Nikon's new “retro-inspired” and “DF-like” camera body is rumored to appear at the end of June 2021
(Image credit: Nikon)
UPDATE: Up until now, we hadn't heard much about the upcoming "retro-inspired" Nikon camera recently. However, Nikon Rumors has recently advised that we could be seeing this new retro Nikon camera appear by "the end of June" – although the site states that it doesn't have an exact date yet.
According to Nikon Rumors, we should be expecting to see an APS-C mirrorless camera that features a retro-inspired design with mechanical dials and an articulating screen. The site also states that it will have a "very thin" camera body and won't feature a handgrip.
With few details available on this new camera, it seems we'll have to wait until the end of the month to see whether this vintage-inspired Nikon camera will come to fruition…
ORIGINAL STORY: Nikon is working on a "retro-inspired" body styled after the old school Nikon FE10, fusing a classic chassis with cutting-edge tech, offering an alternative to the vintage cameras designs featured by Olympus and Fujifilm.
That's according to a new report, suggesting that a "Df-like" camera is in the works – taking cues from the Nikon Df, where the 'f' stands for 'fusion', featuring a retro film SLR-styled body with digital image sensor inside. However, while the Df was a full-frame FX camera, this new throwback body could feature an APS-C sensor.
In addition, we could be seeing this new camera as soon as June, as it has been rumored that Nikon Asia is planning a product event in the first week of the month – something that times with the new report by Nikon Rumors.
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"I have been reporting for a while that Nikon will announce a new APS-C base mirrorless camera," wrote the outlet.
"Back in February, I mentioned that the official announcement is expected in the first half of 2021. We also have fresh rumors that Nikon could announce new products in the first week of June. Now the interesting part – the new Nikon APS-C mirrorless camera could be retro inspired:
• Nikon Df-inspired mirrorless camera with mechanical dials and articulating screen.
• Very thin camera body without a handgrip that looks something like the Olympus OMD or Nikon FE10 cameras"
Indeed, the classic styling of cameras such as the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is what makes them stand out from the crowd – and something that could help Nikon attract a crowd that isn't currently being courted by Canon or Sony.
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.