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coolpix

Nikon's entry-level point-and-shoots reborn

Nikon's Coolpix L100 and L20 were very popular models last year and actually continue to be well trafficked on CNET. That has a lot to do with their price tags and far less to do with their quality. I didn't review the L20, but the L100 was a fairly weak camera. (But it had a 15x zoom for less than $250!) Nikon is now announcing their updates: the Coolpix L110 and L22.

For the same MSRP as the L100 ($279.95), Nikon increased the camera resolution to 12 megapixels and the 3-inch LCD resolution from 230K dots to … Read more

Nikon refreshes Coolpix S-series models adding HD movie capture

Ho hum, ho hum. Another day closer to PMA 2010 and another bunch of camera announcements. This crop from Nikon fills in the company's "S is for style" line. I've listed out the few specs Nikon managed to scribble into its press release. I've marked the upsell features on the cameras so you can see just what $50 more is getting you. The most impressive thing with these, though, is that Nikon finally managed to put a 720p HD movie mode into three of the four models. Enjoy.

Coolpix S3000

12 megapixels 4x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR … Read more

Nikon Coolpix S570 reviewed: Basic, but good

With the exceptions of decent lens specs and a specialty portrait mode, the Nikon Coolpix S570 is a fairly run-of-the-mill sub-$200 ultracompact. The f2.7-6.6 28-140mm-equivalent lens with a 5x zoom is nice to find at this price point and the Smart Portrait System works well. Which is good, considering its average-bordering-on-slow performance makes it better suited for still subjects than moving ones.

Photo quality is very good for its class, too, right up through ISO 400. The camera can shoot at full resolution up to ISO 3,200, but because of color shifting and complete loss of … Read more

With cameras, do color choices equal lower quality?

On September 16, Pentax launched the K-x, an entry-level-ish digital SLR that it's offering in navy, red, white, and black versions. While different body colors are not unusual for point-and-shoot digital cameras, offering more than a black dSLR is still rare. (In fact, just Pentax and Sony offer color options, currently.)

Unfortunately, after testing many snapshot cameras available in a single color as well as those offered in several colors, I've developed a working theory that the more colors a camera comes in, the more likely there's something wrong with the model.

It's not the case … Read more

Nikon Coolpix S560 Quick Take

Released in September 2008, the $249.95 Nikon Coolpix S560 offers 10 effective megapixels, a 5x Zoom-Nikkor lens, the company's Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization technology, and a bunch of features to make taking pictures easier and ending results better. (Yeah, sorry, it's kinda humdrum all the way around. On the other hand, that means it should be simple to use.)

The S560 has 15 scene modes to choose from, as well as the ability to let the camera automatically select the appropriate mode. These modes include a Smile Mode, which snaps a picture when the subject … Read more

A little longer, a little wider, a lot faster: Nikon Coolpix S640

Despite a 3x zoom probably being the best for keeping photo quality intact, it looks like a 5x optical zoom will be supplanting it as the point-and-shoot norm. Nikon's doing its part to help that along with the 12-megapixel Coolpix S640 and S570.

Both cameras measure 0.8 inch thick and feature a 5x f2.7-6.6 28-140mm-equivalent lens on front and a 2.7-inch LCD on back (though the S640 has an "antifouling and water-repellent layer"). Where the S640 pulls away from the S570 is in performance.

Nikon's claiming a start-up time of 0.7 … Read more