New Nikon COOLPIX S7c Captures Great Images and Enables Picture Sharing From More Than 7,000 T-Mobile Hotspot Locations
MELVILLE, NY (August 24, 2006) - Nikon today announces a partnership with T-Mobile USA, Inc. that enables owners of the new Nikon COOLPIX S7c digital camera to access T-Mobile Hotspot Wi-Fi Service in order to be able to wirelessly share photos with family and friends. Coinciding with the launch of Nikon’s COOLPIX S7c, the Wi-Fi service called “COOLPIX CONNECT” makes it possible for users of the new camera to take high-quality photos and send them via e-mail* through a direct high-speed Wi-Fi connection at T-Mobile’s U.S.-based Hotspot locations. The COOLPIX S7c is a 7.1 megapixel, 3x Nikkor Zoom ED lens camera that combines high-quality imaging performance, style and impressive new photo- sharing technology.
“The S7c is the most technologically advanced compact digital camera that Nikon has ever released,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon, Inc. “Nikon’s all-new COOLPIX CONNECT service allows users to take pictures with the new COOLPIX S7c camera and send them to family and friends across the globe. The partnership with T-Mobile provides customers with the opportunity to share their images easily and seamlessly.”
Working with T-Mobile, Nikon’s COOLPIX CONNECT provides Nikon COOLPIX S7c users with Wi-Fi service that offers unmatched convenience and ease of use. The first time that a COOLPIX S7c user connects the camera to the T-Mobile network at any of the thousand T-Mobile HotSpot locations nationwide, that user’s one year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot service is automatically activated**. Choosing Wi-Fi mode on the COOLPIX S7c in a U.S.-based T-Mobile Hot Spot location automatically connects the camera to the T-Mobile network, activates the complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot service, and readies the camera to share pictures through a high-speed Wi-Fi connection.
The T-Mobile HotSpot service enables a total of up to 50MB of images to be sent to a T-Mobile server and stored for a maximum of two weeks. The server sends an email to each specified recipient with a thumbnail and a link to a Web page, thereby allowing COOLPIX S7c users to invite friends and family members to view the images right away, download full-resolution versions of the images to their own computer, or enjoy the images as a slideshow.
COOLPIX S7c customers can access T-Mobile HotSpot service in more than 7,000 U.S. locations, including convenient venues such as select Starbucks®, Borders®, FedEx Kinko’s™, Hyatt® Hotels & Resorts, Red Roof Inn™ locations, Sofitel and Novotel hotels, airline clubs of American®, Delta, United® and US Airways®, and many airports. For a complete list of T-Mobile HotSpot locations and more information about T-Mobile HotSpot Wi-Fi broadband service, please visit www.t-mobile.com/hotspot.
The COOLPIX S7c digital camera will be available nationwide in September 2006 with an MSRP of $349.95. For more information about this and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
* Images sent via COOLPIX Connect can be sent only from the U.S.
** One year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot service begins from the first time you automatically connect your COOLPIX S7c digital camera to the T-Mobile network at a T-Mobile HotSpot location within the U.S. T-Mobile HotSpot service does not include access to the Internet at any Wi-Fi roaming locations. This offer expires on September 30, 2007.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative™, the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
About T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is a member of the T-Mobile International group, the mobile telecommunications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. T-Mobile USA’s GSM/GPRS voice and data networks in the United States (including roaming and other agreements) reach more than 275 million people. In addition, T-Mobile operates the largest carrier-grade, commercial wireless broadband network in the United States, providing Wi-Fi access at more than 7,800 public locations throughout the country, with further Wi-Fi access being made available at nearly 30,000 international roaming locations. For more information, visit the company Web site at www.t-mobile.com. T-Mobile® is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG.
Tags: 35mm, compact digital, compact digital camera, compact digital cameras, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital slr, digital slr camera, digital slr cameras, film, film scanners, images, megapix, megapixel, new camera, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikon inc, nikondigital, nikonusa, optics, photo, photograph, photographer, photographers, photographic equipment, photos, picture, pictures, pixel, professional digital, quality photo, quality photos, resolution, slr camera, slr cameras, zoom
* 10.2 Megapixel D80 Offers Outstanding Performance, Ease Of Use, Versatile Personal Control and Exciting In-Camera Editing Tools
* All New 7.5x 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S IF-ED DX Nikkor Lens Included with the D80 Outfit Creates a Compelling Option for Photo Enthusiasts
MELVILLE, NY, AUGUST 9, 2006 - Building on the extraordinary success of the D70 and D70s, Nikon® (www.nikondigital.com) today introduced the new D80™ digital SLR camera - an impressively featured, high performance camera that incorporates Nikon’s latest digital and photographic technologies, and offers advanced features as well as automated operation to satisfy any photographer with the passion to create beautiful photographs and preserve special moments. With a new 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor and an exclusive high-resolution color processing engine inherited from Nikon’s latest professional digital SLR cameras, the D80 can render images with incredible resolution, sharp detail and vibrant color that is unmatched in this class of cameras. And it can shoot these images fast - at speeds of up to 3 frames per second, for up to 100 consecutive shots (in JPEG Normal mode), ensuring that the camera’s always ready for the next fleeting moment.
The D80 works with the efficiency and grace of a fine-tuned instrument, powering up in only 0.18 seconds and capturing a picture with an imperceptible shutter lag time of just 80 milliseconds (0.08 seconds). A new 11-area auto-focus system detects focus with superb precision and can even track a moving subject across the frame, shifting focus instantly and automatically to any of the 11 auto-focus points that detect the subject. The D80’s large, bright 0.94x viewfinder affords a remarkable view not found in many digital SLRs, making critical composition easier and more pleasing. The camera’s rechargeable battery can last up to 2700 shots on a single charge, while also providing a real-time Fuel Gauge of the percentage of charge remaining in the battery at all times. And like all Nikon digital SLR cameras, the D80 feels solid and substantial while being both compact and comfortable. But more experienced photo enthusiasts will admire the D80 most for its bevy of creative controls and features that make photography with the camera so much more enjoyable and rewarding. Its new Optimize image menu, for instance, offers complete control over the look and feel of your pictures, allowing you to boost saturation and create pictures with vivid color, or shoot black-and-white pictures with a choice of four filtration effects, or even create your own custom look that expresses personal style and creativity. Other creative tools include an all-new image Retouch menu for in-camera image editing, built-in i-TTL flash control with the ability to control up to two remote groups of Speedlights, as well as over 32 Custom settings to customize several attributes of the camera’s performance.
“The Nikon D70 and D70s cameras proved to be extraordinarily successful due to the excellent value they offered to passionate photo enthusiasts when each was introduced. They offered an ideal balance of features, performance, innovation and price, making them appealing to a very broad range of photographers. With the introduction of the D80, Nikon is significantly raising the bar for a camera in this class,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon Inc. “By bringing high-end features and technologies inherited from our professional line of cameras to the passionate photo enthusiast, while making the camera simpler and more enjoyable to use, we believe the D80 will represent the ’sweet spot’ for anyone looking for a new level of digital SLR camera performance and value. Paired with the new 7.5x 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S IF-ED DX Zoom-Nikkor lens, the D80’s performance and versatility becomes even more compelling for consumers,” he added.
Unrivaled Image Quality
At the heart of any digital camera lies its image processing engine - a sophisticated processor that determines, among other things, the overall color rendering and image quality of pictures taken with the camera. One of the key advances developed for the D80 is Nikon’s own high-resolution image processing engine that inherits best-of-breed technologies from Nikon’s latest professional digital SLR cameras, including color independent analog pre-conditioning and high-precision 12-bit digital image processing algorithms, which combine to produce natural-looking images that benefit from faithful color and tone reproduction. A new dedicated high-performance processing chip greatly accelerates performance on all levels, while also achieving lower power consumption, assuring more pictures per battery charge.
The D80 also benefits from Nikon’s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II, to ensure accurate exposures, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Evaluating, rather than merely measuring or averaging the true content of each scene, input from the system’s frame-wide 420-pixel sensor is automatically referenced against an onboard database of over 30,000 scenes from actual photography to calculate final exposure value. Variable Center-Weighted metering and Spot metering centered on the active focus area are also available, as are exposure compensation and auto exposure bracketing. Sophisticated exposure automation combined with options for complete user control help to make the D80 an ideal high-performance digital SLR for passionate photography enthusiasts.
Speed to Burn
One of the hallmarks of Nikon’s digital SLR cameras is how fast they operate, not only when capturing images, but also when processing them. The D80 proudly carries this tradition forward. Not only is the camera powered up and ready to shoot in only 0.18 seconds, it also reacts at blazing speeds when the shutter button is pressed. With a minimal shutter lag time of just 80 milliseconds (0.08 seconds), and the ability to shoot 3 frames per second up to 100 consecutive shots (in JPEG Normal mode), the camera is ready to shoot whenever that priceless expression or special moment presents itself. Images shot are processed instantly and recorded rapidly to the inserted SD memory card. Preview images are also displayed near instantly.
The D80’s new 11-area auto-focus system also fulfills its role in the overall speed of the camera, delivering fast and precise focus under varying shooting conditions. Adopting a refined version of Nikon’s advanced Multi-CAM 1000 AF Sensor Module, this new 11-area AF system with center area wide-frame operation adds effective new focusing options that will instill greater confidence in getting the desired shot. An all-new Auto-Area AF mode measures all eleven focus areas and automatically determines which of them are on the primary subject.
Creativity Comes Standard
The Nikon D80 is designed to inspire creativity at every level. For this reason, the camera includes a wide assortment of features and tools to empower all kinds of users, ranging from the novice to the seasoned pro, to pursue their creative vision, instantly and right from within the camera.
D80 photographers will enjoy the camera’s built-in Multiple Exposure mode for unique composite image effects, or the Optimize menu options that closely tailor results to the scene at hand or the intended use of an image or to a custom preference of the photographer. Optimization of sharpening, tone (contrast), color, saturation and hue is controlled by the user-selected choice of Normal, Softer, Vivid, More Vivid, Portrait, Custom and Black-and-White. The black-and-white mode can be customized using red, green, yellow and orange filter effects as well as image sharpening and tone compensation.
The D80 also features an all-new image Retouch menu, with exclusive in-camera editing functions that will certainly keep D80 users engaged when they’re not busy shooting. Options within the Retouch menu include:
* D-Lighting: Automatically balances underexposed portions of an image to enhance detail in these areas, without affecting the highlights of the picture
* In-camera Red-eye Correction: Automatically removes the annoying red-eye effect sometimes caused by flash.
* Trim: Images can be trimmed within the camera to produce smaller files with reduced display sizes for easy sharing or greater efficiency for specific end purposes.
* Image Overlay: Merges a pair of selected RAW files taken with the D80 to create a composite image within the camera as a RAW or JPEG file. This feature is especially useful when trying to create a soft-focus effect with two similar images
* Monochrome settings: Monochrome settings can be applied to any color image in the camera, to convert it to a pleasing monochromatic picture, either in black-and-white, sepia or cyanotype
* Filter Effects: Can be used to emulate and apply the effects of a Skylight filter or a Warming filter to any image stored on the inserted SD card. A Customized Color menu within filter effects can also be used to make subtle shifts in color to any image in the camera.
For anyone just beginning to enjoy the added performance and versatility of digital SLR photography, creative shooting is as simple as rotating the Digital Vari-Program mode dial on the camera. The D80 has seven preconfigured program modes to optimize the camera for specific shooting conditions and greatly increase the chances of taking a great photograph. In “Portrait” Mode, for example, the camera automatically optimizes the color, hue, and saturation levels to capture the most flattering skin tones, softens the focus of the background images to emphasize the face and applies a milder form of in-camera sharpening. Users can choose from Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports, Night Landscape or Night Portrait.
The D80 also offers creative ways to share pictures, with its built-in Pictmotion slideshow feature, which includes style selections that control transitions and background music. Shows can be enjoyed on the 2.5-inch LCD, or complete with audio on a television when connected via the supplied AV cable.
Creature Comfort
The D80 features refined ergonomics and design, borne from Nikon’s extensive experience designing successful SLR cameras for over 50 years. As a result, the camera is incredibly comfortable to use and handle, and incorporates several new features that enhance its usability. The D80 features a large and bright viewfinder with large 0.94x magnification to ensure the clearest view possible for precise composition. Included is a built-in diopter adjustment control knob also makes it easier to fine-tune the view to match eyesight. The viewfinder’s integrated grid display can also be turned on to assist with composition.
A large new 2.5-inch 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD provides an ultra-wide 170-degree viewing angle from all directions. Navigating the spacious preview of your images is easy with a new dedicated Zoom button, magnifying images on screen up to 25 times their original size. A new RGB histogram display aids in evaluating exposures with greater precision. Other playback options include single frame, 4 or 9-image thumbnail display, an improved histogram display and highlight point display. A new menu interface featuring refinements to the carefully chosen color scheme and increased font size makes navigation easier on the eye, easier to understand and easier to use. Menus can be customized to display only selected items using the new “My Menu” set.
The D80 is slimmer and more compact than its predecessors, and remains true to Nikon’s commitment to intuitive operation. The size, layout and operation of all buttons and controls are designed for maximum ease of use.
System Strength
With the D80, users also have complete and seamless compatibility with Nikon’s extensive Total Digital Imaging System, and the camera is designed to take advantage of many of the technologies built into Nikon accessories. The D80’s powerful built-in Speedlight is compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, and can wirelessly control up to two groups of Speedlights in full TTL mode, taking the guesswork out of multiple flash photography. Compatible Speedlights within the Creative Lighting System include the SB-800, SB-600 and Nikon’s Wireless Close-up Speedlight Systems, featuring the SB-R200.
The D80 also offers unprecedented compatibility with Nikon’s extensive selection of AF Nikkor lenses as well as new DX Nikkor lenses, which are designed exclusively for use with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras. Nikkor lenses, famous for optical superiority, add to the D80’s ability to deliver outstanding images.
The D80 will also have an optional MB-D80 battery pack available, extending the shooting capability in an ergonomic design that adds shooting stability. Able to run on either one or two EN-EL3e rechargeable batteries or six AA-size batteries, the pack also features an additional command dial and alternative buttons for shutter release and AE-Lock/AF-Lock that make vertical shooting more comfortable.
The D80 is also fully compatible with Capture NX software (available for purchase separately), Nikon’s highly versatile and elegantly simple new photo editing solution designed to help photographers tap the full potential of NEF (RAW) images. Featuring an innovative user interface that provides easier access to powerful and visually intuitive enhancement tools, Capture NX’s powerful photo image processing and editing tools can also be applied to JPEG and TIFF files to satisfy a broader range of photofinishing needs and applications.
The D80 will be available beginning September 2006 for an estimated selling price of $999.95** for body only and $1299.95** for body and lens outfit, including the new 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S IF-ED DX Nikkor Lens. For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative™, the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
Tags: 35mm, 3d color matrix, batteries, Battery, CCD, ccd image sensor, compact digital, compact digital camera, compact digital cameras, consecutive shots, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital image, digital slr, digital slr camera, digital slr cameras, digital slr photography, digital slrs, display size, film, film scanners, flash, flash photography, image editing, image quality, image sensor, images, lense, lenses, megapix, megapixel, memory, memory card, nikkor lenses, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikon d70, nikon d80, nikon digital, nikon digital slr, nikon digital slr camera, nikon digital slr cameras, nikon inc, nikondigital, nikonusa, optics, photo, photo editing, photo enthusiast, photo enthusiasts, photograph, photographer, photographers, photographic equipment, photographs, photography, photography enthusiast, photography enthusiasts, picture, pictures, pixel, professional digital, rechargeable batteries, rechargeable battery, resolution, resolution color, saturation, sd card, sd memory card, slr camera, slr cameras, slr photography, viewfinder, zoom
New Lens Offers Enhanced Nikon VR (VRII) Vibration Reduction System in a Compact, 4.3x Zoom Lens for Nikon DX Format Digital and 35mm Film SLR Cameras
MELVILLE, NY, AUGUST 9, 2006 - Nikon Inc. (www.nikondigital.com) today introduced the new 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens, a 4.3x zoom lens that is ideal for telephoto shooting opportunities. It incorporates many of Nikon’s most advanced lens design attributes such as Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II), in a design engineered for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. With a high-powered 70-300mm focal length range, the lens is ideal for sports, action, wildlife, travel and portrait photography, among other telephoto applications. When used on a Nikon DX format digital SLR, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 105-450mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera.
“Nikon’s range of Nikkor lenses with Vibration Reduction technology has grown substantially and the new 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens is another excellent addition, offering both Nikon digital and 35mm SLR photographers an advanced high-powered zoom lens in a surprisingly compact, lightweight design,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products, at Nikon Inc. “High quality lens design requires a challenging blend of art, science and, of course, photographic experience. With the new 70-300mm AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor, Nikon engineers have again met that challenge, producing a lens whose optical performance delivers clarity and contrast typically found only in lenses costing substantially more,” he added.
Beyond the lens’ incredible optical versatility is the benefit of Enhanced VR II Vibration Reduction - an innovation that makes it possible to take substantially sharper handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. This provides the distinct advantage of being able to shoot more effectively in a much broader variety of challenging conditions. With the new Nikon VR II advantage, users can take pictures at shutter speeds as many as 4 stops slower* than they ordinarily could shoot without the image degrading blur associated with camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Nikon’s advanced VR technology further enhances picture taking potential with a choice of two modes to match most shooting conditions. VR Normal Mode primarily compensates for camera shake, and includes automatic panning detection, as well as automatic tripod detection. VR Active Mode effectively compensates for vibration in situations where it is more pronounced and more frequent, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle.
To further ensure outstanding optical performance, the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor features two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and three complex aspherical lens elements that provide for higher resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. The lens also features Nikon’s compact Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), which combines fast and precise autofocusing with super-quiet operation, as well as Internal Focusing (IF) construction that allows the lens to focus without changing its external size, improving balance and handling characteristics.
The 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens will be available beginning October 2006 with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $669.00**. For more information about Nikon and Nikkor optics, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative™, the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
*Under Nikon measurement conditions.
** Manufacturers Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) are for reference only. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
Tags: 35mm, compact digital, compact digital camera, compact digital cameras, contrast images, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital slr, digital slr camera, digital slr cameras, film, film scanners, focal length, focal length range, images, lens design, lense, lenses, new lens, nikkor lenses, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikon digital, nikon inc, nikondigital, nikonusa, optical performance, optics, photo, photograph, photographer, photographers, photographic equipment, photography, picture, pictures, professional digital, resolution, shutter speed, shutter speeds, slr camera, slr cameras, slr systems, zoom
Capture NX - A Powerful and Intuitive New Software That Dramatically Simplifies Photo Editing for JPEG, TIFF and Nikon RAW (NEF) Format Images - is Now Available at Nikon Authorized Retail Locations Nationwide
MELVILLE, NY (August 9, 2006) - Nikon (www.nikondigital.com) has begun shipping the highly acclaimed new Capture NX™ software to Nikon authorized retailers across the nation. Capture NX™ is new software that is designed specifically for photographers, providing a unique and easy to understand interface with tools that photographers need, but without the level of complexity and clutter of other image editing applications. The software can be used with JPEG and TIFF format images from any source, and its patented new U Point™ technology offers photographers a dramatically simplified way to edit their pictures by enabling them to enhance specific areas of a picture selectively, without the use of masks, selections, or layers. Capture NX also works with Nikon’s RAW (NEF) format images, and inherits Nikon’s robust RAW processing capabilities for the highest quality results from NEF files.
Capture NX is designed to appeal to a broad range of consumers. Users with compact digital cameras such as Nikon’s Coolpix series will enjoy the simplicity of using U Point technology to quickly enhance their JPEG pictures, eliminate any red-eye using the Automatic Red-Eye Correction tool and even resurrect underexposed images with the software’s D-Lighting feature. Professional and advanced photographers will appreciate the time they can save using U Point technology to make edits to their images, as well as fully utilize over 25 new tools in the software, including powerful batch processing capabilities, advanced color management features, Distortion Correction enhancement and the ability to make every edit non-destructively (when a JPEG, TIFF or NEF image is saved in NEF format). A detailed online demonstration of how Capture NX works is available at www.capturenx.com or www.nikondigital.com.
A 30-day trial version of Capture NX software is available for download at www.nikonusa.com, in the Software Download section. Full version software is available for purchase at select Nikon authorized dealers nationwide, as well as on Nikon’s online store at www.nikonmall.com. Capture NX is available for an estimated selling price of $149.95**. A special limited-time upgrade price of $89.95 will be offered to current owners of Nikon Capture 4 software in the U.S. market. This upgrade will only be available online at http://www.nikonmall.com/captureupgrade/ for registered Nikon Capture 4 owners and will be limited to one upgrade per legitimate Nikon Capture 4 product key. The upgrade will require certain customer verification of ownership. Customers who have not already registered their version of Capture 4 will receive instructions to do so at the site.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative™, the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
Tags: 35mm, capabilities, compact digital, compact digital camera, compact digital cameras, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital slr, digital slr camera, digital slr cameras, film, film scanners, image editing, images, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikon inc, nikondigital, nikonusa, optics, photo, photo editing, photograph, photographer, photographers, photographic equipment, picture, pictures, professional digital, slr camera, slr cameras
* 12.4-Megapixel D2xs Offers Unique Combination of Extraordinary Image Quality, High-Speed and High-Resolution in a Single Camera Body
* Internal and External Refinements Make D2xs a Commendable Successor to Nikon’s Flagship D2x Digital SLR Camera
MELVILLE, N.Y., June 1 — Nikon(R) (http://www.nikondigital.com), the world leader in photography, today introduced the new D2xs(TM) professional digital SLR camera, incorporating an impressive range of refinements that improve overall camera performance and enhance the user experience. The D2xs shares many performance and design innovations with the current and highly successful D2x camera, including the 12.4 million pixel DX format CMOS image sensor that renders images with high resolution and sharp detail, necessary for demanding professional assignments. The D2xs also hosts a range of upgraded features that make operation significantly more responsive — including refined viewfinder performance that makes for easier composition when shooting in Nikon’s exclusive High-Speed Crop mode, a new 2.5 inch LCD with a 170-degree wide viewing angle, individually calibrated at the factory to ensure consistent color fidelity, significantly increased battery life and a wide range of firmware enhancements.
With its numerous refinements, the D2xs is truly equipped to meet the widely varied demands of today’s professional photographers who strive to create photographs that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Not only does the camera successfully combine high resolution, speed and quality, but it also incorporates exclusive technologies that enable unfettered creativity. Options such as the WT-2A Wi-Fi transmitter achieves full wireless remote camera control and transmission, while the revolutionary i-TTL Speedlight technology included in the D2xs ensures radical new possibilities in creative lighting.
“Increasingly, professional photographers have chosen the D2x as their primary workhorse camera due to its remarkable performance and versatility, making it Nikon’s best selling professional digital SLR camera. With the introduction of the D2xs, Nikon has built upon the proven performance of its predecessor and added new technologies and refined features that will
offer professionals an enhanced overall experience,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR Systems Products, Nikon Inc. “The D2xs is poised to become the next Nikon DSLR of choice among professional photographers.”
Versatility Refined
Many of the capabilities that made the D2x such a success have been retained. The D2xs is capable of capturing 12.4 megapixel JPEG or RAW (NEF) images at a rate of up to 5 frames per second in continuous shooting mode, and maintains a rapid start-up time, the world’s shortest shutter release time lag of just 37ms, as well as a viewfinder blackout time of just 105 milliseconds. The D2xs also inherits the popular High-Speed Crop mode that uses a specific central area of the sensor to capture 6.8 megapixel resolution images at an incredible rate of up to 8 frames per second. A newly developed viewfinder in the D2xs automatically superimposes a mask over the cropped area within the viewfinder while in the High-Speed Crop mode, for easier and more confident composition.
The D2xs features Nikon’s acclaimed Mutli-CAM2000 high-speed AF system, with eleven autofocus sensors — nine of which are cross-type and placed in the rule of thirds layout. The D2xs offers improved subject acquisition and tracking capabilities as well as a new option for controlling the duration of Lock-On(TM) focus tracking, making it easier to adjust for shooting
different types of scenes and action.
New Image Rendering and Menu Options
With a combination of powerful image-processing technologies and Nikon’s exclusive 1,005 pixel 3D-Color Matrix Metering II, the D2xs makes it possible to capture beautiful 2.4-megapixel images that meet and exceed professional photographers’ needs for larger files that are rich in detail, color and smooth tonal range. The D2xs has also been refined so demanding photographers can take advantage of Nikon’s 3D-Color Matrix Metering II even in the High-Speed Crop mode. Professional photographers will appreciate the ability to select Adobe RGB in any of the three color modes — making it possible to work with a wider range of colors to match highly diverse assignments and workflow environments, while ideally complementing the NEF file. In-camera creative possibilities are extended even further through the addition of a new Black & White (sRGB) color mode.
Photographers shooting in RAW (NEF) will have the ability to shoot in black and white and still retain the color information in the RAW image data, allowing them to easily reverse a black and white image to color using Nikon’s new Capture NX software.
RAW and JPEG images taken using the D2xs can be trimmed within the camera to produce images of reduced display sizes ranging from 640 x 480 to 2,560 x 1,920 pixels. The resulting smaller files can help improve workflow efficiency by eliminating the time required to download and perform software editing within a computer.
New ISO sensitivity options offer greater convenience to photographers who work under constantly changing lighting conditions such as weddings. A new Auto ISO feature allows photographers to maintain a specific shutter speed while letting the camera automatically select an appropriate ISO setting, within a predefined range of sensitivities, based on the existing lighting conditions. This feature helps achieve optimum exposure while freeing the photographer to concentrate on composition. ISO sensitivity can also be manually set between ISO-equivalent 100 and 800 in increments of 1/3 EV, or boosted using HI-0.3, HI-0.5, HI-0.7, HI-1 or HI-2 settings when high sensitivity is a priority. The 3 settings between 800 and HI-1 are newly added to give the D2xs finer control over sensitivity.
Refined Ergonomics and Design
The D2xs body is consistent with the exterior styling of the D2-series, adopted from a design created by famed industrial designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro*. The body is proportionate and well balanced, with a well designed interface that is intuitive and seamless.
The D2xs improves upon its predecessor’s energy efficient design, and when combined with the newly developed high-energy EN-EL4a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the camera boasts an unprecedented 3,800** shots per charge. Nikon’s highly sophisticated, real-time battery Fuel Gauge system in the D2xs allows photographers to determine the precise level of remaining charge, number of shots taken per charge and the overall life of the battery — all at the touch of a button.
A new 2.5-inch, 235,000 dot LCD monitor in the D2xs allows a 170-degree wide viewing angle, and is individually calibrated at the factory to ensure consistent color fidelity. The D2xs also features a new color scheme for menu displays.
Expanded Software Options
The D2xs features a unique Image Authentication feature that, when used with Nikon’s new Image Authentication Software, marks the authentication of an image captured by the camera and can determine whether or not it has been altered since capture. Image data is a critical link in the “chain of evidence” for verifying image authenticity, and D2xs’s hardware and software-based image authentication solution allows easy, secure authentication of images for a wide range of requirements. The softwareenables verification of JPEGS, TIFF and NEF (RAW) images taken with the Nikon D2xs.
A new remote control software called Camera Control Pro is also available for the D2xs, enabling unprecedented remote control operation of many camera functions from a personal computer. Camera Control Pro software is the next generation of camera control software, previously bundled with Nikon’s Capture 4 software, and features substantial advanced features that offer limitless creativity to photographers who need to control their camera remotely. Camera Control Pro can control the D2xs remotely tethering a high-speed USB cable or optional WT-2a wireless transmitter.
The D2xs is also compatible with Nikon’s soon-to-be-released Capture NX(TM) software — a highly versatile yet elegantly simple photo editing solution that provides easy, yet powerful and visually intuitive image-editing and enhancement tools. With Capture NX, photographers will be able to tap into the full potential of D2xs’s RAW (NEF) files, while also apply powerful photo image processing and editing tools to JPEG and TIFF files.
The D2xs will be available from Nikon authorized retailers in late June for an estimated street price of $4699.95***. For more information, please visit http://www.nikondigital.com
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image(TM). Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX(R) compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN(R) digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative(TM), the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
Tags: 35mm, Battery, battery life, black and white, camera body, capabilities, CMOS, compact digital, compact digital camera, compact digital cameras, d2x digital slr, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital slr, digital slr camera, digital slr cameras, display size, dSLR, film, film scanners, image quality, image sensor, images, megapix, megapixel, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikon d2x, nikon inc, nikondigital, nikonusa, optics, photo, photo editing, photograph, photographer, photographers, photographic equipment, photographs, photography, picture, pictures, pixel, pixel resolution, professional digital, professional photographer, professional photographers, resolution, shutter speed, single camera, slr camera, slr cameras, slr systems, viewfinder
Jazz drummer Tony Sweet talks about his love of photography and the passion that drives him
MELVILLE, N.Y., March 8 — Talk to Tony Sweet about photography and before long, the conversation will turn to the subject of jazz. A jazz drummer for 20 years, Tony’s music experience informs everything he does as a photographer. This March, NikonNet will pay tribute to Tony Sweet and his work in its inspiring monthly showcase, “Legends Behind the Lens.”
Tony’s experience in photography is extensive and ranges from shooting for stock, calendars, greeting cards, posters and catalogue sales to authoring fine-art photography books such as Fine Art Nature Photography and Fine Art Flower Photography. Tony is well recognized as an educator and conducts numerous outdoor and nature photography workshops. He’s also a contributor to Shutterbug magazine.
“NikonNet is pleased to honor Tony Sweet this March,” says Anna Marie Bakker, Director of Communications at Nikon Inc. “Music and photography are very similar — tone, color and balance are all part of their universal language. Tony’s photographs have such grace and elegance; it is evident that music is a major inspiration to him.”
Tony’s striking images are based on one guiding principle: “Every single thing in the picture space either helps or hurts the image; there’s nothing neutral.” He believes that photographers turn imagined images into pictures — seeing things first in their mind and bringing them to existence by hitting the shutter. “When you’re playing music, when you’re really in the moment, you’re reacting instantly and totally to what’s going on,” he says. “You’re almost pre-hearing where someone is going, and you’re there. You can’t be thinking about technique; the moment you think about it, it’s too late. It’s the same thing in photography. The only way to achieve what you want in photography is to master your craft and then just forget about it. You shouldn’t be thinking of how to get what you want; you’re just out there doing it.”
Tony believes the ideal is to photograph without thinking about technique. While many photographers start out doing a lot of thinking and scanning their surroundings for reference points and scenes they are familiar with, Tony feels that a photographer grows and becomes more spontaneous once they empty their minds and react to what exists around them.
While conducting his workshops and seminars, Tony tells his outdoor and nature photography workshop students that they’ll know they’re getting better by the number of frames they’re hooting — and the number they’re keeping. He feels that the better you are, the fewer frames you shoot.
Tony can chart his own progress by that formula, and by the fact that he’s simplified his images and made them ever more elegant and direct. It was a process he didn’t have to think about because it was identical to the music process. He also says that the players he most admires are the most lyrical. “What hit me was how clear and direct they were, how simple, in fact. Not in technique, but in their expression and communication.”
Tony’s gear includes a Nikon F6, for film and a Nikon D2X, for digital. Among his favorite lenses are the 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX, 35-70mm f/2.8D AF and 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom-Nikkors; the 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Nikkor; the 105mm f/2.8D AF and 200mm f/4D ED-IF AF Micro-Nikkors; and an old favorite, the 85mm f/2.8 PC Micro-Nikkor. A recent addition to his lineup is Nikon’s R1C1 wireless close-up Speedlight system. For more information on Tony Sweet, visit NikonNet’s “Legends Behind the Lens” series at http://www.nikonnet.com/legends.
About “Legends Behind the Lens”
NikonNet’s “Legends Behind the Lens” series aims to educate users and, in turn, breathe excitement into photography. Nikon has assembled a comprehensive and intriguing collection of artists to share their most incredible, challenging, emotional and exciting experiences on NikonNet.
This inspiring monthly program offers a behind-the-scenes look into the personalities and philosophies behind the world’s greatest and most famous photographers. “Legends Behind the Lens” also offers portfolio galleries, as well as tips and tricks of the trade from featured professionals.
Past “Legends” in the series include David Alan Harvey, Nancy Brown, Joe Buissink, Steven Weinberg, B. Moose Peterson, Eddie Adams, Jay Maisel and Howard Bingham.
Tags: film, images, lense, lenses, nikon, nikon d2x, nikon f6, nikon inc, photo, photograph, photographer, photographers, photographs, photography, picture, pictures, zoom
Nikon’s New COOLPIX Digital Cameras Put Performance and Style in Your Life
Nikon Announces Seven New COOLPIX Cameras With Consumer’s Digital Photography Needs in Mind
Nikon’s New COOLPIX Digital Cameras Put Performance and Style in Your Life
MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 21 — Looking for a premier digital camera with your needs in mind? Whether you’re a first time digital camera consumer, looking to update your old digital camera, a person who enjoys sharing your pictures or an experienced photographer looking for a compact digital camera, Nikon’s 2006 COOLPIX line has a camera and feature set that is right for you. Today, Nikon announced the addition of seven new COOLPIX cameras adding to its Life, Style and Performance Series. Developed with the consumer in mind, Nikon has combined exceptional features with world-renowned quality design and style at attractive prices.
“Consumers requested small, sharp, powerful and easy-to-use digital cameras that can capture and share moments and memories,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for Nikon Inc. “From entry-level to advanced technologies our designers and engineers have done an outstanding job of adopting design styles and intuitive technology that directly address what the consumer asks for — a camera that looks great and performs just as
well.”
Unique to COOLPIX digital cameras, and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to underexposed pictures due to excessive backlight or insufficient flash,
blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:
– In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM): automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. You may never see red eye again.
– Face-Priority AF*: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.
– D-Lighting: selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
– Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry picture allowing for it to be retaken before leaving the scene.
– Best Shot Selector (BSS): automatically identifies and saves the sharpest shot from ten sequential shots.
In addition, every new COOLPIX camera features TV Quality Move Mode** function (recording movies at up to 30 fps with sound), Noise Reduction - to produce better results during low-light conditions; a broad choice of White Balance selection and a convenient Help Button, which is never further than a push of a button away, giving easy-to-understand explanations for all
functions throughout the menu.
Memories Made Easy with Nikon’s COOLPIX L-Series
If you are looking for an easy to use, compact digital camera that takes great pictures right out of the box, the Nikon COOLPIX L Series is a perfect fit. The COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 feature high-quality components, including a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens, a big, bright, 2.0-inch LCD and a streamlined design (less than 1″ thick) which contributes to the camera’s style and operation.
Adding to the cameras’ portability, each camera is AA-size battery and SD memory card compatible. With generous effective megapixel values of 6.0 for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 for the COOLPIX L3 and 4.0 for the COOLPIX L4, users have the ability to produce clear, crisp pictures. A choice of 15 Scene Modes - including four with Scene Assist - Best Shot Selector (BSS), Single and Continuous AF, Choice of White Balance and Noise reduction help users create pictures with optimal results.
The L2 and L3 will be available in late February 2006 with MSRP’s of, $199.95 for the L3 and $249.95 for the L2. The L4 will be available in March 2006 with an MSRP of $149.95
Brilliance Made Beautiful with Nikon’s COOLPIX S Series
The stylish Nikon COOLPIX S5 and S6 combine high-quality imaging performance with impressive digital photo sharing technology. The sleek, modern wave design of the S Series cameras, along with 6.0 effective megapixels and a 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass lens, make them ideal for the user who wants a camera with added style. Sharing digital images is easy with the new Pictmotion(TM) function, which allows users to select their favorite images, choose one of five royalty-free, pre-installed music files, or their own choice of music***, and automatically produce slide shows with pace and transition selected to match the music and style. Slide shows can be played back with ease on the S5’s 2.5-inch LCD of the S6’s 3.0-inch LCD, each of which is viewable for a wide 170-degree angle.
The incorporation of a Rotary Multi Selector allows for easy scrolling through the newly designed menu system and breezing through picture playback at up to 10 frames per second. Also included in the new S Series is a standalone One-Touch Portrait button conveniently located on the top of each camera, giving users instant access to the In-Camera Red Eye Fix and Face Priority AF options.
To ensure quality photos in various shooting environments, users have the option of 16 scene modes, 17 for S5 with Underwater mode****, including four modes with Scene Assist.
The COOLPIX S6 features an additional advantage of built-in WiFi capability, allowing for wireless transfer of pictures to a computer and wireless printing***** with any PictBridge enabled printer.
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 will be available nationwide in March 2006. The S5 has an MSRP of $349.95 and the S6 $449.95.
Passion Made Powerful with Nikon’s COOLPIX P-Series
The Nikon COOLPIX P3 and P4 digital cameras combine 8.1 effective megapixels with a range of advanced in-camera technologies. Designed for the photographer who enjoys customization and the ability to control their photography, the P Series cameras feature an innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) capability. Originally developed for Nikon SLR lenses, VR capability is available in two modes (Normal and Active) in order to compensate for camera movement. VR Normal compensates for minor movements, most often associated with handheld shooting, while VR Active compensates for more pronounced movements, such as the vibration of a moving vehicle.
The P3 and P4 give users the flexibility of a full array of exposure control settings. Covering a broader area of the frame, the new 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions - leaving photographers free to concentrate on the shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus. In addition, there are 16 shooting modes, including nine advanced scene modes that allow photographers to produce pictures better suited to their own personal tastes - through the use of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness noise reduction and more. To help photographers capture the action as it happens, both cameras feature continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second, which is
complimented by a five shot buffer that allows users to shoot in a continuous burst, with the camera recording the last five images taken.
The COOLPIX P3 comes with built in Wi-Fi capability that allows for wireless transfer of pictures to a computer and wireless printing***** with any PictBridge enabled printer.
The COOLPIX P3 and P4 will be available in March 2006 with a MSRP of $449.95 and $399.95, respectively.
* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting
conditions.
** COOLPIX L4 does not record sound in the Movie Mode.
*** Via PictureProject for Windows only.
**** Requires new FJ-CP-1 - Field Jacket - Price TBD
***** Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
Tags: Battery, compact digital, compact digital camera, coolpix l3, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital image, digital images, digital photograph, digital photography, exposure control, flash, flash photography, images, lense, lenses, megapix, megapixel, megapixels, memories, memory, memory card, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikon inc, optical zoom, photo, photograph, photographer, photographers, photography, photos, picture, pictures, pixel, quality photo, quality photos, red eye, sd memory card, sharpness, white balance, zoom
User Friendly Cameras with High-Quality Components
MELVILLE, NY (February 21, 2006) - The Nikon COOLPIX family of digital cameras is pleased to announce the addition of three new cameras in its L, or Life, series. The Nikon COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 combine high-quality design and construction with easy to use features available at affordable prices. All three cameras boast a sharp 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens, a big, bright 2.0-inch LCD and lightweight, compact body style (slimmest in it’s class with AA-type batteries) while offering high resolution of 6.0 effective megapixels for the COOLPIX L2, 5.1 effective megapixels for the COOLPIX L3 and 4.0 effective megapixels for the COOLPIX L4.
“The COOLPIX L-series cameras are ideal for entry-level to intermediate users who are looking for easy to use, beautifully designed cameras” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for Nikon, Inc. “Each of these cameras feature Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, which helps users improve their images in-camera. With these attractive price points and easy operability, anyone can take better pictures right out of the box.”
Nikon has developed the L Series with the snapshot consumer in mind and created well-featured cameras that can easily turn those snapshots into lasting memories. Unique to COOLPIX digital cameras, and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to dark pictures, blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:
- In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™: automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. You may never see red eye again.
- Face-Priority AF*: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.
- D-Lighting: selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry picture allowing for it to be retaken before leaving the scene.
- Best Shot Selector (BSS): automatically identifies and saves the sharpest shot from ten sequential shots.
Additionally, the L Series cameras include handy features such as, TV Quality Movie Mode** function (recording movies at up to 30fps with sound on the L2 and L3), Single and Continuous AF, Choice of White Balance and Noise Reduction to ensure better color reproduction in darker lighting conditions.
The COOLPIX L2, L3 and L4 all have a streamlined, easy to carry design that features a smooth, stylish finish and a curved grip that contributes to both design elegance and shooting stability. Adding to the cameras’ convenient portability, all of L-series models are AA-size battery and SD memory card compatible, with 32 MB of internal memory for the L2 and L3 and 16MB for the L4. If the user is unsure of which camera setting to use, the on-camera Help button can be pressed to display simple explanations for functions in the main menu. Each camera is packaged with a complimentary copy of Nikon’s PictureProject™ Software.
The big, bright, easy-to-view 2.0-inch LCD features new icons, function selection and color scheme and a choice of 15 Scene Modes - including four with Scene Assist, which displays useful framing guides in the monitor helping the user to compose the shot with optimal results - providing users with the ability to achieve crisp, clear images in a variety of situations such as Beach/Snow, Fireworks, Museum, Party/Indoor and more.
The COOLPIX L2 and L3 will be available in late February 2006 with MSRP’s of $199.95 for the L3 and $249.95 for the L2. The COOLPIX L4 will be available in March 2006 with an MSRP of $149.95. For more information about the L-series cameras and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
*Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.
** COOLPIX L4 does not record sound in the Movie Mode.
Tags: batteries, Battery, coolpix l3, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, flash, flash photography, images, internal memory, megapix, megapixel, megapixels, memories, memory, memory card, new camera, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikondigital, optical zoom, photo, photograph, photography, picture, pictures, pixel, red eye, resolution, sd memory card, snapshots, white balance, zoom
Nikon Incorporates SLR-Inspired Technology Into a Compact Digital Camera
MELVILLE, NY (February 21, 2006) - Nikon today announced the COOLPIX P3 and P4, an expansion to its more advanced and feature-rich P, or Performance, Series of digital cameras. Designed for the photographer who enjoys a high level of control, advanced imaging technologies and the ability to take creative control of their photography, these two exciting new cameras combine 8.1 effective megapixels with a wide range of advanced in-camera technologies, taking compact digital photography to the next level.
“The COOLPIX P3 and P4 are the perfect camera for consumers who are looking for a customizable photography experience,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for Nikon, Inc. “These cameras take many technologies first available in Nikon’s SLR line and makes them readily and easily available to consumers looking for a capable, compact digital camera at a very attractive price.”
Nikon has added its Vibration Reduction (VR) system, a feature adapted directly from Nikon’s world-renowned SLR lenses, to the P Series cameras allowing them to capture rock-steady images at shutter speeds of up to three stops slower that could normally be hand held. VR capability is available at the push of a button in two modes (Normal and Active) in order to compensate for camera movement. VR Normal compensates for minor movements, most often associated with handheld shooting, while VR Active compensates for more pronounced movements, such as the vibration of a moving vehicle. An electronic adaptation of Vibration Reduction also applies to movie shooting, allowing for sharp video in low light conditions and keeping subjects clear during panning while helping to support faster framing on the cameras’ incredible, bright 2.5-inch LCD.
COOLPIX P Series digital camera users will enjoy the flexibility of a full array of exposure control settings similar to Nikon’s SLR models. Covering a broader area of the frame, the new 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in more diverse compositions - leaving photographers free to concentrate on the shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus almost anywhere in the frame. In addition, there are 17 shooting modes, including nine advanced scene modes that allow photographers to produce pictures better suited to their own personal tastes - through the use of three effects that vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness, noise reduction and more.
To add even greater control, both cameras offer Aperture-priority Auto mode to let photographers benefit from aperture control in 1/3EV steps. Users can select large apertures for attractive background blurring or stop down to small apertures to extend crisp focus into the distance - all while the camera automatically selects the most appropriate shutter speed for optimized exposure.
To help photographers capture the action as it happens, both cameras feature continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second, which is complimented by a five shot buffer that allows users to shoot in a continuous burst, with the camera recording the last five images taken. This speed allows the P Series cameras to be a great companion for SLR shooters looking for a smaller but powerful camera to take anywhere.
An addition to the successful COOLPIX P1 and P2 cameras, the new P3 also comes equipped with the ability to transfer images wirelessly through the camera’s built in Wi-Fi feature*. Nikon’s wireless solution is fun and convenient and allows consumers to send their pictures wirelessly to a computer. In addition, pictures can be sent wirelessly to any PictBridge-enabled printer**. The Wi-Fi feature to transfer images to a computer is built into the camera and requires no additional accessories.
Unique to COOLPIX digital cameras, and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to underexposed pictures due to excessive backlight or insufficient flash, blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:
- In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™: automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. You may never see red eye again.
- Face-Priority AF***: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.
- D-Lighting: selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary
- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry picture allowing for it to be retaken before leaving the scene.
- Best Shot Selector (BSS): automatically identifies and saves the sharpest shot from ten sequential shots.
Additionally, the P Series cameras include handy features such as, TV Quality Movie Mode
function (recording movies at up to 30 fps with sound limited only by the available memory, Single and Continuous AF, Choice of White Balance and Noise Reduction to ensure better color reproduction in darker lighting conditions.
The COOLPIX P3 and P4 will be available in March 2006 with a MSRP of $449.95 and $399.95, respectively. The Wireless Print Adaptor (PD-10) is currently available and has an MSRP of $49.95. For more information about these models and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
Tags: compact digital, compact digital camera, digital cam, Digital Camera, digital camera user, digital camera users, Digital cameras, digital photograph, digital photography, exposure control, flash, flash photography, images, lense, lenses, megapix, megapixel, megapixels, memory, new camera, nikon, nikon inc, nikondigital, photo, photograph, photographer, photographers, photography, picture, pictures, pixel, red eye, sharpness, shutter speed, shutter speeds, white balance
Nikon’s New 6.0-megapixel COOLPIX S5 and S6 Perform As Great As They Look
MELVILLE, NY (February 21, 2006) - Nikon today announced a stylish and edgy addition to the Nikon COOLPIX S, or Style, Series of digital cameras. The new COOLPIX S5 and S6 combine high-quality imaging performance with impressive new Pictmotion™ photo sharing technology to make the S5 and S6 the must-have compact digital camera. Both the S5 and S6 have sleek, slim wave designs, appealing to users who want their cameras to look as great as the pictures they take. Each camera boasts 6.0 effective megapixels and features a 3x Zoom-Nikkor ED Glass lens.
“Along with other products of great design, Nikon’s new COOLPIX S Series encompasses all things desirable. It’s a great union of form and function,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for Nikon Inc. “Beyond style, the introduction of Pictmotion technology, huge, bright LCD screens and a new Rotary Multi Selector turn the S5 and S6 cameras into fun tools for taking and sharing digital images.”
Unique to COOLPIX digital cameras, and now for the first time available throughout the line-up, is Nikon’s Exclusive Feature System, which gives users the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. This combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer to dark pictures, blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:
- In-Camera Red-Eye Fixâ„¢: automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common condition that occurs in flash photography. You may never see red eye again.
- Face-Priority AF*: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.
- D-Lighting: selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.
- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry picture allowing for it to be retaken before leaving the scene.
- Best Shot Selector (BSS): automatically identifies and saves the sharpest shot from ten sequential shots.
Making it simple and convenient to take stunning portraits, a standalone One-Touch Portrait Button featured on both the S5 and S6, gives users instant access to the Face Priority AF and In-Camera Red Eye Fix options. To ensure quality photos in various shooting environments, users have the option of 16 scene modes,17 for S5 with Underwater mode**, including four modes with Scene Assist and a TV Quality Movie Mode function that records moving memories at 30fps with sound.
Sharing digital images is made easy with the new Pictmotion technology, which puts a creative new spin on the average in-camera slide show. By allowing users to select their favorite recorded images and matching one of five royalty-free, pre-installed music files on the camera, or your own choice of music***, Pictmotion automatically analyzes all the elements to produce in-camera slide shows that look great and are fun to share with others. The COOLPIX S5 and S6 provide quality playback of sound and the bright, sharp expanded 2.5 and 3.0-inch LCD’s – with an impressively wide 170-degree viewing angle - make it easy for everyone to see.
With the incorporation of a new Rotary Multi Selector, users can easily scroll their way through the newly designed menu system or breeze through picture playback at up to 10 frames per second. Another new feature for the COOLPIX S5 and S6 includes a calendar function that automatically sorts images according to the date that they were taken. For added in camera assistance, Nikon created a Help button, which is now standard on all Nikon’s new COOLPIX cameras. This component provides easy-to-understand explanations for functions on the main menu.
Supporting both 80211.b and 80211.g WiFi standards, the built-in WiFi on the COOLPIX S6 allows for wireless transfer and printing of pictures to any PictBridge-enabled printer. For wireless printing of pictures without a computer Nikon offers the accessory Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
The COOLPIX S5 and S6 will be available nationwide in March 2006. The S5 has an MSRP of $349.95 and the S6 $449.95. For more information about this and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.
**Requires new FJ-CP-1 Field Jacket Price TBD
***Via PictureProject for Windows only.
Tags: compact digital, compact digital camera, digital cam, Digital Camera, Digital cameras, digital image, digital images, flash, flash photography, images, lcd screen, lcd screens, megapix, megapixel, megapixels, memories, nikon, nikon coolpix, nikon inc, nikondigital, photo, photograph, photography, photos, picture, pictures, pixel, quality photo, quality photos, red eye, zoom