- Nikon is being tipped to release a full-frame compact camera with a fixed lens
- It could have a similar form factor to the Nikon ZR, meaning no viewfinder
- This is despite the fact that it is supposedly for photography without video capabilities
Nikon could be working on a compact fixed-lens camera to compete with popular models like the Fujifilm X100VI, Ricoh GR IV, Sony RX1R III and Leica Q3, and its rumors make for, let’s just say, interesting reading.
That’s according to Nikon Rumors, which suggests Nikon will launch a full-frame compact this year, after changing tack from earlier this year when it suggested a photography-centric variation of the Nikon ZR mirrorless cinema camera was on the way.
The post then goes on to detail a surprising list of features that, when combined, make for curious reading. It’s the potential omission of a seeker that has sparked a strong reaction from fans in the comments section.
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One Nikon fan responded by writing: “It’s not a stills-oriented camera if it doesn’t have a viewfinder”, while another simply wrote: “No viewfinder, no deal”.
I’m still intrigued by Nikon’s potential fixed-lens compact camera and believe it can fill a gaping hole in the premium compact camera market. Here’s why…
The gap
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Ever since premium fixed-lens compact cameras evolved, thanks to the Fujifilm X100 series, I’ve been keeping an eye out for Nikon to get in on the action, especially because I know what a good value it can be.
It also has a lesser-known history in this area – its (long-discontinued) Coolpix A was a small fixed-lens compact with a 28mm f/2.8 lens and 16MP APS-C sensor, similar to the Ricoh GR series (I attended the product launch in 2013, long before my TechRadar days).
The latest rumors suggest that my wait for a modern Nikon fixed lens compact may soon be over, and it may be a full-frame model.
That would give it a sensor size advantage over the Fujifilm X100VI and Ricoh GR IV with their APS-C sensors, and I predict a price-friendly angle over the Sony RX1R III and Leica Q3, which are extremely expensive full-frame compacts.
All of these premium compacts are wildly popular and great—I should know, I’ve tested them all—but there’s a glaring gap that I think Nikon can fill: an affordable full-frame option. I predict this rumored camera could come in at up to half the price of the Sony and Leica cameras.
However, the rumors leave me with mixed feelings. I like the sound of a high-resolution full-frame sensor (perhaps the current 45MP found in the Z8 and other models, but not the stacked type?). Also, a slim body measuring somewhere between 22-25mm in depth sounds positively tiny (although the built-in lens will probably stick out).
However, I’m less excited about the prospect of no in-body image stabilization and no viewfinder. And most surprising of all is the suggestion that this mysterious camera will not have video recording.
Let it sink in. This could be a photography-only camera, yet one without a viewfinder. In a recent viewfinder poll, I asked our readers if they would buy a camera without a viewfinder, and the majority said no.
That said, rumors suggest that a hotshoe will have, and will accept, an optional EVF accessory. It seems that Nikon could prioritize compact dimensions and a low price over certain built-in features, rather than offering them as optional extras such as a detachable EVF.
There could also be a tilting touch screen, which to me is preferable to the fixed screens in the Ricoh GR IV and Sony RX1R III. Despite all my concerns, I’m still excited about the rumored camera’s potential.
What do you think of the Nikon fixed lens compact camera rumors? Is this the kind of camera you’d be interested in trying? Let me know in the comments below.
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