Report: Nikon is phasing out DSLRs to focus on mirrorless models

Nikkei Asia reports that camera maker Nikon is phasing out further development of its line of single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, leaving long-standing professional reserves behind and shifting its efforts to smaller mirrorless models.

For its part, Nikon called the report “speculation”and emphasized that the company “continues to manufacture, sell and service digital SLR cameras.”But that rebuttal makes no mention of developing future DSLRs — the company’s latest new DSLR, the Nikon D6, was released back in February 2020, and last month the company discontinued its entry -level D3500 and D5600 DSLRs. The Nikkei report indicates that Nikon’s development efforts will shift to mirrorless cameras, which are smaller and lighter.

Early mirrorless cameras tended to be unable to match the image quality or lens choice of DSLR cameras, and their electronic viewfinders lagged behind the live preview that a DSLR’s optical viewfinder could provide. But the newer mirrorless cameras have largely eliminated these shortcomings while maintaining a smaller size and lighter weight. Mirrorless cameras also usually provide excellent video quality, which is useful for people who need their cameras for multitasking.

Nikon’s biggest competitor in dedicated cameras, Canon, also said it was phasing out its DSLR development efforts; In late 2021, the company announced that its EOS-1D X Mark III will be its last professional DSLR model. Canon will also shift focus to its mirrorless lineup, though it will continue to develop and manufacture entry-level DSLRs “for now”.