Rumors and signs that Nikon will bring a new mirrorless camera line to market have been swirling for a while now. Now, Nikon has gone on the record with DPReview to confirm that is the case with the following statement:

While details are confidential, we can say that we are currently developing new mirrorless products that build upon Nikon’s strengths, and offer the performance prospective customers expect, including the ultimate optics performance, image-processing technologies, strength and durability, and operation.

This was brought about in response to an interview question suggesting the same. When DPReview asked for clarification and additional info, Nikon delivered the above, more specific response.

While the Nikon 1 series has its fans, it doesn’t evoke the same kind of reverence that Nikon DSLRs do – or in the mirrorless world, Fuji, Sony and Olympus. The Nikon D500 and D810 are spectacular DSLRs. No one really says that about the Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras.

Let’s hope that Nikon (and Canon too, for that matter) will compete at the highest levels in the mirrorless market. Competition yields better products for all of us photographers to enjoy. So far though, Nikon and Canon really aren’t competing in the mirrorless market, which is unfortunate because that is where we are seeing the prosumer and pro markets grow right now.

What’s on your must-have list for a Nikon mirrorless camera?

A proper Nikon mirrorless camera has been in the rumor mill and wish lists since the Nikon 1 series was first announced. While no hard specs are being tossed around, the chatter about a large sensor Nikon mirrorless camera has increased in recent weeks. [Read more…]