In 1917, three leading optical manufacturers in Japan merged to form Nippon Kogaku K.K., the early name of the Nikon Corporation. The company released small cameras known as Nikon I in 1948. Lenses with the Nikkor name evolved into one of the most comprehensive lines of interchangeable lenses. Nikon cameras have journeyed into outer space with astronauts and received numerous international awards.
The 1940s to 1960s
The first Nikon camera was the Nikon I, a small camera followed by the Nikon M in 1949. The "New York Times" lauded the quality of Nikon cameras and lenses in 1952. The Nikkor Club formed to encourage a photography culture. In 1953, the first service center opened in Japan. From 1957 to 1959, the new models include the Nikon 20, the S3 and the S4.
In the 1960s, production of 8mm cinecameras included the Nikkorex 8, Nokon Zoom 8, Nikkorex 8F, Nikon Super Zoom 8 and Nikon 8x Super Zoom. The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, used the Nikon Photomic FTN for the Apollo 15 mission in 1971. This camera design allowed astronauts to operate with gloves on. This model included the through-the-lens center-weighted exposure meter.
Single-lens Reflex Cameras
The Nikon F, launched in 1959, featured flexibility with interchangeable lenses, viewfinders and focusing screen. This single-lens reflex, or SLR, model proved popular with professional photographers and photojournalists. In 1971, the Nikon F2 set a standard for professional photography.
Industrial designer Girogetto Giugiaro designed the F3 launched in 1980. This model included a horizontal travel shutter. The F4 produced in 1988 featured a vertical travel shutter and a 1/250-second synchronization speed for flash photography. The F5 in 1996 included upgraded autofocus, exposure metering and motor drive.
Nikon COOLPIX Series
In 1997, Nikon launched the Nikon COOLPIX, a digital point-and-shoot camera or non-SLR. Early models in the 1xx series featured 0.3 megapixels and a fixed zoom. In 2010, the Nikon COOLPIX S8000 won the Design for Asia (DFA) Merit Recognition. The S8000 features a pixel count of 14.2 million pixels and a 10x optical zoom.
Generations of Digital SLRs
Nikon's first generation of digital SLRs produced from 1999 to 2008 included limited options for saturation and white balance. Models included D1, D2 series, D40, D40x, D50, D70-, D70s, D80, D100 and D200.
Nikon's second generation of digital SLRs first introduced in 2007 included D3, D300, D700 and D90. These models offered improved image quality and a 3-inch liquid crystal display screen. In 2009, the Nikon D3s featured 12 megapixels, live view, video, sensor cleaner and ISO ratings up to ISO 102,000. In 2010, the Nikon D7000 featured 16 megapixels, six frames per second, two Secure Digital slots, two types of auto white balance and movies.
In 2010, the Nikon D3100 won the iF Product Design Award sponsored by International Forum Design GmbH of Germany. This entry-level camera features high-definition images, recording of full HD movies and simple operation.
Tags: 2010 Nikon, featured megapixels, Nikon COOLPIX, digital SLRs, generation digital
