News - Nikon Unleashed New Digital Camera

Nikon today announced its fall lineup of cameras, including a refresh of its Wi-Fi model. Due out in September, the new cameras are all 10 megapixels or greater, and most models are available in multiple colors.

A few models in particular have caught my attention--starting with the 10-megapixel, $350 Coolpix S60, which has a generous 3.5-inch multitouch LCD occupying the entire back surface of the camera. Just as with Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, you can review your pictures with a swipe of the finger; you can also use an editing mode to write overlays onto pictures. This model, available in six different colors, also features Nikon's new scene auto selector mode, which adjusts the exposure of the image by choosing from the most popular six auto scenes; the camera's matrix metering system helps to determines which mode is appropriate based on the image's available light.

Also of note: the new Coolpix S610c, the wireless upgrade to the S52c. For $50 less than its predecessor, the $330 model bumps resolution to 10 megapixels, and includes free wireless access via any Wayport access point. (Wayport replaces previous Wi-Fi partner T-Mobile.) The Wayport deal is notable, not just because of Wayport's penetration at hotels, airports, and McDonald's locations; Nikon's deal with Wayport provides camera owners with free access via the camera through August 2011.

Finally, the Coolpix S710 is noteworthy for two reasons. Its sensor packs a whopping 14.5 megapixels--which will be helpful if you plan to crop into your images. And, it boasts ISO speeds of up to 12,800--a uniquely high ISO. In the demo I saw, the images shot at such high ISO speeds didn't show the noise and softness I'd have expected. Nikon says you can expect comparatively low noise, even at high ISOs, because this model's handling of high ISO speeds has been informed by the company's work in this area in its high-end digital SLRs, the Nikon D3 and the Nikon D300.

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