Nikon announces Coolpix 885! (UPDATED)
By
Mike Tomkins
(Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 09:55 EDT)
Coolpix 880 successor updates CCD, lens, firmware features...
Nikon Inc. has today announced its new Coolpix 885 digital camera, an update to the existing Coolpix 880. Featuring a new CCD sensor with just slightly higher resolution (3.37 megapixel sensor and 3.21 megapixel effective resolutions, as compared to 3.34 and 3.14 megapixels for the old camera), the camera also replaces the 880's 2.5x zoom lens with a 3x optical zoom, and features a slightly smaller and lighter chassis. Following is a list of changes to the camera firmware and design we spotted at a first glance, including: - Slightly higher CCD sensor resolution (3.37 megapixel vs. 3.34; 3.21 megapixel effective vs. 3.14)
- 3x optical zoom vs. 2.5x on 880
- Slightly smaller/lighter chassis design
- New 'Museum' scene mode for taking indoors photos without flash
- Simplified exposure mode options (Auto and Custom modes plus 12 scene modes; P, A and M modes from Coolpix 880 removed).
- One-touch uploading of images via a new 'Transfer' button
- Mass Storage Class compliance
- Email transfer mode creates small (640 x 480 - 96 x 72 pixel) thumbnail images suitable for emailing to friends and family
- Noise reduction mode for cleaner long exposures
- Smaller 1.5" LCD display vs. 1.8" on Coolpix 880 (same resolution, though)
- White balance bracketing
- Print Image Matching compliance
We've only just received info from Nikon on the Coolpix 885, and expect to have the camera in our database shortly, at which time we'll update this item with a specification summary. Stay tuned!
UPDATED 2001-08-23 11:52ET: Full specifications for the Nikon Coolpix 885 are now in our database, and as promised above, highlights follow:
| Specification Highlights - full specifications here | | Nikon Coolpix 885 |  | | General | | Model Number: | E885 | | Camera Format: | Ultra-compact | | Price: | $599 | | Date Available: | September 2001 | | Image Capture | | Image Sensor: | 3.37 megapixel (3.21 megapixel effective) | | Image Resolution: | 2048x1536, 1024x768, 640x480, 320x240, 160x120, 96x72 | | Lens | | Focal Length (effective): | 38 - 114mm (3x optical zoom) | | Digital Zoom: | 4x in 0.2x steps | | Auto Focus: | Yes | | Manual Focus: | Yes (49 steps) | | Normal Focus Range: | 30 cm to Infinity; 12.2 in to Infinity | | Macro Focus Range: | 4 cm to Infinity; 1.6 in to Infinity | | Aperture Range: | f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.9 (tele) - f/7.6 | | Display | | Optical Viewfinder: | Yes (Real Image optical zoom type w/ LED indication) | | LCD Viewfinder: | Yes (1.5 inch, 110,000 pixel) | | Exposure | | ISO Settings: | Auto (100 - 400), 100, 200, 400 | | White Balance Settings: | Auto, 5-mode manual w/ fine tuning, hold, bracketing | | Manual White Balance: | Yes | | Shutter Speeds: | 60 - 1/1000 second | | Exp Adj Range: | +/- 2.0EV in 1/3EV steps | | Metering Modes: | 256-segment Matrix, Centre-Weighted, Spot, Spot AF Area | | Exposure Modes: | Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual | | Self Timer: | 3 or 10 seconds | | Flash | | Internal Flash: | Yes | | Flash Modes: | Auto, Off, Red-Eye Reduction, On, Slow Sync | | Flash Range Description: | 0.4 to 3.7 m, 1.3 to 12.1 ft. (wide); 0.4 to 2.3 m, 1.3 to 7.5 ft. (tele) | | Ext Flash: | No | | Image Storage | | Flash Memory: | CompactFlash Type-I | | Memory Included: | 16MB | | File Formats: | TIFF, JPEG (Exif 2.1), QuickTime MOV | | More Information | | Weight: | 225 g; 7.9 oz | | Weight With Batteries? | No | | Size: | 95 x 69 x 52mm; 3.7 x 2.2 x 2.0in | | Notes & Features: | Zoom lens is Nikkor-branded. Minimum focus distance of 30cm/1ft (normal) and 4cm/1.6in (macro) is at wide angle; telephoto figures are 60cm/2ft (normal) and 30cm/1ft (macro). Has two possible aperture settings in manual mode, f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.9 (tele) or f/7.6. Offers four 'email' picture sizes via resizing at upload time: 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120 or 96 x 72 pixels. 'Scene' modes are: Portrait, Party/Indoor, Night Portrait, Beach/Snow, Landscape, Sunset, Night Landscape, Museum, Fireworks Show, Close Up, Copy and Back Light. Shutter speeds of 8 to 60 seconds in manual mode only. Has focus confirmation in manual focus mode. Best Shot Selector (BSS) function takes up to 10 images whilst shutter button held down, then selects the highest contrast image (hence, the sharpest) and discards the rest. White balance bracketing takes a series of images with different white balance settings. Auto Exposure Bracketing takes a series of images with different exposure. Sharpening level is user-adjustable in Custom mode. 'Quick Review' button shows images during shooting, and allows deletion. 'Transfer' button allows one-touch uploading of images. Has noise reduction capability for long exposures. Burst mode of 30fps for 70 frames is at QVGA (320x240 pixel) only. Multi-shot mode captures 16 thumbnail images in one larger image. USB Mass Storage Class compliant for driverless connectivity with Windows 2000 and Me, or MacOS 8.6+. Complies with Epson PRINT Image Matching technology for improved color reproduction with compatible printers/software. Battery life rated at 90 minutes with EN-EL1 rechargeable battery, 100 minutes with 2CR5 disposable. Bundled with lens cap, wrist strap, video cable, 16MB CompactFlash card, USB cable, Nikon View 4 CD-ROM. In some markets, will come with rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL1 and Battery Charger MH-52 - note that US cameras will include a disposable 2CR5 battery only, and the optional battery/charger will be a must-buy. Other optional accessories include Soft Case-E885, Step Down Ring Lens Adaptor UR-E4, Wideangle Converter WC-E24/WC-E63, Telephoto Converter TC-2E/TC-E3ED, Fisheye Converter FC-E8, Slide Copy Adaptor ES-E28, Remote Cord MC-EU1 and LCD Hood HL-E885. Available in metallic silver or charcoal black versions. | | More Photos |  |  |  |  |  | | |
Our sincere thanks to Phil Askey of the Digital Photography Review for providing us with the four high-resolution images above, which we had yet to receive from Nikon ourselves!
UPDATED 2001-08-24 12:56ET: We asked Nikon for confirmation as to which color(s) of the Coolpix 885 would be sold on the US market, and they've informed us that only the black version will be sold here. They also provided us with one more press photo:
Source:
Nikon Inc.
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Original Source Press Release:
| NIKON’S NEW COOLPIX® 885 COMBINES HIGH IMAGE QUALITY WITH EASY-TO-USE FEATURES FOR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY MELVILLE, NY, August 23, 2001 – Nikon (www.nikonusa.com), the world leader in photography, today introduced the Coolpix� 885, the newest digital camera in the Coolpix line to include a Transfer button on the camera for directly uploading digital photos quickly and easily to the desktop or the Internet. The Coolpix 885’s One-Touch Upload to the Web™ feature takes the guesswork out of digital photography for creating personalized photo albums online, adding special effects and e-mailing photos to friends and family. Featuring a 3-megapixel CCD and 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens, the 885 offers users a digital camera that is as technologically advanced as it is fun and easy to use. The Coolpix 885 can be used with Nikon Telephoto, Wide-angle and Fisheye Converter Lenses and features a movie mode for capturing 40 seconds of 15 fps video.
“Nikon designed the Coolpix 885 for people who want high quality images and ease-of-use in a compact digital camera,” said Deborah Sauer, general manager, marketing, Nikon Consumer Digital Products and Compact Cameras. “The Coolpix 885 offers the best of both worlds – it is the perfect camera for the novice digital camera user who wants easy-to-use features and the power of a Nikon in a compact package, and the more advanced digital photographer who demands high quality optics, White Balance Bracketing and Noise Reduction in a small and lightweight design.”
More Power, Smaller Size
The Coolpix 885 features a 3.21 million effective pixels CCD and a new 3x Optical Zoom-Nikkor lens (8-24mm/38-114mm equivalent) to provide images with defined color, contrast and clarity. The new camera weighs only 7.9 ounces without battery and CompactFlash™ card.
Transfer Button and Expanded Scene Modes for Easier Operation
Sharing digital photos, emailing friends and family, printing digital photos and creating online photo albums has never been easier. After pictures are taken, users connect the camera to a computer (with the included USB cable), press the “Transfer” button on the back of the camera, and photos can be automatically moved to the desktop or uploaded to NikonNet (www.nikonnet.com) through NikonView software. NikonView is included with the camera and can be easily installed on any compatible computer. Once photos are uploaded to NikonNet, the user can save the images, share them via e-mail or create online photo albums.
The Coolpix 885 comes with versatile features to ensure great photos from beginners to advanced photographers with an Automatic mode as well as 12 different Scene modes. Selected Scene modes in the camera include: Portrait; Party/Indoor; Night Portrait; Beach/Snow; Landscape; Night Landscape; Sunset; Fireworks; Close Up; Copy; Backlight and the new Museum mode which cancels the flash. To make sure the best shot was taken, users simply press the Quick Review button on the camera to display the image in � of the LCD screen, so that users can still see and shoot the action taking place on the other side of the lens.
Advanced Features for All Photographers
For the more advanced photographer, the camera comes with an automatic Noise Reduction mode for clean images taken at slower shutter speeds and versatile white balance settings and White Balance Bracketing. Additional advanced features on the Coolpix 885 include a Five-Area Multi Autofocus and a five-mode advanced built-in speedlight. The Coolpix 885 is compatible with Nikon Telephoto, Wideangle and Fisheye Converter Lenses as well as the Slide Copy Adapter (with optional Step Down Ring Lens Adapter UR-E4).
Making Digital Photography Fun With Added Software
The Coolpix 885 digital camera includes NikonView 4 software, which gives users ultimate control of how they save, view, store and use their digital images. For added image creativity, the camera features an easy-to-use suite of software from ArcSoft®. PhotoImpression™ 2000, is a fun manipulation package that allows users to edit, retouch or apply special effects to photos. ArcSoft VideoImpression™ lets users edit and share their QuickTime, MPG and AVI movies. PhotoPrinter Pro� 2000 makes it possible to create prints easily, in varying sizes on one sheet of printer paper. The Coolpix 885 also offers ArcSoft Panorama Maker� 2000, which lets users easily stitch together a number of images to automatically create beautiful panoramic photographs ready to print or e-mail. To organize and catalog all the pictures, the Coolpix 885 comes with Canto Cumulus 5.0 Trial and iView Media Pro – trial version (Macintosh only).
Complete with a 16MB Lexar Media CompactFlash™ card and a 2CR5 lithium battery for use right out of the box, as well as a lens cap, wrist strap, USB and video cables, the Nikon 885 will be available September 2001 for an MSRP of $599.95.
About Nikon
Nikon Inc., the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology, is recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance in consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Advanced Photo System cameras; 35mm compact cameras; Coolpix® compact digital cameras; Coolscan® digital film scanners; Nikonos® underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. The company plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For product information, contact Nikon at (800) NIKON-UX or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
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