There’s been a lot of talk lately about Nikon’s newly introduced J1 and V1 (otherwise known as the “Ashton Kutcher Camera‘), including positive reactions to its small size and innovative features and some negative reactions to the picture quality created by the small sensor size.

Widely advertised as handy on-the-go cameras geared towards ease of use by actor Ashton Kutcher in a series of TV and internet ads, both are marketed as a step up from commonly available point and shoot cameras featuring several interchangeable lenses that allow for variations in focal length.

The Nikon J1 is touted as a casual use camera, while the V1 has a few extra features that make it an ideal choice as a secondary camera for photography enthusiasts. Both are capable of shooting 1080p HD movies, and have a feature which allows users to simultaneously take HD movies and pictures at the same time.

However, while the picture quality produced by these cameras is more than adequate for most users, the small sensor size makes it a poor choice for professionals or for those who absolutely require high print quality or more than 10 or 12 megapixel resolution.

Ashton Kutcher Camera: Video

Nikon 1 Review: Features and Benefits

The most obvious attribute of these cameras are their small size. The J1 measures 4.2 by 2.4 by 1.2 inches, while the V1 is slightly larger in order to accommodate a digital view finder and attachment points for both an external flash and microphone, but both are remarkably small. Even the lenses are quite portable, making either the J1 or the V1 a handy on-the-go camera, as advertised by the Ashton Kutcher camera commercials.

New users will also appreciate the intuitive and streamlined nature of the controls and menu options, which allow aspiring photographers to use these cameras right out of the box, and the 3-inch LCD screen on the back that allows the user to compose and review their shots.

Nikon claims that these cameras possess the fastest auto focus in the world, a title which most users will agree is well-deserved, and which makes it invaluable for inexperienced camera users during high action photo opportunities.

Another option for photographers taking action photos on the fly is The Smart Photo Selector mode in which the camera takes twenty photos within a second or two, then automatically chooses the five which are perfectly in focus and which are the most in frame, then saves them to the memory card. While beginners may find this allows them a better chance of capturing the best action photos, more experienced photographers generally consider this a ‘fluff’ feature.

One of the favorite features of beginners and enthusiasts alike is the built in HD video option. While the resolution is not as high as would be provided by a dedicated handheld digital video camera, the Nikon J1 and V1 are capable of taking a limited number of acceptable quality HD videos, slow motion videos or Motion Snapshots, and still shots while in video mode.

The HD video mode of both cameras maxes out at a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, and 60 interlaced frames per second. The resulting movie is saved as a MOV file. The slow motion feature gives you the option of filming at frame rate of 400 frames per second at 640 x 240 resolution or 1200 frames per second at 320 x 120 resolution.

Arguments against the Nikon J1 and V1 can be summarized into two main points: the small sensor size that allows the camera to remain so small does not allow for professional quality photos, and that the price (between $600 and $900 dollars depending on which lens package is chosen) is comparable to many DSLR cameras already on the market.

It’s undeniable that the 12-megapixel CMOS sensor, measuring 0.52 by 0.34 inches, cannot compete with the image quality or size that can be produced by professional quality DSLR cameras. It is also true that for the price, an aspiring photographer would be able to buy a DSLR camera of decent quality with adequate features.

However, both arguments ignore the two main purposes of the Nikon J1 and V1. what they lack in performance, they make up in small size and ease of use. Even experienced photographers will appreciate the ease with which the J1 and V1 focus, frame, and track faces, and for a quick family gathering, a sporting event, an unexpected sunset during an evening stroll, or other occasions when an individual may not want to lug around a large DSLR camera and all of its accessories, the pocket-sized camera is perfect.

Ashton Kutcher Camera: Pros

• Small and lightweight

• Easy to use and intuitive menu options

• Multiple lenses to choose from

• HD video capable

• Can take still photos while shooting video

• Has amazingly fast auto focus and object tracking

• Smart Photo Selector perfectly captures action scenes

• Great, if not perfect, image quality

Ashton Kutcher Camera: Cons

• Lacks the professional quality of top-end DSLR cameras

• Lower resolution in low light situations

• Can be expensive

• J1 does not offer quality flash or microphone

• Lacks the control of most DSLR cameras

Nikon 1 Review: Closing

While it’s easy to see why many camera enthusiasts were quick to pan the Nikon J1 and V1 even before they were released because of the small sensor size and the resulting lack of professional level image resolution, it’s important to keep in mind that the J1 and V1 are not meant to take the place of high-performance DSLRs, but are rather an option for beginners looking to graduate from point and shoot cameras and for enthusiasts looking for a lightweight and easy to carry alternative to their bulky DSLR.

And though some of the extra features provided on the Nikon J1 and Nikon V1 may not prove useful to knowledgeable photographers, the easy to use menu and intuitive and minimalistic controls will benefit many who are looking for a simple on-the-go camera.

The two features most likely to appeal to beginner and enthusiast alike is the HD video option, and the ability to take still photos while capturing movies. These two abilities alone make the Nikon J1 and V1 worthy contenders in the growing field of quality cameras that sit between simple point and shoot and professional quality DSLR devices. And as the Ashton Kutcher camera commercials show, sometimes photography should simply be about the fun and excitement of capturing a perfect action shot.

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