First Look: Grimsmo Fidget Spinner

Thanks to their 1-inch sensors, Nikon 1 cameras are far smaller than other mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. The J5 body measures 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.3 inches and weighs a scant 8.2 ounces. The camera has an old-school design vibe, especially the two-tone black-and-silver model I reviewed. (There's a choice of black, silver or white bodies.) The overall design is simple and clean, with well-placed and easily identifiable controls.

With its 3x zoom attached, the J5 is easy to tote around. While it won't fit in your pocket like a smartphone, there's really no need to attach the strap for stability when you're using the basic lens.

The camera also has a built-in flash, unlike some other mirrorless models (such as the Samsung NX500) that supply one as an add-on attachment. This is extremely convenient for those times you want to use the fill-flash setting. However, there's no shoe for an external flash.

I admit to being underwhelmed by every Nikon 1 camera I've reviewed since the model line premiered in 2011. I must not have been the only critic, and Nikon has taken the criticism to heart, because it has completely revamped the imaging innards for the J5. 

This model now has a 20.8MP 13.2 x 8.8mm backside illuminated (BSI) sensor — a technology that allows more light to reach the pixels — compared with the traditional-design, 18.4-megapixel sensor of the J4 (see review) and others in the lineup. BSI chips enable both faster shutter speeds and better images in low light.