Nikon Corporation announced the release of two new Nikon 1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses that propose new forms of imaging expression. The first is the J3, which represents a new branch in the J-series lineup and offers even faster performance in the world's smallest body. The second is the S1, which establishes a new line of Nikon 1 cameras with intuitive operation that makes enjoying a digital camera with interchangeable lenses even easier.

Nikon 1 is a compact, lightweight camera system that proposes new ways of enjoying digital cameras with interchangeable lenses with superior, high-speed performance, beginning with the Advanced Hybrid AF System for optimal focusing, functions such as Smart Photo Selector and Motion Snapshot, which ensure certain capture of the perfect moment, and functions that offer users unique imaging experiences. In addition to improvements to these features adopted for the new J3 and S1, these two cameras are also equipped with a number of new functions. The J3 is even faster than previous models, supporting high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 15 fps with AF tracking, all in the world's smallest body.

The Slow View function, which enables capture of just the perfect moment, and Live Image Control, a feature that allows users to preview the effects of settings in the camera monitor prior to shooting, have been added to the J3. In addition, the Smart Photo Selector and Motion Snapshot functions have been improved and the camera has been equipped with Advanced Movie mode, which enables adjustment of settings (in P, S, A, and M exposure modes) for movie recording. What's more, the minimalistic design using metal on the front surface of the camera is available in five color options for a more elegant and precise exterior finish.

The S1 is the first in a new Nikon 1 series developed for those new to advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses. It offers the same high-speed performance and variety of functions that enable certain capture of the perfect moment as other Nikon 1 cameras, but is equipped with a new GUI for even simpler, more intuitive operation. It is available in five colors, including khaki, to suit a wide variety of personalities and preferences.

The J3 and S1 both support the Wireless Mobile Adapter WU-1b (available separately), enabling users to not only transfer high-quality images captured with the camera to a smart device over a wireless connection, but also to use the display on a smart device in place of the camera monitor for remote shooting. In addition, a waterproof case compatible with the J3 and S1 (with the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6) will also be released. When used with the J3 or S1 camera system, photographic possibilities are greatly expanded with support for underwater shooting of a variety of subjects and scenes.

The J3 offers improvements on basic camera functions, yet still has the extremely compact body characteristic of Nikon 1 cameras. It boasts the world's smallest size with a width of just 101 mm, a height of 60.5 mm, and a depth of 28.8 mm. Among digital cameras with interchangeable lenses equipped with a CX-format or larger image sensor available as of January 8, 2013.

The cameras are equipped with the Advanced Hybrid AF System, which utilizes both phase-detection AF and contrast-detect AF. Phase-detection AF offers fast focusing and superior tracking of moving subjects. Contrast-detect AF offers superior performance with shooting in dark or dimly lit surroundings.

The Advanced Hybrid AF System allows the camera to choose the optimal AF method according to the subject or shooting conditions, for nearly instantaneous focus on a wide variety of subjects, including those in motion. The J3 and S1 both offer 135 focus points, including the 73 used for phase-detection AF. The S1 has an effective pixel count of 10.1-million pixels, supports a range of sensitivities from ISO 100–6,400, and can capture approximately 15 shots with a single burst of continuous shooting at either 15 or 60 fps for a level of performance well suited to simple photography.

The cameras are equipped with the new EXPEED 3A image-processing engine, optimized exclusively for Nikon 1 cameras, for extremely fast image processing. The cameras are equipped with Live Image Controls that allow users to preview the effects changes to controls such as background softening and brightness control will have on final photographs. The camera body is available five elegant colors–silver, red, white, black, and beige.

In addition, lenses sold as part of lens kits with camera bodies are the same color as the camera body. This color coordination is one of the primary features of the Nikon 1 system which achieves an integrated look for the cameras and lenses. The camera is available in most popular colors to date–black, pink, red, white–as well as a new khaki color.

Lenses sold as part of lens kits with camera bodies are the same color as the camera body.