Nikon to release two new cameras in 2021 – and they’re DSLRs?!

(Image credit: Future)

A new report has recently confirmed that two new DSLR cameras and several F-Mount lenses will be released in 2021. Despite the fact that the majority of the company’s research and development is reported to be going into their mirrorless system, it seems that DSLR cameras are still vitally important to the company.

This split in focus may prove to be challenging. However, Nikon is no stranger to the camera industry and has a long history of developing products that have proved popular with consumers.

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As reported by Nikon Rumors, there is currently no word on what kind of DSLR camera will be released, or what type of lenses we’re set to see. However, this could be great news for those who have not yet made the jump from F-mount to Nikon’s mirrorless Z-mount.

The DSLR we suspect will be updated in 2021 would be the Nikon D3500 - which is the company's best-selling DSLR by far. This was introduced in 2018, and therefore will be due a refresh before then,

We wonder whether we could potentially see a Nikon DSLR that can compete more effectively with the Canon EOS 90D. This could be in the form of an update to the Nikon D7500, which is a little long in the tooth at this stage. If a higher resolution sensor was included in the update, then this could be precisely what many photographers want.

We have seen some amazing improvements in video autofocus for the Nikon Z cameras, so it’s not a huge leap to assume that Nikon could use those advancements in their upcoming DSLRs. Better on-sensor autofocus features could not only benefit videographers, but also prove useful to photographers. For instance, the Eye-Detection AF in Nikon Z mirrorless cameras could be extremely beneficial in a Nikon DSLR.

The Nikon D500 is another camera that is now quite old in technological terms. In January next year, it will have been five years since it was first released. An update to this camera could be well received by photographers that require a high-speed APS-C camera.

Nikon’s Z-mount technology has been expanded this year with the Nikon Z5, Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Z7 II, but most photographers and professionals still shoot with DSLR cameras. Based on that, it is great to see that Nikon is still paying attention to that side of the market to ensure that consumers still have plenty of choice between F-mount and Z-mount.

Usman is a commercial and architectural photographer based in West Yorkshire, who has been working professionally for over seven years. He has also spent over four years as a writer for the biggest photography sites in the world, including Staff Writer for Digital Camera World, senior staff writer for FStoppers, and tech writer for Petapixel.

With a particular interest in technology developments, high-resolution imaging and the high-end cameras, Usman has been on the cutting edge of camera news as well as writing features about medium format systems and global shutters, and has reviewed some of the latest Leica cameras as well as a tripod that’s even taller than Andre the Giant!

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