By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist
We are heading into the home stretch to Photokina. There have been a lot of rumors about the highly anticipated Nikon D7000 and possibly two new lenses and a new flash. However today Nikon has announced three new Coolpix cameras, the P7000, S8100, and S80. Many people have been waiting for Nikon to refresh the P6000 for a long time so this is exciting news. It looks like Nikon finally has a legitimate competitor to the Canon G11 with the P7000. Full specs are after the break and new D7000/Lens/Flash rumors will be posted later today. All of these new Coolpix are available for pre-order on our store website.
Sensor: 10.1 Megapixel 1/1.7" CCD
Lens: 7.1x Wide-Angle Zoom (28-200mm equivalent) f/2.8-5.6
Video: 720p HD 24fps video recording with microphone jack
LCD: 3" 921K resolution
ISO: 100-6400
Processor: EXPEED2
Price: $499.95
Other Features:
-Built-in Flash plus i-TTL Flash function when used with Nikon Speedlight System.
-Hotshoe for using Nikon Speedlights and other accessories
-Remote control operation with optional wireless ML-L3.
-80% Optical viewfinder with diopter adjustment.
-5-way VR Image Stabilization System
-Subject Tracking automatically tracks a moving subject to ensure sharp focus
Thoughts:
Nikon has come a long way here with this camera. Although some things Nikon does just confuse the heck out of me. I don't get why this camera gets a microphone jack while the more expensive D3100 SLR didn't. Additionally the lens on this camera would have been better suited having less of a range, but a wider aperture and wider angle. a 24mm f/2 equivalent on the wide end would have been a deal breaker for me. I also found it strange that the new S8100 has full 1080HD video AND a CMOS sensor while the P7000 only has 720p HD video and an older, but larger CCD sensor. I find all of this to be strange, but I expect the P7000 to produce very high quality images. It will be interesting to see what Canon counters with when they release a new G12 in October.
Sensor: 12.1 -megapixel CMOS
Lens: 10x Zoom (30-300mm equivalent) f/3.5-5.6
Video: Full HD (1080p) Movie with Stereo and HDMI Output
LCD: 3" 921K resolution
ISO: 160-3200
Processor: EXPEED2
Colors: Black, Red, and Gold
Price: $299.95
Other Features:
-Subject Tracking automatically tracks a moving subject to ensure sharp focus
-4-way VR Image Stabilization System
-Macro shooting as close as 0.4 inches.
-Smile Timer automatically releases the shutter when your subject smiles
-Best Shot Selector (BSS) automatically takes up to ten shots while the shutter is pressed, then selects and saves the sharpest image.
Thoughts:
The Nikon S8000 was one of the first Coolpix cameras that I actually recommended to people and the S8100 seems like a nice improvement. For casual shooters this camera is loaded with everything you could ask for. A 10x zoom, 1080HD video, and a high quality CMOS sensor are a lot to brag about. In some ways I am more excited about this camera than the P7000. I guess the S8100 is Nikon's answer to the new Canon SD4500 which also boasts 1080 video, a 10x zoom, and a high sensitivity CMOS sensor. It's good to see Nikon producing competitive Coolpix products. I will have to use this camera on my own, but for $299.95 the S8100 looks like one of the best "bang for your buck" deals on the compact market.
Sensor: 14.1 Megapixel CCD
Lens: 5x Zoom (35-175mm equivalent) f/3.6-4.8
Video: 720p HD Movie with Stereo and HDMI Output
LCD: 3.5" 819K resolution Touch Screen
ISO: 160-6400
Processor: EXPEED2
Price: $329.95
Other Features:
-Macro shooting as close as 2.8 inches
-5-way VR Image Stabilization System
-17 Scene modes
-Ultra-Slim design. .7" thin.
-Sliding lens cover linked to power-on
Thoughts:
This is a nice competitive product for those who like touch screen operation. I don't understand the Megapixel war in compact cameras. When it comes to the higher-end models like the P7000 or the Canon G11, manufacturers have learned that 14 or 15 megapixels is just too much for current compact camera sensor technology and you won't notice the difference anyway. Oh well, this camera is clearly targeted at consumers and megapixels (at least for now) sell consumer cameras. I like the inclusion of HD video, it's almost a standard now. I can't imagine image quality is any better than the previous S70, but we will see.
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