Nikon Launches Compact DL Line With 20MP 1″ Sensors & Premium Optics

Amidst the buzz around new smartphones announced at MWC this week, Nikon decided to introduce its new line of premium compact cameras – the DL series. Comprised of three cameras with CX 1″ 20MP sensors, the variants offer wide zoom, normal zoom, and super zoom capabilities with large bright apertures. The first one, DL18-50, is a compact wide angle camera with a Nano-coated f1.8-2.8 aperture lens – great for landscapes and indoor photography. Second is the normal zoom DL24-85 – a great all around camera with the same large f1.8-2.8 aperture for street photography and portraits. And lastly there’s the larger body, EVF-equipped, DL24-500 that starts at f2.8 and ends at 5.6 down the 24mm to 500mm equivalent range. Do take note that these focal ranges are 35mm equivalents already – so the 18mm and 24mm values are even wider than your average DSLR’s 18-55mm lens (which is equivalent to 27mm-82.5mm). All three variants feature hybrid-AF with 171-points and multi-system image stabilization, but the biggest new feature is 4K UHD movie recording at 30FPS – which makes these Nikons part of the very few cameras that shoot 4K in such small bodies.

Other features include tilt-swivel touchscreens, burst shooting at 20FPS with AF engaged (60 with fixed AF), WiFi & Bluetooth, and slow motion video recording.

Given these specs, you can tell that Nikon is aiming for the premium compact camera segment – which is currently dominated by stalwarts like the Sony RX100 IV, Canon G7X, Panasonic LX100, & Panasonic FZ1000. If Nikon’s new hybrid AF system, Optical Stabilization, and 4K video holds up, then the Japanese company would definitely have a contender in their hands.

We’re not sure when, or if, these cameras will be coming to the Philippines though but as for pricing, the DL18-50 US SRP is $849.95, the DL24-85 is US$649.95, and the DL24-500 is US$999.95. Those convert to about PHP 40,000, PHP 30,000, and PHP 48,000 respectively. You can find out more about these cameras on Nikon USA’s website here.