Nikon is trying to appeal new customers by being the first to offer a mirrorless rugged camera. The new Nikon 1 AW1 comes along two new rigged lenses, the Nikkor 1 AW 10mm f/2.8 and 1 AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses. The AW marked cameras and lenses are water, shock, dust and freezeproof. The camera can go 15m under water! I think this could be a real hit for Nikon. Finally a camera that can be with you on any travelling conditions!
Press release at Dpreview, Photoscala (German).
Preview at Dpreview, ePhotozine, Pocket-Lint, Engadget, Techradar.
Lens Press release at Dpreview.
34 Responses
Water resistance ratings are for static pressure. Any movement increases pressure, therefore you can never actually submerge anything to the rated depth. 15m rating basically means the camera is splash resistant. I wouldn’t even wash my hands with a 15m WR watch on. This is not an underwater camera without using an external housing.
They are actually saying you can use it under water so I guess I’m wrong.
Can you change lenses under water :)?
Seriously, this is a very interesting move by Nikon, I doubted anyone could pull this off ( underwater ILC ).
Looks as if Nikon has found a niche to justify the high prices for Nikon 1. If that sounds cynical, it probably is – but I would add that I am already a satisfied Nikon 1 customer (discounted V1 and a few lenses). My only criticisms of the AW1 would be being forced to buy a standard zoom I wouldn’t want in order to get the AW1 and 10mm (and of course it would be virtually impossible to sell on the zoom); and secondly, I would expect UW users to want a bigger grip (but fine for my intended use).
A niche but looks quite nice. I like that they are offering a waterproof prime. Although there are several splashproof (i know i know, not waterproof) bodies for mft but the waterproof primes are missing.
No stabilization. Do they supply an underwater tripod?
One with 8 legs… 🙂
Octopod:)
finally… a body that looks like it was not designed by a kindergartner with crayons
It looks alright, I’m sure it will perform well enough…but is there a big market for a “rugged”, waterproof, interchangable lens camera at a price that’s not exactly cheap ? £750 for the camera with 11-27.5mm lens seems mighty high to me…maybe I’m looking at it wrong ?
I would have preferred a fixed lens rugged camera with such a big sensor (compared to the toys rugged cameras around). Sony, please make a waterproof rx100-ii and you’ll get my money.
They should of released a waterproof f/1.8 fisheye lens to go with this.
Waterproof camera with a pop-up flash?! That’s a first. I hope Nikon makes a tool for cleaning sands from tiny mechanisms. I don’t see a hot shoe, you need a big flash for underwater photography.
Like Kona says… to do real photos UW you need light and certainly not next to the lens. Not good for real photos UW and much less ergonomic and more expensive than other compacts like Olympus or Panasonic even if with a smaller sensor… It would have been a lot more intelligent to do a built in flash that can also be covered by filters (to avoid reflections in the picture) and still trigger some other Strobe on a hot shoe. And 2 usefule lenses for UW: a macro lens (a real one) and a fisheye…
finally, the days with only 1/2.3″ waterproof camera has come to an end.
was hoping for 1/1.7″ Canon or Panny or 1/2″ Fuji, but 1″ sounds even better!
I would pick RX100 with an underwater housing anytime. Better image quality, rated to 40m, smaller when out of water and both are essentially fixed lens cameras.
The only niche Nikon could go for.
I am not totally convinced. You choose a lens and go for snorkeling.
After that you have to rinse it with fresh water carefully and only once
it is completly dry you can dare to change your lens…
this could be seriously useful. every time i shoot around a pool someone suggests we do a few underwater shots. would much prefer this thing over a p&s sensor or an expensive dslr uw housing
AW stands for AWESOME
Lens selection is still weak. Though glad to see that Nikon tries to do something with the “1”.
Also, that might help force other manufacturers to step-up the weather-sealing development. It is sad that to this day, when weather-sealing on budget question pops, pretty much only consistent response is still: check the Pentax’es.
Another toy… All non-Canon folks must be desperate. Why don’t invest more in research (the true sort) and less in marketing?
The things is expensive but interesting.
It could be perfected though. E.g. better wide-angle, better body, stabilization, hot-shoe (?), etc.
Nevertheless it is something new, which other manufacturers are not making. It is nice to have a camera you can carry with you, which at the right moment you can use for trekking, or when it rains, or in a dusty environment, or even close to rivers, lakes or the sea, without too many problems.
‘f course, if I were a serious underwater photographers I would wait before investing in the system (let’s see the tests and reviews…)
It does look rugged, waterproof, tough etc consumers after these type of cameras expect it to look a certain way.
It’s also being marketed as a family camera….doh!
This is the camera category i’ve been waiting for. Several Panasonic waterproof P&S cameras have been my go-to devices when traveling.
This Nikon (or a m43 competitor) is likely to be my next camera.
No EVF. Too bad. Almost perfect travel camera. LCD alone is not good for many environments.