Nikon 1 V2 review

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 V2 with the Panasonic GF5, Nikon 1 V1, Sony RX100 and Olympus E-PL5.

JPEG signal to noise ratio

These results show that the Nikon 1 V2's JPEG files have a signal to noise ratio that is stronger than those from the Nikon 1 V1 throughout the sensitivity range, and stronger than the Panasonic GF5 at every setting but ISO 160 and ISO 400. The Nikon 1 V2 sits below the Sony RX100 and Olympus E-PL5 at every sensitivity setting.

Raw signal to noise ratio

The signal to noise ratios of the TIFF images (after conversion from raw) from the Nikon 1 V2 are lower than those from the Olympus E-PL5 and higher than those from the Nikon 1 V1 at every sensitivity setting. The V2 is also stronger than the Sony RX100, except at ISO 6400. It is stronger than the Panasonic GF5 at the lower ISOs, but the Panasonic drops off at ISO 400 and above, so the V2 overtakes it after that point.

JPEG dynamic range

JPEG results for dynamic range are stronger than those for signal to noise ratio, with the Nikon 1 V2 producing results better than the Panasonic GF5 and Nikon 1 V1 throughout the sensitivity range, and better than the Sony RX100 at every setting but ISO 6400. The V2 sits below the Olympus E-PL5 at every ISO setting.

Raw dynamic range

This chart indicates that TIFF images (after conversion from raw) from the Nikon 1 V2 have a greater dynamic range than those from the Panasonic GF5 at every sensitivity, and from the Nikon 1 V1 at every setting but ISO 3200. The Nikon 1 V2 produces raw images with less dynamic range than those from the Sony RX100 and Olympus E-PL5.