The Nikkormat/Nikomat EL, introduced in early 1972, was Nikon's first electronic camera (The Nikkorex Auto 35, an earlier aperture priority auto exposure body which was marketed by Nikon was entirely designed and manufactured for them be another source). Exposure can be set either manually, with or without Nikon's match needle guide in the viewfinder, or totally automatically in "A" or "AUTO" aperture priority mode.

The camera body has a HOT ISO flash shoe atop the pentaprism housing as well as a screw locking PC connection with a settable electronic/"M" synch. In auto mode, exposure may be "locked" by pushing the self timer lever to the left and holding it there until an exposure is made. Early models had either a microprism or split image focusing aid in the viewfinder while later models had the both combined in a concentric array. The meter and completely electronic shutter employs a six volt Silver oxide or alkaline LR44/KS28 type battery housed in a hinged compartment at the bottom of the mirror box housing that is accessed after the lens is dismounted and the mirror is locked up.

The metering system employs CdS (Cadmium Sulphide) that are, at best sluggish in response, and also present serious environmental pollution issues in their manufacturing/disposal processes but they work and do survive the years.

The body has a convenient twist lock-lock method for informing the meter of the maximum lens aperture and employs Nikon's proprietary 60%/40% weighted metering system.