You might remember Nikon’s statement on Facebook last week: “A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses, and a good lens is essential to taking good pictures!”. Nikon recognized the mistake and said that “We know some of you took offense to the last post, and we apologize, as it was not our aim to insult any of our friends. Our statement was meant to be interpreted that the right equipment can help you capture amazing images. “e appreciate the passion you have for photography and your gear, and know that a great picture is possible anytime and anywhere.“

What’s more important is the ePhotozine interview with Nikon (Click here): “Nikon believe that the megapixel race ended years ago with the Nikon D3s. Its not a megapixel race anymore but instead a development of quality and the 10mp sensor in the Nikon 1 series has been specially selected to enable high speed.“

P.S.: Nikon V1 + 1 Nikkor 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Preview Samples at Dpreview.

Luminous Landscape (Click here) wrote an interesting Ricoh GXR A12 Field Report: “The Ricoh GXR-M is a very appealing camera for anyone who owns Leica M mount lenses, or who would like to. At 1/7th the price of an M9, and with its very good build quality and wide ranging features, it’s a relative bargain. A Live View LCD and an optional EVF give the GXR-M capabilities that many users, even those that may currently own an M9, will find very attractive. Certainly it can serve as an ideal back-up body for an M9 owner.“

Nikon 1 V1 Mirrorless Compact Camera Review at ePhotozine (Click here): “The price of the V1 seems expensive compared to other mirrorless cameras and the consumer orientated features (lack of AEB, Manual controls on the mode dial, etc) could be a disappointment to some. If you can live without the EVF, and don’t mind a smaller buffer then the J1 appears to be much better value for money, although with a shorter buffer for continuous shooting“.

Nikon V1 Photos (Photographyblog).

Nikon J1 review: TechRadar labs data (Techradar).

Nikon V1 review: TechRadar labs data (Techradar).

Nikon V1 comparison shots added to dpreview database.

Image on top: The Leica M9 uses a 18 Megapixel Kodak sensor.

According to Bloomberg Kodak is “weighing options including a bankruptcy filing because of concerns raised by possible buyers of its patent portfolio, said three people with direct knowledge of the process.“

If you read the full article you get (a pretty scaring) idea of what is going on with Kodak. If Kodak quits the digital camera business (and sensor business) than many medium format manufacturers and of course Leica will have to look for new sensor partners.

Months ago there were soem rumors saying that Leica is ready to use Sony sensors for their future mirrorless cameras. But who will make the sensor for the S-system? That’s another big question that needs to be answered if Kodak quits the sesnor business.

What a huge surprise! Fuji announced the launch of a new X-mirrorless system with a sensor that will have a “resolution and low noise that will surpass the 35mm full size sensor“. It will be a new interchangeable system! Fuji promise to show a mockup and specs of the system for the CES show in January 2012. The system itself will be on market by Spring 2012!!!

In contemporary Fuji announce the X-S1 mirrorless camera which looks exactly like a DSLR but has an EVF instead of OVF.

One more deal news: The Fuji X100 is in Stock at Amazon for the normal price (Click here)!

Fuji just announced that they will launch a new interchangeable mirrorless system in Spring 2012. There are no info yet about specs and price. There is only a general statement saying that Fuji’s goal is to archieve the highest image quality possible. Sounds like they could go Fullframe or am I crazy? :)

Nikon PR guys really messed it up by stating on facebook (Click here) that “A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses“. I am sure this is not what Nikon really thinks, but that PR gy really should take some leasosn form real Photographers to learn that it is the perosn behind the camera the key for good photography!

P.S.: Nikon V1 body images at DC.watch.

PREORDERS

Nikon J1 at Amazon (Click here).
Nikon V1 at Amazon (Click here).

PRESS RELEASE

Quesabesde (spanish).
Focus Numerique (french).
Nikon 1 V1 (Photographyblog).
The lenses at DC.watch (Japanese).
ePhotozine.
Photoxels.
DC.watch (japanese).
Photoscala (german).
Noisycamera.
Imaging Resource.
Nikon announces Nikon 1 system with J1 and V1 small sensor mirrorless cameras (Dpreview).
Nikon releases three 1 Nikkor lenses for Nikon 1 system (Dpreview).
NikonImaging
Why make a small-sensor mirrorless camera? (Dpreview).

PREVIEWS AND HANDS-ON

Nikon V1: toma de contacto y primeras muestras (Quesabesde).
Nikon 1 Hands-On Photos (Photographyblog).
The mockup lenses (Dpreview).
Engadget
Rob Galbraith

IMAGE SAMPLES

NikonImaging(J1) and NikonImaging(V1).

VIDEO SAMPLES

COmmercial on youtube.
NikonImaging.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

Nikon V1 $900
Nikon J1 $650.
NIKKOR 10mm f/2.8 pancake $249.95.
NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens $249.95.
NIKKOR VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 $749.95.
SB-N5 Speedlight is $149.95
GP-N100 GPS unit is $149.95.

Product availability October 20th.