One week away from the rumored new Nikon full-frame mirrorless camera announcement
We are one week away from the rumored new Nikon full-frame mirrorless camera announcement. I have received some new pricing information, this time from Europe (I assume the prices are for a lens kit):
- Nikon 45MP full frame mirrorless camera: €4,000 (around $4,670, 20% VAT included in price)
- Nikon 24MP full frame mirrorless camera: €2,500 (around $2,900)
One possible (rumored) scenario is that 45MP Nikon mirrorless full-frame camera will be announced first (at the end of July) while the second 24MP Nikon mirrorless full-frame camera could be announced at Photokina. The shipping of at least one of the new Nikon mirrorless full-frame cameras is rumored to start at the end of August or in early September.
The upcoming mirrorless full-frame camera is rumored to be the most expensive Nikon marketing campaign ever with bloggers meetups in exotic locations and maybe even some celebrities involvement.
Here is a recap of the already rumored Nikon mirrorless full-frame camera details:
- Two Nikon full-frame mirrorless cameras expected: one with 24-25MP and one with 45MP (48MP is also a possibility) – I reported the two sensors configurations in October last year. BSI sensors (supposed to be a new tech with advanced AF).
- Similar body size to the Sony a7 camera but with better ergonomics and a better grip. Nikon is putting a lot of emphasis and effort into the shooting experience of the new mirrorless camera. The camera was designed with ergonomics in mind.
- 5-axis in-body stabilization
- 9fps
- New mirrorless mount. We already knew that, but the number I was given this time is 55mm. The Z-mount dimensions I reported a few months ago were 49mm for the actual opening and 65.4mm for the entire mount diameter.
- The new mirrorless mount will allow for f/0.95 lenses – remember the NOCT trademark and f/0.9 lens patents?
- Memory cards: XQD and CF Express – now this is a surprise for me, but it is what I have heard (ProGrade is coming with a CF Express card).
- EVF resolution: 3.6MP (update: I am not sure if this is MP or million dots, the translation could be wrong since the specs originally came from Asia)
- Initially, three lenses will be announced: 24-70mm f/4, 35mm and 50mm (I think the 35 and 50mm will be f/1.4). There is also talk about a 24mm, but it may come later.
- Pricing:
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- The 45MP model will be around $4,000/€4,000 in a kit with the 24-70mm lens.
- The 25MP model will be under $3,000/€3,000 (also with a lens).
- The official announcement is rumored for the end of July (on or around July 23rd) and shipping shortly after (August 23rd). Nikon turns 101 on July 25th. I can almost see their press release saying: “for the next 100 years we have a new mirrorless mount”.
- Over 400 AF points, not sure about the exact number, it should be somewhere between 430-450. The AF is supposed to be very fast.
- The rear LCD screen is tiltable just like the Nikon D850.
- There is a second LCD screen on the top of the camera (just like the Fuji X-H1 pictured above)
- My understanding is that there is only one selection wheel on top of the camera.
- The camera’s “prism” with the EVF is a bit less angular/smoother when compared to the Sony a7.
- I see 8K listed in the technical specifications, but it is hard for me to get the translation – I don’t think it’s for video, maybe 8K time-lapse just like the D850?
- The new Nikon mirrorless camera will have a nice finish and a very comfortable grip. The overall handling/feeling is supposed to be excellent – this is coming from somebody who is/has tested the camera.
- Most likely no built-in flash.
- The promo materials should include dancers/singers.
- Potential names: Z300 and Z500 (not confirmed at all, could be just a guess).
- Nikon is putting a lot of emphases and effort into the shooting experience of the new mirrorless camera (ergonomics, nice grip design, image stabilization, etc)
- 4K video
- Nikon is rumored to target directly the Sony A7/A7r line of cameras.
- The new Nikon mirrorless camera will have features/functions never introduced beforehand (not sure if this applies to Nikon, to mirrorless cameras or to the industry as general).
- At least one new/future mirrorless zoom lens will have power zoom (for video recording).
- The new Nikon mirrorless camera will definitely be on display at Photokina in September.
- I was told that Nikon is currently developing a large number of new mirrorless lenses and this is a priority.
- New Nikon mirrorless Z-mount – confirmed by multiple sources (could still be called something else). About the different Nikon mirrorless mount dimensions – we could be talking about different ways of measuring the same mirrorless mount: one of the numbers I was given was 55mm. The Z-mount dimensions I reported a few months ago were 49mm for the actual opening and 65.4mm for the entire mount diameter. All three number could be correct.
- Very sophisticated new F-mount adapter – also confirmed by multiple sources.
- Two electric AF motors (not confirmed yet).
- There is no word on a Nikon APS-C based mirrorless camera. In fact, the rumors I have been receiving in the past 6+ months have only been for a full frame solution.
Update – more specifications reported on July 23:
- Official announcement in the next few weeks (still no exact/confirmed date).
- Battery life is said to be worse than current Nikon DSLR cameras (obviously).
- The biggest problem could be that Nikon may not be able to meet demand as production facilities are not yet ramped up after the restructuring. Again, just a rumor that may or may not turn out to be true.
- Very good video AF features (no other details).
- Video AF will be different for the two mirrorless models (the cheaper version may have less AF goodies).
- AF tracking ability of the 45MP version on par with the current Sony A7 models.
- Another price, this time from the UK (body only): 45MP about £2,400, 24MP about £1,700.
- F-mount adaptor can be used with ANY Nikkor lens (G, E, I reported that a while back).
Graphics by Broxibear of course.
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