billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Many Canon and Nikon users have been anxiously awaiting their respective companies to offer a truly professional mirrorless solution. With the Sony a9 taking aim at the top DSLRs, that clamor has only increased in intensity. A Nikon spokesperson has recently confirmed that the company is developing a mirrorless camera that "should compete in the mid-range and high-end DSLR [market]."

In speaking to DPReview, a Nikon spokesperson confirmed that the company is indeed developing mirrorless products that "offer the performance prospective customers expect, including the ultimate optics performance, image-processing technologies, strength and durability, and operation." The spokesperson declined to elaborate on details, and it's unclear how such a camera would integrate with the current product line, in particular if it would introduce a new lens mount. Nonetheless, the spokesperson indicated that the camera would aim to compete with professional DSLRs. While details are very scant at the moment, receiving official confirmation from Nikon is a great sign for those who have been long awaiting the company to step up to challenge Sony and Fujifilm. If both Nikon and Canon step into the mirrorless market with full force, it could cause a major paradigm shift in terms of the DSLR/mirrorless landscape and will no doubt propel development forward all the more quickly.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, it's been in the news lately, but it will be tough for Nikon to knock Sony and Fuji off the top of that mirrorless mountain.

Jim Bob

Hope it fares better than the debacle of a year ago where Nikon actually withdrew cameras.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I would hope that they do not change mounts, I would hate to repopulate my bag with new glass.

Haydon

I can't resist Bill...I'm going to use your line. Why do you post this old news! There's no point in it :)

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Best statement thus far. Sony has already the A9, and there is talk of a new A7r3. And a mysterious upcoming A5, I read about on the New Camera link just the other day.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I once thought the same thing, until an engineer friend explained how the only way to reap the full benefits of a mirrorless camera design is to re-design the lenses for a shorter flange-to-sensor distance.

I suspect what Nikon develops probably will be able to use older lenses, but not optimally.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

...not to mention Olympus and Panasonic...

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Isn't that due to the body thickness and if that is the case can't they make the body the same thickness as a DSLR?

BebuLamar

But that's wasted space which makes the camera larger. Also short flange distance helps making better wide angle. Nikon F mount lenses have a lot of incompatible features so to make a cameras that is compatible with most of the Nikon F mount lenses would require too much mechanical couplings which decreases precision and makes the system slower.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Wasted space can be filled with other gadgets, the rest of what you say may be true, I am no engineer.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Thinner body = less weight and bulk.

With a shorter flange-to-sensor distance, better lenses --- especially wide angle lenses --- can be developed.

Newer lens designs often perform better than the Nikkor glass in my bag from the 1960s, '70s, '80s...

I hope they have the guts to orphan their previously sold lenses and take the better path. But they may well give the market what it wants. It's the easy way out.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

You may be right, but I hate to have to spend another $30,000 on new lenses and at my age I will probably stick to the DSLR.

BebuLamar

My guess that they would introduce new lens line but make adapter so you can use your Nikon F mount lenses. I don't think they will keep the Nikon F mount on the new camera. It's a chance for Nikon to get back on making lenses.