Nikon DL18-50, DL24-85, and DL24-500 compact cameras launched

Nikon has officially announced its long-rumored premium compact camera trio. The DL18-50, DL24-85, and DL24-500 are now official with 1-inch-format sensors and similar specifications.

There is a big battle going on in the premium compact camera department. Multiple companies are releasing more and more of such products, with Sony and Canon being in the spotlight.

Nikon has been rumored to be working on new high-end fixed-lens shooters for quite a long time. However, some deadlines were missed. Nevertheless, gossip talks intensified recently and where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

The digital imaging giant has finally revealed its premium compact camera line-up. It consists of the DL18-50, DL24-85, and DL24-500, three very similar compacts, mostly differentiated by their lenses.

Nikon introduces 1-inch-type premium compact camera trio

Nikon’s new DL18-50, DL24-85, and DL24-500 compact cameras come packed with a 20.8-megapixel 1-inch-type BSI-CMOS image sensor, which looks like it is the same model available in the 1-series J5 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera.

Nikon DL18-50 features an 18-50mm f/1.8-2.8 lens.

The trio is powered by an EXPEED 6A processing engine, allowing users to record videos at up to 4K resolution and 30fps. Slow-motion videos are supported, too, as follows: full HD at up to 120fps, 720p at up to 240fps, 800 x 296 pixels at up to 400fps, and 400 x 144 pixels at up to 1200fps.

Additionally, the sensor is capable of offering a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12800, while the processor supports a burst shot mode of up to 20fps with continuous autofocus turned on. This value increases up to 60fps when turning off the continuous autofocus and opting for single AF instead.

Nikon DL24-85 camera employs a 24-85mm f/1.8-2.8 lens.

The autofocus system is based on a hybrid technology that uses both phase-detect and contrast-detect points. The total amount of the former stands at 105, while the latter has 175 points in order to deliver quick autofocusing. For those who prefer to focus manually, the lenses boast a manual focus ring.

Nikon has added a fluorine coating on the lenses, which is designed to keep oil, dirt, and moisture at bay. This way, the lenses will also be easier to clean up.

All models employ WiFi and NFC technologies as well as Bluetooth through the company’s SnapBridge feature. This system uses Bluetooth technology to remain connected to a mobile device at all times for faster file sharing.

Nikon DL24-500 compact camera sports a 24-50mm f/2.8-5.6 lens.

Dual Detect Optical VR technology is available in the Nikon DL18-50, DL24-85, and DL24-500. It is a shake-reduction system meant to keep things steady, so that photos will not turn out blurry, while videos will not be wobbly.

The battery life is identical in all three cameras and it goes up to 290 shots on a single charge, Nikon said.

So, what’s the difference between the Nikon DL18-50, DL24-85, and DL24-500 cameras?

As previously stated, the Nikon DL18-50, DL24-85, and DL24-500 feature different lenses. The first comes with an 18-50mm f/1.8-2.8 lens, the second employs a 24-85mm f/1.8-2.8 lens, while the third has a 24-500mm f/2.8-5.6 lens.

Nikon DL18-50 features Nano Crystal Coating and integrated ND filter.

The lens found in the DL18-50 camera has a built-in Neutral Density (ND) filter that can cut down light by 3-stops. Moreover, a Nano Crystal Coating has been added to the lens in order to keep flare and ghosting to the minimum.

Continuing with the DL18-50, this model has a maximum shutter speed of 1/1600th of a second, while the others can reach 1/2000th of a second. Thankfully, all three units have a fully-electronic shutter that allows users to capture photos at 1/16000th of a second.

Nikon DL24-85 features a special macro mode, allowing the camera to focus on subjects located at a distance of just 3 centimeters.

Nikon’s DL18-50 has the widest focal length of the bunch, so one could say that it is the right unit to choose for architecture photography. In order to aid photographers in their quest, the camera features perspective correction support.

One downside to the DL18-50 is the absence of an integrated flash. The good thing, though, is that it has a hot-shoe with support for external flash guns.

Nikon DL24-500 comes packed with a built-in electronic viewfinder.

The DL24-85 knows some tricks of its own. It offers a macro photography mode, which gives users the possibility to capture macro shots with a magnification rate of 1:1. As a result, bracketing and focus peaking will be of much better use in this camera.

The DL24-500 superzoom unit of the series features an integrated OLED electronic viewfinder. This way, users will be able to compose their shots easier. A microphone port is available, too, so that users can attach external mics for superior audio quality when recording videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAK4lvh3gGc

While the DL18-50 and DL24-85 have a tilting screen, the DL24-500 superzoom camera features an articulated display.

As expected, the prices of the cameras will be different. Nikon DL18-50 will be sold for $849.95, DL24-85 will cost $649.95, while the DL24-500 will be priced at $999.95. All units will become available at the beginning of the summer.