Nikon's compact aperture-priority SLR — the FG-20, electronic, aperture-priority/manual, Nikon F, 1984.
The Nikon FG-20, introduced in 1984, was a simplified compact 35mm SLR derived from the FG, dropping the programmed automatic mode to sit a step lower in the range. It belonged to the compact end of Nikon's manual-focus line in the mid-1980s, aimed at beginners and enthusiasts on a budget. It used the Nikon F bayonet mount, part of the long-lived Nikon lens system.
This is an electronically controlled 35mm SLR on the Nikon F mount, with a vertical-travel focal-plane shutter that is electronically timed, offering speeds to 1/1000 second plus B, with a mechanical backup speed. Metering is centre-weighted TTL with a silicon cell; exposure modes are aperture-priority automatic and manual, without the FG's program mode. As an electronic body it relies on battery power for automatic and metered operation.
The FG-20 suits beginners, students and travellers wanting a small, light aperture-priority SLR with manual control and access to Nikon lenses. It is simpler than the FG, trading the program mode for a lower price and slightly reduced weight. It appeals to those who prefer setting aperture and letting the camera choose the shutter speed.
On the used market, being electronic it needs a working battery for auto and metered use, with a mechanical backup speed for emergencies. Test the meter and exposure, check the shutter, inspect the prism for haze, and look for perished light-seal and mirror-damper foam, which are common on this era. Try advance and rewind. It uses standard 1980s cells rather than mercury batteries. AI and AI-S F-mount lenses meter fully in both modes.