New rumors suggest that Nikon will (finally) release full frame mirrorless camera with a traditional F mount later this year or in early 2016. The camera is rumored to be small and similar in size to the Olympus OM-D E-M1. Additionally, it is rumored to offer no EVF and is currently being field tested.
The Nikon 1 Series leaves a lot to be desired for the more discerning photographer thanks to the much smaller 1″ class sensor. Since the release of the 1 Series, it has seemed like Nikon just didn’t want to eat into the sales of its own DSLRs.
With the popularity of other mirrorless system cameras from the likes of Sony, Panasonic, Fuji and Olympus, however, that stance appears very short-sighted. It certainly makes sense for Nikon (and Canon) to join the mirrorless camera market at some point with a lens mount that takes advantage of its vast range of lenses.
Of course, time will only tell if Nikon is going to enter the mirrorless market with a more serious offering and whether that entry will be too little too late.
[via Nikon Rumors]
Well, if there’s no EVF (and obviously no mirror/pentaprism) then is the rear LCD the only tool to compose/focus, etc.?
If so, it would seem to be DOA – who would want that?
Bob,Totally agree. Not for me.
I waited for such a camera from Nikon for a few years now. When the Df was announced, i thought it was what i was waiting for, until i actually got the specs. Having shot professionally with Nikon for over 20 years as a PJ, its nice to stay with the same system, but Nikon has disappointed me so much in the last few years, especially with poor service, and expensive and unreliable offerings.
I’m now happily shooting Fuji (X-T1) for my other (mirrorless) system.
Agreed – and I too got the X-T1 though I kept my DSLR (D600) for events and such as the low light focusing and (just perceptible) slightly delayed EVF make the X-T1 less suited to those kinds of things. Macro too, for that matter.
Imagine if (when?) Fuji were to make a full frame (hate that term) X-Trans sensor!
Wouldnt mind a FF X-sensor, but don’t want to buy another lens line! I love the XT1 and the Fuji glass i have so far (10-24, 56, 18-135). Just can’t see (pun intended) using ANY camera without a proper viewfinder (optical or EVF)!
And love the smaller glass/mirrorless bodies, the x-sensor is pretty good for a APS size too.
I shoot with a D4 on my day job, and its a great camera, but just don’t think Nikon service and price/quality is as it was in days gone by, sadly.
Agreed. The pro mirrorless train left the station long ago and Nikon had no idea that the train existed. I’ve been a lifelong Nikon shooter but am jumping ship (or train) this year. Won’t wait for the Nikon FF mirrorless – can’t afford to. And if recent snafus are any indicator, once it arrives, it will underperform compared to its peers and plagued with problems. Wish I was wrong, but I just don’t see another Nikon in my future.
I share the opinion. Even though I have tens of Nikon lenses. I would not buy another Nikon Camera without an EVF but look elsewhere instead.
The mirrorless systems don’t just offer smaller/lighter camera bodies, they ideally offer smaller, lighter lenses. If the same full frame lenses of today are to be used on that smaller body, it will save very little in weight of our bags plus create a noticable in-balance between lens and body. With saving nothing on the lens side (price/weight) and possibly no view finder (which just seems silly), agreed with others, it won’t be adopted.
Mirorless systems does not offer smaller and lighter lenses just because of absence of mirror. Take a look at Sony G-Master series lens and notice that those lenses are large as well as any other. The only way to create lightweight lens is to reduce sensor size to APS-C or (better) Micro 4/3. Once you have a FF sensor, you have large lens.
Further to my comments, I like to add that I have so much Nikon lenses and equipment they are coming out of my ears. Though I am reasonable happy with the cameras, they are not the king of cameras as Nikon used to be in the film era. I like to see Nikon goes to the top of the pile again and I reckon they would if they bring out mirror less one with all the best features currently available together with 4K video capability as it is not too hard a job to do with their expertise already in hand.
They can just modify the excellent D5300 with a full frame sensor plus adding full compatibility with all Nikon lenses made to date and upgrade all other facilities that some of its competitors are already installed on their cameras.
I would be one of the first in line to purchase such a machine and I know Nikon can do it or suffer the indignity of being also ran in terms of technical superiority is concerned..
Well, regarding Nikon expertise and their position in old days it was totally different then today. What you needed at that time was mechanic expertise (film transport, shutter, mirror, AF). Today its sensor technology which Nikon does not have (they have to buy from Sony ) and electronics design which Nikon does not have historically. On the other hand Sony and Canon both make sensors and both have a long electronic tradition (Sony more then Canon) and last you need lenses where Nikon has a ton but not for mirror less (to big) same is true for Canon (to big).
I am very happy with my Sony A7S and my M-mount Lenses from Voigtlaender and Leica even so they are manual focus but in 90% manual focus is fine and the lenses are very small (adopted SLR lenses don’t make sense, to big) add one standard auto focus lens for those 10 % and you are all set.
Just my thoughts.
@Henry. In a sense, I agree with you but as Nikon is a healthy company with funds, it is not hard to acquire all the expertise it needs to upgrade their electronic knowhow. It is just a matter of will. Will they or won’t they.
Unfortunately in these modern times of staying afloat in business, there is no room for mediocrity. You either float to the top or sink to the bottom.
I am sure those bofos in Nikon land would not like to be also runs.
Look at Canon, it never was a leader in the film days until they change course and opted for the best and now it has become the leader in DSLRs manufacture, it will be hard to catch up to them but nothing in life is impossible.
Message to Nikon: Float or Sink? Your move!!!
I’ve been a Canon user since my first F-1 in 1972, but have been considering a switch of late. If Nikon is seriously considering any full frame without a viewfinder of some kind they are off the list. I have never grasped what the attraction is to holding a camera at arms length while trying to compose a photo. For me at age 64 that means pulling out reading glasses as well as the strain to my arthritic elbows. Articulating screens are great for the occasional overhead or down low shot but for everything, ridiculous. Try tracking a high performance aerobatic team like that. If someone could point out an advantage I would consider it, but haven’t seen it yet.
I am in total agreement with you. I too would not consider a viewfinder-less mirror-less Nikon full frame. Looks like Samsung is on the right track with its NX-1. The company is innovative and comes so far so quickly. I reckon sooner or later they will bring out a mirror-less full frame DSLR. I can wait that long as I have too many Nikons to keep me going in the meantime.