Nikon unveils eight new point-and-shoots

Feb 9, 2011 6:00 AM

The Nikon Coolpix P500
Photo: Nikon

Joining 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:

12-megapixel Coolpix S9100 ($330): includes a long 18x optical zoom lens.
16-megapixel Coolpix S6100 ($200): includes a 7x optical zoom lens and has a touchscreen LCD.
14-megapixel Coolpix S4100 ($180): includes a 5x optical zoom lens and a high resolution LCD.
14-megapixel Coolpix S3100 ($140): includes a 5x optical zoom lens.
14-megapixel Coolpix L120 ($280): includes a long 21x optical zoom lens.
14-megapixel Coolpix L24 ($120): includes a 3.6x optical zoom lens.

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