Nikon 1 V3 Comparison Review
The Nikon 1 V3 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that was officially introduced in March 2014 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 18.2 megapixel.
Is the Nikon 1 V3 a good camera? The V3 has a Camera Elo of 2074. This rating puts the V3 below average of all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the V3 also ranks below average. – Well, the Nikon 1 V3 is more than 6 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2014.
Nikon 1 V3 |
---|
Mirrorless system camera |
Nikon 1 mount lenses |
18.2 MP, 1" Sensor |
1080/60p Video |
ISO 160 - 12 800 |
Viewfinder optional |
3.0 LCD, 1037k dots |
Tilting touchscreen |
60 shutter flaps per second |
310 shots per battery charge |
111 x 65 x 33 mm, 381 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Nikon 1 V3 vis-à-vis a credit card. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Nikon 1 V3 alongside a set of comparators. If you want to review a camera pair side-by-side, just select a right-side comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikon 1 V3 | 111 mm | 65 mm | 33 mm | 381 g | 310 | n | Mar 2014 | 799 | ||
Canon G5 X | 112 mm | 76 mm | 44 mm | 353 g | 210 | n | Oct 2015 | 799 | ||
Canon 100D | 117 mm | 91 mm | 69 mm | 407 g | 380 | n | Mar 2013 | 549 | ||
Fujifilm X-T10 | 118 mm | 83 mm | 41 mm | 381 g | 350 | n | May 2015 | 799 | ||
Fujifilm X-M1 | 117 mm | 67 mm | 39 mm | 330 g | 350 | n | Jun 2013 | 699 | ||
Nikon D5500 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 420 g | 820 | n | Jan 2015 | 899 | ||
Nikon 1 J4 | 100 mm | 60 mm | 29 mm | 232 g | 300 | n | Apr 2014 | 549 | ||
Nikon 1 V2 | 109 mm | 82 mm | 46 mm | 278 g | 310 | n | Oct 2012 | 799 | ||
Nikon 1 V1 | 113 mm | 76 mm | 44 mm | 383 g | 350 | n | Sep 2011 | 799 | ||
Panasonic G6 | 122 mm | 85 mm | 71 mm | 390 g | 340 | n | Apr 2013 | 599 | ||
Panasonic GF6 | 111 mm | 65 mm | 38 mm | 323 g | 340 | n | Apr 2013 | 499 | ||
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | ||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Nikon 1 V3 was launched in the US market at a price of $799. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
check offers at ebay
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Nikon 1 V3 features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Nikon 1 V3 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports | DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikon 1 V3 | 1-inch | 18.2 | 5232 | 3488 | 1080/60p | 20.8 | 10.7 | 384 | 52 | |
Canon G5 X | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Canon 100D | APS-C | 17.9 | 5184 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 21.8 | 11.3 | 843 | 63 | |
Fujifilm X-T10 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Fujifilm X-M1 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Nikon D5500 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 14.0 | 1438 | 84 | |
Nikon 1 J4 | 1-inch | 18.2 | 5232 | 3488 | 1080/60p | 20.8 | 10.7 | 426 | 53 | |
Nikon 1 V2 | 1-inch | 14.2 | 4608 | 3072 | 1080/60p | 20.2 | 10.8 | 403 | 50 | |
Nikon 1 V1 | 1-inch | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | 1080/60i | 21.3 | 11 | 346 | 54 | |
Panasonic G6 | Four Thirds | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 21.3 | 11.5 | 639 | 61 | |
Panasonic GF6 | Four Thirds | 15.8 | 4592 | 3448 | 1080/60i | 20.7 | 10.6 | 622 | 54 |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The V3 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the V3 can use is 1080/60p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Nikon 1 V3 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Size (inch) |
LCD Resolution (000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Mech Shutter Speed |
Shutter Flaps (1/sec) | Built-in Flash (yes/no) | Built-in Image Stab |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikon 1 V3 | optional | n | 3.0 | 1037 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 60.0 | Y | n | |
Canon G5 X | 2360 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/2000s | 5.9 | Y | Y | |
Canon 100D | optical | n | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.9 | Y | n | |
Fujifilm X-T10 | 2360 | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 8.0 | Y | n | |
Fujifilm X-M1 | none | n | 3.0 | 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.6 | Y | n | |
Nikon D5500 | optical | n | 3.2 | 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0 | Y | n | |
Nikon 1 J4 | none | n | 3.0 | 1037 | Fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 60.0 | Y | n | |
Nikon 1 V2 | 1440 | n | 3.0 | 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 15.0 | Y | n | |
Nikon 1 V1 | 1440 | n | 3.0 | 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 10.0 | n | n | |
Panasonic G6 | 1440 | n | 3.0 | 1036 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 7.0 | Y | n | |
Panasonic GF6 | none | n | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 4.2 | Y | n |
One convenient feature of the V3 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
Connection 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 V3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Microphone |
Internal Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support | NFC Support | Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikon 1 V3 | - | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
Canon G5 X | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
Canon 100D | Y | mono | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Fujifilm X-T10 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
Fujifilm X-M1 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
Nikon D5500 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
Nikon 1 J4 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
Nikon 1 V2 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Nikon 1 V1 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Panasonic G6 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
Panasonic GF6 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
It is notable that the V3 has a microphone port. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
Expert reviews
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 handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the V3. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog).
Camera Model |
camera labs |
dp review |
ephoto zine |
imaging resource |
photography blog |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nikon 1 V3 | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2014 | 799 | ||
Canon G5 X | + + | 78/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2015 | 799 | ||
Canon 100D | + | 78/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2013 | 549 | ||
Fujifilm X-T10 | + + | 80/100 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | May 2015 | 799 | ||
Fujifilm X-M1 | + | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Jun 2013 | 699 | ||
Nikon D5500 | + | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2015 | 899 | ||
Nikon 1 J4 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | Apr 2014 | 549 | ||
Nikon 1 V2 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | Oct 2012 | 799 | ||
Nikon 1 V1 | + | 69/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2011 | 799 | ||
Panasonic G6 | + + | .. | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Apr 2013 | 599 | ||
Panasonic GF6 | + + | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Apr 2013 | 499 | ||
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Nikon 1 V3 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the V3.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the V3?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Nikon equipped the V3 with the EXPEED 4 image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the V3?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 12800.
Can the camera be equipped with an optional viewfinder?
Yes, Nikon provides the DF-N1000 as an accessory (here on amazon) that can be mounted on the hotshoe.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon 1 V3?
Nikon does not publish a shutter rating for the V3. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Nikon 1 V3?
The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences?
No, the Nikon 1 V3 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Does the Nikon 1 V3 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with flash?
The V3's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.
Does the Nikon 1 V3 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the V3 use?
The camera gets its power from the EN-EL20a, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Camera Model | Nikon 1 V3 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Nikon 1 mount lenses | |
Launch Date | March 2014 | |
Launch Price | USD 799 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | 1" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | |
Sensor Area | 116 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 15.9 mm | |
Crop Factor | 2.7x | |
Sensor Resolution | 18.2 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 5 232 x 3 488 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 2.52 μm | |
Pixel Density | 15.71 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60p Video | |
ISO Setting | 160 - 12 800 ISO | |
Image Processor | EXPEED 4 | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 52 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 20.8 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.7 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 384 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 1037k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 60 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Fill Flash | Build-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | micro or SDXC cards | |
Second Storage Option | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | no Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | EN-EL20a power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 310 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
111 x 65 x 33 mm (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.3 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 381 g (13.4 oz) |
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