The new Nikon AW1 – The 1 series all weather camera and lens set
You can pre-order your Nikon AW1 HERE at this link from Amazon
So Nikon dropped the bomb today with a new Nikon 1 camera! Yep, the rugged AW1 is here and it is one rugged as hell MOFO.
This is the WORLDS FIRST waterproof, Shock proof and FREEZE proof camera.
This bad boy is based on the J series so it is not a pro 1 series body or a “V” type with an EVF. It is made for one thing really, and that is ruggedness. It is waterproof to 15 meters, it is freeze proof and it is shock proof as well. This means you can bring this guy with you anywhere. Drop it, kick it, freeze it and drown it. According to Nikon it will still work.
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To go along with this new release Nikon has announced TWO new lenses. A new RUGGED all-weather 10 f/2.8 that is also shock, water and freeze proof. What good is a camera that has all of those features without a lens that will also take that licking but keep on ticking?
Nikon is also releasing a rugged 11-27.5 f/3.5-5.6 zoom.
The AW1 will have all of the usually Nikon 1 features. Fast AF with Contrast and Phase detect AF and the brilliant metering and color of the 1 series. This guy even has a built-in compass and GPS. Oh, and the flash can even be used UNDER water. Just think of the unique possibilities that just opened up with this AW1.
While I am not the target audience for this camera it appears Nikon is trying to make the 1 series more appealing to more people so they are going the “rugged” route. But seeing this release makes me think there will be more..as in a new normal body coming along. We shall see soon enough.
Here is a cool video from Engadget showing the new AW1. Looks pretty cool in all silver if I do say so myself. Also looks to be well made. The 2 meter drop at the end is worth watching for sure! Just seeing that makes me want it as my new 1 body! No worries rain, shine or earthquake, lol.
I will be at the Photo Plus Expo in NYC next month so hopefully will be able to see the AW1 in the flesh.
This camera will ship on October 10th, so in just about 3 weeks, around the same time as the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic GX7.
The 2 lens kit with the 10mm and 11-27.5 zoom will come in at just under $1000. The one lens kit with the zoom just under $800.
Pre-Order:
You can pre-order your Nikon AW1 HERE at this link from Amazon
Details:
- The world’s first waterproof, shockproof, interchangeable lens camera.
- Features a 1-inch 14.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor for superior image quality even in low light situations
- High-speed continuous shooting at 15 fps with full autofocus and up to 60 fps fixed focus
- Full 1080p HD video with simultaneous image capture capability
- Compatible with all Nikon 1 lenses and two waterproof and shockproof lenses
This is exactly what me and multiple of my friends have been waiting for. I am a ultra runner and outdoor enthusiast and frequently have wanted a camera that can can stand up to the conditions I am in. I run in so many beautiful places and I keep a non-sealed m43 camera and 28mm equivalent lens with me when I can but would love one that I don’t have to worry about at all. Right now I just hope not to damage my current camera which luckily I haven’t but would love this camera.
I’m sorry to be stupid to this sort of stuff, but what is the equivalent optical zoom that this camera has? I don’t understand the mm talk with regards to the lens.
Not that big. Around 2.7x. And given the small sensor size compared to a full frame 35mm sensor, it would give you an effective focal range of around 30mm-80mm. It’s a pretty narrow normal range. Doesn’t get too wide nor close enough. Still a nice range though for what it does. HTH
I have waited for this for several years. I have my third AW compact now. They are all crap! IQ is bad!
I plan to use a camera lik this for kayaking and just down to max 5 meters.
I’d like to see a water sealed 50-150mm/2.8 telezoom to capture wildlife with when kayaking!
In the next model I want a good EVF!
I’d also like to see a good macro lens and an ultra WA.
So is it just the same 14MP sensor as the V2 sported already? Or is it a newer/better sensor than the V2? Us 1-series fans want to see a step change in sensor performance, regardless of the packaging around it…
I agree. I have a feeling it is the same old same old because if it was new tech, they would have mentioned it.
I can certainly see how some people would find this development promising and appropriate for certain niche application. What I don’t understand is how this would make a lot of folks with existing CX sensor bodies more comfortable about spending $900 for a 32mm 1.2….just because the new camera uses the same sensor format?
While there will be a demand by people who like water sports, there is another market which has not been touched. There are over 20 million outdoorsman, hunters, and fisherman in the US who take their gears very seriously, and would love a camera like this; a bulletproof, waterproof, tough as nails, go anywhere interchangeable lens camera which can take high quality pictures.
Strap the “naked” AW1 camera on your back while fishing for steelhead in a downpour in the Deschutes River, or attach it to your scouting scope while hunting in the Bitterroot Range. The remarkably high shutter speed, fast FPS, and quick AF is perfect for their needs. Add camo rubber cover in addition to the black and orange, and they will sell like pancakes.
I also see it more as a camera for kayak, beach, pool, outdoor in bad weather etc. and I am not sure if I wanted to take it for diving. 15m is not much fpr diving anyways. But maybe its god enough for snorkeling.
As a NikonosV user (many years ago) I would certainly make sure that the rubber sealings are clean and in good condition before taking the camera in the water.
But for the applications listed above it should be great. I allways wished for a waterproof camera with better IQ than the super small sensor rugged ones. I am pretty sure that I will get one for this reason.
Seeing that Nikon has not evolved the 1 system past his current “limitations” (yes, EVERY camera has one), it is clear that this is aimed to the crowd that thinks current 1 cameras are “good enough”, and want weather proofing to bring them to the beach/mountain/tropical rainforest. It will sold a nice batch of them, I think.
The AW1 appears to be a great camera for kayaking and trekking. I wouldn’t be using one for underwater work though. 99% of what I shoot underwater is with extreme wide angle or macro optics. The “standard” zooms just aren’t wide enough or close enough. FYI there are housings for the original Nikon 1 cameras that are compatible with accessory lenses. The same applies for the Sony RX100.
I would like to see Nikon release a kit with the AW-1 body and the 10mm wide angle. I do understand that the zoom is very attractive if you look at the AW-1 as a rugged camera rather than a underwater camera.
My wife’s first question… “You can change the lenses underwater?”
🙂
Lol, that would be something special 🙂
I’m going to say the same thing here I said on another site about this thing…
On the surface is sounds brilliant. But as anyone that has used a “waterproof, rugged” camera can tell you… be careful.
I’ve gone through multiple Panasonic’s that have failed after limited exposure to be submersed while following proper before, during and after use instructions. Including issues where everything appeared fine only to discover corrosion beginning in the batter/sd card compartment out of the blue.
I was finally able to use a waterproof/rugged camera that seems to be holding up in the Olympus I purchased prior to my last trip to Panama and Costa Rica.
It sucks but it’s not a major issue when you are talking about a $200-300 point and shoot. But when you are talking about a more expensive interchangeable lens system that introduces additional points of failure? No thanks.
I’d much rather A) purchase a cheap point and shoot camera to use casually or B) purchase a legitimate underwater housing.
You have a great point there. I dived for years with a Nikonos system and all the potential points of water penetrarion – lens, battery compartment, strobe port – had O rings. Nikon hammered home the need to remove and re-grease each one before every single dive. O rings had to be replaced pretty regularly and definitely if there were any nicks in the surface as water under pressure will force its way through the smallest gap imaginable. With that regime, a Nikonos could go to 60-70 meters safely. Frankly I’d be by reluctant to regularly take a camera even down to 15 metres without those kinds of safeguards.
In the 1960s I used Nikonos cameras for scientific research with the Royal Navy. I dived with three Nikonos cameras (to get 100 shots per dive).
I never, never had to grease the O-rings. let alone change them. I used the same cameras year after year with just a quick wash under the tap.
Goff
I could definitely get some good use ouf of this!!!
I got caught in the heavy downpours that hit Toronto on July 8th and I had my (non-weather-sealed) NEX-6 with me (I also have a Nikon 1 V1).
I was able to get a few shots with the NEX, but had I had something like this…. there would have been some great shots I could have gotten when the rain was really pounding the streets!!
Steve – I’m not sure if I’m allowed to link to my blog post here or not, but if so here the link to the rain storm shot. If not I’d be happy to post the article here as well if you like.
http://marsweekly.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/feature-shooting-in-the-rain-its-all-cody-simpsons-fault/
Thing you’ve got to remember is that the N1 system has amazing AF ability, w/ tracking at 15fps and can do up to 60 fps burst, fixed focus, full rez, even shooting RAW, next to no shutter lag and a brilliant face detect AF system and flawless metering.
I’ve owned a bunch of waterproof compacts and they are well and good, but are next to worthless for trying to get the timing right on a breaking waves, kids diving into the pool and that sort of stuff.
Camera like the AW1 would be tons of fun for capturing action in and out of the water.
You’ve got the AF and speed of a camera like a D3s in one of these little guys (but of course not the same IQ) That is what I think is unique about this system.
Plus you can mount normal N1 glass, so when your not in the water, you can throw on a 6.7-13mm to take some nice wide angle shots of the beach, or the 18mm f1.8 for a fast normal lens etc. One camera system could handle your entire vacation, or rafting trip et al, needs.
I would really like to see a fisheye waterproof lens introduced at some point though. I think that would really open up the system quite a bit. I’ve used them on dedicated dive housings (and wider is usually better when your under the water) and they are always so huge and bulky.
A fisheye lens would be perfect for this set-up, not to mention a nice, long telephoto prime or a macro. I would also like to see an attachment to make the LCD screen into a viewfinder for increased stability when shooting. I’ve seen some but they only say splashproof and dustproof so I’m not sure if there’s any rugged enough to put on this one. Personally, I’m really excited about the release of this camera for all the things you mentioned and more. I’m not a diver, I’m a hiker and sometimes go through some pretty rough weather and terrain, so this camera is absolutely perfect for my needs. Plus, DSLRs, even small ones, are just far too large and heavy for such adventures. I just don’t understand all the negativity with some of the other commenters, Nikon is really on to something huge with this system in my honest opinion. I know I’ll be getting one!
Hi Steve What are your thoughts on Fujifilm X-A1,no X-Trans design, ?
I would have to try one out, no EVF at all is a bummer but I do prefer the older X100 sensor above all in the Fuji world. If it had an EVF I would be more excited. Fuji is releasing so many models these days. X-M1, X-A1, etc.
Wow, this is great news! Sure it’s not the camera everyone wanted but Nikon making a underwater (not just weather sealed) camera is amazing and really a step forward. Or at least sideways into a new market segment. Can’t believe nobody ever thought about this before.
this is pretty amazing, underwater interchangeable lens camera. They are certainly taking the Nikon 1 series in an interesting direction, well done Nikon.
I lucked out and just got a NIB V1 for under $300 with a lens. Now this comes along….well, its nice to see that Nikon is dedicating more capital, development time, and other assets to the CX mount.
I think Nikon on the right track. I think it will appeal to the gen-x folks and the outdoor adventurers. Backpacker will like this. It will be interesting to see what they will do with the v1. I admit I am a bit biased as I have decided to keep my v1 system for the ultralight hiking kit.
Cool.
It makes sense to have the body AND lenses weather sealed. Which is why I dont see the point of the Leica M body being sealed as none of the lenses are.
Curious to see how it will fare as a casual underwater camera – waterproof compact cameras rarely shine for what IQ concerns.
This AW-1 is not exactly cheap, but it may find its niche between waterproof compacts and larger (and more expensive) dedicated housings.
Olympus is also releasing a rugged 11-27.5 f/3.5-5.6 zoom for the Nikon? I doubt it I seriously doubt it :).
Greets, Ed.
So you edited…thanks…
That is good news for this guy!
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/338714/Snap-happy-tiger-shark-steals-diver-s-camera
and yes I know these street shooters all have some sharklike attitude right.
Greets, Ed.
No EVF is a deal breaker for many, even if it is based on the “J” series.
Um, yeah, sort of.
The Nikon one is fairly abusable — it travels with me basically in my bag — not a camera bag and simply works. That includes the wet, rain and travel. I’d definately take my V1 up hills in a pack.
But then, I do that with my D800, anyways.
If it is going to be a gopro, it has to have mounts for things like helmets. I think the lightness of the one system and the ability to use a reasonable lens will help here.
But for someone who prefers to use a viewfinder…. no.
the olympus E-M1 is also freeze proof, isn’t it?
interesting I hope the sony rx10 will be as rugged and waterproof. i really want a 35mm equivalent.
Finally something really fresh from camera industry! The 15m rating seems a little awkward though since open water divers usually dive down to about 30m, hope they will release a well designed and reasonably priced u/w casing like canon and their G15 and G1x casings!
Wow, that is the new gopro !!!
With even better photo quality and telephoto possibilities 🙂 also for video.
Amazing!!!
let me see you strap that to your head, and record 4k video.
Any development of the N1 system is welcome but this seems like a bit of an oddity. I’m not sure who it’s aimed at really. I can’t see serious underwater photographers using it as it can only go to down 15 meters (recreational scuba divers will need it to go to 40 meters for it to be useful) and – so far at least – the widest lens is a 27mm equivalent. The most popular focal length range for underwater use is probably 15mm to 35mm to allow the photographer to get close. Longer lenses don’t work well underwater as light drop-off is so severe thanks to the density of the water. Are Nikon really going to develop dedicated waterproof wide angle lenses for this camera? I doubt it.
If the camera is aimed at action photographers (for extreme sports etc.) I can’t see the point of launching it with a 27mm equivalent prime. I don’t understand why this camera didn’t just have a fixed zoom – with a range something like the Fuji X-20 – which would cover everything a potential user would need. Going the interchangeable route means Nikon aren’t going to hook existing converts to the N1 system as they would have to re-buy all their lenses in the new waterproof form as and when they are released. How likely is that?
Kudos to Nikon for continuing to develop the system, but I’m confused where they’re going with this one.
Maybe all new 1 system lens going forward will be waterproof.
I never thought of that. You just might be right!
1) Recreational scuba diver rarely go lower than 15 meters. At lower depths your time below the surface is dramatically reduced. 40 meters is really far, you need different tanks if you want to stay any amount of time down there.
2) Above notwithstanding, interested to see if that 15m is a rating or an actual depth it will survive at. Watches rated at 3 atm (30m) are not able to survive below 10, really, because as soon as you move, you further increase the pressure on one side of the watch.
3) This is an interesting move it the camera is really that weather/waterproof. Definitely a niche that is not filled: interchangeable lens camera with lightning quick autofocus that doesn’t need a shell to protect it form weather and water. If it really does work underwater, it may be a winner!
Well, I am a recreational diver and I regularly go down to 40m. In fact, I can’t remember the last time my maximum depth was shallower than 15m. You can easily do a no-deco (recreational) dive with an average depth close to or below 15m that lasts over 40min. And that’s using a single tank with regular air…
No, really, this camera is for snorkeling. But honestly if you don’t invest in strobes it is best to take underwater pictures in the first few meters using available light. I got fantastic pictures snorkeling the Maldives. I did not bother to try taking pictures during my scuba dives as 1) you need some good/expensive equipment to get good results 2) you need to really know about underwater photography which is quite specific and 3) I prefer to enjoy the moment through my own eyes instead of fiddling around with equipment.
Nic
Most dives are suitable for open water divers and adventure divers. For non-adventure divers, i.e. people who have not done a deep dive course, the dives can’t go below 18m, period.
Maybe the confusion is in the word recreational. The vast majority of divers on holiday or getting certified are only going to about 15m, and that’s who I meant by recreational, which is also the category I fit in.
Advanced divers like you, or pros, do regularly go lower. Nice that you can get 40m down there! Impressive conservation!
Nick
I have to agree w/Nic. It is a serious snorkeling camera and NOT a camera for diving.