Nikon 1 AW1 in white, with matching 11-27.5mm lens
A Waterproof, All-Weather Nikon 1 Mirrorless Camera
During the last four decades of the 20th century, Nikonos underwater cameras using 35mm film were the de facto standard for underwater still photography, and its 28mm/f2.8 UW (underwater) lens was very popular. However, as small-format photography gradually shifted from 35mm film to digital at the beginning of this century, Nikon stopped production of all Nikonos cameras in 2001. Instead, using regular land-based SLRs and mirrorless cameras with underwater housings has become the standard approach. In particular, digital completely eliminates the severe restrictions of only 36 frames per dive (per camera) since changing film is not possible underwater.
While there are a number of underwater point-and-shoot digicams from various brands, such as the Nikon Coolpix AW 110 I have, Nikon is once again adding a dedicated underwater and all-weather camera with interchangeable lenses, in the form of a Nikon 1 mirrorless AW1, where AW stands for “all weather.” Initially, there are two lens options, both are AW versions of existing Nikon 1 lenses: the 11-27.5mm/f3.5-5.6 zoom and a fixed 10mm/f2.8, both without VR.
Please keep in mind that the new model is called the Nikon 1 AW1. The Nikonos name is not used officially, although it reminds us of those underwater cameras with interchangeable lenses. However, the AW1 and its dedicated AW lenses are still very compact, similar to other Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras. Their appearance does not at all resemble the bulky, super-rugged Nikonos cameras with O-rings all around.
Nikon 1 AW1 in whitwhite, top view
Nikon 1 Mirrorless AW1 Specifications
The AW 1 is similar to a Nikon 1 J3 mirrorless camera, but armored; it is waterproof, down to 49 feet/15 meters. It is also shock proof and freeze proof:
14.2MP sensor
Video: 1080 30p/60i
Built-in pop-up flash which works underwater
wifi compatible, with the optional WU-1b wireless adapter
EN-EL20 battery
Underwater: good for down to 49 feet/15 meters
Drop proof: up to a 6.6 feet/2 meter drop
Freeze proof: down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit/-10 degrees Celsius
Built in GPS, altimeter, depth gauge, and virtual horizon features
Locks on battery compartment door and accessory compartment door
The AW 1 is available in three different color options:
white
black
dark grey, a graphite-type color
Nikon 1 11-27.5mm AW lens, black
Nikon 1 AW Lenses
The initial installment of special AW lenses include two existing Nikon 1 lenses but armored:
11-27.5mm/f3.5-5.6, with 1 ED and 1 aspherical element
10mm/f2.8, with 2 spherical elements. This lens provides a similar angle of view as the popular 28mm/f2.8 UW underwater lens for Nikonos.
All regular Nikon 1 mirrorless lenses can be mounted onto the AW1 for above-water photography. However, since the AW lenses have a special rubber seal around the mount, they cannot be used on regular (non-AW) Nikon 1 bodies.
AW1 Package Options.
Officially, the AW1 is not available body only in the US. (However, certain dealers may be willing to split up kits and sell the body and lens separately, as they do with certain beginner Nikon DSLRs). Nikon USA is providing two kit options:
Nikon 1 10mm/f2.8 AW lens, black
AW 1 with the 11-27.5mm AW lens for $799.95
AW 1 with both AW lenses, 11-27.5mm and 10mm for $999.95
Again, there are three color options: black, white, and dark grey.
The two AW lenses are also available separately:
11-27.5mm/f3.5-5.6 AW: $149.95
10mm/f2.8 AW: $199.95
Optional “Skin” for the AW1
Nikon offers some optional “skin” for the AW1 to provide a better grip, conform and control during image capture. It is also a fashion statement with extra visibility. The AW1 skins are available in black, khaki, and orange.
Nikon 1 AW1, white, with 11-27.5mm lens and orange skin
SB-N10 Underwater Speedlight
Nikon also announces the development of the SB-N10 underwater flash for the AW1. Details are not yet available at this time.
Comparison to the Nikon WP-N2 Underwater Housing
Prior to the introduction of the AW1, Nikon has the WP-N1 and WP-N2 waterproof housings for their J and S series mirrorless cameras. The WP-N2 costs over $700 on its own, and you still need to get a camera and a lens.
The advantage of the WP-N2 housing is that it is rated to a depth of 132 feet/40 meters. Therefore, it can go much deeper than the AW1, but the overall cost is higher. With the AW1, the lenses themselves are waterproof so that you don’t need to capture your images through the housing, and as long as you are not wearing gloves, it is easier to access the various controls underwater since they are essentially the same as the controls for non-AW Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras.
Nikon 1 AW1 in black, back side
Conclusions
For underwater photography and adventure photography enthusiasts, this Nikon 1 AW1 should be very welcome news. A camera designed for underwater use should be more convenient to use than a regular camera inside a bulky housing. Its rated (almost) 50 feet depth should be sufficient for casual divers, but professional divers may require a more-serious depth rating. The AW1’s rugged, shockproof and freezeproof design with built-in GPS and altimeter also makes it very suitable for adventure photography on land.
Initially, Nikon is only including two AW lenses. Of course, for above-water photography, there are a number of other Nikon 1 lenses to choose from, such as the 10-100mm and 30-110mm zooms. For underwater photography, hopefully Nikon will gradually add a few more super wide lenses, such as perhaps an AW version of the 6.7-13mm wide zoom and some AW fisheye lens.
