Nikon reveals it's mirrorless '1' system

[Paddy C]

I like the design. Has a refined high-quality look to it.

But it doesn't appear to be any smaller than a GF3. I gather the zoom lenses are but not anything else. Not sure how that's a "win".

 

[Benjamin Marks]

The reason so many of us moan is that cameras pitched at us are few and far between. We'd love to be immune to the marketing hype, but part of the ol' brain can't let go of the hope that a FF S2 mirrorless camera with a D3S sensor is just around the bend. Well, it is not, and for a variety of reasons including no market for a $3K camera. I have the same reaction to this that I do to the new mini-Pentax offering: it doesn't really apply to me, any more than 110 or disc cameras did. Oh well. Now where did I put my D3?

Ben

 

[Frank Petronio]

...It's amazing to think how many things they (Panasonic/Olympus) got right with the m-4/3 format.

~Joe

Yeah and everything after the G1 wasn't better, they actually downgraded from there. It's a real shame we don't have a Nikon or Canon in m4/3s because that would really boost the format.

 

[shadowfox]

Speechless.....





..... (still speechless).
Nikon, what were you smoking? just do what you do best, release the D700 successor already! 🙂

 

[dave lackey]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1109/11092120nikonlaunch.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1109/11092115nikonlenses.asp

Gack! 🙄🙄🙄

Is that 10 characters?

 

[scottwallick]

Cameras, OK; Lenses, meh.

Cameras, OK; Lenses, meh.

I'll be interested to see what lenses Nikon releases. Right now, it's slated just one prime (10mm F2.8, a 27mm in 135 terms). I'll consider the system when there are close 35mm-equivalent and 50mm-equivalent 'fast' (i.e., f/2) prime lenses. A tough sell to me since m43 (and even NEX to an extent) is way ahead of the game in terms of lens options.

 

[Robin Harrison]

Nikon, what were you smoking? just do what you do best, release the D700 successor already! 🙂

Just think of all the R&D time and money that went into this system, and how it could have been used on innovations in their DSLR line? Painful.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Considering that this forum is populated by Pro, semi-Pro, and advanced enthusiast photographers. The comments that "Nikon lost the plot" so to say with their ugly (uhg..) new system is comparable to Formula one drivers and enthusiasts complaining about the new Ford focus. It's clear this thing is not aimed at the demograph we sit in. MR & MRS Consumer P&S are probably going to love this thing. It has changeable lenses and says NIKON on it. Not Sony, Pany, or Fuji but NIKON. The most storied brand in the US for sure. It's going to sell and that's what matters to Nikon. Not that pros embrace it. My 2c 😀

I didn't know that a Ford Focus costs almost as much as a F1 car 😱

(cause, ya know, you could swing a Leica with a voigtlander lens for the same price)

While I agree with you that it's not aimed at us...why does it cost this much then? That's really the problem I have with it. Slow lenses, tiny sensor, awkward looking camera, expensive price tag.

 

[Adanac]

Last night I wrote elsewhere 'Higher end "family" camera is my first impression' meaning higher end than the usual point and shoot or phone -- so I'm in agreement with those who have sized these two cameras up as a bid to avoid savaging their own DSLR lines and cash in on the Nikon brand.

Customer visits store, says "I want a camera that takes better photos than my point and shoot or my telephone". Store has plenty to show but there's this not bad looking, small and non-threatening looking, CEVIL format Nikon and it says... Nikon. Looks almost as serious in black as a Nikon SLR (especially the V1).

Sales person says:

"and it says Nikon on the front so you know it's good, plus the sensor inside is WAY bigger than the one in your point and shoot and your phone and by the way you can slap all sorts of Nikon lenses on the front so you can one day use some of those lenses (if you go the adapter route to use them on the N1 series) to a DSLR if you like."

"And it costs less than this Fujifilm over here and you can even shoot decent video and swap lenses, and by the way did I mention it says Nikon on it?"

Maybe the target market is moms buying the family camera at Christmas for dads who said "I want a nikon".

Certainly it will be an improvement for those moving up from cell phones and cheap point and shoot integrated cameras. Will Canon follow suit in like fashion? I tend to think so, and if so, that leaves an interesting opportunity for Sony, maybe Fujifilm too, and possibly Olympus / Panasonic / Samsung.

 

[dct]

I was at the launch and have had one for a week. Much that seems bad can be turned off, much that is good has not been discussed. It's not a camera I thought I wanted or needed, but I'll look into mirrorless system cameras more now.
Marty

Swiss launch too these days in Zurich:
http://thebighands.com/

I had the chance to play around for 5 minutes. Neat. Nice. But I suppose I would say the same to a E-P3 or NEX-7. And there I have more chances for the system future, as well mounting M lenses...

Will post a few impression shots later on.

 

[sevo]

While I agree with you that it's not aimed at us...why does it cost this much then? That's really the problem I have with it. Slow lenses, tiny sensor, awkward looking camera, expensive price tag.

Well, there was a Nikon 35Ti, too. Japan in particular has a big luxury compacts market.

 

[Paul T.]

a half-hearted attempt to join the mirrorless fray. Nikon's too afraid to lose their amateur DSLR market.

Intriguingly, there have been a few reports in the financial press that Nikon's shares are being marked down because they don't have an non-mirror camera - Olympus, Panasonic and Sony were reported as having increased their market share significantly.

This product looks like a compromise, launched to satisfy people outside Nikon, not inside.

 

[Harry Caul]

The problem with comments proclaiming that "this camera system wasn't designed for us rangefinder folks" is that it doesn't really appear to be designed (well) for P&S users looking for an upgrade either. Ask any P&S or phone user why they want to upgrade and you'll get two answers:

1. Faster focus/feel
2. Professional looking photos (aka shallow DOF)

The Nikon only addresses the first (at least with their current lens line up), while all the other EVIL systems address both. A compact camera/system is preferred by some people I talk to, but it is usually not a requirement (in fact some like the big DSLR "pro" look even though they never use it with anything other than the kit lens). I'm still not sure what this system brings to the table that isn't surpassed in every way by something like the Panny GF3 + X compact zoom + 20/1.7. You can pick up that kit for ~$1000 and it will trounce anything the Nikons can do while being smaller and probably cheaper.

It may not be designed for us, but just because it is says "Nikon" on it and that it will be heavily marketed to P&S/phone users doesn't mean it will actually be a good system for those people either. If Nikon starts putting out tiny lenses in the f1-1.4 range I may revisit my opinion, but a 10mm f2.8 for their first prime??? That is basically a P&S lens -- and almost perfectly matches the 3.85mm f2.8 iphone 4 lens (29mm equiv.).

 

[tritiated]

This is so dull. 'Taste' algorithms are making for a boring existence.

 

[wgerrard]

My reference points for this "enthusiast" camera thing:

1. Printing is a boutique craft, practiced by a few who have the time and cash to develop the skill to produce a decent print. Most people want to send or post digital images, whether shot with a phone or an M9. Why buy a digital product and avoid what that offers?

2. I'm travelling in Scotland with a small DSLR (Nikon 5100) and three "small" DX lenses. The bag is still too big, too heavy, and too cumbersome. When we travel with a computer in our pocket that also takes pictures, DSLR's really need to offer something that makes the typical consumer think the pictures are worth the inconvenience of carrying the things around. Pretty sure most people think they are not.

3. I think "enthusiast" in this case means someone who knows taking pictures can mean more than pointing and shooting, but doesn't yet know aperture from bokeh.

4.We do not buy digital products expecting to use them the rest of our lives. We do expect to be able to buy better technology every few years. Therefore, attacking these cameras because they aren't built like Leicas is silly and beside the point.

 

[Ronald_H]

Nikon has a chance to place a claim in the CEvil market, but I am feeling very cozy right now with my NEX 5N with a CV 35/1.4 SC on it.

U-huh.

My NEX-3 can use my Leica glass, even the Summicron DR. And ALL of my Nikon lenses, from an early 135mm f2.8 non-Ai from 1963 to a recent 'G' lens.

 

[elmer3.5]

Hi, don´t get it, why everybody is making small cameras with aps-c sensors but nikon has a not so small body with that tiny sensor!!!

Why someone should prefer nikon 1 over the nex 7?

I´m missing something...

 

[semilog]

Bill Gerrard is using his noggin effectively. Thoughtful post.

 

[furcafe]

I agree w/your main point, but not w/this. I have an M6 & having handled the Pentax ME Super (& Olympus OMs, etc.), I still wouldn't say the M9 is big, especially if in comparison w/the compact SLRs when they have a comparable lens attached. Also, the M9 is not noticeably heavier, though it is fatter, than an M6 because of the substitution of plastic for brass, & is positively tiny compared to any of the full-frame dsLRs.

*Yes, the M9 is big and, especially, heavy. Compare it to an M6, or even better, to a Pentax ME Super or a Ricoh GR-1. If you're feeling especially cruel, compare the M9 to an NEX-5 or an E-PL3.

 

[furcafe]

Yes, see, e.g., http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...rrors-means-opportunity-for-sony-cameras.html

Intriguingly, there have been a few reports in the financial press that Nikon's shares are being marked down because they don't have an non-mirror camera - Olympus, Panasonic and Sony were reported as having increased their market share significantly.

This product looks like a compromise, launched to satisfy people outside Nikon, not inside.