By site editor Dan Chung:
Nikonos interchangeable lens stills cameras used to be the number one choice of many underwater adventurers before their discontinuation some years ago. Now Nikon are going back under the waves, but this time with a relatively inexpensive ruggedised version of their Nikon 1 line. The Nikon 1 AW 1 is a fully featured stills camera with a HD movie mode that can safely go to 15m depth. It is also build for action with a tough build capable of withstanding a drop from up to 2m.
Obviously it is the HD movie mode that interests us here. Sadly it is only 60i or 30P at HD resolution – no 24P, 25P or 50i. The 30P frame rate makes it harder to use at regular speed in a European PAL production. There are also higher frame rates at lower the HD resolution which may be fun to play with but not really suitable for broadcast. The options are 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 640 x 240 (400 fps), 320 x 120 (1200 fps).
Even with the 30P framerate limitations I can see this camera having uses for news and documentary shooters wanting a compact interchangeable lens solution for action and underwater.
Here’s the full press release from Nikon:
London, UK, 19th September 2013
Nikon today announces the world’s first waterproof and shockproof interchangeable lens camera1— the Nikon 1 AW1 compact system camera.
Waterproof (to 15 m), shockproof (from heights of up to 2 m), freeze-proof (to -10°C), and fully dustproof, the Nikon 1 AW1 performs regardless of what Mother Nature might have in store. Launching together with two equally stylish water/shock/freeze-proof 1 NIKKOR AW lenses, this system camera captures the best of the action in any environment, and it won’t look out of place at a chic city event either. Its durable, small, stylish design and fast operation means that high-quality photos and movies can be captured literally anywhere.
The quick, precise Nikon 1 advanced hybrid AF (autofocus) system ensures that every picture is spot-on, and every movie looks smooth and natural. The 14.2-megapixel CX-format CMOS sensor offers an ISO range up to 6400 for beautiful low-light detail. The Nikon 1 AW1 enables carefree shooting at its best: With an adventure-proof build and continuous shooting speeds of up to 60 fps, and 15 fps with autofocus, you can capture every step of the action without worrying about the camera getting dusty, wet, or knocked out of your hands.
An irresistible combination of robust functionality, classic minimalist design, and incredibly fast performance, the Nikon 1 AW1 camera and 1 NIKKOR AW lenses ensure you don’t have to compromise on still image or movie quality, let alone style, because you have an active lifestyle.
Thuan Bui, Product Manager for Nikon 1 products at Nikon UK says: “We’re pleased to expand the Nikon 1 range to include the AW 1 – a new model that combines the style, portability and high performance features synonymous with the Nikon 1 range, with the added benefit of all-weather protection.”
He adds: “Whether you enjoy taking pictures of an active hobby or on your holidays, the water/shock/freeze-proof build means that photographers can concentrate on taking high-quality photos and movies, rather than worrying about the safety of their camera. Plus, the two new all weather lenses mean you have the flexibility to get creative and take control of your images.”
Adventure-proof and looking good
From a day out sailing to a night about town; from the ski slopes to a city break or the safari holiday of a lifetime, the waterproof, shockproof, freeze-proof, and dustproof build keeps this camera protected and ready for every stylish adventure. The pop-up flash is waterproof to the same depth as the camera, so you can capture low light scenes underwater. A solid stainless steel front panel lends a touch of class to the clean, minimalist lines of the camera body, which is available in black, white, and silver.
1 NIKKOR AW new lenses
Launching alongside the camera, the dedicated 1 NIKKOR AW 11–27.5mm f/3.5–5.6 zoom lens and 1 NIKKOR AW 10mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens are as stylish and robust as the camera. Water/shock/freeze-proof, these lenses ensure versatility, precision, and style on land or underwater, enabling great photos and movies to be captured anywhere.
Fully protected
Rubber sealing at critical points on the camera—as well as an O-ring for the lens mount—ensure water doesn’t enter the camera’s inner workings. The double-locking battery and USB/HDMI compartment covers reduce the chances of accidental opening. The anti-slip grip ensures a firm hold, even in challenging conditions such as surging surf, wild winds, or just when shooting with wet hands.
Incredible speed, superior image quality
Action doesn’t wait, and with the Nikon 1 AW1 you don’t need to either. Nikon’s EXPEED 3A dual-processing engine powers continuous shooting at 15 fps with autofocus, and up to 60 fps with fixed-point AF, giving you the ability to capture high-quality images of even super-fast action. The advanced hybrid AF system boasts fast phase-detection AF for high-speed movement, and contrast-detect AF for capturing subtle details. The CX-format CMOS sensor offers a 14.2-megapixel resolution, and the ISO range goes up to 6400 for beautiful low-light detail even when shooting at speeds of up to 60 fps.
Environmental sensing functions
In-camera environmental sensing functions help keep track of adventures and ease shooting in challenging conditions. Support for GPS and GLONASS allows exact location information to be stored the image data (EXIF). A dual altimeter/depth gauge tracks altitude or depth underwater with data recorded in 1 m increments; an electronic compass confirms orientation and can record the direction the camera is pointing when you take the shot. To keep the camera level and avoid sloping lines, the virtual horizon will confirm the camera’s position.
Effortless outdoor shooting
Action Control adds a whole new dimension to shooting ease and makes it simple to operate the camera—even when wearing gloves. Simply press the Action button, then tilt the camera to the left or the right to change shooting mode, adjust settings, review photos and movies, and enable or disable the Outdoor display mode. When enabled, the camera menus become clearer and easier to read: A real plus when shooting in bright sunlight or murky underwater conditions.
Movie magic
The Nikon 1 AW1 makes it possible to capture Full HD 1080p movies underwater, in freezing temperatures, and in the middle of the action. The phase-detection AF system and smooth, silent autofocus transitions make footage look natural and sound great. Shoot in Movie Mode and you can take a full-resolution photo while filming. Select Advanced Movie Mode and you can change manual exposure settings in order to set shutter speed and aperture, or you can film with a smaller frame size and achieve dramatic effects in extreme slow motion.
Nikon 1 innovations
Best Moment Capture offers two incredible solutions that put an end to bad timing and missed opportunities: Slow View captures up to 20 continuous shots and simultaneously displays them in slow motion on the LCD screen, so you can select the exact moment you want to keep. Smart Photo Selector takes up to 20 high-resolution images and recommends up to five of the best. Nikon’s unique Motion Snapshot makes it easy to show more of a moment. One click is all it takes to record an easy-to-share ‘living image,’ which preserves a moment in time as a short, slow-motion movie that ends with a photo.
Creative freedom
Turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, or easily enhance photos in camera. Creative Mode lets you apply filters and effects to photos before you shoot, or access PSAM shooting modes for total control. Options include underwater settings that help reproduce colours beneath the ocean, lake, or pool in all their natural beauty. Live Image Control is an incredibly instinctive way to adjust settings to freeze action, tweak lighting, or blur backgrounds. Simply adjust the control bars that appear next to your image until it looks the way you want.
1 NIKKOR lenses
Aside from the new 1 NIKKOR AW lenses, the complete range of 1 NIKKOR lenses is compatible with the Nikon 1 AW1. All 1 NIKKOR lenses deliver the kind of high-performance optics you’d expect from Nikon, and they are all optimised for movie recording. Their compact size and light weight contribute to the Nikon 1 system’s convenient portability, without sacrificing image quality. And for even more possibilities, you can use a NIKKOR lens in combination with the FT1 mount adapter.
Instantly share adventures
Don’t wait to share your adventures! Nikon’s small WU-1b Wireless Mobile Adapter makes it quick and simple to send high-quality images directly from the camera to a smartphone or tablet for easy sharing, or in order to preview images on a larger screen. You can even use the adapter to control the camera remotely via your device.
Waterproof accessories
Keep the Nikon 1 AW1 safe and within reach using the water-resistant AN-N3000 camera strap or the AH-N6000 hand strap. Carry both the camera body and one of your 1 NIKKOR AW lenses in the CF-N7000 water-resistant soft case. Get a firm, comfortable grasp even when you’re shooting in extreme environments with the GR-N6000 Grip. Use the CF-N6000 silicone jacket to protect the edges of the camera from scratches and keep it looking good as new.
Expected in Spring 2014, the SB-N10 underwater Speedlight is a powerful optional flash unit that can be used together with the Nikon 1 AW1. Designed to shed light on murky underwater environments, it will help capture more of the colours you see beneath the water. The SB-N10 will also be compatible with Nikon 1 underwater cases, enabling it to be used together with other NIkon 1 cameras too.
