Nikon


Nikon Corporation ; is a Japanese optics and photographic equipment manufacturer. Nikon's products include cameras, camera lenses, binoculars, microscopes, ophthalmic lenses, measurement instruments, rifle scopes, spotting scopes, and equipment related to semiconductor fabrication, such as steppers used in the photolithography steps of such manufacturing. Nikon is the world's second largest manufacturer of such equipment.
Since July 2024, Nikon has been headquartered in Nishi-Ōi, Shinagawa, Tokyo where the plant has been located since 1918.
The company is the eighth-largest chip equipment maker as reported in 2017. Also, it has diversified into new areas like 3D printing and regenerative medicine to compensate for the shrinking digital camera market.
Among Nikon's many notable product lines are Nikkor imaging lenses, the Nikon F-series of 35 mm film SLR cameras, the Nikon D-series of digital SLR cameras, the Nikon Z-series of digital mirrorless cameras, the Coolpix series of compact digital cameras, and the Nikonos series of underwater film cameras.
Nikon's main competitors in camera and lens manufacturing include Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Pentax, and Olympus.
Founded on July 25, 1917 as Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha, the company was renamed to Nikon Corporation, after its cameras, in 1988. At least since 2022 Nikon is a member of the Mitsubishi group of companies.
On March 7, 2024, Nikon announced its acquisition of Red Digital Cinema.
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History

The Nikon Corporation was established on 25 July 1917 when three leading optical manufacturers merged to form a comprehensive, fully integrated optical company known as Nippon Kōgaku Tōkyō K.K. Over the next sixty years, this growing company became a manufacturer of optical lenses and equipment used in cameras, binoculars, microscopes and inspection equipment.
During World War II, the company operated thirty factories with 2,000 employees, manufacturing binoculars, lenses, bomb sights, and periscopes for the Japanese military.

Reception outside Japan

After the war, Nippon Kōgaku reverted to producing its civilian product range in a single factory. In 1948, the first Nikon-branded camera was released, the Nikon I. Nikon lenses were popularised by the American photojournalist David Douglas Duncan.
Duncan was working in Tokyo when the Korean War began. Duncan had met a young Japanese photographer, Jun Miki, who introduced Duncan to Nikon lenses. From July 1950 to January 1951, Duncan covered the Korean War. Fitting Nikon optics to his Leica rangefinder cameras allowed him to produce high contrast negatives with very sharp resolution at the centre field.

Names and brands

Founded in 1917 as Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha, the company was renamed Nikon Corporation, after its cameras, in 1988. The name Nikon, which dates from 1946, was originally intended only for its small-camera line, spelled as "Nikkon", with an addition of the "n" to the "Nikko" brand name. The similarity to the Carl Zeiss AG brand "ikon", would cause some early problems in Germany as Zeiss complained that Nikon violated its trademarked camera. From 1963 to 1968 the Nikon F in particular was therefore labeled 'Nikkor'.
The Nikkor brand was introduced in 1932, a westernised rendering of an earlier version Nikkō, an abbreviation of the company's original full name. Nikkor is the Nikon brand name for its lenses.
Another early brand used on microscopes was Joico, an abbreviation of "Japan Optical Industries Co". Expeed is the brand Nikon uses for its image processors since 2007.

Rise of the Nikon F series

Nikon's rangefinder cameras, starting with the Nikon I in 1948, marked the entry of Nippon Kogaku K.K. into the photographic market, following its focus on optical instruments such as lenses and microscopes. These models, including the Nikon I, M, S, and subsequent series, utilized the S-Mount bayonet, inspired by the Contax RF system, and featured a compact design with a rangefinder viewfinder. They helped establish Nikon as a leading brand in professional photography until the shift to reflex cameras in the 1960s.
The Nikon SP and other 1950s and 1960s rangefinder cameras competed directly with models from Leica and Zeiss. However, the company quickly ceased developing its rangefinder line to focus its efforts on the Nikon F single-lens reflex line of cameras, which was successful upon its introduction in 1959.
For nearly 30 years, Nikon's F-series SLRs were the most widely used small-format cameras among professional photographers, as well as by some U.S. space programs, the first in 1971 on Apollo 15 and later once in 1973 on the Skylab and later again on it in 1981.
Nikon popularized many features in professional SLR photography, such as the modular camera system with interchangeable lenses, viewfinders, motor drives, and data backs; integrated light metering and lens indexing; electronic strobe flashguns instead of expendable flashbulbs; electronic shutter control; evaluative multi-zone "matrix" metering; and built-in motorized film advance. However, as autofocus SLRs became available from Minolta and others in the mid-1980s, Nikon's line of manual-focus cameras began to seem out of date.
Despite introducing one of the first autofocus models, the slow and bulky F3AF, the company's determination to maintain lens compatibility with its F-mount prevented rapid advances in autofocus technology. Canon introduced a new type of lens-camera interface with its entirely electronic Canon EOS cameras and Canon EF lens mount in 1987.
The much faster lens performance permitted by Canon's electronic focusing and aperture control prompted many professional photographers to switch to the Canon system through the 1990s.

Post-millennium film camera production

Once Nikon introduced affordable consumer-level DSLRs such as the Nikon D70 in the mid-2000s, sales of its consumer and professional film cameras fell rapidly, following the general trend in the industry. In January 2006, Nikon announced it would stop making most of its film camera models and all of its large format lenses, and focus on digital models.
Nevertheless, Nikon remained the only major camera manufacturer still making film SLR cameras for a long time. The high-end Nikon F6 and the entry-level FM10 remained in production all the way up until October 2020.

Digital photography

Digital single-lens reflex and point and shoot cameras

Nikon created some of the first digital SLRs for NASA; the Nikon NASA F4 was used in the Space Shuttle since 1991. After a 1990s partnership with Kodak to produce digital SLR cameras based on existing Nikon film bodies, Nikon released the Nikon D1 SLR under its own name in 1999. Although it used an APS-C-size light sensor only 2/3 the size of a 35 mm film frame, the D1 was among the first digital cameras to have sufficient image quality and a low enough price for some professionals to use it as a replacement for a film SLR. The company also has a Coolpix series|Coolpix] line which grew as consumer digital photography became increasingly prevalent through the early 2000s. Nikon also never made any phones.
Through the mid-2000s, Nikon's line of professional and enthusiast DSLRs and lenses, including their backwards compatible AF-S lens line, remained in second place behind Canon in SLR camera sales, and Canon had several years' lead in producing professional DSLRs with light sensors as large as traditional 35 mm film frames. All Nikon DSLRs from 1999 to 2007, by contrast, used the smaller DX size sensor.
Then, 2005 management changes at Nikon led to new camera designs such as the full-frame Nikon D3 in late 2007, the Nikon D700 a few months later, and mid-range SLRs. Nikon regained much of its reputation among professional and amateur enthusiast photographers as a leading innovator in the field, especially because of the speed, ergonomics, and low-light performance of its latest models. The mid-range Nikon D90, introduced in 2008, was also the first SLR camera to record video. Since the D90, video mode has been introduced to many more of the Nikon and non-Nikon DSLR cameras, including the Nikon D3S, Nikon D3100, Nikon D3200, Nikon D5100, and Nikon D7000.
In 2008, Nikon has released a photograph and video editing suite called ViewNX to browse, edit, merge and share images and videos. Despite the market growth of Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras, Nikon did not neglect their F-mount Single Lens Reflex cameras and have released some professional DSLRs like the D780 and the D6 in 2020.

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras

In reaction to the growing market for mirrorless cameras, Nikon released their first Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras and also a new lens mount in 2011. The lens mount was called Nikon 1, and the first bodies in it were the Nikon 1 J1 and the V1. The system was built around a 1 inch format image sensor, with a 2.7x crop factor. This format was pretty small compared to their competitors. This resulted in a loss of image quality, dynamic range and fewer possibilities for restricting depth of field depth of field range. In 2018, Nikon officially discontinued the 1 series, after three years without a new camera body..
Also in 2018, Nikon introduced a new mirrorless system in their lineup: the Nikon Z system. The first cameras in the series were the Z6 and the Z7, both with a Full Frame sensor format, In-Body Image Stabilization and a built-in electronic viewfinder. The Z-mount is not only for FX cameras though, as in 2019 Nikon introduced the Z50 with a DX format sensor, without IBIS but with the compatibility to every Z-mount lens. The handling, the ergonomics and the button layout are similar to the Nikon DSLR cameras, which is friendly for those who are switching from them. This shows that Nikon is putting their focus more on their MILC line.
In 2020, Nikon updated both the Z6 and the Z7. The updated models are called the Z6II and the Z7II. The improvements over the original models include the new EXPEED 6 processor, an added card slot, improved video and AF features, higher burst rates, battery grip support and USB-C power delivery.
In 2021, Nikon released 2 mirrorless cameras, the Zfc and the Z9. The Nikon Zfc is the second Z-series APS-C mirrorless camera in the line up, designed to evoke the company's famous FM2 SLR from the '80s. It offers manual controls, including dedicated dials for shutter speed, exposure compensation and ISO. The Z9 became Nikon's new flagship product succeeding the D6, marking the start of a new era of Nikon cameras. It includes a 45.7 megapixel Full Frame format stacked CMOS sensor which is stabilized and has a very fast readout speed, making the mechanical shutter not only unneeded, but also absent from the camera. Along with the sensor, the 3.7 million dot, 760 nit EVF, 20 fps continuous burst at full resolution in raw format and 30 fps continuous burst for full resolution jpegs, with a buffer of 1000+ compressed raw photos, 4K 120 fps ProRes internal recording, the 8K 30 fps internal recording and the 120 hz subject recognition AF system make it one of the most advanced cameras on the market with its main rivals being the Canon EOS R3 and the Sony α1.

Mirrorless fixed-lens cameras, the cancelled release of DL series

Before the introduction of the Z-series, on February 23, 2016 Nikon announced its DL range of fixed-lens compact cameras. The series comprised three 20 megapixel 1"-type CMOS sensor cameras with Expeed 6A image processing engines: DL18-50 f/1.8-2.8, DL24-85 f/1.8-2.8 black and silver and DL24-500 f/2.8-5.6. Nikon described the range as a premium line of compact cameras, which combines the high performance of Nikkor lenses with always-on smart device connectivity. All three cameras were showcased at CP+ 2016. One year after the initial announcement, on February 13, 2017, Nikon officially cancelled the release and sale of DL-series, which was originally planned for a June 2016 release. They cited design issues and profitability as main issues causing the cancellation.

Movie camera production

Although few models were introduced, Nikon made movie cameras as well. The R10 and R8 SUPER ZOOM Super 8 models were the top of the line and last attempt for the amateur movie field. The cameras had a special gate and claw system to improve image steadiness and overcome a major drawback of Super 8 cartridge design. The R10 model has a high speed 10X macro zoom lens.
Contrary to other brands, Nikon never attempted to offer projectors or their accessories.

Thai operations

Nikon has shifted much of its manufacturing facilities to Thailand, with some production in Indonesia. The company constructed a factory in Ayuthaya north of Bangkok in Thailand in 1991. By 2000, it had 2,000 employees. Steady growth over the next few years and an increase of floor space from the original 19,400 square meters to 46,200 square meters enabled the factory to produce a wider range of Nikon products. By 2004, it had more than 8,000 workers.
The range of the products produced at Nikon Thailand include plastic molding, optical parts, painting, printing, metal processing, plating, spherical lens process, aspherical lens process, prism process, electrical and electronic mounting process, silent wave motor and autofocus unit production.
As of 2009, all of Nikon's Nikon DX format DSLR cameras and the D600, a prosumer FX camera, are produced in Thailand, while their professional and semi-professional Nikon FX format cameras are built in Japan, in the city of Sendai. The Thai facility also produces most of Nikon's digital "DX" zoom lenses, as well as numerous other lenses in the Nikkor line.

Nikon-Essilor Co. Ltd.

In 1999, Nikon and Essilor have signed a Memorandum of understanding to form a global strategic alliance in corrective lenses by forming a 50/50 joint venture in Japan to be called Nikon-Essilor Co. Ltd.
The main purpose of the joint venture is to further strengthen the corrective lens business of both companies.
This will be achieved through the integrated strengths of Nikon's strong brand backed up by advanced optical technology and strong sales network in Japanese market, coupled with the high productivity and worldwide marketing and sales network of Essilor, the world leader in this industry.
Nikon-Essilor Co. Ltd. started its business in January 2000, responsible for research, development, production and sales mainly for ophthalmic optics.

Recent development

Revenue from Nikon's camera business has dropped 30% in three years prior to fiscal 2015. In 2013, it forecast the first drop in sales from interchangeable lens cameras since Nikon's first digital SLR in 1999. The company's net profit has fallen from a peak of 75.4 billion to 18.2 billion for fiscal 2015. Nikon plans to reassign over 1,500 employees resulting in job cuts of 1,000, mainly in semiconductor lithography and camera business, by 2017 as the company shifts focus to medical and industrial devices business for growth.
In March 2024, it was announced Nikon had acquired Red Digital Cinema, an American camera manufacturer specializing in digital cinematography.

Film cameras

In January 2006, Nikon announced the discontinuation of all but two models of its film cameras, focusing its efforts on the digital camera market. It continues to sell the fully manual FM10, and still offers the high-end fully automatic F6. Nikon has also committed to service all the film cameras for a period of ten years after production ceases.

Film - Professional [Rangefinder cameras]

The following were the first film cameras introduced by Nikon. The latter three were built on the same frame with different features; the Nikon F SLR shares the basic body configuration of the latest rangefinder models.
And later commemorative editions:

Film 35 mm">135 film">35 mm SLR">Single-lens reflex camera">SLR cameras with manual focus

High-end
Midrange
Midrange with electronic features
Entry-level

Film APS">Advanced Photo System">APS SLR">Single-lens reflex camera">SLR cameras

  • Nikon Pronea 600i / Pronea 6i
  • Nikon Pronea S

Film 35 mm SLR">Single-lens reflex camera">SLR cameras with autofocus

High-end
High-end
Mid-range
Entry-level

Compact cameras

Between 1983 and the early 2000s a broad range of compact cameras were made by Nikon. Nikon first started by naming the cameras with a series name. In later production cycles, the cameras were double branded with a series-name on the one and a sales name on the other hand. Sales names were for example Zoom-Touch for cameras with a wide zoom range, Lite-Touch for ultra compact models, Fun-Touch for easy to use cameras and Sport-Touch for splash water resistance. After the late 1990s, Nikon dropped the series names and continued only with the sales name. Nikon's APS-cameras were all named Nuvis.
The cameras came in all price ranges from entry-level fixed-lens-cameras to the top model Nikon 35Ti and 28Ti with titanium body and 3D-Matrix-Metering.

Movie cameras

  • NIKKOREX 8
  • NIKKOREX 8F
  • Nikon Super Zoom 8
  • Nikon 8X Super Zoom
  • Nikon R8 Super Zoom
  • Nikon R10 Super Zoom

Professional Underwater cameras

Digital cameras

Nikon's raw image format is NEF, for Nikon Electronic File. The "DSCN" prefix for image files stands for "Digital Still Camera – Nikon."

Digital compact cameras

The Nikon Coolpix series are digital compact cameras produced in many variants: Superzoom, bridge, travel-zoom, miniature compact and waterproof/rugged cameras. The top compact cameras are several "Performance" series indicated by a "P...".

Larger sensor compact cameras

Coolpix series since 2008 listed.

[Bridge camera]s

  • Nikon Coolpix L810, Feb, 2012–16 MP, 26x optical zoom, no wi-fi, fixed LCD, ISO 80–1600
  • Nikon Coolpix L820, Jan, 2013–16 MP, 30x optical zoom, no wi-fi, fixed LCD, ISO 125-3200
  • Nikon Coolpix L830, Jan, 2014–16 MP, 34x optical zoom with 68x Dynamic Fine Zoom, no wi-fi, tilting LCD, ISO 125-1600
  • Nikon Coolpix L840 Feb, 2015–16 MP, 38x optical zoom with 76x Dynamic Fine Zoom, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, 3 inch high-resolution tilting LCD, ISO 125 – 1600, ISO 3200, 6400
  • Nikon Coolpix P500, Feb, 2011–12.1 MP, 36x optical zoom, tilt LCD, ISO 160–3200
  • Nikon Coolpix P510, Feb, 2012–16.1 MP, 41.7x optical zoom, no wi-fi, vari-angle LCD, ISO 100–3200
  • Nikon Coolpix P520, Jan, 2013–18.1 MP, 42x optical zoom, optional wi-fi, vari-angle LCD, ISO 80–3200
  • Nikon Coolpix P530, Feb, 2014–16.1 MP, 42x optical zoom & 84x Dynamic Fine Zoom, opt wi-fi, fixed LCD, ISO 100–1600
  • Nikon Coolpix P600, Feb, 2014–16.1 MP, 60x optical zoom and 120 Dynamic Fine Zoom, built in wi-fi, vari-angle LCD, ISO 100–1600
  • Nikon Coolpix P610
  • Nikon Coolpix B500, Feb, 2016-16 MP, 40x optical zoom, tilt LCD, ISO 160–6400
  • Nikon Coolpix P900
  • Nikon Coolpix P950
  • Nikon Coolpix P1000
  • Nikon Coolpix P1100

[Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera]s

Nikon Z series – Nikon Z-mount lenses
Nikon 1 series – CX sensor, Nikon 1 mount lenses

[Digital single lens reflex camera]s

High-end
High-end
Midrange and professional usage cameras with DX sensor
Upper-entry-level – DX sensor
Along with the D750 and D500 above, these are the only Nikon DSLR's with the articulated (tilt-and-swivel) display.
Entry-level – DX sensor

Photo optics

Lenses for Nikon Z-mount

Nikon introduced the Z-mount in 2018 for their system of digital full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras.

Lenses for F-mount cameras

The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35 mm Single-lens reflex cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959.

Electronic flash units

Nikon uses the term Speedlight for its electronic flashes. Recent models include the SB-R200, SB-300, SB-400, SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, SB-5000 and R1C1.
Since the release of the SB-5000 in 2016, there have been no new flash units released.

Film scanners

Nikon's digital capture line also includes a successful range of dedicated scanners for a variety of formats, including Advanced Photo System (IX240), 35 mm, and 60 mm film.
  • LS-3500 HP-IB.
  • Coolscan LS-10 SCSI. First to be named "Coolscan" to denote LED illumination.
  • LS-3510AF Auto-focus SCSI.
  • LS-4500AF. 12bit A/D. SCSI. Fitted with auto-focus lens.
  • Super Coolscan LS-1000 SCSI. scan time cut by half
  • Coolscan II LS-20 E SCSI
  • Coolscan LS-2000 SCSI, multiple sample, "CleanImage" software
  • Coolscan III LS-30 E SCSI
  • Coolscan IV LS-40 ED USB, SilverFast, ICE, ROC, GEM
  • Coolscan LS-4000 ED Firewire
  • Coolscan LS-8000 ED Firewire, multiformat
  • Coolscan V LS-50 ED USB
  • Super Coolscan LS-5000 ED USB
  • Super Coolscan LS-9000 ED Firewire, multiformat
Nikon introduced its first scanner, the Nikon LS-3500 with a maximum resolution of 4096 x 6144 pixels, in 1988. Prior to the development of 'cool' LED lighting this scanner used a halogen lamp. The resolution of the following LED based Coolscan model didn't increase but the price was significantly lower. Colour depth, scan quality, imaging and hardware functionality as well as scanning speed was gradually improved with each following model. The final 'top of the line' 35mm Coolscan LS-5000 ED was a device capable of archiving greater numbers of slides; 50 framed slides or 40 images on film roll. It could scan all these in one batch using special adapters. A single maximum resolution scan was performed in no more than 20 seconds as long as no post-processing was also performed. With the launch of the Coolscan 9000 ED Nikon introduced its most up-to-date film scanner which, like the Minolta DiMAGE scanners were the only film scanners that, due to a special version of Digital ICE, were able to scan Kodachrome film reliably both dust and scratch free. In late 2007 much of the software's code had to be rewritten to make it Mac OS 10.5 compatible. Nikon announced it would discontinue supporting its Nikon Scan software for the Macintosh as well as for Windows Vista 64-bit. Third-party software solutions like SilverFast or Vuescan provide alternatives to the official Nikon drivers and scanning software, and maintain updated drivers for most current operating systems. Between 1994 and 1996 Nikon developed three flatbed scanner models named Scantouch, which couldn't keep up with competitive flatbed products and were hence discontinued to allow Nikon to focus on its dedicated film scanners.

Sport optics

Binoculars

  • Sprint IV
  • Sportstar IV
  • Travelite V
  • Travelite VI
  • Travelite EX
  • Mikron
  • Action VII
  • Action VII Zoom
  • Aculon
  • Action EX
  • Sporter I
  • Venturer 8/10x32
  • Venturer 8x42
  • Prostaff 5
  • Prostaff 7
  • Monarch ATB
  • Monarch 3
  • Monarch 5
  • Monarch 7
  • Monarch HG
  • Monarch M5
  • Monarch M7
  • StabilEyes
  • Superior E
  • Marine
  • EDG II

Spotting scopes

  • Prostaff 3 16-48x60
  • Prostaff 5 60
  • Prostaff 5 80
  • Spotter XL II WP
  • Spotting Scope R/A II
  • Spotting Scope 80
  • Fieldscope 60mm
  • Fieldscope ED78/ EDII
  • Fieldscope III/EDIII
  • Fieldscope ED82
  • Fieldscope ED50
  • Fieldscopes EDG 65 /85
  • Fieldscope EDG 85 VR

Rifle scopes

  • BLACK
  • Monarch 7
  • Monarch 5
  • Monarch 3
  • Monarch
  • Laser IRT
  • Prostaff 5
  • Encore
  • Coyote Special
  • Slughunter
  • Inline
  • Buckmaster II
  • Buckmaster
  • AR
  • ProStaff II
  • Prostaff
  • Team REALTREE
  • Rimfire
  • Handgun

Nikon Metrology

Overview

Nikon Metrology, a division of Nikon, produces hardware and software products for 2D & 3D measurement from nano to large scale measurement volumes. Products include Optical Laser Probes, X-ray computed tomography, Coordinate-measuring machine, Laser Radar Systems, Microscopes, Portable CMMs, Large Volume Metrology, Motion Measurement and Adaptive Robotic Controls, Semiconductor Systems, Metrology Software including CMM-Manager, CAMIO Studio, Inspect-X, Focus, and Automeasure. Measurements are performed using tactile and non-contact probes, measurement data is collected in software and processed for comparison to nominal CAD or part specification or for recreating / reverse engineering physical work pieces.

Origins

The origins of Nikon go back to 1917 when three Japanese optical manufacturers joined to form Nippon Kogaku KK. In 1925 the microscope having revolving nosepiece and interchangeable objectives was produced. Significant growth for the microscopy division occurs over the next 50 years as Nikon pioneers development of polarising and stereo microscopes along with new products for measuring and inspection markets. These new products include devices targeted for industrial use such as optical comparators, autocollimators, profile projector and automated vision based systems. Continued effort through the next three decades yield the release of products including the Optiphot and Labophot microscopes, Diaphot microscope, the Eclipse range of infinity optics, and finally the DS camera series and the Coolscope with the advent of digital sensors. With the acquisition of Metris in 2009 the Nikon Metrology division was born. Nikon Metrology products include a full range of both 2D & 3D, optical, tactile, non-contact, and X-Ray Metrology solutions ranging from nanometer resolution on microscopic samples to μm resolution in volumes large enough to house a commercial airliner.

Products

  • Coordinate-Measuring-Machines
  • * Bridge, Gantry and Horizontal Arm CMMs
  • * Digital / Analog Tactile and / or Non-Contact Optical sensors
  • Portable arms – 6 and 7 axis models
  • Laser Scanning – Optical Line Scanners in single Line and Multi-line configurations
  • X-ray-and-CT-Inspection
  • Video-Microscope-Measuring – Optical Probe and Multi-Sensor options available
  • Microscope-Systems
  • Large Volume Systems
  • Application Software – several options available depending on specific application and hardware.
  • * CMM-Manager – Multi-sensor 3D Metrology software for third party CMMs, Articulated Arms, and Nikon video-measurement systems
  • * Automeasure, NIS Elements, E-Max, Automeasure Eyes – 2D / 3D imaging software for use on Nikon video-measurement systems
  • * Focus, CMM-Manager, CAMIO – Software for 3D Metrology

Lithography equipment

Overview

Nikon manufactures scanners and steppers for the manufacture of integrated circuits and flat panel displays, and semiconductor device inspection equipment. The steppers and scanners represent about one third of the income for the company as of 2008.
Nikon developed the first lithography equipment from Japan. The equipment from Nikon enjoyed high demand from global chipmakers, the Japanese semiconductor companies and other major companies such as Intel, and Nikon was the world's leading producer of semiconductor lithography systems from the 1980s to 2002. Nikon saw a sharp drop in its market share from less than 40 percent in early 2000s to no more than 20 percent as of 2013. The company has been losing an estimated 17 billion a year in its precision instruments unit.
In contrast, ASML, a Dutch company, has grabbed over 80 percent of the lithography systems market as of 2015 by adopting an open innovation method of product development, which includes the acquisition of US-based light source manufacturer Cymer. In 2017, Nikon announced that it would cut nearly 1,000 jobs mainly in the lithography systems business and halt its development of next-generation equipment.

Legal disputes

In February 2019, Nikon, ASML and Carl Zeiss AG, a leading supplier to ASML, have entered into a definitive settlement and cross-license agreement relating to multiple disputes over patents for lithography equipment that had been underway since 2001 and agreed to drop all the world-wide lawsuits regarding the issue.
By the latest settlement, ASML and Zeiss paid approximately $170 million to Nikon. The two companies had paid a total of $87 million to Nikon in 2004 for similar legal dispute.

Market position and products

As of February 2018, Nikon held 10.3 percent revenue share in the semiconductor lithography market while the share of ASML was over 80 percent.
As of 2019, Nikon develops and sells the following lithography-related equipment:
  • Cutting-edge flat panel display lithography equipment
  • i-line steppers
  • KrF steppers
  • ArF steppers
  • ArF immersion steppers
  • Inspection and alignment equipment

Other products

Nikon also manufactures eyeglasses, sunglasses, and glasses frames, under the brands Nikon, Niji, Nobili-Ti, Presio, and Velociti VTI. Other Nikon's products include ophthalmic equipment, loupes, monoculars, binocular telescopes, metal 3D printers, material processing equipment, regenerative medicine contract manufacturing, cell sorting equipment, and cell culture observation systems.
Nikon no longer manufactures its own image sensors as it outsources the manufacturing to Sony.
Since 2019, Sendai Nikon, a Nikon group company, manufactures Lidar sensors for Velodyne as part of a partnership between the two companies.

Sponsorship

Awards and exhibitions

In Japan, Nikon runs the Nikon Salon exhibition spaces, the Nikkor Club for amateur photographers, the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition and the Nikon Small World in Motion Competition, and arranges the Ina Nobuo Award, Miki Jun Award and Miki Jun Inspiration Awards.

Others

As of November 19, 2013, Nikon is the "Official Camera" of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.
Nikon is the official co-sponsor of Galatasaray SK Football Team.
In 2014 Nikon sponsored the Copa Sadia do Brasil 2014 and the AFC Champions League.
The company sponsors the Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year award, as well as the Nikon Photography Prizes, which are administered by the Walkley Foundation in Australia.

Cultural references

Awards and recognition

Nikon was ranked 134th among India's most trusted brands according to the Brand Trust Report 2012, a study conducted by Trust Research Advisory. In the Brand Trust Report 2013, Nikon was ranked 28th among India's most trusted brands and subsequently, according to the Brand Trust Report 2014, Nikon was ranked 178th among India's most trusted brands.

Nikon school

Nikon branches around the world runs photography courses behind the brand Nikon School. The official website of Nikon School offers online photography course since 2016.