Nikon no longer releases DL compact cameras with 1″ sensor

Nikon is scrapping the three DL cameras it announced in early 2016. The compacts with 1″ sensor were initially delayed due to production problems, but are now completely out of the market due to Nikon concerns about profitability.

The decision not to release the cameras was made because of the increase in development costs and a decrease in the number of units Nikon expects to sell due to the shrinking camera market.

Nikon presented the three DL cameras in February 2016. They were compact cameras with a fixed lens and a relatively large sensor of the 1″ format. The DL18-50 model in particular stood out because it was equipped with a wide-angle zoom lens with a range from 18 to 50mm in 35mm equivalent There are no comparable cameras on the market yet.

The DL cameras were supposed to hit the market in June 2016, but in April Nikon announced that there were problems with production. Therefore, the release of the cameras was postponed indefinitely.

The cancellation of the DL series was announced at the same time as the presentation of the quarterly figures. Nikon achieved sales of 222.1 billion yen in the last three months of 2016, which is 4.5 percent more than in the comparable quarter a year earlier. Profit grew by 8.5 percent to 18.8 billion yen, converted about 155 million euros.

The higher sales are due to the increased sales of the Precision Equipment Business of Nikon. The business unit, which makes machines for chip production, among other things, saw turnover rise by 154 percent. The camera division is struggling with disappointing results; sales fell by 23 percent and profits fell by 9.4 percent. Nikon attributes this partly to the scrapping of the DL series.

In November last year, Nikon announced a major reorganization, which should keep the company profitable. The restructuring is still in full swing and proceeding according to plan. The company announces that 1,143 employees are taking advantage of a voluntary severance package.