loc: Los Angeles area.

I have been walking around the neighborhood playing with the fisheye adapter on the 16mm lens. I like it so much I got the E mount Rokinor 8mm fisheye from BH. Can't wait to play with it for $299. it's a deal. Very good user reviews on this lens and the price is excellent compared to some of the brand names. A NEX7 is the next move.

Photogdog Loc: New Kensington, PA

Fred,

I bought the conversion fisheye for my 16mm as well. To tell you the truth, I like the pics taken with it better than the 16mm alone. Maybe it's just me.

PD

NEX-5N with 16mm & Fisheye Conversion Lens

FredCDobbs Loc: Los Angeles area.

You are right. It makes such an interesting perspective, it justifies the 16mm pancake lens instead of just using the 18 setting on the 18-55. I agree on the 18-55. People say it's soft, not mine. I made a 16x20 from it and it just blew me away. The detail and nuance was amazing, sharp, contrasty, all you could want.
I can't wait to get my mitts on the Rokinor 8mm fisheye.