Nikon S9100 vs Nikon J1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon S9100 vs Nikon J1

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 450.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Nikon S9100 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the S9100.

1 inch 116.2mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon J1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the J1.

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Differences

Nikon S9100 advantages over Nikon J1

Less expensive
$330 vs $650 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
More dots on screen
921k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Nikon J1 advantages over Nikon S9100

Slower slow-motion
1200 fps vs 240 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Larger sensor
1 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.41 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.22 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Longer exposure
30 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster JPEG shooting
57.9 fps vs 9.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
12 vs 5 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read S9100 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read J1 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon S9100

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Buy the Nikon J1

Kit with 10-30mm Lens

Kit with 10-30mm Lens
Kit with 10-30mm and 30-110mm Lenses
Kit with 10mm and 10-30mm Lenses

Review Excerpt

Backside-illuminated sensor for good low-light performance; Very long zoom; Good printed performance; Very fast autofocus.
Autofocus is not always reliable; Auto white balance renders skin tones a little red; Slow digital zoom.
Read our Nikon S9100 Express Review

Very small body, with solid feel; Fast AF; No-nonsense interface. Excellent video capture, Good picture quality.
Body could be smaller for sensor size; High ISO isn't as good as other compact system cameras; Battery life below average; Weak flash; Confusing controls.
Read our Nikon J1 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax RZ18

Nikon S9100

Pentax RZ18

$254
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

$210
1/2.33 inch

Manual focus
More pixels

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Pentax RZ18

Nikon J1

Pentax RZ18

$500
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$210
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon J1 vs Pentax RZ18

Compared to Panasonic ZS15

Nikon S9100

Panasonic ZS15

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
More telephoto lens reach

$273
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Longer exposure

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Panasonic ZS15

Nikon J1

Panasonic ZS15

$500
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$273
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon J1 vs Panasonic ZS15

Compared to Nikon J2

Nikon S9100

Nikon J2

$254
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$550
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Nikon J2

Nikon J1

Nikon J2

$500
1 inch

$550
1 inch

Less expensive
More dots on screen

Compare Nikon J1 vs Nikon J2

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon S9100

Nikon J3

$254
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$617
1 inch

Larger sensor
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Nikon J3

Nikon J1

Nikon J3

$500
1 inch

Bigger pixels

$617
1 inch

Higher effective ISO
More dots on screen

Compare Nikon J1 vs Nikon J3

Compared to Canon SX280 HS

Nikon S9100

Canon SX280 HS

$254
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Longer stills battery life

$300
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon S9100 vs Canon SX280 HS

Nikon J1

Canon SX280 HS

$500
1 inch

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$300
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon J1 vs Canon SX280 HS

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