Nikon, which laid the foundation for the global optical equipment and camera market, celebrated its 109th anniversary on July 25, 2026. According to reports by global news outlet Nikon Rumors, Nikon began its journey on July 25, 1917, in Tokyo as ‘Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha’ (Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd.) through the merger of Tokyo Keiki's optical department, Iwaki Glass's mirror department, and Fujii Lens Manufacturing. Over the past 109 years, it has reshaped the history of world imaging equipment.
From its beginnings in microscopes and telescopes to today's professional press/commercial Z-mount mirrorless system and the ZR cinema lineup built through the acquisition of RED, here is an in-depth breakdown of the core milestones across Nikon's 109-year history.
1. From an Optical Instrument Specialist to a Global Camera Brand
- 1917 – Establishment of Nippon Kōgaku: In its early days, Nikon did not produce cameras, but rather foundational optical glass products such as telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes.
- 1932 – Birth of the NIKKOR Lens Brand: Building on its precision optical technology, the company registered the iconic 'NIKKOR' trademark, kicking off a legendary history of lens production.
- 1948 – Release of the First Camera, the 'Nikon Model I': Adding an 'n' to 'NIKKO' (the abbreviation of Nippon Kōgaku) to give it a masculine feel, the name 'Nikon' was applied for the very first time as a single camera model name.
- 1950 – The Korean War & Praise from LIFE Magazine Photographers: War photojournalist David Douglas Duncan was amazed by the extraordinary resolution of NIKKOR lenses while covering the Korean War and declared he would use them over Leica and Zeiss lenses—a moment that propelled Nikon optics to the center of the global press market.
2. Establishing the Standard for Pro 35mm Cameras & the Digital Transition
- 1959 – The Birth of a Legend, the 'Nikon F' SLR: Combining a bayonet mount, titanium shutter, and interchangeable pentaprism, the 'Nikon F' was introduced as the first SLR to become the gold standard for global photojournalists for decades.
- 1988 – Renamed to 'Nikon Corporation': As the brand name grew far more famous than the corporate name, the company officially changed its name to 'Nikon' 71 years after its founding.
- 1999 & 2018 – The Pro DSLR 'D1' and the Mirrorless 'Z Mount': Opening the digital era with the D1—its first high-performance proprietary press DSLR—Nikon later transitioned smoothly into the mirrorless era in 2018 by unveiling the large-diameter Z mount.
- 2024–Present – RED Cinema Acquisition & Z Cinema Expansion: Acquiring cinema camera legend RED Digital Cinema, Nikon built a dedicated cinema body lineup (Nikon ZR, etc.), expanding its footprint into the professional video landscape.
✍️ Editor's Note
"Warmest congratulations to Nikon on its 109th anniversary! From its humble beginnings as a small optical glass manufacturer to documenting humanity's historical moments over the past 109 years, its legacy is undeniable. From the NIKKOR lenses that made worldwide headlines during the Korean War to the legendary Nikon F, the space-bound F3 and D3S, and today's flagship Z 9 and RED-infused Z Cinema lineup... Nikon has been a trustworthy companion to photographers with its rugged build quality and dependable image performance. As a dedicated Nikon shooter, I pay deep respect to its honest, uncompromising 109-year engineering journey!"
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