Nikon prepares to get wet

Nikon have today stepped the Mirrorless Compact Camera market up a step, with the announcement of the World’s first Waterproof, Freezeproof and Shockproof interchangeable Lens Compact Camera system, the new Nikon 1 AW1.  I’m don’t normally pay to much attention to the compact market, it changes very fast and whilst there are some great compact cameras few of them grab my attention. But the AW1 has. If it lives up to it’s expectations it could be the perfect adventure camera for many looking to travel light, but not be restricted by keeping their cameras dry and safe. And it could work as an entry point for surfers to get in to water photography without expensive and bulky water-housings.

Nikon are calling the AW1 “Adventure-Proof” – Waterproof to 15m, shockproof for drops up to 2m and freeze-proof down to -10°C, oh and it’s dustproof… All in a camera body which will fit in to any walk of life with its looks and a powerful CX-format (1 inch, 14.2-million-pixel) CMOS image sensor which delivers superior images, even in low light.

The AW1 is based on the other camera’s in the Nikon 1 Range, and like these, the AW1 can shoot with continuous AF at a rate of 15fps, or without AF at 60fps, all at full resolution, making it good for capturing high speed action. It comes with built in GPS for geo-tagging your photos, an altimeter which will tell you how high or deep you are and a digital compass.

There are two new waterproof lenses available for the Nikon 1 AW1 Camera; the 1 Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm (30-80mm 35mm equivalent) f/3.5-5.6 and the 1 Nikkor AW 10mm (27mm equivalent) f/2.8, a fast wide angle lens. These lenses are also compatible with other Nikon 1 camera’s, but don’t provide the waterproof seal, and other lenses will also wotk with the AW1.

The Nikon 1 AW1 Interchangeable Lens Camera goes on sale in October, with an expected RRP of £749 with the 11-27mm lens or £949 for the 11-27mm and 10mm lens. The 10mm lens will also be available on its own for £299.99.