Nikon Coolpix S3000 and S4000: Compact cameras for kangaroos

Nikon is targeting dainty ladies and tech-savvy marsupials with two ultra-compact cameras that are slim enough to be 'easily carried in a small purse or pouch': the Coolpix S3000 and S4000.

The 12-megapixel S4000 replaces the thoroughly passable 10-megapixel S230. As well as a megapixel boost, it adds a 720p, high-definition movie mode, and increases the wide-angle optical zoom range from 3x to 4x.

The 76mm (3-inch) touch-sensitive LCD screen is the main attraction though, and Nikon's taken the liberty of doubling the display's resolution to 460,000 pixels. You can tap the touchscreen to take a picture, track your subject and edit pictures in-camera. A stylus is included so you can draw comical moustaches on photos of old ladies.

The 20mm-thick S4000 is trumped in the slimness stakes by the 12-megapixel S3000, which is 19mm thin and replaces the S220 snapshooter. It has a longer wide-angle optical zoom than its predecessor, at 4x, and a slightly larger, 69mm (2.7-inch) screen, with no touch-sensitive features. The S220 left us wishing its photo quality matched its impressive design and (for the price) feature set, so hopefully the S3000 can put a smile back on our wizened faces.

Both cameras pack in the usual Nikon features, such as face and smile detection, warnings when your subject's blinked, and 'best shot selector', which snaps 10 shots sequentially and saves the sharpest.

The S4000 will be available in mid-March for a price that's yet to be revealed, as will the S3000. The S4000 will be available in black, pink and red, while the S3000 can be yours in black, blue, green, magenta, orange, red and silver.

Click 'Continue' to see the S4000's touchscreen, and the S3000 just sitting there, acting all nonchalant.