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The Nikon F2 is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) in Japan from September 1971 to June 1980. It used a horizontal-travel focal plane shutter with titanium shutter curtains and a speed range of 1 to 1/2000th second (up to 10 seconds using the self timer) plus Bulb and Time, and flash X-sync of 1/80th second. It had dimensions (with DE-1 head, see below) of 98 mm height, 152.5 mm width, 65 mm depth and 730 g weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black.

The F2 is the second member of the long line of Nikon F-series professional level 35 mm SLRs that began with the Nikon F (manufactured 1959 - 1974) and followed each other in a sort of dynastic succession as the top-of-the-line Nikon camera. The other members were the F3 (1980 - 2001), F4 (1988 - 1996), F5 (1996 - 2005) and F6 (2004 - present). The F-series do not share any major components - unless the continuous use of the redoubtable hardened stainless steel Nikon F bayonet lens mounting flange is considered as a common part. Instead, Nippon Kogaku designed each generation from the ground up to be its contender as the best camera in the world. By and large, they were successful in that mission.

All Nikon professional F-series SLRs are full system cameras. This means that each camera body serves as only a modular hub for a huge variety of accessories that extend its capabilities to perform whatever picture taking task that a photographer might ask for.