Lighter Products to be Released Sooner....Nikon Strategy (Interview with Exec)

[chambeshi]

"...and speed up the development of the Z-mount system"

via NR https://nikonrumors.com/2019/09/22/nikon-executive-we-want-to-increase-the-development-speed-of-new-products-and-shorten-the-lead-time-to-put-out-new-products.aspx/

The synopsis on http://digicame-info.com/2019/09/zz6z7.html is a precis of the transcript [use google translate]

https://newswitch.jp/p/19298

Nikon expands Z mount system lineup above and below Z6 / Z7

Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun has an interview with Nikon Managing Executive Officer, Gokyu Shin Yoshimi.
･What is the added value of the camera, Nikon's current location

(The response of the Z mount system)

The Z6, which uses the Z mount, is popular due to its cash back effect. The "Seven" is a popular single-lens reflex model announced in 2017 and is often compared with the "D850" in the same price range, and has not been able to meet the expectations of users. I want to continue to pursue functions by making use of my reflection points in new product development.

(About the future of Z mount system)

We will increase the development speed. Platform development is also an effort to shorten the lead time for launching new products. The lineup will be expanded up and down (Z6 and 7 in terms of performance and price), taking into account user requests.

(What is the added value that Nikon can provide?)

For example, a single lens reflex lens with a focal length of 500mm released in 2018 has become popular due to its significant reduction in weight and length. Miniaturization and weight reduction are the future trends. A distinctive small telephoto lens not found in other companies will continue to be important.

(Future development system)

In order to rush to complete the Z-mount system in FY2017, the investment in facilities and research and development will remain the same as before. A variety of interchangeable lenses and preparations for the future are indispensable.
The camera is made up of many parts (the future concern for product development) . The immediate concern is the risk of parts procurement becoming difficult as the market gets smaller. Aside from the size of the market, the current form of the camera will remain as a hobby industrial product. But that does not mean there’s no future game change.

Nikon has stated that it will further speed up the development of the Z-mount system, so it seems that the pace at which new products will appear will be faster in the future. Since the lineup will be expanded up and down, it seems that we can expect the appearance of models that are cheaper than Z6 and professional machines with higher price range than Z7.

[chambeshi]

Also a post on NR earlier today of rumour of a DX Nikon Z50 MILC and 2 kit lenses....

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1614665/0

[Roland Vink]

Both kit lenses are rumoured to be f/6.3 at the long end. I know that is "only" 1/3 stop slower than f/5.6 and I am sure they will be fine lenses, but that's too slow for me.

[Akira]

When the Z lenses appeared on Nikon's web catalog for the first time, the catalog indicated the angle of view in DX format in addition to that in FX.  At that time, there was no announcement of any DX format Z mount camera.  Now the reason seems to have become clear.

[Chip Chipowski]

f/6.3 at the long end

I was thinking about this when I saw the announcement.  Here is my theory:  for mirrorless viewfinder, brightness is less of an issue compared to DSLR.  High ISO quality means you can still maintain a good shutter speed in less than bright light.  So if you are making a mirrorless lens, why not compromise on f/stop if it helps with cost, size, quality, etc.

[chambeshi]

https://nikonrumors.com/2019/09/20/nikon-has-design-patents-for-two-different-aps-c-mirrorless-cameras.aspx/

See this link on more interesting speculations about the different cameras. Scroll down - the subtle differences in the Lens-Mount in patent diagrams - https://www.jamesokeefe.org/2019/09/nikon-and-then-there-were-three-aps-cs/