Nikon Adds a New (and Expensive) Mirrorless Camera to Their 1 Series

Just an hour ago, Nikon announced their latest addition to their 1 line, and they claim it to have the world’s “fastest continuous shooting rate with AF tracking, [and] performance with tracking of moving subjects that exceeds that of digital SLR cameras”. It’s called the Nikon 1 V3, and its the first Nikon 1 camera that comes with a vari-angle touch screen LCD monitor and Wi-Fi capability.

Here’s a few specs on the new device:

• 105 focus points with tracking of moving subjects (when phase-detection AF is used)
• 171 focus points when contrast-detect AF is used
• 20 fps shooting – world’s fastest continuous shooting rate with AF tracking
• World’s shortest shooting time lag
• 18.4 MP super high-speed AF CMOS Sensor, with no low-pass filter
• New EXPEED 4A image-processing engine
• Function for recording full-HD 1920 x 1080/60p movies (up to 10 minutes in length)
• 720p at 120fps

As many of you may be aware of, mirrorless cameras are coming out with sales numbers as promising as American politicians. And while the future may still be subject to change, Nikon’s price tag of $1200 for this camera may prove a bit challenging for the modern consumer to buy. The camera itself looks incredible for a mirrorless, but it’ll be interesting to see how sales play out for it either way with that price.

Nikon also release two videos about the new camera: a sample video file which looks promising and a product tour:

Nikon also announced the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM lens, which they claim is the world’s lightest interchangeable lens equipped with a power-drive zoom function. Below are the specs for the lens straight from Nikon:

• A slim 3x normal zoom lens compatible with the CX format and covering the 10-30mm range of focal lengths (angle of view equivalent to 27-81mm in 35-mm [135] format)
• The world’s first*1 interchangeable lens equipped with power-drive zoom to utilize an electrically controlled lens cover, which eliminates the need to attach and remove a lens cap
• Measures approximately 58 mm (maximum diameter) x 28 mm*2 and weighs just 85 g, making it the world’s lightest*1 power-drive zoom equipped lens
• Adoption of a retractable lens mechanism that retracts the lens when it is not in use has enabled a slimmer lens that is compact for storage
• Equipped with a vibration reduction (VR) function that provides camera-shake compensation equal to a 4.0-stop*3 increase in shutter speed
• A maximum reproduction ratio of 0.55 x (equivalent in 35 [135] format) and a minimum focus distance of 20 cm enable expression similar to that of a Micro lens for impressive close-ups and beautiful blur characteristics
• Superior rendering performance with no noticeable ghost or flare, even with shooting in backlit situations
• Electric power-drive zoom adopted for smooth and comfortable movie recording
• Equipping the lens with a zoom ring enables familiar interchangeable lens operation, despite the electric power-drive zoom
• The same refined and minimalistic appearance as other 1 NIKKOR lenses; knurling adopted to make the most of the metal texture

There’s also some choice available in accessorizing the camera as well, with Nikon’s new external high resolution 2359k-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF), and a camera grip.

You can find out more information about the lens, along with the Nikon 1 V3 at their official announcement page at the bottom. The new products should be hitting stores next month, so until then, let us know what your thoughts are on Nikon’s latest offerings below!

[Nikon via Nikon Rumors]

P.S. if you want to be the first to own one, B&H are currently accepting pre orders.