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In some respects, the Nikon 1 J3 feels like the upgrade that the Nikon J2 should have been, and coming only a few short months after it, it looks like Nikon feels the same.
The fact that it has a higher resolution, has some much needed tweaks - and has the addition of some extra modes (such as Slow View), makes this a decent upgrade from the J1.
Images generally are pretty good, although the fact that two camera bodies produced such different results in our lab tests raises questions about quality assurance and consistency between units.
It's also a shame that digital filters still haven't been improved, or that Nikon couldn't see fit to add a touchscreen to the camera.
We liked
The body redesign to make this the smallest and lightest CSC on the market (with a decent) sensor size makes it an attractive camera for carrying around on a day-to-day basis.
We disliked
It's a huge shame that the camera performed badly in our labs tests.
Final verdict
The Nikon 1 J3 is a very likeable camera, and if you're new to the CSC market it's certainly a good option. The number of compatible optics are growing for the Nikon 1 range, with some, such as the 50mm f/1.8 being a good investment to help you get more from the camera. With a few niggles, though, it's far from being perfect.
