On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Nikkor Lens, Petapixel interviewed Mr. Akiya Maekawa of Nikon Design Center and Mr. Mitsuteru Hino of Nikon's UX Planning Department (Imaging Division) through a dialogue with them, and revealed Nikon's mental journey from DSLR to mirrorless camera design and the important details behind Nikon's product development philosophy over the years.
Balancing Hardware and Appearance: Bringing the DSLR "gene" to mirrorless products.
From left: Akiya Maekawa, Koichi Oshita, Yuyuki Ishigami, Mitsuki Hino.
In the interview, Maekawa mentioned that the Nikon Z series cameras were designed with ergonomics in mind, striking the perfect balance between operability and compactness of the hardware. This allows every Nikon DSLR user to transition to mirrorless cameras with a familiar and comfortable feel. When Nikon launched the original Z series cameras, the Z 6 and Z 7, many loyal Nikon users found that some of the buttons and controls of these two mirrorless cameras were different from previous DSLRs, and some of the physical buttons and control elements were discarded, but they still maintained Nikon's consistent product DNA, so that users could still experience the familiar comfortable grip and operation experience.
Nikon's F-series and D-series SLR cameras have built a strong foundation and heritage for us, but our core philosophy has always been to pursue user-friendliness and make the camera a powerful companion for capturing the best moments. Akiya Maekawa explains, "When designing Nikon cameras, we always believed that it was important to have control that was adapted to the times, so that the camera could naturally fit into each user's life and become an extension of their limbs. ”
While the Nikon Z 8 inherits the essence of ergonomics for many years, Nikon continues to incorporate design concepts that meet modern needs into new products. Akiya Maekawa continued, "With the revolutionary Z-mount system, Nikon has been able to continue this ergonomic tradition and ensure that users can experience unprecedented comfort and convenience during operation. Our unmatched attention to detail is designed to create a unique Nikon experience for our users, allowing them to find that familiar sense of belonging on the new model. Of course, this does not mean that Nikon has stagnated with the design of the new camera. On the contrary, Nikon is constantly improving and innovating in the design and ergonomics of the Z series, as Nikon Z series camera users have witnessed.
Nikon Z 6
Nikon Camera Innovation: Finding the Perfect Balance Between Change and Heritage.
On the path of Nikon's camera design, we are always thinking about how to adapt to the times, which elements should be kept to continue the classics, and which elements should be innovated to lead the way. Akiya Maekawa explains Nikon's design philosophy, "This balance is particularly important given Nikon's deep history in the field of cameras. "Nikon cameras are able to capture moments in a variety of environments with ease thanks to their powerful feature integration. In the process of integrating new technologies into existing user interface systems, Nikon has always taken a rigorous approach and carefully evaluated every design detail to ensure a smooth and intuitive user experience during operation.
Nikon Z 6
In mirrorless camera designs, it has always been a challenge for engineers to achieve the perfect balance between efficient hardware control and compact body space in a limited body space. While cameras like the professional-grade Nikon Z 9 have plenty of space, other models are much smaller than Nikon's DSLRs of the past. To compensate for the reduction in physical control buttons, Nikon's engineers worked to improve the touchscreen functionality to make it more user-friendly. At the same time, Nikon has also delved into the expectations of the user's interaction with the device and increased the customizability of the control elements, an improvement that is evident in the Nikon Z 9, which brings users a more personalized operating experience.
A new challenge for Nikon camera design: striking a balance between functionality and simplicity.
As mirrorless camera technology continues to advance and new features continue to emerge, engineers and designers are faced with a new challenge: how to add functionality without overly complex menu options that confuse novice users. "Nikon cameras are designed to be consistent in their basic operation. Mr. Akiya Maekawa explains, "However, considering the skill and experience level of different users, we have provided suitable operability for each entry-level and high-end model, aiming to help new users gradually improve their photography skills." ”
To further improve user-friendliness, Nikon cameras have features such as hardware controls and custom i-menus, making it easier for users to operate the camera while gaining a deeper understanding of basic shooting techniques. In addition, Nikon has been working to support system-level upgrades as a whole, not just individual camera updates.
Talking about the ultimate goal of camera design, Mr. Akiya Maekawa emphasized the importance of functionality when talking about the ultimate goal of camera design for the Nikon Z 5: "The camera and lens are key tools for users to capture images, so they must be easy to use. To achieve this, Nikon has designed it with the user in mind to be able to reliably capture images, especially when shooting handheld, without hindering the use of stabilizing devices such as tripods when needed. "In terms of functionality, we always prioritize the central role of cameras and lenses – effectively capturing still images and**. Mr. Maekawa adds, "Therefore, we don't add elements such as buttons or indicators to the design. Every detail has been well thought out. "This insistence on functionality and simplicity is a testament to Nikon's pursuit of the ultimate user experience.
Some Nikon cameras, such as the Z 6 and Z 7, use an optional battery grip to achieve vertical shooting.
Nikon camera design: starting with the photographer's feel as the starting point.
When Nikon cameras were first designed, the first consideration was how the photographer would hold the camera. This fundamental consideration is present throughout the design process, including where the photographer's left hand is placed when holding the camera with his right hand while shooting, and how the camera is handled when mounted on a tripod. Mr. Akiya Maekawa said, "Everyone's hand size, grip style, and left and right eye habits when using the electronic viewfinder are different. Based on these differences, we are committed to providing the most optimized design solution for each Nikon camera to ensure that the product can be adapted to a wider user group. ”
Nikon Z F understands that too many controls and complex settings can be inconvenient for photographers when shooting handheld, and even affect the stability of the shot. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between functionality and usability, and this balance depends on the target user group and product positioning.
Nikon Mirrorless Camera Innovation: A Profound Transformation in User Preferences and Behavior.
As photographers shift from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, user habits are also changing. Mitsuki Hinano of Nikon's UX Planning Department added that while some Nikon photographers had already begun experimenting with the shift in the early days, for others, it may be their first purchase of a Nikon camera in recent years. As the Z user base continues to grow, so do their overall needs and preferences.
Mitsuki Hino said, "In order to adapt to the usage habits of photographers, we have been continuously optimizing the design of the operating system. While a professional-grade camera like the Z 9 with a lot of buttons and controls is important, we also value smaller cameras like the Z 6 and Z F because they cater to different users. ”
He further explains, "In a DSLR, after taking an image, the user usually needs to remove his left hand from the lens and move to the back of the camera to view the image on the rear LCD monitor after taking the image. This process involves the physical movement of the hand. However, when using mirrorless cameras, users can now view the playback image directly through the electronic viewfinder, or switch to the playback screen with the push of a button with their right hand via the automatic playback function after shooting. This allows users to confirm image playback without moving their hands significantly or shifting their gaze, improving shooting efficiency. ”
The Nikon Z F is an important consideration. Simply porting the operating system from a Nikon DSLR to a mirrorless camera, while more convenient and less expensive, does not take full advantage of the unique features offered by mirrorless cameras or how they change the way users interact with the camera.
On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, making radical changes to every aspect of the user experience can alienate existing Nikon photographers. Therefore, changes must be well thought out and implemented gradually over time. Although mirrorless cameras are a revolutionary innovation in photography, the experience of using a camera and shooting must be more of a gradual evolutionary process.
Mitsuki Hino emphasized, "With the transition to mirrorless cameras, the movements before and after shooting have changed, and these changes vary from person to person. In response to this, we have improved the camera's features to enable Nikon enthusiasts to customize a variety of actions to their liking. Regardless of the size of the camera, or the number of buttons and controllers, our goal is to provide users with the ability to customize the camera to their own shooting style. This ensures that users can adjust the camera features to their liking, resulting in a more personalized and comfortable shooting experience. ”
Committed to the continuous pursuit of meeting the personalized needs of users.
Nikon Z F cameras are loved by photographers for their excellent performance and retro-inspired design. In response to any plans to extend the Z F's retro-inspired exterior design to the camera menu system, such as the Nikon FM2-style menu** or retro font colors, Nikon said that while it is not possible to disclose specific future development plans at this time, it will take all valuable feedback from customers seriously. Mitsuki Hino admits that he is personally very supportive of adding more customization options, such as offering different menu color options and personalized shutter sounds.
Nikon Z 8
He further explains, "In the past, we've provided a range of graphical and creative graphical control options, as well as fine-tuning suggestions to meet the needs of different users. In addition, we have allowed users to customize the buttons to their own habits, introducing special edition lenses that offer a wide range of leather color options for Z F and Z FC, as well as allowing users to customize live display settings and shutter sounds. ”
"Our goal was to create a camera experience that can be highly customized to one's preferences, making the process of using Nikkor lenses and Nikon cameras even more exciting and enjoyable," said Nikon Z F Mitsuki Hino. This is something that I personally look forward to pushing further. "It is foreseeable that more and more Nikon users will be embraced with personalized features such as customizable shutter sounds, menu colors, and even stylized font selection. Photography is a highly personal artistic process, so the experience of using a camera should reflect each photographer's unique personality and style.