I don't know that it's necessarily a matter of thinking something is or isn't a "real" camera. I look at it more from the standpoint that I'm buying a camera, not a flippin' Swiss Army knife. I don't need it to take video, fry an omelette, or open my garage door. :) I just want it to take the best possible picture. Ditching video and all that goes with it should, at least in theory, not only bring the price point on the camera down, but also leave room for other photo-related features. Just a thought.

Welcome to the forum slightdelay.

Like it or not video is going to be in just about every future camera. Just like autofocus and electronic controls in film cameras. I remember the argument back in the early 80s that if you need a battery to power the shutter then it wasn't a "real" camera and that autofocus was cheating. Same argument now with video. Same argument now with electronic viewfinders etc.

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. :)

My short list:
--Video: Strictly optional. I don't have the same enthusiasm for video on a photo camera that a lot of you seem to have, HD or no HD.
--Appearance: I'd like something that doesn't scream, "Look at my expensive camera!" Something that, unlike a DSLR, doesn't draw attention to itself or to me; in short, a camera that's good for street shooting pretty much anywhere, without being thief bait.
--EVF? Nope. I'd prefer a rangefinder, actually. Assume that the rear LCD would function both as control screen and for Live View shooting for those of us who occasionally find that sort of thing useful. Said screen would, hopefully, be an articulating screen of good resolution.
--Format: 4/3, though I have the sneaking suspicion that Nikon, like Canon (and Leica) will turn their backs on the format.
--Finally, as for the aesthetics of the thing: Something suitably retro, with plenty of manual controls. As Olympus has done with the PEN line, Nikon could look back to its own past (say, the Model S Nikkor rangefinder camera) for design inspiration.

"I still prefer to have my EVF attached to the camera. The less I carry around the better. "

I agree, but for those times when you need to be shooting from some position that doesn't allow for you to have the camera to your eye, it would be kind of cool. Though I'm thinking of something much smaller than that headset, but not sure if that would be possible.

JorPet said:
Thinking this through, once you have a electronic viewfinder, why restrict it to only on the camera? Using bluetooth, you could create a wearable eye piece that would allow you to hold the camera wherever it was convenient and still be able to see the "viewfinder".

Just a thought

Nikon already made such a device. It's called the UP300X.
http://nikonrumors.com/2009/02/09/nikon-media-port-up300x-video-headset-gets-reviewed.aspx

There are also many wireless viewfinder monitors including apps that allow you to control your camera remotely from your iphone.

http://www.aputure.com/en/product/gigitube_wireless_digital_viewfinder.htm
http://www.proviewsite.com/

I still prefer to have my EVF attached to the camera. The less I carry around the better.

JorPet said:
Thinking this through, once you have a electronic viewfinder, why restrict it to only on the camera? Using bluetooth, you could create a wearable eye piece that would allow you to hold the camera wherever it was convenient and still be able to see the "viewfinder".

Just a thought

That is a very good idea, and I'm surprised none of the camera manufactures have done that yet. The only problem would be battery life, bluetooth sucks power like nobodies business.

nau said:
F mount adapter
more or less standard DX sensor
small but with all the functionality from DSLR on a buttons (not with 100 menus)

You have just described D3000 more or less.
Anyway Nikon EVIL camera will not have F mount because it will defeat the main goal for it and it is a small size, F mount could not be made smaller then it is ...

Thinking this through, once you have a electronic viewfinder, why restrict it to only on the camera? Using bluetooth, you could create a wearable eye piece that would allow you to hold the camera wherever it was convenient and still be able to see the "viewfinder".

Just a thought

Okay thanks for correcting me yet again.

FYI, I know exactly what I meant, and what an electronic viewfinder is, but just quickly ranting on for sh*ts and giggles. Will remember to be precise and specific next time.

inteliboy said:
Yep, true, wouldn't be an EVIL if it had an optical viewfinder. Though even as an attachment (like the GF1 / PEN) would be ace - as I can't stand holding a camera out in front of me when taking shots.

Now that the digital age of photography has settled in I do think the classic/retro design of the 70's and 80's, with physical dials and manual controls is going to come back, and be a big thing. Well I hope so anyway, EVIL would be perfect for that.

That's still an electronic viewfinder. You are talking about the LCD screen, which acts as a viewfinder, but you're right, you have to hold it in front of you, and it might be hard to see in bright light.

Yep, true, wouldn't be an EVIL if it had an optical viewfinder. Though even as an attachment (like the GF1 / PEN) would be ace - as I can't stand holding a camera out in front of me when taking shots.

Now that the digital age of photography has settled in I do think the classic/retro design of the 70's and 80's, with physical dials and manual controls is going to come back, and be a big thing. Well I hope so anyway, EVIL would be perfect for that.

F mount adapter
more or less standard DX sensor
small but with all the functionality from DSLR on a buttons (not with 100 menus)

I think it would be really cool, although not needed, if a Nikon EVIL camera could look like an 1980's style Nikon SLR.

I think Nikon should stick with a APS-C sensor, like the Samsung NX10. They could release a couple pancake lenses specifically for the unit along with a zoom or two, and more importantly an adapter to use with standard F mount lenses for any other needs. If Nikon can develop a decent AF system into the camera, and get their hands on some really nice LCDs with fast refresh rates for the EVF, it could be a great backup camera.

jjreason said:
How do you propose Nikon to make an optical viewfinder in an

Electronic
Viewfinder
Interchangeable
Lens

camera?

The thinness of the camera comes from the lack of optical viewfinder.

Now if you want rangefinder/peephole style viewfinder, that's a different story.

Something like in a range finder would be good. I have never used a good electric viewfinder, so I tend to see them as crappy and most importantly laggy.

How do you propose Nikon to make an optical viewfinder in an

Electronic
Viewfinder
Interchangeable
Lens

camera?

The thinness of the camera comes from the lack of optical viewfinder.

Now if you want rangefinder/peephole style viewfinder, that's a different story.

I would love fx in an evil but we all know that Nikons biggest points in advertising an evil will be more consumer based pushing size (good but we all can see), video features(cool), and easy modes(nobody on the pro end will use)

A dream EVIL camera would be:

1080p 25fps video.
FX sensor.
Optical viewfinder.
Physical controls, look and feel - like a classic rangefinder or SLR from yesteryear.
Simple, professional features (no gimmicks).

Megapixels and ISO don't bother me - as long as the photos have that crisp and silky-smooth quality, not that cheap point and shoot look.

Basically something akin to the M9, but with video, and you'd have the most incredible camera on the market.

4/3s would be preferred, and I would like a Command and Subcommand dial(like nikon would ever make it!) because i would like a camera that could sub as a P&S but have the basic functions of a Dslr too (I do street shooting and have needed something smaller to shoot with from time to time, and don't exactly make a Leica owning salary)... A Larger P9000 with a dial in the front and the option to set aperture and shutter speed with the 2 dials, as well as an aperture and shutter priority mode and a full manual mode, a good live view, and a focus lock, and an adapter to be compatible with these new power guzzling lenses...

There is a much bigger difference between LX and μ 4/3 (x1.44) than between μ 4/3 and DX (x1.26), but you are right LX3 is very decent camera.

mb said:
New a bit smaller sensor size? Why not really!

Well because if you want a small sensor then why not just get a point & shoot like the LX3?

New a bit smaller sensor size? Why not really!
Also some very fast and small (pancake) prime to go, 28mm equivalent f/1.4 minimum.
And I could live with 1 Mpix EV just fine as long it is built in and not flash hot shoe attached, I need that external flash and it better be standard Nikon flash compatible.
F-mount adapter of course, and better yet tilt and shift capable (smaller sensor would make this easier to make).

I would buy a few of MX lenses. It wouldnt be that big. Probably a zoom and a prime, and id be happy with that. It wouldnt be anything serious as my actual DSLR and set of lenes. I would defferently put a new lense for my DSLR in front of buying a MX mount lense. but just a fun camera to take around everywhere.

If it's true that Sony will go with an APS-C sized sensor on their EVIL cameras then I will give their new E-mount a good look. I'd probably be happy just buying an F-mount adapter and just using my DX glass.

Nikon's going to have a tough time convincing people to buy into a third lens line and then waiting while they release enough lenses to make it worth buying. I would really rather they join the M4/3rds lens mount and steal Olympus and Panasonic users who already have a compatible M4/3rds lens collection.

Would you guys really want to buy totally new "MX" lenses for a Nikon EVIL camera? Or would you just get adapters and use your DX glass instead?

If they price the bodies around 600. and keep the 24mm 50mm and 85mm around 400. I would consider buying it.

Optical viewfinder!! Better af too.