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Nikon announces $17,899 telephoto lens among new products in time for CP+ 2013 show

David Elrich
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Check out our review of the Nikon Coolpix S31 digital camera.

Nikon took the wraps off of seven new Coolpix digicams and a pair of lenses for full-frame DSLRs. But we have to start off with the new telephoto lens since it costs a ridiculous $17,899 (shown above). The 800mm super-telephoto (due in April) is Nikon’s longest fixed focal length AF piece of glass. The only places you might see this thing in action are on the sidelines for the Super Bowl or in the press box during a Grand Slam tennis match. This is strictly for pros or Power Ball-winning amateur photographers.

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Much more affordable are the seven new Coolpix point-and-shoots, ranging from an almost throwaway $119 “kid’s camera” to the $449 42x P520 mega-zoom. The various cameras have the full-gamut of features manufacturers are touting in 2013 as they fight off smartphones—Backside-Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensors, more powerful optical zooms, OLED screens, various implementations of Wi-Fi, and – in two modes – rugged form-factors.

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We were startled to see a cheapo $119 digicam from a top brand like Nikon when execs previewed these cameras at CES 2013 behind closed doors. Their reasoning was pretty succinct: Do parents want to give their kids an easily breakable smartphone for picture taking, or a Coolpix S31 that is waterproof to 16 feet and shockproof from about 4? Good point, but we have a suspicion the kid might opt for the smartphone that also plays Angry Birds. This is pretty much a 10.1MP toy with a 3x zoom and 2.7-inch LCD.

Nikon Coolpix S31

Much more pertinent to outdoors photographers is the new ruggedized 5x Coolpix AW110 ($349), an update to the AW100. Due in February, the camera is much tougher than the older model since it’s waterproof down to 59 feet, can take a drop from 6.7 feet, and it can handle the cold down 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It has built-in Wi-Fi, a 16MP BSI chip, a 3-inch OLED screen, lens-shift Vibration Reduction, and, like most tough digicams, has a built-in GPS. (The AW100 was good to 33 feet and had an LCD screen.)

Nikon Coolpix AW110

Long optical zooms really put the quality distance between smartphones and digicams. Here in this category, Nikon offers something for everyone. The new P520 ($449, February) is the replacement for the P510 and retains the 42x optical zoom with a range of 24-1000mm. This is still behind the 50x of the 12MP Canon SX50, but where the Nikon tops it is resolution since it has an 18MP BSI CMOS sensor; the P510’s was a 16MP CMOS. Also new is a 3.2-inch vari-angle LCD screen versus a 3-inch tilting version in the older model. The camera is Wi-Fi-capable but Nikon makes you purchase the optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adaptor. The camera grabs Full HD videos and has a built-in GPS.

Nikon Coolpix P520

Cameras in Nikon’s “S” Coolpix lineup are compact with very powerful zooms. The newest is the S9500 ($349, February) with a 22x 25-500mm zoom. It has an 18.1MP BSI CMOS chip, a 3-inch OLED display, built-in GPS, and Wi-Fi.  Way down the ladder is the new 6x 26-156mm S5200 ($179) with a 16MP BSI sensor and built-in Wi-Fi.

Nikon Coolpix S9500
Nikon Coolpix S5200

Rounding out the Coolpix introductions are the 30x L820 ($279) and the 5x L28 ($119). Both run on AA batteries. The L28 has a 20.1MP chip – we can’t wait to see how that one handles low light – while the L820 has a 16MP CMOS sensor. They’ll be available in February, just like the other Coolpix cameras mentioned here.

Nikon Coolpix L820
Nikon Coolpix L820

Also announced today is an AF-S 18-35mm ED f/3.5-4.5 G ultra-wide angle lens designed for full-frame DSLR owners. Unlike the 800mm lens, this is much more affordable $749.

Nikon AF-S 18-35mm ED f/3.5-4.5 G ultra-wide angle lens

According to Nikon execs, this will be it through the summer for the company’s digicams. So don’t hold out hope waiting for a refresh for the enthusiast-targeted P7700, Android-powered S800c, and f/1.8 P310—at least in the early part of 2013

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Nikon adds revamped 18-300mm telephoto to Nikkor DX-format lens lineup
nikon to releases nikkor 18 300mm lens dx

Nikon has a new high-powered zoom lens available for DX-format (APS-C) Nikon DSLRs, the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR. While Nikon already has an existing lens with the same focal length, the new glass is 30-percent smaller and 10-ounces lighter, has a slightly wider aperture range, and costs $100 less. 
The new 18-300mm is a 16.7x all-in-one telephoto lens that's more flexible for photographers using cropped DX-format cameras, which have smaller sensors than FX-format (full-frame) cameras in addition to lesser light-gathering capabilities. The 18-300mm incorporates a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quiet, built-in accurate fast autofocusing. Three aspherical and three extra-low dispersion glass elements help eliminate aberrations like lens flare and ghosting, while also contributing to the lens’ lighter, more streamlined design. There's built-in Vibration Reduction image stabilization. Whether shooting extreme close-ups, high-speed action, or scenic landscapes, the new 18-300mm is an ideal lens for several types of subjects and compositions.
The lens will be available in May 2014 for the suggested retail price of $900.

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Nikon updates Coolpix lineup of point-and-shoots, including new 60x ultra-zoom
nikon cpplus 2014 announcements p340 bk slup frt34r featured

Check out our full written reviews of the Nikon Coolpix S9700, Nikon Coolpix P600 review, and the Nikon Coolpix AW120.
At the 2014 CP+ Camera and Imaging Show in Japan, Nikon will show off several new Coolpix point-and-shoot models, ranging from a budget rugged camera to a 60x ultra-zoom. Some are evolutionary models of existing products, so there’s nothing brand spanking new, except some performance enhancements and new features. We’re also starting to see more Nikon models with Wi-Fi built in.
Nikon Coolpix S32
Coolpix S32
At $129, the S32 is Nikon’s affordable rugged point-and-shoot. The camera has a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the S31, thanks to a 13.2-megapixel CMOS sensor instead of a 10-megapixel CCD; with the CMOS sensor, the camera can shoot videos in Full HD (1080p). Its ruggedness has also been enhanced: It’s waterproof down to 33 feet and shockproof up to 5 feet – not freeze-proof though. The S32 has a price bump over the S31, but the stronger specs are worth it.
Nikon Coolpix AW120
Coolpix AW120
The AW120, which succeeds the AW110, is Nikon’s higher-end rugged compact. Specs wise, the AW120 retains all the features of the AW110 but has a faster 5x optical zoom lens (f/2.8-4.9, versus f/3.9-4.8 in the AW110) that’s also wider (24-120mm). It also has a faster continuous shooting mode at 6.6 frames per second, and Nikon added its Dynamic Fine Zoom (DFZ) with Hybrid Vibration Reduction feature that maintains high image quality in the first 2x of digital zoom; it’s still digital zoom, which isn’t great, but you’ll get improved quality. Like the AW110, the AW120 has a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, Wi-Fi and GPS (for geotagging your location), Full HD 1080 movie capture at 60i, 3-inch OLED panel. Ruggedness is also the same: waterproof down to 59 feet, shockproof up to 6.6 feet, and freeze-proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The camera will cost $350 when it goes on sale in March – a $100 premium over the AW110 – and come in orange, blue, black, and camouflage. Nikon is introducing a new optional chest harness mount and colored silicone jackets for extra protection.
Nikon Coolpix S9700
Coolpix S9700
Moving up the line, we head toward the higher-end point-and-shoot models. The S9700, available this month for $350 (in black and red), is a long-zoom compact with a 30x optical zoom (25-750mm, f/3.7-6.4) and 60x DFZ, with Lens Shift VR image stabilization. The 16-megapixel (1/2.3-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor) S9700 has Wi-Fi and GPS, a 3-inch OLED screen (921k dots), 1080/60i video capture, and Hybrid VR (hardware and software) for video stabilization. Unlike long-zoom bridge cameras that have a bulky form-factor, the S9700’s appeal is its compactness.
Nikon Coolpix P340
Coolpix P340
The P340 compact, a step-up from the P330, has a large 1/1.7-inch 12.2-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, allowing this small camera to capture better image quality. It has a 5x optical zoom (10x DFZ) with a wide-angle lens (24-120mm), and an aperture range of f/1.8-5.6. Besides PASM shooting modes, the P340 can shoot in RAW. It has a 3-inch (921k-dot) LCD, Wi-Fi, ISO of up to 6,400, and a mode dial with nice resistance that you’d find in cameras like DSLRs. Available in March, this compact with advanced shooting features will cost just $380.
Nikon Coolpix P530
Coolpix P530
The 16.1-megapixel P530 long-zoom bridge camera takes on the more recognizable DSLR-like form-factor, but it’s smaller and lighter. It has a 42x optical zoom (24-1,000mm, 84x DFZ) with Lens Shift VR image stabilization. It uses a back-illuminated CMOS sensor, captures video at 1080/60i, and has PASM shooting modes and a 3-inch LCD. The handy feature in the P530 is the electronic viewfinder, giving you a DSLR-like framing option. There’s no Wi-Fi built in, but it supports Nikon’s optional WU-1a wireless adapter. The $350 P530 is available this month, in black or red. (Interestingly, the P520 has GPS and a swivel display, which the P530 lacks. The P520 has an 18-megapixel CMOS sensor, but it isn’t back-illuminated.)
Nikon Coolpix P600 in red
Coolpix P600
Finally, we have the P600, which is a new model to the Coolpix lineup. Similar-looking to the P530, the DSLR-like bridge camera has a wide-angle 60x zoom lens (24-1,440mm) with Lens Shift VR, 120x if you use the DFZ digital zoom. The P600 uses a 16.1-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor, a 3-inch vari-angle swivel LCD, Wi-Fi, PASM shooting modes, and an electronic viewfinder. It has a battery life rated at 330 shots. With the ultra-zoom capability, Nikon added two scene modes for Moon and Bird Watching photography. The camera is available this month for $500, and comes in black or red.

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Nikon’s new Coolpix A is a point-and-shoot that has a heart of a DSLR
nikon coolpix march 4 announcements a bk front34l lo high

Nikon has introduced three new compact point-and-shoot models that couldn't be any more different from one another. The standout from the bunch is the new Coolpix A, Nikon's first compact camera to utilize a DX CMOS sensor to deliver DSLR-like quality imaging in a point-and-shoot. In addition to the cameras, Nikon also unveiled an 80-400mm FX-format (full frame) telephoto lens.
Coolpix A
Check out our review of the Nikon Coolpix A digital camera.
Packing a large sensor normally found in their DSLR cameras, the Coolpix A is Nikon’s first Coolpix model to feature a DX CMOS sensor, making it the flagship model in this family of point-and-shoot cameras. It has a solid metal construction akin to a Nikon DSLR than many Coolpix models.

Looking like the big brother to the also just announced Coolpix P330, this advanced 16.2-megapixel rangefinder-style shooter has an all-glass 18.5mm (28mm equivalent) Nikkor prime fixed lens with an f/2.8 aperture. Although there’s no optical zoom, the shallow depth of field achieved would satisfy the likes of street photographers. The ISO ranges from 100 to 6,400, but can expand up to 12,800 in Hi-1 and 25,600 in Hi-2 settings. The Coolpix A has a fast autofocusing system and a burst mode of 4 frames per second, and it handles video recording at 1080 at 60i or 30p. Full automatic shooting mode is available, but the manual and semi-automatic controls give users greater control over the settings; along with a manual focus ring and RAW/NEF image capture, the Coolpix A is a suitable backup camera for advanced and pro DSLR users. Users moving up from basic point-and-shoots might find the lack of an optical zoom unnerving. 
On the back is a 3-inch LCD (190K dots). Available optional accessories include an adapter ring to use with lens hoods and filters, an optical viewfinder with 90-percent angle of view, and Nikon Speedlights that are compatible with the hotshoe. The Coolpix A is also Wi-Fi-ready through the optional WU-1a adapter.
The camera will come in black and silver for a very pricey $1,100, available sometime this month.
Coolpix P330
A step down from the Coolpix A (in fact, several steps down in price) is another new advanced camera, the Coolpix P330. Looking like smaller version of the Coolpix A, the P330 has a 5x wide-angle optical zoom (24-120mm, 35mm equivalent) and uses a large 12.2-megapixel backside illuminated CMOS sensor. The lens has an aperture range of f/1.8-5.6, while ISO ranges from 80-3,200 (6,400 in Hi-1 and 12,800 in Hi-2). The P330 can shoot video at 1080 at 60i or 30p. Like the Coolpix A, there’s a 3-inch LCD (190K dots), and there’s manual controls and the ability to shoot in RAW/NRW images. GPS is built in, and Wi-Fi is available via the optional WU-1a adapter.

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