Nikon 1 J2 review

How do the tweaks improve the most popular CSC of the past 12 months?

Nikon 1 J2 review
The Nikon 1 J2 is an upgrade on the popular CSC, the Nikon 1 J1

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We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using DXO Analyzer software to generate the data to produce the graphs below.

A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.

For more more details on how to interpret our test data, check out our full explanation of our noise and dynamic range tests.

Nikon 1 J2 review

JPEG images from the Nikon 1 J2 show better signal to noise ratio results than the original Nikon 1 J1 throughout the whole sensitivity range, but sit below those of the Sony NEX-5R at every sensitivity setting but ISO 1600. The Panasonic GF5 starts of with a greater signal to noise ratio than the Nikon 1 J2 at lower ISOs, but falls below its results at ISO 800, where the Nikon 1 J2's results improve for a while, as the other cameras' all steadily fall.

Raw signal to noise ratio

Nikon 1 J2 review

TIFF images (after conversion from raw) from the Nikon 1 J2 show a more uniform picture, with the Nikon 1 J1 again beating the original Nikon 1 J1 for signal to noise ratio, but sitting below the Sony NEX-5R. The Panasonic GF5 is again better at ISO 200, but produces worse results after that.

Dynamic range

Nikon 1 J2 review

This chart indicates that dynamic range in the Nikon 1 J2's JPEGs is better than the Nikon 1 J1, Sony NEX-5R and Panasonic GF5 at most sensitivities. It falls below the Panasonic GF5 at ISO 400, and matches the Sony NEX-5R at ISO 100, but otherwise outperforms them.

Raw dynamic range

Nikon 1 J2 review

TIFF/raw images from the Nikon 1 J2 show a greater variation in dynamic range scores, but are still ahead of those from the Nikon 1 J1 and Panasonic GF5. The Sony NEX-5R produces superior dynamic range in its raw images. There's no overlap between the Nikon 1 J2 and any of the other cameras in this chart.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar. 

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