Just What Is the Nikon DNA?
Inspiration alone is not sufficient to create a new, truly Nikon camera.
Nikon F
What, then, do you consider to be the true DNA of Nikon?
To explain this, allow me to offer the example of our Nikon F SLR camera. It was about 50 years ago, in 1959, that the Nikon F was introduced to the market. At the time, people were extremely impressed and many photographers rushed to embrace it. It was celebrated as epoch-making — the Nikon F offered a complete package of new functions, with the sort of quality that no one had ever imagined yet soon found indispensible: interchangeable viewfinders with 100% frame coverage; the world’s first exposure meter designed to be fully coupled with both shutter speed and aperture; the world’s first motor-drive-compatible design for an SLR; and more. What’s important is that these were the functions and quality that would satisfy professionals who always demanded usability in the severest conditions. This is why I say it was epoch-making. Five decades ago, only Nikon had thought it possible — and we succeeded. Nikon actually fundamentally improved the intrinsic value of a camera. I believe that this is the DNA of Nikon.
Would you say that this true Nikon gene has been continuously handed down ever since?
Yes, I would. From the Nikon F on down, each of the SLR cameras in the series, and in our other series, including both professional models and those for amateurs, has earned an exceptional reputation. Given our leading position in the global camera industry, I’m confident that no one knows the history of photography — including the views and demands of customers — better than Nikon. We’re fully aware of the market trends. So by closely observing the market of today, Nikon can more than satisfy the needs of tomorrow’s in respect to camera designs. It’s all about Nikon and the Nikon DNA that we’ve nurtured up to now.
It’s an extraordinary asset that can’t be easily obtained, isn’t it?
That’s right, it’s not something that a company can come by easily. It isn’t that simple to add a function to a new camera tomorrow just because the customer demands it today. It’s essential that we combine Nikon’s accumulated past experiences with the current requests of our customers. This enables us to project coming trends. It’s an effort that will help us achieve our aspiration of Meeting needs. Exceeding expectations. This not only helps us respond to expectations, but enables us to develop products that have a reputation for consistently exceeding them. Industry competition in the digital age of today is very harsh. Nikon needs to continue producing cameras with the Nikon DNA. Otherwise, with none of the originality unique to Nikon, even Nikon could lose the race.