‘Striking when the iron is hot’, is an idiom I heard often while growing up. While I’m guilty of not always taking heed of this myself in my corporate life, I did adhere to this as much as possible as a photographer. Often times though I feel many of the brands I grew up with, in the last decade or so, haven’t really capitalized on the opportunities that were right in front of them. And if I don’t see a Nikon compact camera coming out this year, I’ll be certain it’s another missed opportunity on their part.
Just last week we reported on the news about an upcoming full-frame compact camera by Nikon. I’ve written many times in recent years about the need for a camera like this, and how Nikon needs cameras in this form factor, as well as having more classically styled options for people to be proud of carrying around. As amazing as their other Z mirrorless cameras are, there is a clear demand for slim yet powerful cameras. Fujifilm literally rules the roost here and doesn’t really have any strong competition either. I really enjoy using my Nikon Zf, but even with the smallest of lenses on it, it’s far from being jacket-pocket sized. I would love a full-frame camera that I could take everywhere with me, and not have it bulging out from a laptop bag. No – my smartphone isn’t a viable option; I need a full-frame sensor for my work and no amount of coaxing me into using a smaller sensor for professional jobs or personal projects is going to work.
Which brings me back to this piece of news. I really hope it’s a full-frame camera. Not like some years ago when news of a retro-styled Nikon body was doing the rounds and we ended up with the attractive-looking, decently performing but tactilely poor Zfc. Nikon redeemed themselves soon after with the Zf, a camera that by all standards is still – over 2 years after it’s release – arguably the best full-frame camera you can buy. Given its incredible success, Nikon doesn’t really have to worry about whether another retro camera will be the next thing we crave.
I’ll take all the rumored specs listed on the news report with a pinch of salt. Until the item is officially announced, anything could change on this front. And seeing as how Nikon introduced some great new tech in the Zf, instead of just shoving the guts of the older Z6 II into a retro body, I’m hoping we can see some really attractive features in this upcoming camera. Here’s what I’d want most:
Table of Contents
An EVF – Preferably Built-In
The news piece says this camera would probably be styled like the Nikon Zr. While in terms of size this is alright, that camera was built for videographers – a segment of people who don’t exactly stick the cameras right up to their faces. Given that most professional DoPs these days use rigs, it made sense that the Zr didn’t have an EVF. Instead, Nikon chose to give it one of the largest LCD screens in a camera today, a choice that pretty much eradicated the need for people to buy an additional LCD to mount on its hotshoe. But again, that’s a setup for filming video. As great as a large LCD might be, there’s a certain connection you develop with the frame in front of you, when you view it up close through the viewfinder. If Nikon really just changes out the sensor inside the Zr body and rebrands it, then the really ought to release a hot-shoe mounted EVF to go with it. Personally, I would hope the new Nikon compact camera comes with an inbuilt EVF.
Retro Styling
Take a page out of Fujifilm’s design book from the last decade and a half. Make it look like a Nikon rangefinder from the S, M or I series from yesteryear. There’s also the Nikon 28ti and 35ti that are so expensive these days, even used. Or like the L35 AD seen above here which was a successor to their legendary Pikaichi (Japanese for top-notch) model. This is the kind of design that sells – there’s a heritage to it, you have a great conversation starter with you always, and it feels so good in your hands to use. The Zr is a camera that is known for its video prowess, not for its looks or styling. Whatever the new Nikon compact model is going to be, I hope that they give it both silver and black body options, if not more. Silver or chrome with black leatherette would tap directly into the classic Nikon aesthetic and would photograph beautifully. Full black for those who want something more discreet on the street. If done well, the color scheme becomes part of the identity – look at how much the silver X100VI sells for on the used market.
A 28mm or 35mm lens
This compact is going to be most used for street photography, no doubt. It only makes sense then for Nikon to ship it with a 28mm or 35mm lens. Either of the focal lengths would be perfect for a walkabout camera, echoing the fields of view that legendary street photographers were known for. What I’d like to see them really impress us with, is a retractable lens kind of mechanism. One where the lens is recessed in the body and only comes out when you turn on the camera. This could be the single most important size-reduction decision Nikon makes in recent years. If that isn’t a possibility, I guess they’d have to figure out a pancake lens type solution. If this lens really doesn’t make the camera flat overall, there’s no point in calling it a compact. It’s like Apple’s claim that the iPhone Air is the thinnest smartphone they’ve made, and then you’re greeted with the bulge of camera lenses on the back that kind of defy the tagline.
Speed Matters
They need that Expeed 7 processor in there for sure. No point in making a good-looking camera and then crippling it inside when it comes to autofocus performance or buffer capacity. Sure, you won’t be doing 6K video (or any kind of video if the initial reports are proven true), which means all that processing capability can be channeled towards faster and more accurate subject detection and tracking. Imagine being able to whip this camera out of your pocket and by the time you put it up to your eye, the AF has already locked out to the subject you’re looking at. You’ve framed it as soon as it’s at eye level and gotten the picture your mind visualized, without a moment’s delay. Street photographers don’t want to miss moments while the camera thinks about what it’s supposed to do.
VR
Handheld stabilization is clearly possible in smaller bodies. A camera as tiny as the Ricoh GR III has it, so there’s no reason for Nikon to exclude it here.
To Flash Or Not?
Yea, I know what you’re thinking. If it came with an inbuilt flash, would it really be that powerful? Or if it has a hotshoe which allows for flashes that would mean having to take off the EVF (if there isn’t an inbuilt one). I believe having a hotshoe would only add to the charm, especially if you’re able to use a smaller flash with it. Some of these tiny flashes have tilt-capable heads too, so you don’t really need to see hard flash looks in your pictures.
Sub USD $1750 pricing
If I’m going to be purchasing a fixed-lens full-frame compact, it shouldn’t come with an interchangeable lens price tag. At least not if you want it to be purchased at the same volumes that Fujifilm compacts sell at. This has to be priced cheaper than the Nikon Z6 III which retails for around USD $2000 when not on sale. At around USD $1750 it would send a signal that Nikon wants volume and more importantly, community building around this, not a decorative product that sits in a display case. It needs to be a camera people actually buy, use, and are proud to share thoughts about online and in their circles. Especially young people and not just those nearing retirement who want to downsize their gear.
The Beginning Of A New Line
One camera is a product; add another and it becomes a series. Ideally, this should be the start of a new line of Nikon compact cameras – all with full-frame sensors. Cameras with fixed focal lengths and with zoom capabilities. If this new one succeeds, and I dare say it will, Nikon should sooner than later have a roadmap planned for the next set of cameras in this lineup. The Coolpix series and Nikon 1 both showed Nikon can build camera families. They just need to revise the design and specs now around what people actually want, as opposed to what the R&D teams think we do. Plus, they really ought to bring out a sufficient number of units in stock at the time of launch; the last thing we want is to see overpriced units being sold online by scalpers.
It’s time Nikon made this new compact a sensational one that every Nikon owner is proud to carry with them, no matter what they already own. Many would say it should have been here already, but I still think there’s a strong demand for it. Let’s hope we hear more verified news from Nikon on this soon.