Nikon 1 V2 review: Evolution, stasis or regression?

Nikon 1 V2 and the competition

Nikon 1 V2 vs Nikon 1 J2 vs Nikon 1 V1

A comparison of Nikon stable-mates

Comparing these three Nikon stable-mates makes for interesting reading. Of the three, the Nikon 1 V2 puts in the lowest performance in all areas with the exception of the sports rating for low-light ISO. Looking at the Colour Depth score, the Nikon 1 V2 shows 2/3^rd of a stop less performance (20.2bits to 21.3bits). This is caused by the difference in ISO latitude – the Nikon 1 V2 has an ISO range that runs from 160 to 6400, whereas the 1 J2 and 1 V1 both run from 100 to 6400.

Nikon 1 V2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 vs Fujifilm FinePix X10

Nikon 1 V2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF5 vs Fujifilm FinePix X10

Comparing the Nikon 1 V2 to the Panasonic GF5 and Finepix X10 shows how it stacks up against similar competition. All three cameras achieve an overall DxOMark score of 50, though they achieve their scores in subtly different ways and the 1 V2 does also offer an extra 2megapixels of resolution.

In terms of colour depth, there is little to choose between them, with the GF5 and X10 both scoring 20.5bits to the 1 V2’s 20.2bits. This difference is sufficiently minimal to unobservable in final prints.

In Dynamic Range though, the X10 shows how well suited it is to landscape photography, when compared to the other two, scoring 11.3Evs. The 1 V2 sits in the middle at 10.8Evs, whereas the GF5 only manages 10Evs. It is worth noting that the Dynamic Range score is the only major weak point with the Panasonic sensor in the GF5.

Looking at the low-light results though, the X10 shows that it is not really designed for low-light shooting, only managing a score of 245ISO. This is ½ stop behind the Nikon 1 V2 at 403ISO and a stop behind the GF5 that performs better here, scoring 573ISO which is, to a large degree, thanks to its larger sensor.

In this company, the 1 V2 finds itself somewhere in the middle when considering all three testing metrics. While the X10 is clearly aimed at landscape photography and the GF5 is more suited to low light shooting, the 1 V2 doesn’t standout in one area but produces a balanced performance that’s not skewed to any one type of photography.