Nikon Corporation revealed details of its new compact, lightweight 5-megapixel digital still camera, the Coolpix 5000, on its Japanese website on September 18, generating a wave of publicity worldwide.

 

September 2001 – Nikon Corporation revealed details of its new compact, lightweight 5-megapixel digital still camera, the Coolpix 5000, on its Japanese website on September 18, generating a wave of publicity worldwide. The new top-of-the-line model comes with a 7.1-21.4mm (equivalent to 28-85mm in 35mm format) 3x zoom lens and a 5.24 megapixel CCD with an effective top sensor resolution of 5.0 megapixels (2560 x 1920 pixel images).

Features include a compact magnesium alloy body with an easy-grip design for comfortable operation and a fully articulating Vari-angle LCD monitor, which has a 1.8-inch screen and can be swivelled in any direction.

Full advantage is taken of the high resolution sensor by adding four new control modes – Clear Image Mode, Noise Reduction Mode, Saturation Control and White Balance. Clear Image Mode delivers accurate colours, smooth edges and a wide dynamic range, coupled with low noise, at resolutions of 1280 x 960 and below, providing excellent quality for images that will be used online.

New “film camera” features, such as 5-area multi autofocus and various exposure metering settings, will attract many SLR enthusiasts to the digital format. Users can select from 256-segment Matrix Metering or opt for centre-weighted, spot or Spot-Area AF metering. Shutter speeds range up to 1/4000 second and the camera offers continuous shooting at up to 3 fps.

The Coolpix 5000 also has an accessory shoe to connect to an external Speedlight and will accept a wide range of accessories, including the new 19mm Wide Angle lens attachment. It will be supplied with a 32 MB CompactFlash care and a rechargeable battery and charger.

Sadly, it is unlikely to be released in Australia until December. (We can hardly wait!)