The Latest Nikon Rumours

credits: Nikon

Nikon could be bringing back its canceled DL compact camera series, according to a new rumour floating around the internet. The rumour is based on a single source and has not yet been confirmed in any way, so it is worth taking with a healthy dose of skepticism. If accurate, though, it would mark the return of a camera lineup that Nikon originally announced back in 2016, only to cancel before it ever reached store shelves.

According to the rumour, the new camera would closely follow the design and lens concepts of the original DL 18-50 and DL 24-85 models, although a 24-70mm version with a slightly thicker body is also said to be under consideration. The camera is expected to feature a 24-megapixel stacked 1-inch sensor, along with Nikon’s Flexible Colour Picture Control system for creating custom colour profiles. Other rumoured features include premium construction materials and an included leather case. Interestingly, the camera reportedly won’t have a built-in electronic viewfinder. Instead, Nikon is said to be developing an optional clip-on EVF that attaches through an intelligent hot shoe.

The timing would certainly make sense. When Nikon originally canceled the DL series in 2017, the market for premium compact cameras was shrinking rapidly. Today, the situation looks very different, with cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI and Ricoh GR IV proving there is still strong demand for high-end fixed-lens cameras. Canon is also rumoured to be expanding its PowerShot lineup, while Sony is expected to announce a new compact camera of its own. It is still unclear whether this rumoured DL revival is the same fixed-lens full-frame Nikon compact that has been rumoured recently, or whether Nikon is actually working on multiple compact camera projects at the same time.