Nikon 1 - Some Pointers to Leica's Mirrorless System Camera?

[AlanG]

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Looks like a still camera with video capability to me. If someone were to buy a camera for it's video capabilities I think they would just buy a video camera... Or even still a camera with a larger sensor like the GH2.

 

This camera has quite a few features that are not found on video cameras (or other still cameras for that matter.) And according to Nikon, the AF is much faster than that of its top of the line pro DSLRs. It is supposed to be able to follow focus action at 10fps.

 

I suspect that some of this technology may become incorporated in larger sensor cameras once making such sensors becomes possible. But for now it is a question of if you want this level of performance, the N1 may be the only choice.

[Peter H]

This camera has quite a few features that are not found on video cameras (or other still cameras for that matter.) And according to Nikon, the AF is much faster than that of its top of the line pro DSLRs. It is supposed to be able to follow focus action at 10fps.

 

I suspect that some of this technology may become incorporated in larger sensor cameras once making such sensors becomes possible. But for now it is a question of if you want this level of performance, the N1 may be the only choice.

 

Indeed. And in reality a larger sensor would be of no benefit whatsoever to a huge number of its intended users, and just make the camera more expensive and possibly more cumbersome.

 

As it is I expect it will be capable of providing a lot of people with a lot of fun as long as the equipment snobs don't tear it to bits for all the wrong reasons.

 

Having said that, I haven't seen any of its results. I'm assuming it will be more than fine for the web etc.

[bpalme]

This camera has quite a few features that are not found on video cameras (or other still cameras for that matter.) And according to Nikon, the AF is much faster than that of its top of the line pro DSLRs. It is supposed to be able to follow focus action at 10fps.

 

I suspect that some of this technology may become incorporated in larger sensor cameras once making such sensors becomes possible. But for now it is a question of if you want this level of performance, the N1 may be the only choice.

Yeah, I was just thinking out loud I guess. I'll keep an open mind and would like to see results.. Although I'm pretty sure it's not a camera for me.

Anyway... the general manager of R&D says the quality will be " same as Nikon DSLRs".

 

DE: Okay. So to use the larger sensor, obviously the cameras would have been slightly larger. But you felt you could get good enough image quality; that you could meet your image quality objectives with this size sensor?

 

MS: We are quite confident that we achieved almost exactly the same quality as our DSLR.

 

DE: (surprised) The same quality as DSLRs.

 

MS: Yes...Please evaluate! (laughs)

 

DE: Yes, obviously, we'll test and we'll hold you to that! That's very interesting, because this is a much smaller sensor, but you say the same quality.

Exclusive: Interview with Masahiro Suzuki, General Manager R&D, Nikon Imaging Company

[daveleo]

For the record, I love Nikon stuff, shoot with it constantly.

 

This new "1" concept is not anywhere near what Leica needs to be doing. It's a snapshooting, vacation setup (maybe very great for that purpose), but the Dlux-5 is already L's "snapshooter's solution" (and the best one that I can think of at the moment).

 

My imagination says that the next best effort for L would be the X1 with an M-mount and (forgive me) an integral EVF and an optional adapter for R-lenses. But that topic's already been talked to death afew times over.

 

This new Nikon thing is almost silly.

[AlanG]

 

This new Nikon thing is almost silly.

 

I felt that way at first. But then when I read the info. and examined the specs, I changed my mind. This may be more than enough camera for many needs and additionally may be faster than any other camera. I certainly could see carrying this camera with me on ski trips or bicycle trips, other vacations,etc. And it might be more useful for action stills and video clips than a Nex 7 would be. I'll definitely be checking it out along with the Nex 7. Currently, I use a 7 megapixel pocket size p&s on vacation. So it would be quite a step up in quality and features. Also consider that this camera has very fast AF and can be combined with long lenses. (10x zoom to start.)

 

I think it is more about us having a limited view of what a camera should be than any inherent problems with the camera format or design. Remember... a lot of photographers scoffed at 35mm for decades.

[luigi bertolotti]

One of my thoughts is that the "classic" P&S do suffer from cameraphones' competition... as a mass manufacturer, Nikon's move sounds to me like a "we make it different" strategy, with a device that with a typical "pro" feature (the interchangable lens) makes a quantum leap for consumers : no cell pone will have it, after all...

Imho, nothing that can make Leica to rethink its strategy : such a size sensor, even if succesful, can be of some interest for Panasonic, but I keep as no-nonsense statement Daniel's one on sensor sizes on which Leica is focused.

[daveleo]

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Alan,

 

Yeh, I probably should not have added that punchline as I worded it.

Probably I was feeling more like "silly for Leica to pursue", or something like that.

I'm thinking that generally L knows how to attack what they do best, and not to chase after N or C or the others in the consumer market.

 

I stand by what I said about the Dlux-5 (I have the LX-3 and carry it everywhere and love it).

[Paolo.Battista]

Nikon had simply put out on the market something completely different from the approach of other mirrorless camera makers. While the latter tried to build something that works like a dSLR but in a compact form, Nikon tried to build a system for people more used to shoot with advanced Smartphones, more prone to mix photo and video in their use of the camera, and typically not willing to set P, A, S and M modes. Users that won't learn that much in terms of pure technical photography, but want to use the camera in an instant and informal way. I suspect that the J1 could be very popular in this range of users.

 

But Nikon is even a technological Company. So inside the 1 System we find some very unique and interesting innovations that all of we should be welcoming.

 

Phase detection directly on the sensor, that can be combined with contrast phase detection.

Electronic shutter.

A new type of AF System that seems to be the most advanced in the camera sector (ok, we will have to look at the real world results of that system, but the specifications are really ambitious and Nikon normally is not used to overselling them).

 

These technoclogies were introduced in a System that's not aimed at the classical photographer? Not a problem, all of us already have a huge set of wonderful photographic tools, I think we can wait for the next round in order to see these technologies implemented in a more classic type of body.

 

Anyway, I will not buy the 1 System since I'm classic dSLR user whose favorite compact camera is the Digilux 2

[rosuna]

Exclusive: Interview with Masahiro Suzuki, General Manager R&D, Nikon Imaging Company

 

Many thanks for that link.

 

There are many "confessions" related to the technologies of that new sensor.

 

The innovations of those cameras are many and they will have implications for the future cameras. Several of them are related to speed, but they may be employed in better image quality as well. A/D conversion, multi read out channels, AF by phase detection on the sensor, electronic shutter, etc. All that has many implications for the philosophy of Leica.

 

Specifically, phase detection reading on the sensor, electronic shutter (complementary to the physical shutter) and better image quality (lower noise), plus better responsiveness, are good "ideas" for future Leica cameras. This affect not only new AF cameras, but classic rangefinder-based cameras as well, sharing a common base technology.

 

Lets see what is coming from Canon next year, and from Nikon (on larger sensors).

[colonel]

I would like to say that Nikon is highly regarded on this forum, as is Canon, etc.

 

This camera is of no interest to me, I would rather have a good P&S.

 

The real problem is no DOF control and difficulty over wide

 

AFter migrating to FF a number of years ago, I have tried to go back to APS-C cameras but find them too limiting. I therefore think there is NO alternative to the M9.

 

If I could cope with APS-C only the Sony Nex-7 is anything near a portable I would use.

 

For 4/3s and smaller I prefer a P&S (no lens changing, no dust, smaller) and am quite happy with my Nikon P300

[rosuna]

A different interview to a Nikon's engineer:

 

Interview exclusive de Tetsur

 

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