PMA 2009

Nikon Coolpix P90--photos

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Nikon joins the ranks of manufacturers ramping up their top-of-the-line megazoom models to 24X. The replacement for the P80, the Nikon Coolpix P90, outzooms its 18X predecessor with an f2.8-5 26-624mm-equivalent lens, and outpixels it by upping the resolution from 10 megapixels to 12. More useful, Nikon incorporates a tilting 3-inch LCD into the camera, bringing it into parity with competing megazooms from Canon, Sony, and others.

With its spring cameras, Nikon introduces its "4-Way Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization," which consists of optical IS, auto-shutter speed/ISO determination to compensate for moving subjects, and a Best Shot Selector option for choosing the sharpest photo out of a burst of 10. Like the P80, it supports up to ISO 1600 with reduced resolution for ISO 3200 and 6400. Also new, the camera has a mode for 15fps continuous shooting for up to 45 frames, though it's not clear if that's at a reduced resolution as well. And like all its competitors, Nikon introduces its own get-the-faces-right system comprised of automatic red-eye fix, improved face-priority AF, and smile- and blink-detection.

We found the P80 unusably slow, and Nikon hasn't mentioned anything about performance enhancements for its successor. Nor does the P90 add raw format support.

The P90 ships in March 2009 for $399.95.

Photos: Nikon's 'lifestyle' cameras

Nikon plays catch-up to the competition by introducing a budget megazoom model, the Coolpix L100. Characteristically, budget megazooms offer shorter lenses than their more expensive siblings and eschew the electronic viewfinder; the 10-megapixel L100 follows the pattern with its 15x f3.5-5.4 28-420mm lens, which is slower and shorter than its sister the P90's. Though it uses a 3-inch LCD, the L100's doesn't tilt like the P90's does.

Like the more expensive models, though, Nikon adds its "4-Way Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization" which consists of optical IS, auto shutter speed/ISO determination to compensate for moving subjects, and a Best Shot Selector option for choosing the sharpest photo out of a burst of 10. Like the P80, it supports up to ISO 1600 with reduced resolution for ISO 3200 and 6400. Also new, the camera has a mode for 13 frames per second continuous shooting at full resolution for an unspecified number of frames, or 30fps for 30 frames at 3 megapixels or less. Like all its competitors, Nikon introduces its own get-the-faces-right system comprised of automatic red-eye fix, improved face-priority AF, and smile- and blink-detection.

The Coolpix L100 is slated to ship in April for $279.95.

At the bottom of Nikon's photographic food chain sit the Coolpix L20 and L19, 3.6x zoom cameras that run off 2 AA batteries. The L20 is a 10-megapixel model with a 3-inch LCD, while the L19 uses an 8-megapixel sensor, and 2.7-inch LCD. Both ship this month; the L20 will cost $129.95, while the L19 will run $109.95, making it the cheapest Nikon ever.

(Credit: Nikon)

While it doesn't feature an ultracompact metal body like the new Coolpix S-series cameras, or the viewfinder and manual controls of the new Coolpix P60, Nikon's new budget-priced Coolpix L18 stands out as the most affordable of Nikon's new cameras.

The colorful, 8-megapixel L18 sports a large 3-inch LCD screen, a surprising feature in a sub-$150 camera. Besides the large screen, however, the L18 offers a standard and unremarkable feature set, including a 3x optical zoom, 32 MB of built-in memory, and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 1,600. It draws power from two AA batteries, so you can choose between rechargeable batteries or cheaper, one-use lithium/oxy-nickel/alkaline cells. The Coolpix L18 ships in March with a suggested retail price of $140. It will be available in a variety of colors, including red and blue versions.

(Credit: Nikon)

Nikon has unveiled a pack of pocketable point-and-shoot cameras for style-minded users. These new Nikon Coolpix cameras all feature ultracompact, all-metal bodies, and range from a sub-$200 budget shooter to a feature-laden $300 model.

The Coolpix S210 presents the least expensive of the Coolpix S-cameras. It fits an 8-megapixel sensor and a 3x optical zoom lens into a 3/4-inch-thick aluminum body, making it very pocket-friendly. Its 2.5-inch screen is smaller than the L18's, but it makes up for its size with a high resolution and a 170-degree viewing angle. The Coolpix S210 also ships in March with a retail price of $180, and will be available in black, bronze, plum, and blue versions.

Optical image stabilization bumps the Coolpix S520 past the $200 point, making it the most expensive of Nikon's new 8-megapixel point-and-shoots. It keeps the same 2.5-inch LCD and 3x optical zoom magnification as the S210, but the addition of Nikon's Optical Vibration Reduction feature gives it an edge in low-light and high-speed shots. The Coolpix S520 ships in February, with a suggested price of $230.

Also retailing for about $230, the Coolpix S550 forgoes optical stabilization for a larger lens and higher resolution. The S550 features a 10-megapixel sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens, though it only offers Nikon's Electronic Vibration Reduction image stabilization. Instead of shifting the lens itself, electronic image stabilization boosts ISO sensitivity and quickens the shutter to reduce shake. This camera also incorporates Nikon's Smile Mode and Blink Warning, features that can automatically take photos when subjects smile, and warn users when subjects blink. The Coolpix S550 ships in February, and will be available in blue, red, and black.

The Coolpix S600 presents most advanced member of Nikon's latest wave of Coolpix S-series cameras. The 10-megapixel S600 features a 28 to 112mm-equivalent 4x optical zoom that incorporates optical image stabilization to reduce shake. It sports a 2.7-inch LCD screen, and can reach up to ISO 3,200 sensitivity, the highest of any of the new Coolpix S-cameras. Nikon claims that the S600 has the fastest start-up time of any camera in its class at 0.7 second, though we won't know until we test it for ourselves. The slate black Nikon Coolpix S600 ships in March, with a suggested retail price of $300.

Nikon Coolpix P60

(Credit: Nikon USA)

Taking on the popular Canon A720 IS with its update to the P50, Nikon's Coolpix P60 includes some nontrivial enhancements, including optical image stabilization (Vibration Reduction, or VR), an electronic viewfinder (which is unusual in a non-megazoom), and an increase in the zoom range to 5x up from 3.5x.

However, the longer zoom reach comes at the expense of the wide angle: the P50 offered an f/2.8-5.6 28mm-102mm-equivalent range, in contrast to the P60's narrower (though a bit faster at the telephoto end) f/3.6-4.5 36mm-180mm-equivalent range.

Though it uses the same 8-megapixel sensor as its predecessor and continues to operate off two AA batteries, the LCD grows a smidge to 2.7 inches from 2.4 inches. Oddly, like the P50, it offers Program and full Manual exposure modes, but no aperture- or shutter-priority shooting options.

Nikon plans to ship the Coolpix P60 in the beginning of March for $229.95.