Nikon Refreshes Coolpix Lineup

After announcing the D3 and D300, Nikon is now refreshing the compact segment with no less than 8 new models, most of them featuring the new Expeed processor and the vibration reduction technology.

We'll start off with the entry level models. The L14 and L15 boast seven and eight megapixels, respectively and have a 3x optical zoom lens with an equivalent focal range of 38-114mm and maximum apertures of f/3.1 at the wide angle and f/5.9 at the tele end. The more expensive L15 also has vibration reduction that allows for slower than recommended shutter times to be used. Another difference is that the L15 has a bigger 2.8-inch LCD, although it's only 0.4 inches larger than the L14's.

Nikon is also touting an excellent battery performance for the L14 of 1,000 shots on a single pair of Energizer e2 Lithium AA batteries.

The Coolpix L14 and L15 will be available in stores September 2007 with MSRP's of $149.95 and $179.95.

Next in line are the Coolpix S510 and S700, Nikon touting the first as the smallest camera with optical vibration reduction.

The S510 model has a 1/2.5-inch CCD sensor with 8.1 megapixels, a 3x optical zoom lens (35-105mm equiv. with f/2.8 maximum aperture at the wide end and f/4.7 at the tele end) and a 2.5-inch LCD.

The S700 goes up to a whopping 12.1 megapixels, but has the same lens as the previous S510 model. However, it does have a slightly larger 2.7-inch LCD.

Both of them feature the VR technology, which allows for slower than recommended shutter times to be used, and include In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, D-Lighting, and Face Priority AF (automatically finds and focuses on up to 12 people's faces within one frame). The two models are compatible with the new high capacity SDHC cards and utilize the EN-EL10 rechargeable Li-ion battery.

The Coolpix S700 and the Coolpix S510 will be available at photo-specialty stores nationwide beginning with September 2007 at a MSRP of $379.95 and $299.95, respectively.

Moving right along we have the Coolpix S51c and S51, which are virtually identical except for the presence of Wi-Fi wireless transfer capabilities in the first.

The S51c/S51 boasts an 8.1 megapixel CCD paired with a 3x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens (38-114mm with f/3.3-4.2 maximum aperture) and a 3.0-inch LCD screen. Additionally, it incorporates the new Expeed imaging processor found in the D3 and D300 and the Vibration Reduction technology.

The Wi-Fi capabilities of the S51c allow you to transfer images via email, but also to use Picturetown, Nikon's new photo sharing and storage service. Future S51c users will also be able to access Picturetown from their computers and Blackberry devices.

The Coolpix S51 and the Coolpix S51c digital cameras will be available nationwide beginning with September 2007. The S51c has an MSRP of $329.95, and the S51 has an MSRP of $279.95

Last but not least, we have the more advanced models, the Coolpix P5100 and P50 digital cameras, both of them benefiting from the Expeed imaging processor. Before we examine other features, it's worth noting that despite the impressive set of features and the level of manual control, the two models have disappointing maximum apertures. The Coolpix P50 goes up to f/2.8 at the wide end and only f/5.6 at the tele end and the P5100 is not much better, f/2.7 at the wide end and f/5.3 at the tele end. This performance is even more disappointing considering that the lenses on both models have a limited focal range, around 3.5x optical zoom.

Although Nikon says that VR is present in both models, note that the P5100 has true optical VR while the P50 has the fake Electronic Vibration Reduction to compensate for camera shake at slow shutter speeds.

Another important difference is the presence of the hot-shoe on the P5100, which allows you to use external flashes with i-TTL control.

The P5100 will be available in September for $399.95, while the P50 is slated for October with a MSRP of $229.95.

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