J5 First impressions

Could not resist a recent bargain. First thoughts, the image quality is impressive, the flip screen is superb, the size and ergonomics are just awful! I will keep going in the hope of getting a routine but early thoughts are mixed.

I am interested in knowing more 🤓

I will definitely keep everyone informed on progress. Those who own and know the J5 will be well aware of the positives, the flip screen quality particularly impresses me. I have a Nikon P7100, which also has a flip screen, I like shooting at waist level with it. With the J5 and the 10-30PD that is proving quite awkward as zooming is not precise anyway.
Regards
Gary

hi Gary
zoom is one major advantage of the non pd if you have a working one. Found the same with the PD - tricky and slow to get the field you want

r

The main drawback that I found on my beaten-up, pre-owned model is the small buffer and slow SD card write performance. The sensor is a clear upgrade to the V3 and earlier models, but for wildlife it is just too slow. Otherwise, for single-shot scenarios or small bursts, it is quite capable and very easy to bring along everywhere.

My main gripe with the J5 is lack of EVF. Even though I have larger than average hands I have no issue with the size. I think it will get a lot of use in the garden for closeups this year.

The flip out LCD is very handy when working closeups in the garden. I've used a J5 with both the DX 40/2.8 and 85/3.5 macro lenses via the FT1, and I can shoot from a lower camera position with the kit mounted on a tripod and the screen flipped out. It really helps with my old bones that no longer let me bend low.

Yes, that is certainly where I feel it will be most useful, flowers are stating to bloom so will get plenty of practice

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the J5, although I think that I would describe the ergonomics as mediocre rather than awful. It doesn’t have the robustness of my V1 and V2 bodies, which is also a bit disappointing. But the quality of images that I get out of it is the best of all of my Nikon 1 cameras, approaching what I get out of my DSLR, which is the main reason that I am glad I got it.

I hear that regarding the old bones!

Here's a sample - J5, FT1, DX 85/3.5 macro, tripod. Low to ground with LCD horizontal to save my knees

cactus flower by Richard Ditch, on Flickr

Nice Rich!

Pretty flower Rich - nicely done
richard

My lower joints also knackered.

I end up using a J5 a lot - inspite of no evf.

I have to say it is beginning to grow on me! The flip screen is superb.

Hi Gary,
I didn't notice your post. Welcome to the J5 users club.
I'm sure you'll love that little camera once you get used to it.
IMO, for those who like using different lenses, it's the best compact on the market.
Maybe I can tell you how I use it, and you'll see if it fits your needs.
In day light, I use P mode, and iso 160. Since I use mostly the 6.7-13, DOF is quite infinite, so that it's useless to change aperture in order to play with DOF.
In poor light (which is the situation I have to face very often, as you can see in my indoors pictures), I use S mode and auto iso 6400. With the 6.7-13, which has VR, I can go as low as 1/4 s.
But since I shoot only raw, and process all my images with DxO PL6, I don't care much about noise. So I use a safer SS, like 1/15 or 1/20. The J5 has the same sensor as the Sony RX100, and image quality is awesome, even at high iso. The DxO Deep Prime XD engine allows to use very high iso with no worries.
To save time, I use the F button to change iso.
So, all I have to do when I go inside a church, a castel, or a museum, is to turn the mode dial to S, and press the F button to choose iso auto 6400.
Easy.
If it happens that in some place the light is too high, and could give an overexposed image due to the slow SS, I just increase it by turning the rotative button. Easy.
I can say I almost never get an unusable image with this method. Maybe 1%, due to excessive camera shake.
Things are different when using the 18.5, with its fast 1.8 max aperture. With that lens, in good light, I use A mode and iso 160. In poor light, I switch to S mode and iso auto 6400. I choose the shutter speed in order to avoid camera shake, and let the camera choose aperture (always 1.8), and iso. The 18.5 doesn't have VR, so I use 1/30 or 1/40s as a minimal SS.
Last thing: I see you like shooting at waist level. Me too. I discovered that using the tap shutter is extremely convenient, and avoids camera shake. The J5 screen is very sensitive. As soon as you're ready, just gently touch the LCD where you want to focus, and the camera takes the picture instantly. Very handy.
I hope this can be of some help. Please share images and you own experience with that little gem.
Regards
André

Nice picture, Rich!
André

I would not even say the ergonomics are mediocre. For me, it's much better than the V1. The thing I miss the most is the possibility to set a minimal SS when using auto Iso. I can do that on my 2013 compact P7800, and I cannot on the J5. It's really a pity.

Andre:

Thanks for the details on how you use the J5. I have been mostly lazy and just keep mine in A mode with auto ISO 3200. But I've saved out your settings and how you use them and will try working this way when the situation warrants it. Your results have always impress me and demonstrate how well your approach works.