Nikon mirrorless cam leak gets price, 2011 ship

Nikon's long rumored mirrorless interchangeable lens camera received not just a vowed release this year but also a tentative price. A report [sub. required] in Japan's Nikkei pointed to sources who understood the camera would cost the equivalent of between $900 and $1,300. At the cost level, the camera would be equivalent to higher-end mirrorless cameras like the Olympus E-P3 or Sony NEX-7, although Japanese pricing usually includes tax and tends to be higher.

Canon is also reportedly exploring the category, although virtually no leaks have emerged and point to it being further off.

The Nikon system is expected to sit in an unusual gap between high-end point and shoots like its own P7100 and Micro Four Thirds cameras. Common rumors point to it having a two-thirds-inch sensor and a heavy emphasis on video. Four lenses could show, at least some with a motorized zoom similar to the Panasonic Lumix G X, where the emphasis is more on smooth video zooms and a small size than sheer quality.

A Nikon product introduction is known to be happening on September 21 and is presumed by many to be the moment the mirrorless camera arrives. Like most Nikon introductions, it might not ship until later in the year.

Nikon has long hinted at the camera but has been unusually slow compared to Panasonic, Pentax, Olympus, and Sony, all of whom had compact mirrorless cameras out on the market before Nikon. Although not completely verified, both Nikon and Canon were said Thursday to have lost a significant piece of the market to their rivals as many customers were willing to trade off some quality and lens choices for the smaller size and, sometimes, lower prices.

By Electronista Staff