B (142)

Better PhotograPhy march 2015

42

test

From the front, the AW1 looks much like a compact

camera. It also has a textured grip just like some

others in the Nikon 1 series. However, with the lens

attached, the camera becomes unpocketable.

There is no dedicated mode dial on the top. On the

other hand, the shutter release and video control

buttons are large and easy to grip when underwater.

The pop-up flash compartment is unobtrusive.

The back features the Action Control button and a

four-way directional pad to control various settings.

Pressing the display button when shooting will bring up

the electronic compass on the screen.

ERGonomicS

Four-way

controller

Power button

LcD

menu button

Display button

Handling

Along with the battery and memory

card, the AW1 weighs 356g, and becomes

heavier once the kit lens is attached.

It feels pretty solid when you pick it

up which was surprising as I mentione

eariler, it did not look rugged. The camera

survived several drops, as well as

countless bumps on various surfaces.

The camera looks and feels much like a

regular compact. I did miss an EVF when

above water at times, but then that would

have meant yet one more element to

the rugged camera.

What ticked me off was the way the

direct controls have been set. To adjust

aperture and the shutterspeed values, you

have to press the playback zoom buttons

situated above the thumb rest. To toggle

between shutterspeed and aperture you

have to use the four-way controller which

is below the thumb rest. ISO sensitivity

was another tiresome affair, requiring

one to go all the way inside the Menu to

adjust it.

Performance

Underwater, the camera performed well.

I liked the grip and the zoom ring is big

enough to easily change the focal length.

Also, managing the controls underwater

was easy enough.

After about two and a half hours of

continuous shooting, the battery ran

out, leaving me quite disappointed, and

I managed to make about 140 frames

during this time. Another area where it

did not do so well was at night. Its low

AF-assist

illuminator

Front To p Rear

•    Sturdy

•    60fps  shooting    

•    AF speed

PLuS

•    No mode    dial

•    No EVF

•    Poor   battery life

minuS

Textured handgrip

Lens

release

button

Kit lens

camera strap

eyelet

Video record

button

Test Shots

good Burst mode

The AW1 has a burst mode with 5, 15, 30 and 60fps which is good to capture action.

At 30 and 60fps, the focus locks on the first frame.

great colours

When viewing images straight out of the box, the colours are vibrant. The LCD too,

accurately presents the colours, without any surprises when viewed on screen.

Flash

pop-up switch

Pop up flash

Shutter-release

button

•    Pentax WG-3

•    Olyumpus   Stylus  

T-3 Tough

ALSo LooK FoR

Action control

button