I’m biding my time to see what shows up in this space. Bigger sensor is nice, what would be exquisite is full-framed Contax G2, but a Canonet-sized APS rangefinder would be nice too. If Nikon wanted to sell a ton of lenses, they’d think about doing the 4/3rds standard. It would be great to have options from 3 makers on your bodies.

Give me a 10MP or 12MP sensor in a more compact camera and I have a carry it almost anywhere camera that is also a respectable 2nd/3rd (back-up?) camera.

I think a key is simplicity and price point.

My 2 cents again.

Mark

It can also be that it is an ophthalmic camera with an ophthalmic lens for determining a hemoglobin and glucose level of a patient. In particular, the invention relates to a miniaturized ophthalmic camera adapter fornon-mydriatic use. OK, that is not it.

Here is the link to Nikon’s site: http://www.nikon-lenswear.com/g/products.html Let us not forget, that Mr. Michio Kariya, Nikon’s President, Chairman of the Board, CEO, COO, and God to many Nikon employees, comes from the Precision Instruments side of Nikon. This must be his brain child of putting a lens in front of another one, like a contact lens in front of the eye. OK, close but not exactly it.

Another explanation is: “I have no idea.”

Have held a GF1 in your hand yet? I am curious about it too but wonder is it much more compact than say a D40, D3000 or D5000?

I hope to upgrade my DSLR (D200) to FX (D700 or its replacement with more MP) and add a compact bigger sensor camera (GF1, Samsung NX? or a ????).

Curious to hear some reports from people.

Mark

I am with you about the traditional viewfinder, but I am interested in a higher quality camera that is compact enough that I will carry around often. I am looking at the Panasonic GF1 and the Samsung NX. I like the idea of compact and still having a rangefinder window.

Mark

The key would be what Nikon can offer and at what price. I could see something in the $6000 to $9000 price range with a medium format sensor in the 16MP to 22MPish range and Nikon offering 2 to 4 lenses made for it. It could be a camera body that does not offer interchangeable backs to keep it more compact lower cost.

It would be brave and dangerous market move but it could pay off.

Mark

I respectfully disagree. I think a compact can be made with the APS sensor and I do not think I would mind the 4/3 if Nikon will let me have the selection of image ratio that Panasonic provides ( 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and the always awesome 1:1) with the GF1 and GH1 cameras.

Mark

I am with you, but we are talking about different parts of the market. Right now, Nikon has 3 areas that it needs to target and improve and go after.

1. High end (or high middle???) – In the more affordable full frames, Nikon is not in good shape. The D700 is a great camera, but something is need with more mega pixels, this is about perception as much as anything but there are photographers (me included) who want a bigger high resolution file in a D700 price range camera. Currently Canon and Sony are ahead of Nikon, and please do not slam me, I am waiting for Nikon to get something.

2. Hybrid cameras (mirriorless/bigger sensor-smaller camera) – whatever you want to call this category, this is a really big battleground for Nikon to get established in. It would be great for our existing Nikons to work but I do not think that is a priority. APS sensor + small camera + a few good lenses (or maybe one good built in lens) + the right price = lots of sales and maybe even loyal brand base.

3. Affordable DSLR (student camera if you will) – Ok, I am a photo professor at a college and I can tell you that the cost of DSLR cameras is very tough on photo students. DSLR w/lens $450, memory card, extra battery and we have not even made a print yet, have an extra lens, or tripod. I think/hope that recent moves, like the D40 possibly being discontinued (B&H Photo website says so) and the quick price of the D3000 and some talk of a lower end DSLR is going to equal Nikon coming out with a DSLR with a lens for under $400 (maybe even in the $299 to $350 range). It need to be good quality which Nikon does and have a lens, stripped down DSLR, 6MP is ok, just a simple prime lens or short zoom, but price is the key. If Nikon keeps avoiding this issue, Canon could make a move that hurts them and I see the Pentax K-x being a threat.

Nikon addresses these 3 and they can be cooking along.

Mark

“I don’t like the 4:3 idea, give me 3:2 or 1:1 please”

Nikon can give us both! To think, more and more I can get cameras that I can become a Hollywood movie maker with a camera like the D5000 Nikon or the K-x Pentax, but so few options for image ratio, set in the camea.

Ok, done ranting.

Mark

I think Panasonic is onto something good with a feature that is on the GF1 & GH1, that is the option for Aspect ratios that include:
• 4:3
• 3:2
• 16:9
• 1:1

I would like to see that with a compact Nikon. Hell, I would not mind if there was NOT interchangeable lenses and a very short zoom built in (no less than a 35mm equivalent of 35-70mm) as long as the optics were good (of course) and it stayed compact and well priced.

My 2 cents.

Mark

Amen, it would not effect the DSLR sales. Nerds like us are interested in ADDING a compact cameras to our photo tool box. And the larger buying crowd out there is interested in higher quality compact cameras as witnessed by the interest in the Panasonic GF1, Olympus Pen, and the upcoming Samsung NX.

I think Nikon should use one of the existing APS sensors (nothing smaller please) and work to keep the cost from being crazy high.

My 2 cents.

Mark