Nikon will ship a new slate of Coolpix compact cameras and the D60 digital SLR to dealers in March.
The new 10-megapixel D60 unveiled at PMA, here, features the same ergonomics as the D40 and features the same scene modes, image optimizer menu and battery life. It offers a 3 fps burst mode to 100 JPEG images, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and will include a new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens.
Improvements include additions to the camera’s retouch menu such as an RGB intensifier, the ability to adjust image contrast after capture, and in-camera RAW to JPEG conversion. Also new is the option of adding photos to the LCD display as wallpaper.
New to the D60 is a stop-motion movie mode, which allows users to sequence 100 images together in the camera which is then exported as an AVI movie file. Consumers choose the first and last image in the sequence and the camera automatically processes the remaining 98.
The D60 will also incorporate a new dust-reduction system, which uses a vibrating low pass filter to dislodge dust from the image sensor, and a new venting system that removes dust from the camera’s mirror box. It will also offer an orientation sensor in the camera that properly orients the menu items on the LCD when the camera is held vertically or horizontally.
Like Nikon’s higher-level D300, the D60 features an active D-Lighting mode for improving exposures during capture. It will retail for $750 with the new 18-55mm VR lens.
All of the company’s Coolpix point-and-shoot cameras will offer the firm’s Vibration Reduction (VR) technology in either digital or optical form as well as face priority AF, red-eye removal and D-Lighting.
The P60: The 8.1-megapixel model can shoot up to 720 images on a pair of AA batteries and boasts a 5x optical zoom lens with optical VR, ISO 2,000, and manual shooting modes. It will retail for $299.
The S600: The 10-megapixel S600 is housed in an all-metal body and features a 4x, 28mm optical zoom lens, ISO 3,200, a new “active child” shooting mode for maintaining focus on moving subjects and a new pastel mode for recreating the effect of a water color painting. It will retail for $299.
The S550: Another 10-megapixel model, the S550 features a 5x optical zoom, electronic VR, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and a new smile mode that automatically captures an image when a subject is smiling. Users can adjust the mode to capture smiles of different intensities as well.
Also new for Nikon is a blink mode that can detect whether subjects in the photo have their eyes open. It will be available in black, plum and blue for $229.
The S520: An 8-megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and optical VR, the S520 includes a new scene mode for food photography and the ability to organize images by favorites in the camera. It sports a 2.5-inch LCD screen, ISO 2,000 and will be available in bronze, plum and black for $229.
The S210: A compact 8-megapixel model with a 3x optical zoom, digital VR, 2.5-inch LCD screen and ISO 2,000. It will be sold in plum, black, blue and bronze for $179.
The L18: The entry-level L18 is the first in the firm’s L series with a 3-inch LCD screen. The 8-megapixel camera will offer a 3x optical zoom, a 650-shot battery life on lithium AA batteries, ISO 1,600 and will be offered in red and blue for $139.
