Nikon announces stunning pocketable digicam!
By
Michael R. Tomkins, The Imaging Resource
(Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 03:34 EST)
Coolpix 2500 will definitely catch eyes with its distinctive look...
Nikon Inc. has today announced a new consumer digital camera which seems set to be a hot item for anyone looking for a stylish and pocketable model they can take anywhere. (The announcement was actually scheduled for 7AM Eastern time, however since Nikon Japan has gone ahead 5+ hours early and our colleagues at the Digital Photography Review have done the same, we now feel this to be public knowledge).
On the outside the Coolpix 2500 is beautiful (if somewhat "feminine"), and on the inside lurks an equally attractive camera. A 2.11 megapixel CCD imager and 37 - 111mm 3x optical zoom lens are combined with features such as CompactFlash storage, built-in flash, USB connectivity, 1.5" LCD display, 256-segment matrix metering, 5-area multi autofocus, ISO ratings from 100 to 400 and shutter speeds from 2 to 1/3000 second. The case itself is more than just window-dressing, as well - the lens portion of the camera can be rotated so that the lens is protected, or even to point backwards for a self-portrait.
Obviously pricing - as yet undecided - will play a role, but if the numbers are good then we'd expect to see the Coolpix 2500 flying off shelves. Full specifications for the camera are in our database, and highlights follow:
| Specification Highlights - full specifications here | | Nikon Coolpix 2500 |  | | General | | Model Number: | E2500 | | Camera Format: | Ultra Compact | | Price: | Unknown | | Date Available: | March 2002 | | Image Capture | | Image Sensor: | 2.11 megapixel | | Image Resolution: | 1600x1200, 1280x960, 1024x768, 640x480 | | Lens | | Focal Length (effective): | 37 - 111mm (3x optical zoom) | | Digital Zoom: | 4x | | Auto Focus: | Yes (5 Area Multi AF) | | Manual Focus: | No | | Aperture Range: | Description: f/2.7 - 4.8 (wide) / f/4.5 - 8.0 (tele) | | Display | | Optical Viewfinder: | No | | LCD Viewfinder: | Yes (1.5 inch, 111000 pixel) | | Exposure | | ISO Settings: | Auto (100 - 400) | | White Balance Settings: | Matrix Auto | | Manual White Balance: | No | | Shutter Speeds: | 2 - 1/3000 second | | Exp Adj Range: | Unknown | | Metering Modes: | 256 segment matrix | | Exposure Modes: | Auto | | Self Timer: | 10 seconds | | Flash | | Internal Flash: | Yes | | Flash Modes: | Auto, Off, Red-Eye Reduction, On, Slow Sync | | Flash Range Description: | 0.4 - 3.0 meters (1.3 - 9.8 feet) wide; 0.4 - 1.7 meters (1.3 - 5.6 feet) tele | | Ext Flash: | No | | Image Storage | | Flash Memory: | CompactFlash Type-I | | Memory Included: | 8MB | | File Formats: | JPEG, QuickTime .MOV | | More Information | | Weight: | 165 g; 5.8 oz | | Weight With Batteries? | No | | Size: | 114 x 60 x 32mm; 4.5 x 2.3 x 1.2in | | Notes & Features: | Available in the US and Japan from March 2002, then Europe and the rest of Asia from April 2002.
Complies with USB Mass Storage Class for driverless operation on recent operating systems. Complies with Epson's PRINT Image Matching color management technology.
"Internal swivel lens" design allows lens protection when closed, faster startup/battery savings due to non-extending lens. Lens swivel is manual through a total of 230?, allows lens and LCD to point the same direction for taking pictures of yourself. Lens has 7 elements in 6 groups. Transfer button offers one-touch USB image upload. Quick-review button shows photos without switching mode.
Continuous shooting mode captures "several consecutive full-sized images in just seconds". Scene modes include Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show, Close Up, Copy, Back Light. "Small Picture" function creates email/web-ready images. Best Shot Selector function captures up to 10 images, selects image with most contrast as being the sharpest and discards the rest. Automatic noise reduction on longer shutter speeds. "Manual" mode allows control of White Balance, Capture Mode, Best-Shot Selector, Exposure Compensation, Noise Reduction, and Image Sharpening. Has both single and continuous-shot modes. Can capture 16 thumbnail images ine one "multi-shot 16".
Claimed battery life of 80 minutes with LCD on at 20?C (68?F).
Comes bundled with rechargeable EN-EL2 battery and MH-60 charger, CompactFlash Card, strap, USB cable and Nikon View 5 software. Optional LCD Hood HL-E2500, Camera Case CS-2500 and AC Adapter Kit EH-60 also available. | | More Photos |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | |
Source:
Nikon Inc.
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