Nikon 1 J3 review

Can Nikon's smallest CSC deliver the goods?

Nikon 1 J3 review
The Nikon 1 J3 is a very small CSC

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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.

Here we compare the Nikon 1 J3 with the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, Nikon 1 J2, Canon EOS M, Nikon 1 V2 and Panasonic GF5.

JPEG signal to noise ratio

Nikon 1 J3 JPEG Signal to Noise Ratio

These results show that the Nikon 1 J3 has a stronger signal to noise ratio than the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, Nikon 1 J2, Canon EOS M, Nikon 1 V2 and Panasonic GF5.

Raw signal to noise ratio

Nikon 1 J3 TIFF Signal to Noise Ratio

The signal to noise ratios of the TIFF images (after conversion from raw) from the Nikon 1 J3 are weaker than the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, Nikon 1 J2, Canon EOS M and Nikon 1 V2 throughout the sensitivity range, and weaker than the Panasonic GF5 until ISO 800, until it overtakes it from there and upwards.

JPEG dynamic range

Nikon 1 J3 JPEG Dynamic Range

The Nikon 1 J3's images showing a similar dynamic range to the Nikon 1 V2 throughout the sensitivity range.

Raw dynamic range

Nikon 1 J3 TIFF Dynamic Range

TIFF images (after conversion from raw) from the Nikon 1 J3 are weak, containing less dynamic range than the Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2, Nikon 1 J2, Canon EOS M and Nikon 1 V2, but it does have a stronger dynamic range than the Panasonic GF5 across the full sensitivity range.

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.