The Latest Nikon Compact Camera Rumours

credits: Nikon

New rumours suggest that Nikon’s planned compact full-frame camera could end up with a fixed focal length lens, which would definitely be a bit of a surprise. Back in early February, rumours of a compact Nikon full-frame camera started circulating, possibly based on the Nikon ZR and specifically built for photographers. At the time, the idea was a viewfinder-less system camera with interchangeable lenses. Now there is a new twist, and it is still not clear if this is the same project or something completely different.

Some of the earlier details still seem to line up. The camera is said to skip a built-in EVF, but could support an optional external viewfinder via the hot shoe. The body itself is expected to be very slim, somewhere around 22 to 25mm thick, with a tilting OLED display and a couple of physical control dials, one of which may have dual functionality. There is also talk of a high-resolution full-frame sensor, although no real specs have been shared yet. At the same time, the camera is rumoured to drop video recording entirely and won’t include in-body image stabilisation.

If this turns out to be accurate, Nikon would be entering a segment that has been getting a lot of attention recently. Fixed-lens compacts like the Fujifilm X100VI and Ricoh GR series have been in high demand, often hard to find in stock. Other brands are also rumoured to be working on similar cameras. Recent CIPA data backs that up, showing a noticeable increase in compact camera shipments over the past year. For Nikon, it would also be reminiscent of its earlier DL series, which was announced but never actually made it to market.