Nikon AW1 – Compact underwater video camera with interchangeable lens

Nikon have announced a new compact camera that looks very interesting. The Nikon AW1, a waterproof and shockproof compact camera, with an interchangeable lens, and 1080p video.

It’s being labelled (and quite rightly so) a ruggedized Nikon 1 J3. Sporting what looks to be the same 14.2 mega pixel CX format sensor, which has a crop factor of 2.7 when compared to full frame.

It has various features for photos, but we’re looking at purely at its video capabilities. Which in short, are a little overlooked. 1080 video in only 60i or 30p, 720p offering 60 and 30 FPS.

The camera is water resistant to 15M, and shock resistant to 2M. I know what you’re thinking, what about lenses?

As well as the AW1, Nikon are also releasing two new lenses based on current CX lenses in the Nikkor line.

The Nikkor AW 10mm f/2.8, and Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 Will be released simultaneously with the Nikon AW1, which when combined will retain full water proof functionality up to 15M.

The Nikon AW1 will also be compatible with other lenses including that of the CX line, and F-mount (with adapter). However a setup with any of these lenses will not be waterproof. In turn, neither of the waterproof lenses is reported to be compatible with other Nikon 1 bodies.

Here is some press:

“The Nikon 1 AW1 maintains waterproofing to 15 m (JIS/IEC Class 8 (IPX8) equivalent) with rubber seals between the front and rear body covers, and an O-ring on the mount. It can also withstand the shock of a fall from up to 2 m (MIL-STD-810F Method 516.5: Shock standard compliant). When used with the dedicated 1 NIKKOR AW 10mm f/2.8 and 1 NIKKOR AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses—the world’s first waterproof and shockproof lenses to be released at the same time as the Nikon 1 AW1—the camera becomes an outdoor model that can be used in situations and places never before possible, such as at the beach and while participating in winter sports. With everyday use, the camera supports a wide variety of lenses, including 1 NIKKOR lenses and various F-mount NIKKOR lenses (optional Mount Adapter FT1 required), so users can enjoy using lenses that best respond to specific subjects or achieve the desired creative results.

The super high-speed AF CMOS sensor is a CX-format image sensor developed by Nikon. It offers 73-point phase-detection AF and 135-point contrast-detect AF, as well as the world’s shortest shooting time lag. With an effective pixel count of 14.25-million pixels that the Nikon 1 AW1 has, it offers superior performance at high sensitivities with support for ISO 160-6400.

It also supports high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 15 fps with AF tracking and high-speed continuous shooting of full-resolution images at 60 fps when focus is locked.

What’s more, in order to assure the best possible image definition, there is no optical low-pass filter.”

The price for the Nikon AW1 is rumoured to be £750 with the 11-27.5mm. Release date early October. We’ll notify as soon as it’s available for order.