Nikon Nikon DL series

bartjeej

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Nikon covers all focal lengths with three 'DL' enthusiast compacts with 1"-type sensors

3 compact cameras w 1inch sensors:
18-50mm equivalen f1.8-2.8 (f4.9-7.6 equivalent)
24-85 equivalent, f1.8-2.8
24-500 equiv, f2.8-5.6

Cool:
The lens ranges
Nikon 1's AF speed (20fps continuous af shooting)
Step zoom
Tilting screens
+/- 5 stop exposure compensation
4k shooting
Built in ND filter

Uncool:
That godawful tilting external evf, instantly making the 2 smaller camera's big, clunky, unpocketable, and fugly. And it's . Bunch of extra cash for something that Sony and Canon manage to build into some of their camera's. Removing the tilting mechanism would make it much smaller already.
From what i can tell, no usb charging
No weather sealing
No flash on the 18-50... sure it's very wide for flash but now you can't have both an evf and flash, and that's lame

All in all, really nice to see Nikon pushing compact design again, after years of near absence, but there are some serious question marks for me.

Oh, and theyre expensive, but not quite as expensive as I feared - in fact not out of line with the also expensive competition.
 
I think the 18-50mm is quite big news. I know it's a somewhat limited camera, but very carefully gearded towards street and stroll shooters that like to get in close and personal, as well as landscape lovers. Unfortunately for me, ultrawide doesn't seem to be my jam ... But nevertheless, I think while the "24-85" is quite well balanced, the gem could actually be this camera.

I still love my V1 for its reliability and speed, especially when it comes to focussing, and the current sensor certainly puts the new DLs head and shoulders above it in terms of possible IQ; also, what I can see of the handling on the new cameras appeals to me (step zoom available to preset - great!). Owning a LX100, I've come to appreciate its feature set and handling, but also see its size as something of a limiting factor - it's not a pocket camera (nor is it made to be one - the body is sturdy, but other parts, not so much). The small DLs are a lot more compact - not Sony compact (the missing EVF ...), but certainly Canon compact (G7X). Nikon is catching up (about time!).

Funnily enough, the camera I actually might be interested in is the one with the most mundane specs: the superzoom. I still need to see it in the flesh to determine its real size, but it looks somewhat smaller and slicker than the Panasonic FZ1000, and the grip looks quite a bit like the fantastic one on the D750 (or D5500). High resolution EVF, tweaked optics (including premium coating), dedicated EV compensation (well, that was something of a given, but still very useful), fold-away (for me) touchscreen, and generally an interface that's very much reminiscent of the very usable one on the D5500 ... No front control dial, though, but because of the EV dial, I could easily work around that. It offers a custom mode on the mode dial - very helpful, too. No step zoom, unfortunately, but that'd be a bit awkward anyway on something as variable as this lens. Oh, and VR ... Quite a convincing package in a pretty slick exterior. The only camera that clearly outguns it is the Sony RX10 (especially the II), but that offers a much smaller zoom range (and one that I have very well covered already).

I'm not yet sure I'm ever going to own a superzoom compact, but if I go for one, this might very well be it. The biggest downfall in my eyes: no weather sealing. That and the price may drive me away from it - in fact, as a :mu43: shooter, the E-M5 II still appeals a lot more to me, and that one's actually cheaper. I'd lose out on range, though.

M.
 
The 18-50 interests me greatly, as I hugely enjoy the Panasonic LX7 with its very wide angle lens. The thought of a very compact camera with a 18mm f1.8 lens intrigues me no end. It also seems to have all the features of a Nikon 1 series camera, with a 1" sensor and all the rapid burst frame rates. I've taken some very cool image bursts of marathon runners using the 11fps mode of the LX7, so I can only imagine how much fun 60fps could be.

Tilt screen, touch focus and shoot... It also has 24/25p 4K! I can see a camera like this moving into my daily rotation.
 
I think the first two are VERY interesting. 18mm-e on a 1-inch sensor? I'll take two!! On the other hand, the 24-85mm one could be the only camera for many people, including me.
 
All of the above:) EVF is ugly, cont's af is great... I don't know why they didn't put evf esp when they are not that pocketable. I guess it will be in the next model...
 
The lack of EVF on the 24-85 is a deal killer for me. On a single focal length camera, like my X1, I can happily use an optional optical finder and not miss the information, but on a zoom camera I need an eye-level EVF. I understand it is not important to some, but for me it is essential. I gave up optional evf's of happy memory when I moved from the original digital Pen series. I'm sure the IQ will be stellar.
 
While I once bemoaned the lack of a VF on any given camera, I've become used to shooting without them. Doesn't matter to me at all if the DL 18-50 doesn't have a VF as I would mostly shoot it from the hip or chest anyway.

With a 1" sensor, it's a good step up in quality from the Panasonic LX7, and will hopefully be on a par with the Sony RX cameras. Fun times ahead!
 
First two are very interesting. My rx100 is a primary workhorse for me. I need a wide angle, but not keen on my Sony nex options. This could be huge.


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I'm looking at the 24-85 as a replacement for my LX7, which I now use mostly for video. Built-in ND filter and 4K UHD very appealing. I believe I read that there's going to be an optional EVF...? I do use the Panny LVF2 with the LX7 and it's really helpful in sunny conditions.
 
I'm looking at the 24-85 as a replacement for my LX7, which I now use mostly for video. Built-in ND filter and 4K UHD very appealing. I believe I read that there's going to be an optional EVF...? I do use the Panny LVF2 with the LX7 and it's really helpful in sunny conditions.

Interesting that you use your LX7 for video when you have a GH2. I've tried cross cutting between LX7 and GH3/4 footage and the LX7 simply doesn't hold up. It's fine for non-critical work, but in terms of matching quality, the Pana LX100 would be much closer. Then again, the LX100 isn't pocketable, nor does it have built in ND filters.

There will, indeed, be an optional EVF for the DL 18-50 and 24-85. The LX7 EVF is, indeed, very useful on brightly sunlit days. It's always in the bottom of my bag, just in case.
 
Interesting that you use your LX7 for video when you have a GH2. I've tried cross cutting between LX7 and GH3/4 footage and the LX7 simply doesn't hold up. It's fine for non-critical work, but in terms of matching quality, the Pana LX100 would be much closer. Then again, the LX100 isn't pocketable, nor does it have built in ND filters.

The LX7 image stabilization works very well for me. Not sure I have a M43 lens that stabilizes as well. The ND filter is a big factor, as is the size: my LX7 rides in a dry bag in the cockpit of my kayak. Size matters! :)
 
After a year of its release announcement, Nikon decided to cancel DL series:
Nikon | News | Cancellation of release of the DL series of premium compact cameras

Cancellation of release of the DL series of premium compact cameras

February 13, 2017

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation announced today that sales of the long-awaited DL series of premium compact camera, the DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8, DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8, and DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6, will be canceled.

A June, 2016 release was originally planned for the DL series. However, with the identification of issues with the integrated circuit for image processing, release of the three cameras was delayed indeterminately.

Since then, everyone involved has worked very hard to develop products with which our customers will be satisfied. However, it has been decided that sales of the DL series will be canceled due to concerns regarding their profitability considering the increase in development costs, and the drop in the number of expected sales due to the slow-down of the market.

We sincerely apologize to all those affected by this decision, especially those customers who waited so long for the cameras to be released, retailers and others whose business will be affected, for the inconvenience this decision may cause.
 
After a year of its release announcement, Nikon decided to cancel DL series:
Nikon | News | Cancellation of release of the DL series of premium compact cameras

Cancellation of release of the DL series of premium compact cameras

February 13, 2017

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation announced today that sales of the long-awaited DL series of premium compact camera, the DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8, DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8, and DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6, will be canceled.

A June, 2016 release was originally planned for the DL series. However, with the identification of issues with the integrated circuit for image processing, release of the three cameras was delayed indeterminately.

Since then, everyone involved has worked very hard to develop products with which our customers will be satisfied. However, it has been decided that sales of the DL series will be canceled due to concerns regarding their profitability considering the increase in development costs, and the drop in the number of expected sales due to the slow-down of the market.

We sincerely apologize to all those affected by this decision, especially those customers who waited so long for the cameras to be released, retailers and others whose business will be affected, for the inconvenience this decision may cause.
I just saw this. I didn't realize they were still trying to use the Aptina sensor. Nikon has really struggled with non-DSLR decisions in recent years.
 
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