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Nikon's Coolpix S200 digital camera. Courtesy of Nikon, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Nikon announces Coolpix S200, S500
By
(Monday, February 19, 2007 - 23:00 EST)

Among four new announcements today for its S-series of digital cameras (where the "S" stands for "Style"), Nikon has today revealed the Coolpix S200 and S500 digital cameras.

Both the Nikon Coolpix S200 and S500 feature 7.1 megapixel CCD image sensors coupled to Nikkor-branded 3x optical zoom lenses. The Coolpix S500 couples this with the company's true optical VR (Vibration Reduction) technology as well, while the S200 makes do with what Nikon is calling "e-VR", which attempts to combat camera shake without any mechanical stabilization techniques. The S200 and S500 also both include large 2.5 inch LCD screens - the S200 with a lower-res 153,600 pixel display, and the S500 with an improved 230,000 pixel display.

Nikon is also known for a few special features that are included in both the Nikon S500 and Nikon S200, including D-Lighting (which enhances darker images to improve shadow detail), Best Shot Selector mode (which takes a series of shots, letting the camera automatically pick the sharpest shot and discard the others), Red-Eye Fix (which automatically finds red-eye in your images and eliminates it), and finally Face-Priority AF. This last feature will initially keep you and your friends dancing around in front of the camera to watch it put a "focus box" around your faces, but once you get used to the mode, you'll find it very reassuring to know that your loved one's faces will indeed be in focus, before you take the shot. In the S500, these functions are accessible via a dedicated button; on the S200 the functions are activated in certain scene modes.

The Nikon Coolpix S200 offers 20MB of built-in memory, while the S500 boosts this to 26MB. Both cameras include Secure Digital / MultiMediaCard slots, and both USB computer connectivity plus NTSC / PAL video output. They also both draw power from a proprietary Lithium Ion battery.

The Nikon S500 and S200 will ship from March 2007, priced at $250 for the lower-spec S200, and $300 for the S500 with its useful optical vibration reduction functionality..

Nikon Coolpix S500
Nikon's Coolpix S500 digital camera. Courtesy of Nikon, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerNikon
Model NumberS500
Dimensions3.5 x 2.0 x 0.9"
88.0 x 51.0 x 22.0mm
Weight125.0 g
4.4 oz
Planned Price$299.95
Planned Availability March 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5" CCD
7.38 megapixels (total)
7.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3
Image Dimensions3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
3072 x 1728 (5.3 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1024 x 768 (0.8 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.5", 230,000 pixels
Lens
Lens TypeZoom-Nikkor
3x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length5.7 - 17.1mm (actual)
35 - 105mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/2.8 (wide) / f/4.7 (tele) - ???
Focusing SystemContrast Detect, includes Face Priority AF with AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 6.1" - infinity (15.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 2000
White BalanceImage Sensor
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Anytime flash, Flash cancel, and Slow sync
Range: 1 ft. 8 in. to 24 ft. 7 in. / 0.5 to 7.5m (W), 1 ft. 8 in. to 13 ft. 1 in. / 0.5 to 4.0m (T);
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, Party/indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close up, Museum, Fireworks show, Copy, Back Light, Panorama Assist
Digital Zoomup to 4x
Self TimerYes, 10 seconds
Time LapseYes
Movie FormatQuickTime with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 1.1
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary EN-EL10
Product Bundle
SoftwarePictureProject
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary EN-EL10 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory26.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
 

Nikon Coolpix S200
Nikon's Coolpix S200 digital camera. Courtesy of Nikon, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
General
Camera TypeUltra Compact
ManufacturerNikon
Model NumberS200
Dimensions3.6 x 2.2 x 0.7"
91.5 x 56.5 x 18.5mm
Weight125.0 g
4.4 oz
Planned Price$249.95
Planned Availability March 2007
Image Capture
Sensor Type1/2.5" CCD
7.41 megapixels (total)
7.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3
Image Dimensions3072 x 2304 (7.1 megapixels)
3072 x 1728 (5.3 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1024 x 768 (0.8 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Image Quality2 levels
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD2.5", 153,600 pixels
Lens
Lens TypeZoom-Nikkor
3x optical zoom
Image StabilizationNo
Focal Length6.3 - 18.9mm (actual)
38 - 114mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.1 (wide) / f/5.9 (tele) - ???
Focusing SystemContrast Detect, includes Face Priority AF
Focusing RangeNormal: 24" - infinity (60 cm - infinity)
Macro: 4.1" - infinity (10.0 cm - infinity)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
White BalanceImage Sensor
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto with red-eye reduction (In-Camera Red-Eye Fix), Anytime flash, Flash cancel, and Slow sync
Range: 2 ft. to 17 ft. 9 in. / 0.3 to 4.6m (W), 2 ft. to 9ft. 2in. / 0.3 to 2.5m (T);
Creative
Scene ModesPortrait, Landscape, Sports, Night Portrait, Party/indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Night Landscape, Close up, Museum, Fireworks show, Copy, Back Light, Panorama Assist
Digital Zoomup to 4x
Self TimerYes, 10 seconds
Movie FormatQuickTime with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC, Built-in
File SystemComplies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
VideoYes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 1.1
Power
Battery TypeLithium Ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary EN-EL10
Product Bundle
SoftwarePictureProject
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary EN-EL10 Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and charger
Flash Memory20.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
 

Original Source Press Release:

NIKON'S NEW COOLPIX S SERIES CAMERAS BLEND CLASSIC CAMERA DESIGN WITH INNOVATIVE IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES

Nikon’s New 7.1 Megapixel Cameras offer Sophisticated Styling, Quality Construction and Advanced Performance

MELVILLE, NY (February 19, 2007)– Building on the success of the COOLPIX Style Series of digital cameras, Nikon is pleased to introduce the S200 and S500. Boasting 7.1 megapixels, a 3x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, VR Image Stabilization technologies, and sleek metal bodies, these cameras exude high performance and exquisite design. Both cameras feature a classic camera design as the lens extends from the camera's body when the cameras are turned on; the S200 is constructed from brushed aluminum and the S500 from stainless steel.

Advanced performance is particularly pronounced in the S500. Among compact digital cameras, the COOLPIX S500 is fast; start up time is an amazing 0.6 seconds and shutter lag, in release priority mode, is just 0.005 seconds.

“ With the S200 and S500, Nikon is further distinguishing itself as a leader in compact camera design and innovation," says Bill Giordano, General Manager Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. "These cameras pack style and performance into sleek, metal bodies, allowing even the most style-savvy consumer to enjoy the ease and quality of COOLPIX technology."

In addition to the aforementioned features, the COOLPIX S200 and S500 feature several imaging innovations designed to encourage carefree shooting for the consumer. The S200 utilizes Electronic Vibration Reduction (e-VR) Image Stabilization, a feature that electronically overcomes camera shake for sharper results. For greater vibration control, the S500 features Optical VR Image Stabilization, a feature that compensates for camera shake ensuring sharp images at shutter speeds up to three times slower than would normally be possible. Both the S200 and S500 have High ISO capabilities; the S200 up to 1000 and the S500 up to ISO 2000, ideal for capturing images in low-light situations. On the S200, the e-VR Image Stabilization feature is activated by utilizing the camera's easy-to-use menu system. The S500 features a new Anti-Shake button, located on the top of the camera, which activates high ISO, VR and Best Shot Selector (BSS) at the same time to produce clearer results in low light or at telephoto zoom settings.

For image sharing, the S200 and S500 have incredible, bright, high resolution 2.5 inch LCD monitors with an anti-reflective coating, easing the composition of photos, even in direct sunlight. These cameras also have a 16:9 aspect ratio option, making them perfect for sharing images via a high-definition television.

In order to simplify the picture taking process, Nikon has incorporated a new menu interface into the S200 and S500, employing illustrated help dialogs for easy navigation and mode selection. This menu also provides direct access to Nikon's triad of Image Innovations; in-camera functions for enhancing or correcting images including:

  • In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™: automatically detects and corrects red eye, a common problem that occurs in flash photography.
  • 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: in playback, the user selects and creates a copy of images with excessive backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail where necessary.

On the S500, these features can be activated by pressing the One-Touch portrait button, located on the top of the camera, or selected in the scene modes in the S200.

Both the COOLPIX S200 and the COOLPIX S500 come bundled with Nikon's exclusive PictureProject software. The PictureProject software is powerful and user-friendly and makes transferring, organizing, editing and sharing photos a snap. Both cameras are SDHC compatible and utilize the new ultra-compact EN-EL10 rechargeable Li-ion battery.

The COOLPIX S200 and the COOLPIX S500 will be available at photo-specialty stores nationwide in March 2007 at an MSRP of $249.95 and $299.95 respectively. For more information about these and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
* Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting conditions.

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 In-camera Innovations, 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.

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