Four New Nikon Coolpix S-Series Cameras Announced

Nikon has announced four new additions to their S series camera range: the $180 S210, the $230 S520 and S550 and the $300 S600. All include Nikon's enhanced face priority AF, which they claim can recognize up to 12 faces in a single image.

The S210 is Nikon's new slimline model at just 0.7 inches thick and weights under 4 ounces. But it has a pretty full feature set for a slimline model: it captures 8 megapixel images, has a 3x zoom lens, a 2.5-inch LCD screen and is available in four colors.  It lacks optical image stabilization, though; instead it uses electronic image stabilization, which boosts the cameras sensitivity to light and ups the shutter speed to avoid blur. The maximum ISO is a speedy ISO 2000, which is useful in the new food mode, which turns off the flash and boosts the sensitivity so you can take photos of food in fancy restaurants without upsetting the chef.

Nikon also touts the 2.5-inch LCD screen of the S210, which has a resolution of 230,000 pixels. They also claim a 170-degree viewing angle for this, and it is coated in a new anti-reflective coating that repels fingerprints and scratches. The Coolpix S210 will be available in March for $179.99 in plum, graphite black, cool blue, and brushed bronze colors.

The Coolpix S520 has a basic feature set that is similar to the S210: it captures 8 megapixel images and has a 3x zoom (equivalent to a 35 to 105mm zoom on a 35mm camera). But there are a few changes: it is slightly heavier and fatter (at over 4 ounces and 0.9 inches thick) and the screen lacks the wide viewing angle of the S210. However, it does include Nikons new EXPEED image processor, which, they claim, produces sharper images at higher ISO settings (the S520 goes up to a maximum ISO setting of ISO 2000). 16 scene models are also included, and three can be quickly accessed through the mode dial (the user can pick which three). The other major addition is optical image stabilization; an element within the lens moves to compensate for hand shake, producing sharper pictures than the more widely used electronic image stabilization.



The Coolpix S550 is priced at $230, but it has a very impressive sounding set of features: it captures 10 megapixel images and has a 5x zoom lens. However, this lens is not as wide as its more expensive cousin; the 35mm zoom range equivalent at the widest setting is 36mm, which would be a problem for photographing large groups of people. It does go up to an impressive 180mm, though, which would be great for close-ups on the football field. It's available in three colors (plum, cool blue and graphite black) for $230 in March.





The $300 Coolpix S600 is the most expensive of the cameras to be announced at PMA, but it also has the widest set of features. It ups the resolution of captured images to 10 megapixels, increases the zoom lens to a 4x range  and has a 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixel screen, with the wide angle viewing and anti-scratch coating. The 4x zoom lens (which has a 35mm equivalent range of 28mm to 112mm, significantly wider than most compact cameras) also includes optical image stabilization. Nikon also claims that it can be turned on and start shooting in just 0.7 seconds. It also boasts 14 scene modes, including a new Active Child mode, which will track a moving child in the frame and keep them in focus.

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