5 new COOLPIX S-series models - features include backside illumination CMOS sensors for beautiful photos of even dark scenes, effective pixel counts of up to 16-million pixels, a slim new 18X zoom NIKKOR lens and a convenient touch panel monitor

February 9, 2011 -- TOKYO -- Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the five new COOLPIX S-series models that incorporate advanced functions in a stylish design.

The Nikon COOLPIX S9100, which establishes a new branch in the S-series lineup, is a high-performance model equipped with a slim new 18× zoom lens and a backside illumination CMOS sensor that effectively suppresses noise in photos taken at high sensitivities. Together, these two features enable the capture of beautiful photos of dark scenes, including night landscapes and indoor scenes. What's more, the camera also offers support for recording of full-HD movies. The Nikon COOLPIX S6100 is successor to the S6000 and offers the same technologies for capturing beautiful, blur-free photos of difficult nighttime scenes that made the S6000 so popular. A touch panel LCD monitor has been adopted for the S6100, which also offers an effective pixel count of 16-million pixels. The Nikon COOLPIX S4100 and S3100 are even slimmer than their predecessors, the S4000 and S3000, and offer improved zoom functions and come in a rich variety of stylish color options. Finally, the Nikon COOLPIX S2500 is released as a model with basic camera functions that make photography simpler and more enjoyable.

COOLPIX S9100 Primary Features

1. Incorporation of an 18× optical zoom NIKKOR lens that covers a wide range of angles of view from wide-angle 25mm to super-telephoto 450mm (both equivalent in 35mm [135] format) without sacrificing a small body size

2. Backside illumination CMOS sensor enables capture of images in which noise is suppressed, even with shooting of dimly lit scenes such as night landscapes and indoor scenes
   The camera is equipped with a backside illumination CMOS image sensor with superior high-speed continuous shooting performance.
   In Night Portrait, Backlighting and Night Landscape scene modes, multiple shots are captured in quick succession and then combined and recorded as a single image. A series of images with varying sensitivity and shutter speed are captured at high speed and then combined to accurately produce the intended results regardless of the lighting conditions.

   Night Portrait mode
   Several shots are captured to reduce blur and noise in the background, and one shot using the flash is captured to ensure a bright portrait subject. These shots are then combined in a single photo with optimal exposure throughout. The portrait subject is brightly lit while the ambience of the background is preserved, enabling hand-held shooting of beautiful souvenir photos of a night at the amusement park or at a dimly lit indoor party with friends.

   Backlighting mode
   When the HDR (high dynamic range) setting is enabled in Backlighting mode with shooting of high-contrast scenes, the camera captures multiple shots at varying exposure and combines them for a single photo with no loss of detail in highlights or shadows, and a broader range of tones.

   Night Landscape mode
   In Night Landscape mode, a series of images are captured and then combined into a single image in which blur and noise has been suppressed. This allows users to immediately capture beautiful night landscapes on the spur of the moment with hand-held shooting and no prior preparation.

3. 3-inch, approximately 921k-dot TFT LCD monitor with wide viewing angle offers bright display under sunny skies and clear viewing indoors
   The camera is equipped with a three-inch, approximately 921k-dot, wide-viewing angle Clear Color Display TFT LCD monitor. Monitor display is bright and clear, making shooting, viewing images and applying settings easy under sunny skies or in rooms where light is reflected in the monitor. In addition, the expanded color reproduction range covers a broader range of colors for reproduction of almost the entire sRGB gamut.

4. A variety of shooting functions that enable capture of photos as intended Easy Panorama mode
   With the S9100, it is easy to create dynamic vertical or horizontal panorama photos. Angle of view can be selected from 180° (normal) and 360° (wide). The user need simply move the camera in the desired direction, and the camera automatically recognizes the direction in which shots should progress. Multiple shots are then combined in a single panorama photo.

   Pet Portrait mode
   When a dog or cat faces the camera, the camera detects the face, focuses on it and then releases the shutter, all automatically.
   * The shutter can also be released manually by disabling the Pet Portrait Auto Release feature.

   Special Effects
   Use the shooting menu to apply a special effect that modifies aspects such as color or contrast with still image or movie recording for a more delicate look or to increase impact. Soft, High Key, Low Key, Nostalgic Sepia, High-contrast Monochrome and Selective Color options are available.

5. Equipped with a function for recording high-resolution full-HD movies with stereo sound
   Full-HD movies with stereo sound and a frame size of 1920 X 1080 pixels can be recorded. In addition, optical zoom can be used during movie recording. What's more, dramatic movies recorded using the HS Movie function can be played back in slow motion at 1/8 ,1/4 or 1/2 the normal playback speed, or in fast motion at twice the normal playback speed for a comical effect.

COOLPIX S6100 Primary Features

1. An effective pixel count of 16.0-million pixels and a 7X optical zoom NIKKOR lens with a zoom range beginning at wide-angle 28mm (equivalent in 35mm [135] format), all in a slim and stylish body

2. 3-in., wide viewing angle touch panel TFT LCD monitor for smooth operation
   The touch panel can be used with features such as the Touch Shutter and Subject Tracking. In addition, decorations can be applied, and the supplied stylus can be used to write on photos taken with the camera. The touch panel makes operations, such as just tapping the monitor to create slide shows with animated characters, easy and intuitive.

3. Equipped with 4 functions that enable capture of beautiful nighttime shots in difficult dimly lit or dark surroundings

   Low noise at high sensitivities
   The combination of the EXPEED C2 image processing engine that supports high sensitivities and advanced noise reduction processing technology enables superior image quality in images captured at ISO 1600 with automatic ISO sensitivity adjustment and ISO 3200 with manual ISO sensitivity specification.

   Motion detection
   The camera detects camera shake and subject movement with shooting, and automatically compensates by controlling shutter speed and ISO sensitivity.

   Lens-shift vibration reduction (VR)
   The effects of camera shake are reduced to a degree equivalent to a three-step increase in shutter speed.

   Flash control
   Not only is shutter speed reduced with shooting in dimly lit or dark surroundings, but ISO sensitivity is also adjusted to reduce blur caused by camera shake for brighter, more natural photos.

4. A variety of shooting, playback and retouch functions that enable creation of photos as intended

   Pet Portrait mode
   When a dog or cat faces the camera, the camera detects the face, focuses on it and then releases the shutter, all automatically.
   * The shutter can also be released manually by disabling the Pet Portrait Auto Release feature.

   Slide shows with animated characters
   Create a slide show with animated characters by simply tapping the monitor. The camera is equipped with three background music tracks for use with slide shows.

   Filter Effects
   Simply tap the monitor to easily apply filter effects to photos taken with the camera, without connection to a computer. Soft, Selective Color, Cross Screen, Fisheye and Miniature Effect options are available.

5. Easy HD movie recording with the press of a button
   HD movies can be recorded by simply pressing the movie-record button. In addition, optical zoom can be used during movie recording.

COOLPIX S4100 / S3100 Primary Features

1. Effective pixel counts of 14.0-million pixels and 5X optical zoom NIKKOR lenses with zoom ranges beginning at wide-angle 26mm (equivalent in 35mm [135] format), all in slim bodies that can be taken anywhere

2. Slimmer than their predecessors, these cameras are extremely stylish and portable
   These camera's bodies are slimmer than their predecessors, despite the 5X optical zoom lenses built into them. Gentler angles and smoothly curved flat surfaces result in a simpler, yet stylish design.

3. A variety of shooting and playback functions that enable creation of photos as intended

   Pet Portrait mode
   When a dog or cat faces the camera, the camera automatically detects the face and then automatically releases the shutter.
   * The shutter can also be released manually by disabling the Pet Portrait Auto Release feature.

   Filter Effects
   Use the camera to easily apply filter effects to photos already taken without connection to a computer. Soft, Selective Color, Cross Screen, Fisheye and Miniature Effect options are available. With the S4100, images can be easily edited by simply tapping the monitor.

4. A variety of color options
   The cameras come in a rich lineup of color options to suit individual lifestyle or preference.

5. 3-in., high-resolution 460k-dot, wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor (COOLPIX S4100 only)
   The touch panel makes operations easy and intuitive with features such as the Touch Shutter and Subject Tracking. In addition, text and decorations can be applied to photos taken with the camera, and a sliding finger motion can be used to view photos one at a time. What's more, the shooting display has been streamlined and is easier to use with the adoption of a new graphical user interface (GUI) that uses a tab system so that the menu icons displayed with shooting are visible only when they are needed.

6. Original animated characters built in (COOLPIX S4100 only)
   Enjoy slide shows to which original animated characters (a total of five characters) built into the camera have been added with slide show playback.

COOLPIX S2500 Primary Features

1. An effective pixel count of 12.0-million pixels and a 4X optical zoom NIKKOR lens with a zoom range beginning at the wide-angle 27mm (equivalent in 35mm [135] format)

2. Enriched basic functions that enable anyone to easily take beautiful photos
   The camera offers enriched basic functions, including Scene Auto Selector mode, with which the camera identifies shooting conditions and automatically enables the appropriate scene mode, Smart Portrait mode with Smile Timer, Blink Proof and Skin Softening functions, and Subject Tracking, with which the camera maintains focus on the registered subject. Features like these make it easy for anyone to take beautiful photos.

3. A simple design and 20-mm slim body that makes the camera extremely portable
   The aluminum body, smooth, rounded form, and simple design give the camera an elegant appearance, and with a depth of just 20 mm, it is extremely portable. What's more, in addition to the standard color, three vivid color options are available for a total of four colors to suit individual style.