Newest Coolpix Digital Camera Introduces New Technology Previously Unavailable In 8-Megapixel Compact Consumer Cameras

MELVILLE, NY, September 16, 2004 – Nikon has taken the consumer compact camera industry further than it has ever gone before with today's announcement of the new Nikon Coolpix 8800 digital camera (www.nikondigitalusa.com). Nikon's flagship model for the 8-megapixel category, the Coolpix 8800 is an incredible photography tool for serious photographers. The Coolpix 8800 is the most powerful compact digital camera available to consumers, boasting a high-powered 10x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED glass lens, which opens the shooter to an unmatched 35-350mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range, the longest zoom range available in the 8-megapixel category, and delivers razor sharp images.

To complement this versatile and precise lens, Nikon has incorporated its Vibration Reduction (VR) System – a version of the system used in Nikkor professional SLR lenses – into the Coolpix 8800. The benefits of VR are further evident with the Coolpix 8800 digital camera system, when enhanced with a series of dedicated lens accessories that broaden the range of lens performance from Fisheye (7mm) to a 600mm telephoto. The incorporation of VR into the Coolpix 8800 represents a milestone first for Nikon and the Coolpix series as state of the art technology is now being applied to consumer compact cameras.

“With the tremendous success of consumer-level digital SLR cameras, there remains a very large population of advanced photographers looking for a high-powered, compact, all-in-one solution. The Nikon Coolpix 8800 addresses these consumers head-on,” said Jerry Grossman, vice president, Marketing, for Nikon Inc. “The Coolpix 8800 brings a completely new dimension to compact digital photography with its applications of new technology adapted and applied from Nikon's professional products. This is truly a market leader.”

Nikon has grabbed the lead in the popular and powerful 8-megapixel camera category with the announcement of the new Coolpix 8800 and the wide-angle Coolpix 8400, which at 24mm is the widest compact digital camera available today. These remarkable new products combine 8.0-megapixel resolution with pro-quality Nikkor ED optics and framing and zooming options that complement today's digital photographers.

Nikon Coolpix 8800 – The Flagship of Compact Digital Cameras
The Nikon Coolpix 8800 is the ideal camera for serious photographers who consider the lens a critical factor in their regular shooting. The camera will also satisfy photographers that demand the highest level of quality and control from their compact digital camera. The camera incorporates new features to help produce outstanding images straight out of the camera.

The Coolpix 8800, and its counterpart Coolpix 8400, are the first digital cameras to offer Nikon's D-lighting option. In Playback, D-lighting compensates for an underexposed area of an image while maintaining the properly exposed area of the same image. The result resembles a “digital fill flash” and salvages dark silhouettes into well-balanced album-worthy memories. Another new feature, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™, automatically corrects red-eye inside the camera in most instances when using the Red-Eye Reduction mode of the built-in flash. With In-Camera Red-Eye Fix™ activated, photographers will see most common red-eye photos rapidly diminishing or disappearing entirely from their pictures. In fact, they may never see red-eye again. The combination of these new features alone addresses two of the most commonly experienced problem in photography and corrects them with ease.

Serious digital photographers demand a great deal from their equipment. The Nikon Coolpix 8800 is well prepared to withstand the wear and tear that comes with frequent use. The camera is constructed with a compact, lightweight magnesium (Mg) alloy body that has been designed for durability and portability, with a secure, comfortable grip for stability during shooting. Nikon has employed the high resolution (238,000 pixel) electronic viewfinder (EVF) for extremely sharp, through-the-lens viewing. In addition, users can use the large 1.8” vari-angle LCD panel to review shots on the go.

The Nikon Coolpix 8800 digital camera incorporates four exposure modes to give the photographer ultimate creative control over their image capture. These modes include Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A] and Manual [M]. The camera also offers an automatic mode, which makes the Coolpix 8800 an ideal tool in situations where operation needs to be ‘point-and-shoot simple.' For added convenience, the camera incorporates 15 preset Scene Modes that allow for striking images in practically any shooting situation. The camera has the ability to capture images in RAW recording mode (NEF format) for maximum image control and manipulation after the picture is taken using Nikon's new Capture 4.2 software available for download at www.nikontechusa.com . The camera also supports the newly adopted JPEG EXTRA file format, which offers higher image quality with less compression (compression rate: 1/2) in addition to its Basic, Normal, Fine, TIFF and NEF/RAW settings.

‘Rock-Steady' – Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) System
The lens of the Coolpix 8800 incorporates Nikon's Vibration Reduction System. VR automatically detects and compensates for the small camera movements that cause image blur. This offers the user the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to three stops slower without the risk of camera vibrations blurring the image. Along with Normal Mode, which enables remarkably clear handheld shots, Active Mode helps to ensure a smoother view in shaky conditions like a moving vehicle. VR gives Coolpix 8800 photographers the tool they need to achieve sharp, clear images when shooting in low light or when taking handheld telephoto and macro shots.

Legendary Nikkor Optics – The Lens Matters
No matter the type or size of a camera, great pictures begin with great lenses. More professionals choose Nikkor lenses than all other brands combined. That very same quality is built into the Nikkor lens of every Nikon Coolpix digital camera, including the Nikon Coolpix 8800. The Nikon Coolpix 8800 has a zoom range of 35-350 mm (35mm equivalent). The lens incorporates ED glass elements to produce clear, sharp, colorful images.

‘Broaden Your View' – Accessories Push the Limits Of Compact Digital Photography
The Nikon Coolpix 8800 supports a complete series of affordable accessory lenses, which expand the camera's zoom range from 7mm-600mm, previously unimaginable in the consumer compact digital category. The Coolpix 8800 is compatible with Coolpix accessory lenses including the all new 1.7x ED glass teleconverter (TC-E17ED) (600mm), the new 0.8x Wide Angle Adapter (WM-E80) (28mm) and the Fisheye converter lens (FC-E9) (7mm). That translates to a whopping 86x optical zoom capability…a figure that is unparalleled throughout the photo industry. The Coolpix 8800's VR system even works with the accessory telephoto converter lens at 600mm. In addition, lighting enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the Coolpix 8800's accessory hot shoe now enables i-TTL flash operation using the Nikon SB-800 or SB-600, including complete control of the zoom head. This combination of available additions makes the Coolpix 8800 and its accessories a complete and viable compact system.

Nikon Coolpix 8800 Key Features:

• 8.0 effective megapixels (3,264 x 2,448-pixels)

• 10x optical Zoom-Nikkor ED lens with a zoom ratio of 35-350 mm (35mm [135] format)

• Vibration Reduction (VR) system shoots up to 3 stops slower

• 238,000-pixel high resolution through-the-lens EVF (Electronic Viewfinder), enhances user experience with backlight LED illumination

• Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A] and Manual [M] exposure control modes

• RAW data image mode - NEF

• Fast, accurate Nine-Area Multi Autofocus

• Macro shooting capability as close as 1.2-inches supported by Best Shot Selector (BSS) function and VR function

• AE-BSS (Auto Exposure-BSS) for automatic selection of the best relative exposure — highlight, shadow or histogram

• Quick response - instant startup, reduced shutter release time lag and fast image processing

• 15 preset Scene Modes, including the new Panorama Assist Mode

• Continuous shooting of up to 5 full-size images at 2.3 frames per second (fps)

• Nikon's exclusive 256-segment Matrix Metering, complemented by Center-Weighted, Spot and Spot AF area metering

• Noise Reduction Mode for timed exposures slower than ¼ of a second

• In-camera color control - Saturation control (5 steps and B&W)

• Movie — TV movie (640 x 480 pixels; 30 fps) with audio, Small movie (320 x 240 pixels; 15 fps) with audio, or Sepia movie (320 x 240 pixels; 5 fps) with audio, or Time-lapse movie (640 x 480 pixels; 30 fps) without audio

• Large vari-angle highly transmissible advanced TFT-LCD backlit monitor for greater visibility – even in bright sunlight

Software and Equipment – Value Matters
The Nikon Coolpix 8800 incorporates PictureProject™, the company's next generation of photo software designed to be a management and activity center for all of your digital images. This new software package is aimed at creating a simple, intuitive and seamless photographic experience for digital photographers of all skill levels. PictureProject takes everything and puts it onto one screen helping people using the software to feel comfortable with its features within minutes.

Nikon also includes a software suite from ArcSoft ® including VideoImpression™ to edit and share QuickTime™ movies taken with the camera and Panorama Maker™, which takes advantage of the Coolpix 8800's Panorama Assist Mode and seamlessly stitches together multiple horizontal or vertical images to create beautiful panoramic photos.

The Nikon Coolpix 8800 provides users with all the equipment they need to begin shooting, which includes PictureProject image management software, USB cable, video cable, neck strap, the new EN-EL7 rechargeable battery and quick charger.

The Nikon Coolpix 8800 will be available at retail in Fall 2004 at an MSRP of $999.95. For more information about this and other Nikon Coolpix cameras, please visit www.nikondigitalusa.com .

About Nikon
Nikon ...If the picture matters, the camera matters™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology and is recognized worldwide 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 professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; 35mm compact cameras; Nikon Coolpix ® compact digital cameras; Coolscan ® digital film scanners; Nikonos ® underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative™, t he 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 . HYPERLINK "http://www.nikonusa.com/" . www.nikonusa.com ., which links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

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