September 1, 2005 – Challenging the highly anticipated Kodak EasyShare One, Nikon announced two Wi-Fi enabled digital cameras today. The Coolpix P1 and P2 are being touted as “the world’s first built-in Wi-Fi-enabled digital cameras to hit the marketplace” in today’s Nikon press release. The 8 megapixel Nikon P1 and 5 megapixel P2 will allow photographers to transfer images from the cameras to their computers or printers within a 100 foot range.
The Nikon Coolpix P1 will retail for $549.95 (spec sheet) and the P2 (spec sheet) will sell for $399.95. Both models will be available this month, as opposed to the also-wireless Kodak EasyShare One’s October release. Both Nikon models boast more resolution than the Kodak EasyShare One’s 4 megapixels and a slightly longer 3.5x optical zoom lens. However, the P1 has 32MB of internal memory and the P2 has 16MB of internal memory, while the Kodak model has 256MB. The Nikons and the Kodak are ready for a showdown in the consumer market, as Kodak issued a press release this morning stating its model is “the world’s first Wi-Fi consumer camera."
Both P-series Coolpix cameras are automatically oriented with 16 scene modes and limited manual control, although there is an aperture priority mode that allows users to adjust the aperture in ten steps. These Nikons also carry the in-camera technology that the manufacturer has included on all of its recent releases. This includes red-eye fix, D-lighting compensation, and a face priority auto focus function.
The 8 megapixel Nikon Coolpix P1 and the 5 megapixel P2 both have the same camera body. Weighing 6 ounces without the card or battery and measuring 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches, these models both have 2.5-inch LCD monitors. The screen size is impressive, but its resolution only reaches 110,000 pixels. Compare this to the EasyShare One’s 3 inch, 230,000 pixel touch-screen.
“The new Coolpix P1 and P2 literally pull the plug on digital imaging while highlighting Nikon’s commitment to providing consumers with the latest in digital imaging technology,” said Bill Giordana, general manager of Nikon’s marketing, in today’s press release. “These models give consumers the freedom, with the push of a button, to immediately share and print their images like never before.”
