Update: Nikon Singapore response: “based on the current outlook, we do not foresee a similar product range as the Leica X1.” I did not expect a different answer, did you?
The new Leica X1 has a 12.9MP Sony based APS-C sensor. The interesting part here is that at the Leica Singapore event Sunil Kaul, (Regional Director of Asia Pacific for Leica) mentioned that apparently the same Sony APS-C sensor is going to be used in a new Nikon compact camera (source: Cnet Asia).
"Nikon X1"?
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149 Comments
Interesting, but if it does appear it won’t have the versatility of an SLR.
I disagree. If it doesn’t appear than it has no functional limits and anything can be done with it. If it can do everything it must be more versatile than an SLR.
try doing a sports game with it. Or anything that requires fast AF.
Think DPReview says that the Leica focuses faster than an SLR?
Should add that, though, the compact types are not suited to telephoto work (again DPReview) thus not sports.
Mind you, I have seen great telephoto pics from old Leica rangefinders.
Always people to complain. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Also, if it isn’t accompanied by a selection of compact (pancake) primes it will have very limited appeal.
No, I want a P&S with retractable lens and a large sensor. Similar to X1 or DP2. But at a decent price.
you had it up until “decent price”
I don’t buy that. I think there’s a market for those that want the simplicity of a point and shoot with the image quality of a larger sensor.
there is. I call them my rich fool friends. The same ones that keep buying new gear to fix their hand-shake blur issues. It is a small market tho.
Or the ones that do the Nikon-Canon-Nikon shuffle every 18 (or less) months….
If it has interchangeable lenses then yeah!
)
The X1 is an overpriced DP2 in the end. In the brochure they even acknowledge that the X1 has a rather fast lens! Come on Leica! It’s 2.8, given your M lenses, how can you say 2.8 is rather fast?
Oh, and I do not care of technical difficulties, incident light on FF sensors, Leica mystique and all the bla bla. I just know when somebody is BSing. The EP-1 has been critiqued for its lack of viewfinder, how come Leica can get away with it? (I hate this X1!
Go Nikon!
No interchangeable lenses please! We want a COMPACT camera.
The GF1 from Panasonic is compact but has interchangeable lenses as well.
Then again a compact, with zoom and large sensor seems a bit tricky to put togheter!
Not true.. The GF1 doesn’t have a retractable lens, and it makes it not-so-compact. Just picture a woman and a purse, the camera must fit in the purse to be considered compact. Of course not talking about giant purses. Or a jeans pocket.
Sorry, but are we talking about decent cameras or anything-goes cameras for social snaps?
The reason we care if it’s Nikon or not is because we have F mount lenses. Otherwise who cares, there are other vendor making non-interchangeable compacts already.
I will buy this in a moment….I want a viewfinder…I hope they make it look retro!
A viewfinder is a must. It’s disappointing to see viewfinders absent from so many recent compacts.
I prefer optical viewfinder, but guess that wont happen unless it becomes a rangefinder
(I would love to own a rangefinder though)
VF would destroy the whole point to a compact
Exactly. If you want a VF get a DSLR.
What?! You telling me the Canon SD780 IS isn’t compact? It doesn’t have huge one, but it works and it’s under $200.
Viewfinders make cameras big and expensive?
Empirically denied.
Fo reals.
But the digital compacts have horrible viewfinders. I’d rather use the LCD screen.
Film compacts had passable to just as lousy viewfinders, but the better viewfinders were on larger cameras. I’m not sure how you’re going to fit a usable one on a smaller camera.
Film compacts had (non-ttl) viewfinders for many years. It’s not rocket science.
Again “compact” is fuzzy. Film compacts were not as small as today’s P&S. The latter is what people want. To be able to fit in pockets/purses.
YES!!! This is what I wanted to hear! Gimme a fast wide prime and a standard, and I’m all good.
Yeah, id use it as a ‘carry on’ camera so i don’t have to ALWAYS lug my D300 and D700 around.
Hopefully it would make Coolpix cool again. I will rather use fast zoom lens like Canon S90 IS or Panasonic LX3. It just much more versatile and pocketable.
nah, I think Nikon will name it differently, cuz the name coolpix is not pro enough
remember 5 million nikkors produced, is this the baby-boom camera responsible for that many new Nikkors?
50 millions…
Thats what I meant, thx
Nikon digital S
i hope this is true, and that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. if Nikon does this and puts a decent piece of glass on it, they would rule the prosumer compact market
Didn’t know Leica did Elmarits for F-Mount, but the lighting is perfect, looks like a real lens.
On the other hand, there’s a weird red round dot behind the Nikon logo, and it’s not a triangle, and the Nikon lettering is yellow, so I call it fake!!
I think it’s fake but I’m not sure. This is a great Photoshop job…
I thought that was the new branding design. Are you sure its fake
If they come with a fixed lens as well, at least make it a good mid-range zoom: 28-120 equiv would be perfect. I doubt it’ll have interchangeable mount, but who knows?
24-120mm please
24-70/2.8
Yes, starting at 24 is better, even if shorter on the other end.
The X1 was a collaborative effort between Leica and Nikon. Nikon provides the electronics while Leica assembles the camera and lens in Germany. Expect the Nikon to be very similar. A different lens and cosmetics but that’s about it. Otherwise it will have the same specs as the electronics will be the same.
Are you sure about that? Very interesting. I did not know that Leica was in bed with Nikon. I cannot think of a better couple
Panny will be mad jealous hihi
I think on your Canon-friend’s site I read that Leica was in bed with Canon because of some business ties between them.
Where did you read that? AFAIK its Leica and Nikon. Heck Nikon sells electronics/parts for certain Leica camera’s (then Leica x3 the value of those parts LOL).
OK, I found it. But it was just a rumor ’bout Leica using a Canon sensor in the M9, which by now has turned out to be false. Actually Kodak has made quite some developments on the Leica sensor, on the die colours that is and on the microlenses. They say they’re happy with the sensor. Tests will reveal its performance.
http://www.canonrumors.com/2009/07/leica-m9-a-marriage-with-canon-cr1/
Haha, leica’s in bed with everbody, nikon, canon, kodak. U village bicycle u.. Leica lol!
This is interesting news. In the old days the couplings were: Nikon-Zeiss, Canon-Leica. The German links for Nikon are related to the origins of lens development by Nikon, helped by German engineers in the 1920’s:
http://www.nikon.com/about/info/history/memo/m04_e/index.htm
Nikon’s mounts are counter-clockwise (like the Contax), and Canon’s are clockwise (like Leica).
Look, I wouldn’t really trust a Random Joe.
If this is not wishful thinking I’ll be very happy…
If they would use the same lens mount I would be even more happy
Go Nikon go!
wow, where do you get the news from?
***
I bet its for their four thirds system, as much as I would LOVE for it to be a rangefinder, I think it will be a Camera without the “SLR.”
Nope, I prefer it to be either APS-C or FF (besides the IQ of APS-C will be better then 4/3rds anyway), I dont care bout four thirds, let Oly rule that segment
.
4/3rds are for pussies and broke asses, why not using an APS-C?
damn right, 4/3rds gives the worst of all worlds.
Except when it comes to pie. 4/3 of a pie is superior.
I really don’t know why Nikon would put that 12M CMOS to a compact, when the D3000 has to cope with the POS-12,2Mpix CCCP.
What the hell is a CCCP sensor… Союз Советских Социалистических Республик?
^ I meant the 10,2Mpix CCCP
CCD
I want a 10PM CCCP sensor in my Fed 1…now *that* would be cool, comradski.
I vote that pic is real. It is a real pic of a future Nikon camera!
Viewfinder, Viewfinder, Viewfinder, Viewfinder….EVF, OVF, whatever…and stabilized body, please. Im thinking about the DP2 now, but if nikon comes out with something, i will definitely go with it…
I would rather EVF, than OVF if the OVF is not TTL IMHO. Can’t think of any more appropriate acronyms.
ITWSATIA.
(I Think We Should All Talk In Acronyms.)
pls pls make it Optical Viewfinder, I stared at my notebook screen reading NikonRumors.com enough
How about EVF with Wi-Fi? Nikonrumors always at hand in camera
Stabilized body, ever thought of a tripod?
A compact w/o mirror doesn’t need stabilization, ask Leica users.
if we get Nikon low light capabilities, with a low light capable lens, I think there will not be any problem…
f/1.2 w/ IS up to 4 stops — let us get into some negative f-stops.
No interest in this whatsoever. Primes please.
yup, couldn’t agree more with ya, we want to see updated primes pls Nikon! For me it will be 35mm f/1.4 (gold ringed), an updated 35mm f/2, a 50mm f/1.2/1.4 (gold ringed), an updated 85mm (both the 1.8 and 1.4) [maybe the 1.4 become a gold ringed or perhaps an introduction of a 1.2 gold ringed!)
oh and I know Nikon has finally completed its golden trinity with the new 70-200 (which I hope will be as good as the 14-24 and 24-70) but nothing beats a fast prime
Gold ringed? WTF? Any idea what you’re talking about?
Many (pro) lenses have no gold rings and yet they seem to work just fine. So, say, a “gold ringed” 50 f/1.4, how would that be any different from the AF-S 50 f/1.4? What extra would it do, except look silly?
Nikonians know which lenses are good and which not. We don’t need colourcoding on our lenses. Leave that to the silly canon fanboys with the red L’s everywhere. So, please stop talking BS with this “gold ringed” stuff. And stop dreaming all those primes will come any time soon, you know they won’t.
even if a monkey wears a golden ring, it stays an ugly thing
So please Nikon, no Gold rings on (short) primes, I like my 50/1.4 without the ring
Yeah, of course I know what Im talking about. You just failed to see what I am trying to tell.
First of all, Nikonians know which lenses are good or not, but does newcomers/consumers know? Or is it that it doesn’t matter cause your mentality goes that only pros buy pro grade lenses. FYI, I know many people who aren’t really into photography get L lenses just cause for them L means quality and of course the name. I know I know, its a waste rite? But hey, its giving Canon money. Marketing sells.
And you say what diff does it make if a 50mm f/1.4 gold ringed exist? Well maybe for one thing it is sharper performance at f/1.4.
Also, whats wrong to dream? Many of Nikon primes are way overdue, the FF market will eventually be cheaper, Nikon doesn’t have any cheaper FX zoom lens to compete (Canon has their f/4 zoom as a step up lens and for landscape photographers), their primes are outdated (and believe me some people will not buy things that are not updated for 5-10 years+ cause in fear that an update will just be around the corner). So that’s my opinion.
I’m with u, Adam.
Not that it has to use gold ring or not, but a clearer way of designating the class of lens would be welcomed. In the least it would be less confusing than to just judge by price.
But the ‘gold’ ring standard might be hard to maintain as newer optical designs out class older gold ringed lens too quickly, creating more confusion.
And why would adding just a gold ring make the 50/1.4 sharper wide open?
Not saying you cannot have an opinion, but acting like “gold ringed” means anything is more confusing to newcomers than advicing them to check review sites or ask more experienced Nikon users… Some of Canon’s red ringed lenses are not all that great (and many are), so what does the designation really mean anyway?
And do not overestimate the market for primes. I prefer them too, but the big money is in zooms, and Nikon being a smaller company has to put the R&D money there where they have a sure return on investment. Most consumers will go with zooms anyway, and a lot of pros do too (except for the exotic long lenses). So all the primes you wish – some will most likely come, but it will take time. Quite a lot, I fear.
And people not buying a lens because it hasn’t been updated for a while… well, people are entitled to utterly uninformed decisions….but they miss out on some great stuff then.
Not saying that by adding a gold ring, it somehow magically increases the quality of an existing lens, I’m just for a system where if a lens meets a certain standard designated by Nikon, it qualifies as a gold ringed lens or whatever designation they like to use.
But as it is with the current line up, with the disparity in which lens gets a gold ring and which doesn’t, I agree it is confusing.
What would be nice is if Nikon clearly states they have a consumer and pro line of cameras, as well as a clear designation of consumer and pro lens, whatever that designation may be.
Viewfinder? Dont need this in a compact, only takes up space which a compact should not have.
Also for space purposes a fixed lens would be Ok for me. It should have a LARGE aperture though. How bout a 25mm 2.8, or as a choice maybe even a 18-50 2.8, as compact as possible.
I bet it’s for the P7000
I think it’ll be the mentioned some time ago P1DX.
please give it video!!!! har!!
I really don’t think I could use a camera like this without a viewfinder, so a rangefinder would be best.
Im with you dude!
If the lens is nice enough I sure could use the LCD to compose. Give me something fast, dammit!
Nikon, please make it with a 24-70/2.8-4.0 lens and build the camera as compact as possible (thus no OVF,EVF) with a high-resolution 920′000 LCD screen.
1,2 MP screen?
I demand a screen to match the sensor’s megapixel count.
same here. 2.8 would be nice at 50mm of course, but I guess I could settle with this compromise.
What a crazy thread. Am I on nikonrumours.com or nikonfantasy.com?
A Leica employee says their Sony sourced APS-C Sony is also being used by Nikon. Okay, I’m sure it is. On their DSLRs. Calm down people.
LOL I agree. If anything it shows the large-sensor compact segment has a real place in Nikon’s lineup (or Canon’s).
Please Nikon,
Let it be a vintage SP body look-a-like with a
fullframe chip and at least 3 interchangable primes
No AF and Optical viewfinder
Read the lines above, no FF for you
preach it Peter!!!! except give us the viewfinder..make one with changeable lenses and one with fixed
Make it Nikon.
Have 2-3 fast pancake lenses.
TTL
Accept Nikon flashes.
Cheaper than D90.
^_______^
The speed of this thread shows how much interest a compact APS-C Nikon would generate. Please Nikon, it’s long overdue! But no fixed FL fixed lens, puleeze!
I want:
Compact Nikon full frame, bright viewfinder, excellent focussing, interchangeable 35mm, 50mm and 85mm small, excellent quality primes, silent operation, color and B&W modes.
Oh, I have one (Nikon S3 rangefinder)
Well if you have one I wonder what you’re doing on this site. Actually right now you should be having a pool party at your mention!
I mean mansion.
The mansion? Don’t mention it.
A digital S3? Too expensive even on a film camera.
How about a digital full frame Minox size camera?
(Well maybe DX sized sensor if FX is still too expensive!)
Age of film is over, get with the times old man.
Until it becomes impossible to produce photos with film it will still have a place!
I shoot with a Nikon D300 and believe that digital is definitely very useful. HOWEVER, I defy anyone to use any consumer digital camera and produce the same quality that I get with film and a Mamiya RB67. You might get the same quality with a D3x or some other high-megapixel camera costing $8000 or more… but film still has a place, especially for those of us who don’t want to drop five figures on a single camera body. This very week I did a family portrait shoot on both digital and film. Guess which prints they bought? The ones made with the RB67. Take that to the bank!
Break out some 665 from your fridge, if you got it. See what kind of print you can make from a 3.25 x 4.25 b/w negative. Yeah, it is not as instantaneous as digital. It takes 30 seconds to develop.
I curse Polaroid for going out of business and for the ending the production of instant negative film!
What I really want is a full frame compact SLR, something the size of an FE. I don’t need no stinkin’ five frames per second, I don’t need no stinkin’ built-in flash, but I am going to need a neck brace if I carry around this D700 much longer. Man, it’s a nice camera, but it makes my Mamiya 6 seem refreshingly portable.
+1
Matt, not sure if you have seen this:
http://www.jimreedphoto.com
That guy shoots with a D700.
Seems like there is a good reason for the D700 being so heavy?
Anyhow, thought that site might of interest as you mentioned owning a D700.
Those are pretty cool. The D700 comes in handy for him because if the tornado catches up to him he can anchor himself to the ground with it.
Interesting read, even more amazing is that Nikon flew out two reps from Japan to Oklahoma to hand him a pre-release D700. I wonder if he’s got a D700X in his hands now to field test?
Good point about the visitors. Maybe Nikon Rumors could interview Jim Reed about his experience with the D700 and casually ask how he likes “the new camera and how the current testing is going”.
that logo is righteous!
100th!!!
What I really want is a RF camera, of the size of the D40/D3000, and that can use the F-Mount lenses. Just keep the focal plane the same distance as SLR body by using the same housing unit, but without the mirror and pentaprism. Yes, it will be wider than needed by about 1.” Not having the mirror and pentaprism of an SLR camera, it would provide extra space for internal components.
What I want and what Nikon knows is profitable or viable, are two different things. I’ll keep my mind open to whatever Nikon has to offer. However, the camera I really want is the M9. I figured that the camera with three Summilux lenses come to about $21,000: M9 + 21mm + 35mm + 50mm. In other words, I will get them as soon as I win the lottery and not before.
The size of a D40/D3000? That’s one fat rangefinder your asking for
Some people like ‘em fat. Don’t judge.
The Leica M9 is 1 1/2″ deep and the D40/D3000 are 3″. You either settle for a “fat” rangefinder or use a 1 1/2″ deep adapter to use the present SLR’s primes. I really do not know which option is better or even if it is feasible. The longer the lens is, the more you see it in the VF. With a RF, the maximum focal length is 135mm. Otherwise you see nothing but lens through the VF.
Remember though, it’s not how long it is, it’s how you use it
Maybe its just me, but I’m really still holding out hope for a digital FM2m(3a) , and the concept of the X1has got me thinking that if they can manage to squeeze a cropped sensor into a compact body, why cant Nikon design a ‘retro’ style digital compact ala FM2 with a metal body and black leather trimmings etc.
The digital M is well, a digital manual camera, and technologically speaking its lightyears behind a say D700.
But the pure simplicity of it being a photographic tool makes it ever so appealing.
In the ideal world, Nikon could provide a similar ’solution’ , ressurect the ‘digital manual SLR’ or something to that effect …. I don’t know, maybe its just pipedreams and maybe I am just reaching but if Oly can ‘ressurect’ the Pen and reimagine it as as the Electronic Pen, then when can’t the FM2 be reimagined as a DM2 (or DM1 in this case?)
erm, don’t underestimate a rangefinder, its designed not for the same purpose as a DSLR, so you cant really say its lightyears behind D700, the M9 look very interesting indeed.
Yes, that would be fantastic. I love the look of the FM3a. A digital equivalent of that camera would be beautiful.
There has been multiple rumors flying around the last few months from:
Thom Hogans July 7 report: “But people I trust now tell me that a D700x won’t be as late in the year as I suggest (I mentioned November)”
Christian Fletcher (known Canon landscape shooter): “I am privy to some pretty cool news for Nikon users, that cool in fact that I might have lots of Canon gear going cheap”
He also claims to have a list of some upcoming Nikon gear..
FM review user Kittyk(Germany) claims to have seen new “something” that will “change your nikon “life” within single digit of months”.
The speculation runs wild – and everything is in the air:
A.) A new medium format camera and lenses?
B.) A new D3 update?
C.) A cheeper 24Mix camera?
D.) A rangefinder type camera and lenses?
Plus (hopefully) a bunch of new lenses
Now the Canon Camp got the 7D and the 5DII plus some exciting new lenses such as the 100mm macro with special VR and the 17mm tilt/shift.
Next round seems to be on Nikon – this fall is getting exciting.
Don’t read into what the “canon landscape shooter” wrote on his blog. The Nikon list he was referring to is probably just the “leaked Nikon roadmap” that we’ve all seen. Also he was ticked off at canon for some reason and admitted he was just blowing off some steam. So I think its fair to say he was just trying to increase visits to his “new” website.
I guess you could be right – some people would write anything just to get attension. Mr. Hogan seems to be more reliable isn’t he? So maybe ther’s a chance after all…
Yes Tom is more reputable, but his website’s got a lot of ebooks that he wants to sell you so……
Don’t say I have to “wait and see”
Hmmm… Let’s see…
I agree with the comments about the so-called blog photographers and their tendencies to make themselves appear more important than they really are. Anybody can and does start a blog these days, and having a somewhat strong online presence is not a proof of credibility. I know it’s a rumors website but sometimes it gets a little too far! On a side note I like Thom Hogan’s ebook, he really knows his stuff. A little on the expensive side if you don’t know your ways around things tho…
Hopefully an announcement from Nikon will be sooner then later. I predict there will be a dual announcement: D3s and D700X. However if there was an MX announcement, that would surely throw the cat amongst the pidgeons.
Reading through that FM thread, sounds to me a lot like the MX format rearing it’s head again, especially with the reference to the recent Hartblei announcement.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0909/09091503hartbleicam.asp
First picture of the new compact Nikon!
http://www.photographybay.com/2009/09/16/nikon-aps-c-compact-camera-leica-x1-clone/
I’m not sure but I think it’s photoshopped
That’s a pretty poor photoshop picture, the camera is ugly as also.
If it’s a fixed zoom that fully retracts into the body, is less expensive than the X1 and is reasonably small – as in X1 or smaller, I’m totally in.
What I don’t want is another fixed prime or a camera thats 90% the size of a DSLR when it’s wearing a pancake and basically the same size when wearing a zoom (see EP1 and GF1).
From the original source of this rumor, cnet asia:
“We have contacted Nikon Singapore regarding this and are awaiting an official reply from the firm.
Update: Nikon Singapore has replied and the firm said “based on the current outlook, we do not foresee a similar product range as the Leica X1.” ”
http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2009/09/15/leica-nikon-to-announce-aps-c-sized-sensor-compact-/
Is this a “No, there won’t be such a camera” – or is it more like “At this moment, we won’t tell you” ??
Were CNET really expecting Nikon Singapore to reply “Yes you caught us red handed this information is true”
“a similar product range as the Leica X1″ could mean that Nikon’s version won’t cost $2000USD! Or that it will look nothing like the X1 so that’s why they can deny it.
sooooooo…… who really cares about this camera!!!!!! D700X/D700S
This better NOT be some stupid rangefinder type no AF no live view interchangable lens camera!
How many people in the real world and not NR want that? 1 in 10000?
I want a compact-as-possible (canon G or smaller) non interchangable compact retractable 18-55 VR lens. It better have live view, and a good video mode aswell. Doesn’t even need a viewfinder as far as I’m concerned.
A hotshoe would be nice I guess but probably not necessary.
NR ADMIN: just a little nit about the site. when I click on a link that’s in someones post, and then press the back button to come back here, it takes me to the top of the thread instead of back to scroll positing I was on previously. Not a big deal, but get’s a bit annoying, most sites have this capability. Otherwise and excellent run site!
cheers!
1 in 10000, that is still a million copies sold, right?
Umm so there’s ten billion people on earth?…that are capable of buying a camera?
Back to math school with you!
Peter, for that one I really have no idea how to fix it but I will still research it.
So from reading ALL 140 comments so far, no matter what Nikon reveals (a D700S/X, D3S, D3H, D90S, APS-C fixed lens, APS-C interchangeable lens, an expensive FF rangefinder, a cheap APS-C rangefinder, or a COOLPIX with a built-in EASY-BAKE Oven) everyone’s going to be disappointed because it wasn’t what they wanted, RIGHT?!
yup, that’s how it works
What’s the guide number on that Easy Bake?