Digital Camera News

August 29, 2007

Nikon Unveils P5100 and P50 with Expeed Processor

Take a look at the new Nikon cameras

August 30, 2007 – In an eight-camera product launch today, Nikon unveiled the new Coolpix P5100 and P50, part of its "Performance" series, Nikon’s high-end point-and-shoots. The P5100 and P50 tout the Nikon Expeed image processor. The 12.1-megapixel Coolpix P5100 will retail for $399.95 and the 8.1-megapixel P50 for $229.95 when they become available in September and October, respectively. 

'The P5100 and the P50 are the ideal partners for photography enthusiasts who are looking for a compact camera, with a broad range of creative control options, to use alongside their Nikon D-SLR camera," said Nikon Coolpix General Manager Bill Giordano in a company press release.

The P5100 follows Nikon’s flagship point-and-shoot, the P5000, announced last February. At the same near-$400 price tag, the updated P5100 touts a higher 12.1 megapixel count compared to the 10-megapixel P5000. The P5100 borrows the lens and 2.5-inch LCD of the earlier model. The P5100 is fitted with a 3.5x optical zoom Nikkor lens, like the P5000, which utilizes Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) system, or optical image stabilization, to compensate for camera shake.

The P50 uses electronic Vibration Reduction, also known as digital image stabilization. At nearly $220 less than its predecessor, the P50 shares the 8.1-megapixel count of the Coolpix P3, introduced in February 2006. The P50 upgrades to a 3.6x optical zoom lens, expanded from the 3.5x optical zoom lens of the older camera. The P50, however, downgrades to a 2.4-inch LCD screen, down from the 2.5-inch monitor of the P3. For the price difference, the new P50 ditches the Wi-Fi capabilities included in the P3.

The new P5100 and P50 include Nikon’s Expeed image processor. The Expeed processor promises improved signal-to-noise ratio that preserves image quality at high ISO sensitivities, according to the release. The P5100 has a sensitivity range up to ISO 3200, and the P50 has a maximum of ISO 2000.

Both new P-cameras borrow Nikon’s set of built-in functions, including face detection, or Face-Priority AF. The P5100 and P50 can detect and focus on up to 12 faces in a scene. The cameras also include In-Camera Red-Eye Fix and D-Lighting for built-in image correction.

The Nikon P5100 and P50 both include 15 scene presets and a graphic user interface for menu selections. The Coolpix P5100 uses lithium-ion batteries, while the P50 uses AA batteries. Both cameras are compatible with SD and SDHC media.

Camera Model	Coolpix P3	Coolpix P50	Coolpix P5000	Coolpix P5100
Announcement Date	February 2006	August 2007	February 2007	August 2007
Introductory Price	$449.95	$229.95	$399.95	$399.95
Sensor	8.1 MP CCD	8.1 MP CCD	10 MP CCD	12.1 MP CCD
Lens	3.5x optical zoom Vibration Reduction	3.6x optical zoom Electronic Vibration Reduction	3.5x optical zoom Optical Vibration Reduction	3.5x optical zoom Optical Vibration Reduction
Monitor	2.5-inch	2.4-inch	2.5-inch	2.5-inch
Key Features	-Face-priority AF -Red-Eye Fix -D-Lighting -Mode dial -Wi-Fi	-Face-priority AF -Red-Eye Fix -D-Lighting -Mode dial - GUI system -Expeed Processor	- Face-priority AF -Red-Eye Fix -D-Lighting -Mode dial	-Face-priority AF -Red-Eye Fix -D-Lighting -Mode dial - GUI system -Expeed Processor
News Link	Nikon Adds to P-Series; Includes Vibration Reduction	Nikon Unveils P5100 and P50 with Expeed Processor	Nikon Expands P-series with P-5000	Nikon Unveils P5100 and P50 with Expeed Processor
Review Link	Nikon Coolpix P3 and P4 First Impressions Review   DCI Comparison Feature: Point-and-Shoot Image Stabilization Tested	- -	Nikon Coolpix P5000 First Impressions Review Nikon Coolpix P5000 Digital Camera Review	- -