New Nikon DL 18-50 Wide-Angle P&S!

[Rob-F]

I see Nikon recently announced (on February 23) a new 20MP P&S with a lens that is the equivalent of, in 35mm terms, an 18 to 50mm zoom. The model number is DL 18-50. I'm a bit interested! There is no viewfinder and no flash though it does have video capability and can shoot at up to 60 frames per second (not that I'm likely to use that feature). I could see carrying this and, say, a Fuji X10 or X20 and being able to cover just about everything.

How might a camera like this change your outfit or approach to photography? If one is not a wide-angle freak, probably not much; but if you live for wide-angle shots? What about it?

Oh yeah, it doesn't come out until June or July, I think. Probably won't even be a comprehensive hands-on review until then . . .

 

[BlackXList]

I got pretty excited about it when I saw it on DPReview, they're also doing a 24-85 and a 24-500.

1 inch sensors too, which is a good sign.

I already have an RX100 and a GR for compacts, so I probably can't justify another compact (with below APSC sensor size), especially with Nikon's usual umm "optimistic" pricing.

They don't cover the same FL admittedly, but the Nikon is presently priced at £799.

I'm not paying that for a compact, that's into SLR lens territory for the same FL, and the results will be significantly better

 

[Jamie Pillers]

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how these three new Nikon DL cameras test out. I've used the Nikon 1 V3 and it produces really excellent image quality. And if you need fast focusing, these 1-inch sensored cameras with their small lenses are amazing. The V3 was the easiest kit I've used for street photography, with superb results. I'm probably going to be most interested in the 24-85mm version, as an "all-rounder" for family and street.

 

[GaryLH]

We talked about all three of the new Nikon dl cameras in this thread a couple of weeks back, just as an FYI...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154684

To the op..
B&h projected June 28th for the 18-50.

I've got to admit I wasn't to impressed at first mainly due to no built in evf. The optional evf, I can't find a price or reference to yet. But I have been thinking lately that the combo of 18-50 plus 24-85 gives u a two body combo is p&s that is hard to beat for an all around vacation setup. W/ the added benefit of sharing the same battery and evf. When u add the price up for the combo, it's a bit too expensive though 🙁. But what a compact package.

I currently use a Ricoh GR plus the gw3 adapter to get 21/28..also the Panasonic LX100 for my vacations for a nice pairing or substitute the LX100 w/ my old rx100mk1 if I need compact. In general, the GR is my base and I tend to work other cameras into the mix depending on where I'm going on vacation.

Gary

 

[taemo]

I can see myself travelling with my fm3a with 20mm and 40mm and then a DL for digital, either the 18-50 or 24-85, btw the extra EVF is around 250-300$ iirc

only reason i cant fully commit yet is that all full res samples ive seen taken with either J5, RX100 series and DL are a little underwhelming, reminds me of iphone IQ, i might just take the leap of faith and return if not impressed

i thought about getting a nikon dslr but i never liked their digital bodies

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I used 18-55 on our first DSLR. I'm still using P&S without VF and same DSLR.
What's new? 20MP? How "exiting'...

 

[michaelwj]

I used 18-55 on our first DSLR. I'm still using P&S without VF and same DSLR.
What's new? 20MP? How "exiting'...

But it's an 18-50mm in full frame equivalent, as opposed to the 28-85 that the 18-55 kit lens gives. That's the excitement.

 

[GaryLH]

I can see myself travelling with my fm3a with 20mm and 40mm and then a DL for digital, either the 18-50 or 24-85, btw the extra EVF is around 250-300$ iirc

only reason i cant fully commit yet is that all full res samples ive seen taken with either J5, RX100 series and DL are a little underwhelming, reminds me of iphone IQ, i might just take the leap of faith and return if not impressed

i thought about getting a nikon dslr but i never liked their digital bodies

Thanks..

Do u happen to know the model number of the evf?

A 1inch sensor is not gonna replace an apsc or FF camera when it comes to certain looks (due to limited depth of field) or number of stops of latitude that it can record.. It's a compromise to achieve a more compact package while doubling the sensor area of the largest p&s sensor of the past.

I find the main advantage of Nikon dslrs is the matrix metering. They've been doing longer then anyone. I find that the exposure is spot on most of the time compared to any other camera I own. W/ others I'm always using the exposure comp.

Gary

 

[Archiver]

The model number is DL 18-50. I'm a bit interested! There is no viewfinder and no flash though it does have video capability and can shoot at up to 60 frames per second (not that I'm likely to use that feature). I could see carrying this and, say, a Fuji X10 or X20 and being able to cover just about everything.

How might a camera like this change your outfit or approach to photography? If one is not a wide-angle freak, probably not much; but if you live for wide-angle shots? What about it?

A camera like the DL 18-50 would fit perfectly into my stable. My primary compact cameras are the Panasonic LX7 and Ricoh GR, and I shoot the LX7 at 16:9 ratio, which makes the 24mm lens more like 21 or 22mm.

My favourite focal length for interior architectural and context capture is 18mm, for which I use my Ricoh GXR M-mount module and the Voigtlander 12mm lens. When I'm shooting with a rangefinder, I carry 21, 35 and 50, so that's all my most used focal lengths in one camera.

Additionally, it has 60fps high speed shooting - which I hope is raw capture - and 4k video. I'm finding myself at athletic events for friends, so high speed burst shooting is very useful. And the 4k video is perfect as I love video work as much as photography. There was a DL 24-400 promo video which showed the image quality of the 4k capture, and it was excellent.

Depending on the image quality, which I assume is like the Nikon J5, it could very well be my primary compact camera. Perhaps the only caveat would be how the 'richness' of image holds up against aps-c sensor cameras like the Ricoh GXR and GR, but given how I love my Panasonic LX7, I think the DL will be just fine. I can imagine using it alongside something like the Panasonic GM1 with 45mm lens for tele portraits, and the total kit would be almost unnoticeable in a shoulder bag.

 

[Archiver]

I currently use a Ricoh GR plus the gw3 adapter to get 21/28..also the Panasonic LX100 for my vacations for a nice pairing or substitute the LX100 w/ my old rx100mk1 if I need compact. In general, the GR is my base and I tend to work other cameras into the mix depending on where I'm going on vacation.

Interesting that you use the GR + 21mm in that way, as I often use that combination as a base as well, depending on the situation. While the DL cameras won't have the same IQ as an aps-c camera, they could be very worthwhile as an all-in-one lightweight package.

In months to come, I will likely be deciding between the DL 24-85 and the Panasonic LX100. What a great time to be shooting!

 

[jsrockit]

Interested in this camera... any recent release date? Crutchfield says July 5th, but no other info anywhere.

 

[kxl]

The DL cameras have interesting specs, but multiple release delays (***rumored*** to be because of issues with the integrated circuit) would make me want to wait until after the early adopters give them a spin.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I had heard November or December, but that was a few months ago, that could have changed.

 

[Mark A. Fisher]

I just checked in with the local camera shop this week regarding the DL line of Nikons. They haven't heard anything yet, but hope to have some in by late August/Early September. I am interested in the DL24-85, but the DL18-50 looks good too. Someone in this thread asked about the viewfinder model. It's the DF-E1, or at least that's what it says on the NikonUSA site, no price listed. They also indicate that it's not available yet. It'd be nice if they actually released all of these at the same time as the cameras, so you could see how they mesh - or don't. Until something shows up on the shelves, I'll muddle along with what I have, and be happy about it.

m

 

[Addy101]

According to Nikon Rumors they will ship in October.

 

[farlymac]

The sensor would be an improvement over my P7700, but I would like the range to be 18-85. Of course then it wouldn't be pocket size.

PF