Nikon 1 AW1 Waterproof Shockproof Interchangeable Lens Camera Announced

Summer has come to an end and the one thing I missed was the beach. There was plenty of time in the water though, thanks to the local pool. Unfortunately, I have nothing to show for that either, but next summer it’ll be a different story. Nikon announced last week, just under the summer deadline, a shockproof and waterproof mirrorless digital camera with interchangeable lenses.

Nikon 1 AW1

The Nikon 1 AW1 is the first waterproof digital interchangeable lens camera. There are two lenses proposed for its release that fall under the AW1’s shockproof and waterproof capabilities are the 1 NIKKOR AW 10mm f/2.8 and the 1 NIKKOR AW 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses. Other Nikon 1 system lenses will work with the camera as well, just don’t take it into the water while they’re mounted.

The AW1 is rated as waterproof for up to 15m and shockproof for drops from a height of 2m. These capabilities and the compact size of a mirrorless system make it a great option as pocket camera for travelling and adventuring. The camera features underwater modes so those shots of the Great Barrier Reef and neighborhood pool theatrics won’t be missed. The super high-speed AF 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor paired with the EXPEED 3A image processing engine allows for a highly responsive image capture. The AW1 is capable of recording full HD video.

An Adventurer's Camera

The AW1 is designed for outdoor use, with menu lock capabilities for gloved hand operation and an accelerometer that assists one handed control. The adventuring nature of this compact camera is enhanced by the inclusion of an altimeter, depth gauge, GPS, and compass. This allows files to be tagged with metadata, so all your adventures can be accurately recorded. 

The estimated price for the AW1 along with the NIKKOR AW 10mm f/2.8 lens is approximately $800. The 11-27.5mm will cost about $200. It’s scheduled for shipping in October.

Chris Ace Gates
Chris Ace Gates
Chris "Ace" Gates is a four time Emmy Award-winning writer and producer. He is a big fan of animation and transmedia storytelling.

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