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Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced January 2012
  • Newer Model is Nikon 1 J2
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GF2
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Nikon 1 J1 and Panasonic GF1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the 1 J1 (10MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 J1 (1") and GF1 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor sizing.

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The 1 J1 was revealed 2 years after the GF1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the 1 J1 scores against the GF1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Panasonic GF1

 1 J1 GF1 
RevealedJanuary 2012October 2009More modern by 28 months

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Nikon 1 J1

 GF1 1 J1 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Panasonic GF1

 1 J1 GF1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J1 features external measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF1 has specifications of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Check the Nikon 1 J1 and Panasonic GF1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the 1 J1 compared to the GF1.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J1 and GF1 is 91 and 85 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through technical specs. The image here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J1 and GF1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The 1 J1 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Panasonic GF1 will provide greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more modern 1 J1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J1
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF1
48
manual focus
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (234g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon 1 J1
Sports photography with Panasonic GF1
48
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (1")
has tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 shots)
44
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competition in class (234g)
built-in flash
low battery pack (230 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
better than average battery life (380 shots)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Landscape photography information
Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography information
56
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (1")
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
low battery pack (230 shots)
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging info
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging info
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (234 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external microphone socket
25
includes face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Panasonic GF1
 Nikon 1 J1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon 1 J1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-20 2009-10-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 135 23
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 234 gr (0.52 lbs) 385 gr (0.85 lbs)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 10.3
DXO Low light score 372 513
Other
Battery life 230 photos 380 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $625 $400