Nikon Announces New Coolpix Digicams

February 19, 2005: Nikon will release four new Coolpix digicams plus an innovative technology that makes taking portraits easier and more effective.
Highest-featured of the new releases is the Coolpix 7600, which sports a 7.1-megapixel (effective) sensor and Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with 3x zoom and an equivalent focal length of 38-114mm. Features include Nikon’s In-Camera Red-Eye Fix function, which automatically detects, then corrects red eyes in-camera and a redesigned graphic user interface that lets the user navigate and select functions by either name or icon, plus a handy Help button displays a description for each of the functions on the main menu. A 1.8-inch LCD with increased brightness makes it easy to compose shots and view the results and a well-designed grip contributes to easy shooting. Weighing only 145 grams, the Coolpix 7600 provides five movie capture modes with sound; two of them at 30 fps. Voice recording is also supported.

Announced concurrently with the Coolpix 7600 are the Coolpix 7900 and 5900, with 7.1 and 5.1 effective megapixels respectively and a 1/1.8-inch CCD sensor. Both feature a large 2.0-inch amorphous silicon TFT LCD monitor and a similar 38-114mm (effective) lens to the Coolpix 7600. Nikon has also unveiled the new Nikon Coolpix 4600 and Coolpix 5600 models, which are fun, easy-to-use cameras with the full suite of Nikon digital compact features plus a 3x optical zoom lens. Available in five attractive colours, the Coolpix 4600 has a 4-megapixel CCD sensor, while the Coolpix 5600’s sensor has five megapixels (effective). All the new models include the following innovative features:

• D-Lighting, which automatically compensates for excessive back light or insufficient flash – transforming the quality of images taken in challenging lighting conditions at the touch of a button.
• Face-priority AF, a brand new technology that automatically detects people’s faces in the picture and focuses on them, even when the subjects are off centre.
• Reduced power consumption, which allows more shots to be taken between battery charges. All models can all be operated with readily-available disposable batteries to allow picture taking to continue when away from recharging facilities.
• All five new Coolpix cameras feature a Copy mode, which effectively transforms the camera into a high resolution document scanner, plus an Underwater Scene Mode for use with Nikon waterproof housings, enabling true-to-life colours to be captured when taking shots while snorkelling or scuba diving.
• Macro shooting down to 4cm (in some models as close as 2cm).
• Blur Warning, which alerts the user when a shot is compromised by camera shake, allowing another shot to be taken before leaving the scene.
• Best Shot Selector (BSS), which automatically selects and saves the best exposure from ten sequential shots
• Scene Assist, which takes the four most common picture taking situations – Portrait, Night Portrait, Sports, Landscape – and makes it easier for virtually anyone to achieve more appealing composition.
  

The Coolpix 5600 and 5900 are due for release in Australia in March, the 7600, 4600 and 7900 models in April 2005. Pricing details have not been released. For more information, visit www.maxwell.com.au.