Nikon E2 (1995)

The Nikon E2 was one of the first cameras in Nikon's line of digital bodies, introduced in March 1995. It wasn't a purely in-house design. Nikon developed it jointly with Fuji Photo Film, and the E2 shares its body with the Fujix DS-505/515. Nikon adapted that platform with its own internal memory storage and power source functions.

It's an SLR-type camera, but with a non-interchangeable fixed lens and a built-in electronic viewfinder. You get the familiar SLR silhouette without the mirror box flexibility. The lens is a NIKKOR 35mm f/2.5, though some sources describe it as a fixed zoom lens equivalent to 28-56 mm. Images were captured on a 1/2-inch CCD with roughly 1.4 million pixels, for a maximum resolution of 1,280 × 1,000. That was modest even by mid-90s standards. There's no removable storage. The camera holds 84 images in 8 MB of internal memory. Exposure modes were Program, Shutter-priority, Aperture-priority, and Manual, with shutter speeds from 2 to 1/2000 sec.

The E2 was aimed at specialized photographers and scientists, and it saw ongoing use with microscope systems well after its release. Nikon's own material described the target audience as those needing a portable digital recording system. Launch pricing is a point of some disagreement. Sources cite both approximately 630,000 yen and ¥680,000 (about $7,100). The E2 was followed by the E3/E3s.

Known specs:

- 1/2-inch CCD, 1.4 million effective pixels (1,280 × 1,000 max)

- Fixed NIKKOR 35mm f/2.5 lens (sources conflict: some list a fixed zoom equivalent to 28-56 mm)

- Electronic viewfinder (EVF)

- 84 images stored in 8 MB internal memory - no removable media

- Exposure: Program / Shutter-priority / Aperture-priority / Manual

- Shutter: 2 ~ 1/2000 sec

- Dimensions: 170 × 138 × 170 mm; weight approx. 1.1 kg (1.17 kg with battery)

The historical record on the E2 is reasonably solid for its origins and specs, but thin on day-to-day usage details. No battery type, ISO range, or autofocus data appears in the sources reviewed.