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Re-activateJoining Canon and Pentax this week, Nikon has updated its point-and-shoot camera lineup: The company is adding eight new Coolpix models and targeting everyone from entry-level photographers to prosumer-level shooters.
Not surprisingly, the most interesting models are the priciest. What is unusual is that the high-end models have the lowest megapixel count (12 megapixels), which isan indication that with today's cameras, the number of megapixels is not an indication of image quality.
The Coolpix P500 ($400) has a very long 36x zoom, which includes a very wide angle as well—22.5mm—great for group portraits or landscapes. Nikon also claims the P500 can fire off 5 frames per second, has an HDR function and an electronic viewfinder, and includes special night-landscape and night-portrait modes that combine a series of consecutive shots into a single image to reduce noise.
The Coolpix P300, $330, includes a 4.2x zoom, which has a wide angle of 24mm. But Nikon appears to be following Canon's lead in producing a point-and-shoot with a fast lens. The P300 includes an f/1.8 lens (at its maximum aperture), which means that this camera should excel in capturing photos and video in low-light situations. It also includes manual controls and can capture HD-resolution video at 1080p (at 30 fps).
Here are some specs on the other Coolpix models:
All but one model have a 3-inch LCD; the Coolpix S3100 has a 2.7-inch LCD.
The P-series cameras and the Coolpix S9100 will be available in late March. The others will hit the stores by late February.
—Terry Sullivan
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