Nikon camera models 1992-1994

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SLRs -1959/1979 | 1980/1990 | 1991/1999 | y2k/2003 | 2004 ~

Part II - Nikon camera models 1992-1994

A model based on the original RF/RD Quartz model. But this budget entry level Nikon RF-10 remained strictly a non-data back version and it was only sold in selective countries (not even in Japan). The lense used on the camera is a rather odd, 34mm f/4.5 Nikon lens. The RF was also named as "Smile-Taker) in US; it was introduced as the first Nikon AF/AE compact in 1992.

Nikon used the features-riched previous W35 model, repackaged it in 1992 with a new cosmetic & splash-proof protective exterior (but not entirely for underwater use). The Nikon AW-35 (or an alternate QD version with a Quartz Data Back, AW-35QD) was Nikon answer to Olympus hot selling splash proof Mju models. The various good feature with the splash resistant feature made this a good consideration for active fun shooters as it was also sold under the name of "Sport Touch" in the US market.

The Nikon TW Zoom introduced in 1992 represented the first among a revamped series of its popular Nikon TW-series of zoom where it generally has a slightly larger body dimension to accommodate more features. This Nikon TW Zoom 85 was the first Nikon compact that provided with an built-in Panorama function and a newly redesigned 32-85mm f/4.5-f/11 zoom lens.

This fully automatic AE/AF zoom compact was also incorporated with a focusing system that handles Spot AF and Infinity Focus as well as an Interchangeable film system.. User can select either a full-size 24 x 36mm format or switching to a Panorama film format 13 x 36mm. Further, there was also a built-in Diopter function for eye sight adjustment. The camera also uses traditional 1 x 6V CR-P2 cell or DL223A) lithium battery. The exterior cosmetic has also gone through a redesign which projects a more rigid, quality feel. The hand grip has a large Nikon name - like the Nikon F-401 series SLRs.

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The Nikon TW Zoom 150 QD was Nikon first zoom compact model that surged past that 85mm focal length and it was Nikon's flag ship compact during this period. Technical highlights include a wide area AF, Spot and even focus tracking - partial features of the SLR-types of focusing system was transferred to this P& S compact model. The lense used for this camera was a 37-105mm f/3.7~f/9.9 Nikon zoom.

Other features include were al larger dimension for better handling, an image-size selector, sequential zoom shooting and a mid-roll film interchange system. The built-in data back was a 24-hours world time clock version. This camera was sold under the Zoom-Touch 800 in some selective countries. The camera was introduced almost at the same time with the Nikon TW Zoom TW Zoom mentioned above as Nikon twin high end offerings in 1992.

There were a few "first" in a Nikon with this AF600 QD P&S compact. It was the Nikon first compact that offered a 28mm wideangle lense (fixed, 28mm f/3.5 Nikon lens). Next, at the time of its introduction, this model was also the lightest and the most compact sized AF/AE compact camera of the world (weighs approx. 155g measures at 106mm x 62mm x 32mm only). Together, a built-in cropped in Panoramic image format was offered (13mm x 36mm). Came with either a selection of standard or an optional QD version.

In an effort to streamline its compact camera series, the Nikon Zoom 100 was introduced in late 1993 and given a straight forward model name where from no one, fixed lens compact was referred as Nikon AF XXX and zoom compact with Nikon Zoom XXX. This budget compact has a 35-70mm f/4~f/5.6 zoom lense and it came with a switch over panorama selector. The AF Zoom 100 was also called "Lite-Touch" in some countries.

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The Nikon AF200 was a much improved model with cosmetic from the earlier Nikon RF-10 (see first picture above this row). The lens used was still the same with 34mm f/4.5 which classified it as an entry level, very affordable Nikon P&S compact for cost-concious consumers. In the US market, the model was also marketed as "Fun-Touch 2". The fun-touch series model 1 was probably referred to the AF Zoom 100 mentioned above. Along with this mode, Nikon actually also introduced an even lower-spec model called Nikon EF-100 (see below).

An odd inclusion to the already confusing state of the Nikon compacts (This entry level Nikon EF-100 model also marketed under the same "Fun-Touch 2" designation in some market as the AF-200 (see above). The lens supplied with this model was a fixed, focus-free 35mm f/4.5 but its close focus ability reaches 0.55m. The EF-100 came & gone very fast as barely a year later, a new model, Nikon EF200 (nice Touch 3) replaced it in 1995.

Hailed by Nikon as the world's most compact zoom compact camera when it was introduced in 1994. The sleek design of this Nikon Zoom 300 QD (Lite-Touch Zoom QD for US market) weighs only 205g and measuring 117mm x 63mm x36mm. It has a 35-70mm Nikon zoom lense. The QD model version has an added on, built-in switch over selector for panorama crop (13mm x 36mm) format.

The very well received and highly rated TW Zoom 150 QD of 1992 was selected to give a serious upgrade in 1994 as Nikon Zoom 700 VR - where I thought it should be called "105VR" to be more appropriate. However, the US version was more accurate to its spec. as it was referred as Zoom-Touch 105 VR). On a technical note, Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) technology was used to assist the new 38-105mm f/4~f/7.8 Nikon zoom to reduce chances of blurry images caused by unsteady hands during picture shootings.

Note: the lens has a slightly smaller maximum aperture than the earlier 37-105mm f/3.7~f/9.9 used in the Nikon TWZ105 model where Nikon seemed confident with the aid of the VR in this model. This relatively quite a sizable Nikon compact model has an alternate Quartz Date version as consideration. The QD model came with a few extra benefits in data print functions and has a built-in Panorama format feature.

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The Nikon Zoom 500 AF of 1994 was offered as an alternative cheaper model to the Nikon Zoom 700 VR without the VR feature. The 38-105mm f/3.5~9.2 was marginally brighter than the VR version Its close focus (Macro) function enables it down to 0.86m focus its closest distance. The QD version has a panorama logo at the front and probably was introduced later in 1995.

The Nikon Zoom 310 AF QD has quite a confusing colour choices. The metallic silver as well as grayish-green used a well stealth plastic casing with the pure gray model has a more apparent feel of plastic. The 1995 model (center picture) has a different appearance from earlier ones.

The Nikon 38-70mm zoom also has a close focus function and it came with a standard built-in panorama format feature choice (the panorama logo printed at the bottom right hand side indicated this function). I am not sure what was the aperture of the lense and its actual close focus distance it permits but here is a very good review prepared by Edwin (current maintainer of Nikon Links.com where you can find out more with this model.

Two entry models, Nikon Zoom 60 AF & Nikon AF400 were not sold in some countries. The Zoom 60 has a Nikon zoom 35-60mm f/5.7~9.3 Nikon lens encased by an all plastic casing and a upgrade, Zoom 60s was introduced a year later to replace the original Zoom 60 in 1995 (details unknown for the upgrade).

While the AF400 has quite an odd fixed wideangle in its 31mm f/4.0 Nikon lens which delivers a rather impressive close focus distance down to 0.45m. An alternate QD version was offered, with an added panorama image selector mode.

<<<--- previous - Part I Nikon SLR Models 1992/1994, follow-up Nikon Comapct film camera models

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The Rangefinder || The Nikonos || Compact Cameras
SLRs -1959/1979 | 1980/1990 | 1991/1999 | y2k/2003 | 2004 ~

The Eyes of Nikon:-
Rangefinder RF-Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page | Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page

Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:-
Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm 15mm 18mm 20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm 28mm 35mm |
Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm 105mm 135mm 180mm & 200mm |
Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm 35mm 50mm 100mm 135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm 75~150mm 70~210mm
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm |
35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm |
100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat |
Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models

MIR Supports for Photographic Community: Various Message Boards/Community Forums
Nikon F-series| Nikon F2-series| Nikon F3-series| Nikon F4-series| Nikon F5-series|Nikkormat/Nikomat-series
Nikon FM-series|Nikon FE-series|Nikon FA|Nikon Digital SLR series|Various Nikon Models|Nikkor Optic -shared

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Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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		The Nikon TW Zoom introduced in 1992 represented the first among a revamped series of its popular Nikon TW-series of zoom where it generally has a slightly larger body dimension to accommodate more features. This Nikon TW Zoom 85 was the first Nikon compact that provided with an built-in Panorama function and a newly redesigned 32-85mm f/4.5-f/11 zoom lens.

This fully automatic AE/AF zoom compact was also incorporated with a focusing system that handles Spot AF and Infinity Focus as well as an Interchangeable film system.. User can select either a full-size 24 x 36mm format or switching to a Panorama film format 13 x 36mm. Further, there was also a built-in Diopter function for eye sight adjustment. The camera also uses traditional 1 x 6V CR-P2 cell or DL223A) lithium battery. The exterior cosmetic has also gone through a redesign which projects a more rigid, quality feel. The hand grip has a large Nikon name - like the Nikon F-401 series SLRs.

		The Nikon TW Zoom 150 QD was Nikon first zoom compact model that surged past that 85mm focal length and it was Nikon's flag ship compact during this period. Technical highlights include a wide area AF, Spot and even focus tracking - partial features of the SLR-types of focusing system was transferred to this P& S compact model. The lense used for this camera was a 37-105mm f/3.7~f/9.9 Nikon zoom.

Other features include were al larger dimension for better handling, an image-size selector, sequential zoom shooting and a mid-roll film interchange system. The built-in data back was a 24-hours world time clock version. This camera was sold under the Zoom-Touch 800 in some selective countries. The camera was introduced almost at the same time with the Nikon TW Zoom TW Zoom mentioned above as Nikon twin high end offerings in 1992.

		The very well received and highly rated TW Zoom 150 QD of 1992 was selected to give a serious upgrade in 1994 as Nikon Zoom 700 VR - where I thought it should be called "105VR" to be more appropriate. However, the US version was more accurate to its spec. as it was referred as Zoom-Touch 105 VR). On a technical note, Nikon's VR (Vibration Reduction) technology was used to assist the new 38-105mm f/4~f/7.8 Nikon zoom to reduce chances of blurry images caused by unsteady hands during picture shootings.

Note: the lens has a slightly smaller maximum aperture than the earlier 37-105mm f/3.7~f/9.9 used in the Nikon TWZ105 model where Nikon seemed confident with the aid of the VR in this model. This relatively quite a sizable Nikon compact model has an alternate Quartz Date version as consideration. The QD model came with a few extra benefits in data print functions and has a built-in Panorama format feature.

			The Nikon Zoom 310 AF QD has quite a confusing colour choices. The metallic silver as well as grayish-green used a well stealth plastic casing with the pure gray model has a more apparent feel of plastic. The 1995 model (center picture) has a different appearance from earlier ones.

The Nikon 38-70mm zoom also has a close focus function and it came with a standard built-in panorama format feature choice (the panorama logo printed at the bottom right hand side indicated this function). I am not sure what was the aperture of the lense and its actual close focus distance it permits but here is a very good review prepared by Edwin (current maintainer of Nikon Links.com where you can find out more with this model.

		Two entry models, Nikon Zoom 60 AF & Nikon AF400 were not sold in some countries. The Zoom 60 has a Nikon zoom 35-60mm f/5.7~9.3 Nikon lens encased by an all plastic casing and a upgrade, Zoom 60s was introduced a year later to replace the original Zoom 60 in 1995 (details unknown for the upgrade).

While the AF400 has quite an odd fixed wideangle in its 31mm f/4.0 Nikon lens which delivers a rather impressive close focus distance down to 0.45m. An alternate QD version was offered, with an added panorama image selector mode.