Nikon patents f2-f2.8 lens for Coolpix type camera

Once upon a time Nikon was among the leaders in the world of fixed-lens cameras with RAW (5400, 8400, 8700, 8800, etc). Then they abandoned the segment only to return with what some aficionados of compacts-with-RAW may call half-hearted attempts. The latest model, the Coolpix P7100 has a f2.8-5.6 7x optical zoom lens.

But apparently Nikon also got the brighter-lens memo, because a patent spotted by Japanese patent-hunting blog Egami (computer-translated) points to a 28-112mm (eq.) lens for a Coolpix-type camera with a brighter f2-f2.8. (via Foto Actualidad).

As you may recall recalling and as pointed out with a diagram at Egami, the Fuji X10 also has a f2-f2.8 lens (and a 2/3" sensor).

Despite the avalanche of affordable DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, the last few months we saw a revival of serious compacts with RAW, with the most recent ones being the starting-at-f1.4 Panasonic LX7 and Samsung EX2f, along with the currently trending Sony RX100, the not-greeted-as-liberator-after-release Canon G1x and the niche Sigma DP Merills.