Nikon has announced a flurry of new Coolpix cameras aimed at a wide swath of the picture-snapping market place, from just-the-basics users looking for compact point-and-shoot simplicity up to feature-heavy super-zoom cameras for more-serious photographers who may not quite want to get into the world of DSLRs. The new cameras both supplement and replace camera’s in Nikon’s Coolpix line…and the company hopes some of them will live up to the strong sales of their predecessors.
First up, the new Nikon CoolPix P100 and Coolpix L110 bring super-zoom capabilities and high resolution: the P100 packs a 3-inch LCD display and a 26× optical zoom while the L110 sports a 15× zoom. the P100 offers a 10 megapixel resolution, 10 fps high speed mode and up to 120 fps in a Sport Continuous Mode for action shots—although that 120 fps rate only snaps 1 megapixel images. The P100 can also shoot 1080p high-definition video and features both mechanical and electronic image stabilization, motion detection, a 10-shot “best shot selector” that keeps the sharpest shot, subject tracking, and a smart portrait system with “skin softening;” it’ll also shoot all the way down to ISO 3200. In comparison, the L110 might only have that 15× zoom, but it steps up to 12.1 megapixels and ISO 6400 sensitivity—plus it runs on AA batteries for ease of use when away from wall power. Nikon hasn’t officially announced pricing or availability, but folks anticipate the P100 and L110 should be available in March for suggested retail prices near $400.
Next up, Nikon has also added to its Coolpix S-series of stylish compact cameras. The Coolpix S8000 claims to be the thinnest camera in its class (but we all know how camera makers love to quality statements like that so, if technically true, don’t necessarily mean much): The S8000 offers a 14.2 megapixel resolution, a 10× wide angle zoom, optical image stabilization, sensitivity down to ISO 3200, a 3-inch LCD display, and enhanced motion detection for clearer shots. Of course, the camera also sports subject tracking, intelligent scene selection, in-camera effects and retouching, and the ability to shoot 720p video. Again, Nikon hasn’t said how much the S800 will cost, but sources estimate a suggested retail price near $300.
Other additions to the S-series lineup include the Coolpix S6000, also sporting a 14.2 megapixel resolution, but with a 7× zoom and a 2.7-inch display. The Coolpix S4000 goes back to a 3-inch display but steps back to a 4× zoom and a 12 megapixel resolution, and the Coolpix S3000 is pretty similar to the S4000 but steps back to purely electronic image stabilization. Again, Nikon hasn’t announced pricing, but the S6000 should debut around $250, the S4000 around $200, and the S3000 around $150.
Rounding out Nikon’s new offerings are the Coolpix L22 and Coolpix L21: affordable point-and-shoot cameras aimed at folks jsut getting started with digital photography and basic picture-takers. The L22 features a 12 megapixel resolution, a 3.6× optical zoom, a 3-inch display, and ISO sensitivity down to 1,600: it runs on AA batteries, and features motion detection, VGA-quality movie capture, and a smart portrait system with blink detection, face-priority autofocus, and more. The L21 steps back to 8 megapixels and a 2.5-inch display. Again, Nikon hasn’t announced pricing for either mode, but both should come in under $150—they’ll also be available in a variety of colors.
