Coolpix hat-trick: Nikon unveils two new superzooms and a 35x travel-zoom model (some with 4K video!)
posted Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM EDT
Nikon has announced three new additions to their Coolpix camera line, the Nikon B700 superzoom, the Nikon B500 superzoom, and the Nikon A900 compact travel zoom. All three cameras include Nikon's new SnapBridge wireless connectivity, which was recently announced in conjunction with the Nikon D500 DSLR at CES last month.
Nikon SnapBridge allows users to automatically transfer images from their camera to a compatible smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology. The always on connection makes it easier than ever to share images, including with time, location, copyright, and any additional photographer information. The BLE connection also allows for remote camera operation, ideal for capturing that perfect group portrait. SnapBridge users can also utilize Nikon's free cloud-based Nikon Image Space image storage service, which allows users storage for up to 20GB of images and an unlimited number of 2MB (or smaller) thumbnail images. For registered users, SnapBridge can also send firmware updates directly to the smart device.
Nikon Coolpix B700
The Nikon B700 superzoom camera features a 20.3-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor that Nikon says offers users "amazing quality" across a wide range of lighting conditions and allows enthusiast photographers the ability to record RAW (NRW) images. The B700 utilizes a 60x optical zoom Nikkor ED glass 24-1440mm f/3.3-6.5 equivalent lens to provide users with extensive zooming range. The built-in lens includes sixteen elements in eleven groups, including one super ED element and four ED elements. By utilizing the available 4x digital zoom, you can capture images with the angle of view equivalent to that of a 5,760mm lens in 35mm format.
Nikon reports that the B700 will be able to capture five full-resolution images at up to 5fps. To capture scenes from all angles, the camera also has a 3-inch Vari-angle TFT LCD display with 921k dots. You can take advantage of this Vari-angle display when recording 4K (UHD) video at up to 30 fps. When recording video, the B700 can use both lens-shift and electronic vibration reduction, whereas only lens-shift vibration reduction is available when capturing still images. In addition to the 3-inch display, the B700 also includes a 0.2-inch 921k-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage.
The Nikon B700 will be available this spring in black for a suggested retail price of $499.95.
Nikon Coolpix B500
The 40x optical zoom Nikon B500 is an ergonomically-designed superzoom camera that uses a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor. The 40x Nikkor lens takes advantage of Niko's hybrid vibration reduction (VR) to reduce camera shake; optical lens shift VR is available when recording still images and lens shift plus electronic VR is available when recording movies. The lens, which includes twelve elements (three of which are ED elements) in nine groups, provides a 22.5-900mm equivalent focal length with a maximum aperture range of f/3-6.5. The B500 also includes a built-in two-stop neutral density filter.
Powered by AA batteries for "added convenience," the B500 can record 1080p HD video. The camera's 3-inch 920k-dot TFT LCD display tilts to allow users more flexibility when composing images and videos and provides 98% coverage when shooting. The B500 can capture seven full-resolution JPEG images at up to 7.4fps.
Available this spring for $299.95, the Nikon B500 will be available in black and red color options.
Nikon Coolpix A900
For a healthy amount of zoom, but in a design that fits in your pocket, Nikon has also introduced their latest travel-zoom compact camera, the Nikon A900. The A900 features a 35x optical zoom that offers a very versatile 24-840mm-equivalent focal length range, plus for good measure, you can extend the zoom range further to 70x with Dynamic Fine Zoom or to a 4x total multiplier for a 3360mm-eq. reach with standard digital zoom. Though not the brightest of aperture ranges, at f/3.4-6.9, the A900 thankfully includes Vibration Reduction, through a combination of optical and electronic stabilization -- helfpul in both low light and at the longer focal lengths.
Sporting a 1/2.3-inch type 20-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, the Nikon A900, like the B700, can record video in 4K (UHD) resolution at 30fps, as well as Full HD up to 60fps and a high-speed 120fps at 640 x 480 resolution. For stills, like the B500, the A900 captures only JPEG images, and continuous burst shooting appears good at 7fps, but only up to 7 shots. The camera features a variety of automatic scene modes as well as a standard PASM exposure modes.
The spiritual successor to last year's S9900, the new A900's design is mostly unchanged, with major changes being a removal of built-in GPS functionality and the switch from an articulated LCD to a 180-degree flip-up tilting LCD display.
Available this spring for $399.95, the Nikon A900 will be available in black and silver color options.