Three new AA-powered Nikon Coolpix cameras

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posted Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 1:56 AM EST

Nikon's Coolpix L810 digital camera. Photo provided by Nikon Inc. Click for our Nikon L810 preview! Rounding out its announcements for the day, Nikon has three new cameras for its Coolpix L- and S-series lineups, all of which are aimed at photographers who shun proprietary battery packs in favor of standard AA cells.

The Nikon Coolpix S30 and L26 are both compacts that draw their lifeblood from a pair of AA batteries, while the Coolpix L810 has an SLR-like body that requires a full set of four AA cells.

Both the S30 and L26 are riced at around $120, placing them clearly in entry-level territory, but their feature sets differ significantly. The S30 opts for a lower-res ten megapixel sensor, more modest 3x zoom lens, and smaller 2.7-inch LCD display. On the plus side, it boasts worthwhile waterproofing to near ten feet, as well as a modicum of shockproofing to withstand a drop from a little over two feet. To learn more, read our Nikon S30 preview.

The L26 lacks any world-proofing, but boasts a higher 16 megapixel resolution, more powerful 5x zoom lens, and larger 3.0-inch LCD panel. More info is in our Nikon L26 preview.

Of the trio, the Coolpix L810 is the most interesting, however. There's a 16 megapixel imager, a powerful 26x zoom lens, and a large, high-res 3.0-inch LCD panel. If you're shopping for an AA-based long zoom, take a look at our Nikon L810 preview.

Nikon Coolpix L810
Nikon's Coolpix L810 digital camera. Photo provided by Nikon Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Mid-Sized
Manufacturer Nikon
Model Number North America: L810
Dimensions 4.4 x 3.0 x 3.3 in.
(111 x 76 x 83 mm)
Weight 15.2 oz (430 g)
Planned Price $280
Planned Availability February 2012
Image Capture
Sensor Type CCD
1/2.3 (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
16.44 megapixels (total)
16.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Image Dimensions 4608 x 3456 (15.9 megapixels)
3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
2272 x 1704 (3.9 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
4608 x 2592 (11.9 megapixels)
11.9 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 3.0 in. diagonal
921,000 dots (approx. 307,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens Type Zoom-Nikkor ED VR
26x optical zoom
Image Stabilization Yes
Focal Length 4.0 - 104.0mm (actual)
23 - 585mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/3.1 (wide) / f/5.9 (tele) - ???
Focusing System Contrast Detection
Has AF assist lamp
Focusing Range Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - 4,082" (1 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto (80 to 1600), 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Exposure Modes Program
White Balance Image Sensor
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 0.0EV
Creative
Scene Modes 19 scene modes
Digital Zoom Up to 4x
Self Timer Yes, 10 or 2 seconds
Storage
Recording Medium SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format JPEG, MPO
Connectivity
Video High definition: Yes (HDMI)
Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed
Other HDMI
Power
Battery Type Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables
Battery Form Factor 4 x AA
Product Bundle
Software Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
Battery / Charger 4 x Alkaline AAs battery
Flash Memory 50.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Notes Optical VR Image Stabilization, 720p HD Movies w/ Stereo Sound, 3D Stills, 19 Scene Modes, Smart Portrait System. Available in black, red or blue.
 
Nikon Coolpix L26
Nikon's Coolpix L26 digital camera. Photo provided by Nikon Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Compact
Manufacturer Nikon
Model Number North America: L26
Dimensions 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.1 in.
(96 x 60 x 29 mm)
Weight 5.8 oz (164 g)
Planned Price $120
Planned Availability February 2012
Image Capture
Sensor Type CCD
1/2.3 (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
16.44 megapixels (total)
16.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Image Dimensions 4608 x 3456 (15.9 megapixels)
3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
2272 x 1704 (3.9 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
4608 x 2592 (11.9 megapixels)
11.9 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 3.0 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens Type NIKKOR
5x optical zoom
Focal Length 4.6 - 23.0mm (actual)
26 - 130mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/3.2 (wide) / f/6.5 (tele) - ???
Focusing System Contrast Detection
Has AF assist lamp
Focusing Range Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 4.1" - 4,082" (10 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto (80 to 1600)
Exposure Modes Program
White Balance Image Sensor
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 0.0EV
Creative
Scene Modes 18 scene modes
Digital Zoom Up to 4x
Self Timer Yes, 10 or 2 seconds
Storage
Recording Medium SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format JPEG
Connectivity
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed
Power
Battery Type Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables
Battery Form Factor 2 x AA
Product Bundle
Software Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
Battery / Charger 2 x Alkaline AAs battery
Flash Memory 19.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Notes 720p HD Movies, 18 Scene Modes, Best Shot Selector, Smart Portrait System. Available in black, red or silver.
 
Nikon Coolpix S30
Nikon's Coolpix S30 digital camera. Photo provided by Nikon Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type Compact
Manufacturer Nikon
Model Number North America: S30
Dimensions 4.0 x 2.6 x 1.6 in.
(102 x 65 x 39 mm)
Weight 7.5 oz (214 g)
Planned Price $120
Planned Availability February 2012
Image Capture
Sensor Type CCD
1/3 (approx. 0.33 in. diagonal)
10.44 megapixels (total)
10.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 16:9
Image Dimensions 3648 x 2736 (10.0 megapixels)
2272 x 1704 (3.9 megapixels)
1600 x 1200 (1.9 megapixels)
3.1 megapixels
0.8 megapixels
0.3 megapixels
11.9 megapixels
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder No
LCD 2.7 in. diagonal
230,000 dots (approx. 77,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens Type NIKKOR
3x optical zoom
Focal Length 4.1 - 12.3mm (actual)
29 - 87mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/3.3 (wide) / f/5.9 (tele) - ???
Focusing System Contrast Detection
Focusing Range Normal: 12" - infinity (30 cm - infinity)
Macro: 2.0" - 4,082" (5 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto (80 to 1600)
Exposure Modes Program
White Balance Image Sensor
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off, Flash On, w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; Slow Syncro
Flash Exposure Compensation +/- 0.0EV
Creative
Scene Modes Scene modes include Underwater, Interval Shooting, Highlight Color, Diorama (miniature) Effect, Closeups, Continuous, Food Mode, Soft Focus and Fireworks; Special effects include Soft Focus, Selective Color and Miniature
Self Timer Yes, 10 or 2 seconds
Storage
Recording Medium SD/MMC including SDHC, SDXC, Built-in
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format JPEG
Connectivity
Computer USB 2.0 High Speed
Power
Battery Type Alkaline, Lithium disposables; NiMH rechargeables
Battery Form Factor 2 x AA
Product Bundle
Software Nikon ViewNX 2 CD-ROM
Battery / Charger 2 x Alkaline AAs battery
Flash Memory 47.0MB Internal
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Notes Waterproof to 9.8 feet (3m), Shockproof to 2.6 feet (80cm), Dustproof, 720p HD Movies, Smart Portrait System. Available in a choice of colors including white, blue and pink.
 

Press Release

Nikon Makes It Easy For The Whole Family To Enjoy Coolpix Versatility And Performance For Stunning Photos And HD Video

Easily Capture Special Moments with Spectacular Photo Quality and Have Fun While Doing It

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Jan. 31, 2012) – Today, Nikon Inc. introduced a new line of COOLPIX digital cameras that combine affordability and convenience with performance and versatility to create a lineup of cameras that are ideal for the modern, fast-paced and connected family. Perfect for any type of family adventure from the sidelines to the backyard, the COOLPIX L810, L26 and S30 each offer a simple, convenient and fun way to capture great photos and HD movies with ease.

Expanding on Nikon's outstanding long zoom reputation, the COOLPIX L810's extremely powerful zoom (26x) offers a chance to capture every detail without giving up the convenience of a compact point-and-shoot camera. The COOLPIX S30 is a new type of camera from Nikon, providing worry-proof construction with a simple to use interface and an affordable price point so any family can enjoy photography with a camera that instills confidence. The COOLPIX L26 is ideal for casual photographers and streamlines photo-taking with intelligent Nikon technologies like automatic Scene Modes and easy-to-understand controls. All three cameras are AA battery compatible for the ultimate on-the-go convenience. "Today's family spends time together in more places than the dining room table; they are on adventures and vacations together, constantly in motion and creating memories," said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. "Nikon's latest COOLPIX cameras combine Nikon's renowned image quality, advanced performance and superior technology to offer simple and affordable cameras for every member of your family."

COOLPIX L810: Zoom That Goes the Distance
Whether at the game or in nature, users need a camera that can go the distance to get in close to the action. The COOLPIX L810 sports a powerful 26x (22.5mm-585mm) zoom that makes it possible to capture every detail with extraordinary precision. This latest affordable ultra zoom continues in a long line of superb Nikon compact long zoom cameras and features a super wide 22.5mm wide angle lens with VR image stabilization technology to help eliminate blur in photos and movies, regardless of focal length. Nineteen Scene Modes optimize camera settings automatically for picture-perfect results, while the Smart Portrait System helps make every portrait flattering and pictures priceless. Additionally, the COOLPIX L810 features a Sports Continuous Shooting mode to capture fast moving subjects. If still images aren't enough to tell the whole story, begin recording 720p HD movies with stereo sound through a simple one-touch control button and play them back on a 3-inch, 921,000-dot high resolution LCD display.

COOLPIX S30: No Muss, No Fuss - Ready for Action
A wonderful addition to any family, the COOLPIX S30 makes it easy and fun to preserve memories from the priceless to possibly messy, including a baby's first steps, first swim or first plate of spaghetti. Boasting a shockproof* (up to 2.6 feet) and waterproof *(up to 9.8 feet) exterior, the COOLPIX S30 affords a chance to capture all of their favorite moments without hesitation or worry. A 10.1-megapixel image sensor produces high quality images and HD video that can be easily e-mailed, printed and framed for family and friends. A 3x wide angle zoom lens, HD video capabilities and extremely easy-to-use modes like the Smart Portrait System make the COOLPIX S30 simple, durable and affordable.

COOLPIX L26: The Simple Way to Great Photos and Movies
Let the camera do the thinking while marveling at the great images taken with the COOLPIX L26. Simply point, shoot and let the camera do the rest with easy-to-use and intelligent automatic Scene Modes, helping bring out the user's inner photographer. Featuring a 5x (26mm-130mm) optical Zoom-NIKKOR lens for close to intermediate distance shots, the COOLPIX L26 is fun and easy to use whether snapping photos on a field trip or capturing 720p HD video of a birthday party. A wide and bright 3-inch LCD screen, vibration reduction and Smart Portrait technology make this the ideal camera for the beginner or casual photographer who might not use a camera often, but knows they want amazing image quality when they do.

Price and Availability
The COOLPIX L810 will be available in February 2012 for a suggested retail price (SRP) price of $279.95** in a choice of colors including Black, Red and Blue. The COOLPIX S30 will be available in February 2012 for an SRP of $119.95** in a choice of colors including White, Blue and Pink. The COOLPIX L26 will be available in February 2012 for an SRP of $119.95** in a choice of colors including Red, Black and Silver. For more information about these and other COOLPIX cameras, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics as well as the new Nikon 1 advanced camera with interchangeable lens system. In 2011, production of NIKKOR lenses surpassed 65 million, creating a new milestone in Nikon's heritage of superior optics. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the Web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

Connect with Nikon and other photographers on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nikon and get the latest news and information from Twitter by following @Nikon_USA.

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*More information at www.nikonusa.com/S30info
**Suggested retail price listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.