New Nikon COOLPIX P3 and P4 Offer Powerful Performance for the Passionate Photographer
Nikon Incorporates SLR-Inspired Technology Into a Compact Digital Camera
MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Nikon today announced the COOLPIX
P3 and P4, an expansion to its more advanced and feature-rich P, or
Performance, Series of digital cameras. Designed for the photographer who
enjoys a high level of control, advanced imaging technologies and the ability
to take creative control of their photography, these two exciting new cameras
combine 8.1 effective megapixels with a wide range of advanced in-camera
technologies, taking compact digital photography to the next level.
"The COOLPIX P3 and P4 are the perfect camera for consumers who are
looking for a customizable photography experience," says Bill Giordano,
General Manager of Consumer Product Marketing for Nikon, Inc. "These cameras
take many technologies first available in Nikon's SLR line and makes them
readily and easily available to consumers looking for a capable, compact
digital camera at a very attractive price."
Nikon has added its Vibration Reduction (VR) system, a feature adapted
directly from Nikon's world-renowned SLR lenses, to the P Series cameras
allowing them to capture rock-steady images at shutter speeds of up to three
stops slower that could normally be hand held. VR capability is available at
the push of a button in two modes (Normal and Active) in order to compensate
for camera movement. VR Normal compensates for minor movements, most often
associated with handheld shooting, while VR Active compensates for more
pronounced movements, such as the vibration of a moving vehicle. An electronic
adaptation of Vibration Reduction also applies to movie shooting, allowing for
sharp video in low light conditions and keeping subjects clear during panning
while helping to support faster framing on the cameras' incredible, bright
2.5-inch LCD.
COOLPIX P Series digital camera users will enjoy the flexibility of a full
array of exposure control settings similar to Nikon's SLR models. Covering a
broader area of the frame, the new 11 wide-area AF achieves better results in
more diverse compositions -- leaving photographers free to concentrate on the
shot while the camera automatically achieves superior, sharp focus almost
anywhere in the frame. In addition, there are 17 shooting modes, including
nine advanced scene modes that allow photographers to produce pictures better
suited to their own personal tastes -- through the use of three effects that
vary brightness, color intensity, sharpness, noise reduction and more.
To add even greater control, both cameras offer Aperture-priority Auto
mode to let photographers benefit from aperture control in 1/3EV steps. Users
can select large apertures for attractive background blurring or stop down to
small apertures to extend crisp focus into the distance -- all while the
camera automatically selects the most appropriate shutter speed for optimized
exposure.
To help photographers capture the action as it happens, both cameras
feature continuous shooting at up to 1.8 frames per second, which is
complimented by a five shot buffer that allows users to shoot in a continuous
burst, with the camera recording the last five images taken. This speed
allows the P Series cameras to be a great companion for SLR shooters looking
for a smaller but powerful camera to take anywhere.
An addition to the successful COOLPIX P1 and P2 cameras, the new P3 also
comes equipped with the ability to transfer images wirelessly through the
camera's built in Wi-Fi feature*. Nikon's wireless solution is fun and
convenient and allows consumers to send their pictures wirelessly to a
computer. In addition, pictures can be sent wirelessly to any
PictBridge-enabled printer**. The Wi-Fi feature to transfer images to a
computer is built into the camera and requires no additional accessories.
Unique to COOLPIX digital cameras, and now for the first time available
throughout the line-up, is Nikon's Exclusive Feature System, which gives users
the power to automatically improve recorded images in-camera. This
combination of in-camera features provides a quick, easy and seamless answer
to underexposed pictures due to excessive backlight or insufficient flash,
blurry or out-of-focus shots and red eyes. The system includes:
-- In-Camera Red-Eye Fix(TM): automatically detects and corrects red eye,
a common condition that occurs in flash photography. You may never see
red eye again.
-- Face-Priority AF***: automatically finds and focuses on a persons face
within the frame, providing sharp focus to produce clear, crisp
portraits wherever the subject is positioned in the frame.
-- D-Lighting: selects and creates a copy of images with excessive
backlight or insufficient flash illumination, adding light and detail
where necessary
-- Blur Warning: alerts the user that a shot has resulted in a blurry
picture allowing for it to be retaken before leaving the scene.
-- Best Shot Selector (BSS): automatically identifies and saves the
sharpest shot from ten sequential shots.
Additionally, the P Series cameras include handy features such as, TV
Quality Movie Mode function (recording movies at up to 30 fps with sound
limited only by the available memory, Single and Continuous AF, Choice of
White Balance and Noise Reduction to ensure better color reproduction in
darker lighting conditions.
The COOLPIX P3 and P4 will be available in March 2006 with a MSRP of
$449.95 and $399.95, respectively. The Wireless Print Adaptor (PD-10) is
currently available and has an MSRP of $49.95. For more information about
these models and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit
http://www.nikondigital.com.
* Wireless distance will vary based on conditions.
** Requires optionally available Wireless Printer Adapter PD-10.
*** Face-recognition capability may be limited in some shooting
conditions.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image(TM). Nikon Inc. is the world leader in
digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally
recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its
award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc.
distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional
digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon
COOLPIX(R) compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN(R) digital film scanners; 35mm
film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational
optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon's Exclusive Feature
System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through
the Nikon Spirit Initiative(TM), the company, plays an active role in
supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of
philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For
more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which
links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo
learning and sharing communities.
SOURCE Nikon Inc.
