Nikon 1 V1 vs Panasonic L1

The Nikon 1 V1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2011 and February 2006. The V1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the L1 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on an one-inch (V1) and a Four Thirds (L1) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 10 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 7.4 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Nikon 1 V1		Panasonic L1
Mirrorless system camera		Digital single lens reflex
Nikon 1 mount lenses		Four Thirds lenses
10 MP – 1" sensor		7.4 MP – Four Thirds sensor
1080/60i Video		no Video
ISO 100-3,200 (100 - 6,400)		ISO 100-1,600
Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)		Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 921k dots		2.5" LCD – 207k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
350 shots per battery charge		750 shots per battery charge
113 x 76 x 44 mm, 383 g		146 x 87 x 64 mm, 606 g

Check V1 offers at
ebay.com
Check L1 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon 1 V1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Nikon 1 V1 and the Panasonic L1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic L1 is considerably larger (48 percent) than the Nikon 1 V1. Moreover, the L1 is substantially heavier (58 percent) than the V1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the V1 nor the L1 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

#		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon 1 V1	113 mm	76 mm	44 mm	383 g	350	n	Sep 2011	799	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic L1	146 mm	87 mm	64 mm	606 g	750	n	Feb 2006	999	ebay.com
3.		Canon G15	107 mm	76 mm	40 mm	352 g	350	n	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
4.		Canon G12	112 mm	76 mm	48 mm	401 g	370	n	Sep 2010	499	ebay.com
5.		Canon 350D	127 mm	94 mm	64 mm	540 g	400	n	Feb 2005	899	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm X10	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	350 g	270	n	Sep 2011	599	ebay.com
7.		Leica Digilux 3	146 mm	87 mm	77 mm	606 g	750	n	Sep 2006	1,499	ebay.com
8.		Nikon 1 V3	111 mm	65 mm	33 mm	381 g	310	n	Mar 2014	799	ebay.com
9.		Nikon 1 V2	109 mm	82 mm	46 mm	278 g	310	n	Oct 2012	799	ebay.com
10.		Olympus E-P3	122 mm	69 mm	34 mm	369 g	330	n	Jun 2011	799	ebay.com
11.		Olympus E-330	140 mm	87 mm	72 mm	637 g	750	n	Jan 2006	999	ebay.com
12.		Olympus E-300	147 mm	85 mm	64 mm	624 g	750	n	Sep 2004	799	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GX1	116 mm	68 mm	39 mm	318 g	320	n	Nov 2011	699	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic G10	124 mm	84 mm	74 mm	388 g	380	n	Mar 2010	499	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic G2	124 mm	84 mm	74 mm	428 g	360	n	Mar 2010	599	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic GF1	119 mm	71 mm	36 mm	385 g	380	n	Sep 2009	749	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic L10	135 mm	96 mm	78 mm	556 g	450	n	Aug 2007	599	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The V1 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 20 percent) than the L1, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon 1 V1 features an one-inch sensor and the Panasonic L1 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the L1 is 94 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.7 and 2.0. The sensor in the V1 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the L1 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Nikon 1 V1 offers a higher resolution of 10 megapixels, compared with 7.4 MP of the Panasonic L1. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.41μm versus 5.51μm for the L1). However, it should be noted that the V1 is much more recent (by 5 years and 6 months) than the L1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon 1 V1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the V1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.2 x 32.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 15.5 x 10.4 inches or 39.3 x 26.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 12.9 x 8.6 inches or 32.8 x 21.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic L1 are 15.7 x 11.8 inches or 39.8 x 29.9 cm for good quality, 12.5 x 9.4 inches or 31.9 x 23.9 cm for very good quality, and 10.5 x 7.8 inches or 26.6 x 19.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon 1 V1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

#		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Nikon 1 V1	1-inch	10.0	3872	2592	1080/60i	21.3	11.0	346	54
2.		Panasonic L1	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	20.8	10.4	80	52
3.		Canon G15	1/1.7	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	19.9	11.5	165	46
4.		Canon G12	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	720/24p	20.4	11.2	161	47
5.		Canon 350D	APS-C	8.0	3456	2304	none	21.8	10.8	637	60
6.		Fujifilm X10	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.5	11.3	245	50
7.		Leica Digilux 3	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	21.0	10.6	127	53
8.		Nikon 1 V3	1-inch	18.2	5232	3488	1080/60p	20.8	10.7	384	52
9.		Nikon 1 V2	1-inch	14.2	4608	3072	1080/60p	20.2	10.8	403	50
10.		Olympus E-P3	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	1080/60i	20.8	10.1	536	51
11.		Olympus E-330	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	20.8	10.4	73	52
12.		Olympus E-300	Four Thirds	8.0	3264	2448	none	20.4	10.1	-40	48
13.		Panasonic GX1	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60p	20.8	10.6	703	55
14.		Panasonic G10	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.1	411	52
15.		Panasonic G2	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.3	493	53
16.		Panasonic GF1	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.3	513	54
17.		Panasonic L10	Four Thirds	10.0	3648	2736	none	21.3	10.8	429	55
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The V1 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the L1 does not. The highest resolution format that the V1 can use is 1080/60i.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the V1 has an electronic viewfinder (1440k dots), while the L1 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Nikon 1 V1, the Panasonic L1, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

#		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon 1 V1	1440	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	n	n
2.		Panasonic L1	optical	n	2.5 / 207	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon G15	optical	n	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.1/s	Y	Y
4.		Canon G12	optical	n	2.8 / 461	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.1/s	Y	Y
5.		Canon 350D	optical	n	1.8 / 115	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
6.		Fujifilm X10	optical	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
7.		Leica Digilux 3	optical	n	2.5 / 207	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
8.		Nikon 1 V3	optional	n	3.0 / 1037	tilting	Y	1/4000s	60.0/s	Y	n
9.		Nikon 1 V2	1440	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	15.0/s	Y	n
10.		Olympus E-P3	optional	n	3.0 / 614	fixed	Y	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Olympus E-330	optical	n	2.5 / 215	tilting	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
12.		Olympus E-300	optical	n	1.8 / 134	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
13.		Panasonic GX1	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.2/s	Y	n
14.		Panasonic G10	202	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
15.		Panasonic G2	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	Y	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
16.		Panasonic GF1	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
17.		Panasonic L10	optical	n	2.5 / 207	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The L1 has one, while the V1 does not. While the built-in flash of the L1 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the V1 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Nikon 1 V1 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The V1 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the L1 uses SDHC cards. The V1 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the L1 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon 1 V1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

#		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon 1 V1	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Panasonic L1	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon G15	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon G12	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 350D	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Fujifilm X10	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Leica Digilux 3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Nikon 1 V3	-	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Nikon 1 V2	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Olympus E-P3	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Olympus E-330	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Olympus E-300	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Panasonic GX1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Panasonic G10	Y	mono / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Panasonic G2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Panasonic GF1	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic L10	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the L1 has a hotshoe, which makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun. The V1 does not feature such an accessory-socket.

Both the V1 and the L1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The L1 was replaced by the Panasonic L10, while the V1 was followed by the Nikon 1 V2. Further information on the features and operation of the V1 and L1 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon 1 V1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic L1 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Nikon 1 V1 better than the Panasonic L1 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon 1 V1:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (10 vs 7.4MP) with a 19% higher linear resolution.
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/60i movies.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (921k vs 207k dots).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More compact: Is smaller (113x76mm vs 146x87mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 223g or 37 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (20 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 5 years and 6 months of technical progress since the L1 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1:

• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (750 versus 350) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2006).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the V1 is the clear winner of the match-up (14 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon 1 V1 and the Panasonic L1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the V1 or the L1. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

#		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Nikon 1 V1	..	+	..	69/100	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2011	799	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic L1	..	85/100	..	+	..	3.5/5	Feb 2006	999	ebay.com
3.		Canon G15	4/5	+	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
4.		Canon G12	4/5	+	..	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	499	ebay.com
5.		Canon 350D	..	80/100	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2005	899	ebay.com
6.		Fujifilm X10	..	..	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	599	ebay.com
7.		Leica Digilux 3	..	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2006	1,499	ebay.com
8.		Nikon 1 V3	3/5	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2014	799	ebay.com
9.		Nikon 1 V2	3/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Oct 2012	799	ebay.com
10.		Olympus E-P3	..	83/100	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2011	799	ebay.com
11.		Olympus E-330	..	..	..	+	o	..	Jan 2006	999	ebay.com
12.		Olympus E-300	..	..	..	+	o	4.5/5	Sep 2004	799	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GX1	3/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2011	699	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic G10	3/5	..	..	70/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2010	499	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic G2	..	..	..	72/100	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2010	599	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic GF1	..	85/100	..	69/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	749	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic L10	..	85/100	..	+	3.5/5	4/5	Aug 2007	599	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Check V1 offers at
ebay.com
Check L1 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~

Check V1 offers at
ebay.com
Check L1 offers at
ebay.com

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.